We knew ahead of time that this whole trip was going to be just a brief experience in each of the cities we visit. My outlook was to use this tour as a preview to the cities and to enjoy the basic ambiance and beauty in each area (kind of like just going along for the ride with no expectations). The tour books recommend 3-4 days for Prague, we have 1 day. Getting ahead of myself...I will say right now that I could easily spend a week here to see and do many of the sights that interested me.
Our morning starts off with a local tour guide, so we don our ear pieces
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| They look like secret service agents. |
and follow her through the winding streets. With her voice right in your ear, it seems like she is very near.
So, looking up after getting just the right angle for a picture, you may find that the rest of the group is nowhere in sight....even tho you can hear them perfectly!!
That scenario did not happen to me, but Geoffrey could envision it happening so he was always making sure I was in sight.
We paused in the Josefov district a few minutes for a synopsis of the Jewish history in this area. We did not enter the Old Jewish Cemetery and this is all the view we got of it. Even though it was on my 'would like to go back and see' list, I forgot to when we had a chance :-(
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| Around 12,000 tombstones but, over 100,000 people buried here. |
On we go to Charles Bridge and pass the Rudolfinum on the way, where the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra performs.
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| Neo-Renaissance Architecture |
The impressive sight of the 14th century Old Town Bridge Tower and the 1848 statue of Charles IV comes into view.
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| Charles IV commissioned the bridge's construction. | |
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From this area we have a tremendous view of the beautiful Charles Bridge with its baroque statues and of Lesser Town with its colorful array of buildings.
We are given about 45 minutes to enjoy the bridge, so we pass under the decorated arch of the tower and onto the bridge.
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| Center figure is St. Vitus, to his right is Charles IV, and to the left is Wenceslas IV. |
The walk along the bridge is quite busy with other tourists, musicians, artists, and vendors - some are already set up, and others just now getting ready for the day. If we were here a few hours later, it would be very, very crowded...so I am very pleased that we were here fairly early. On a trip by ourselves, I will want to be here for the very early morning light with a lot fewer people and at night with the city all lit up.
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| a vendor's display on wheels, all ready to be set up |
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| scenes of Prague artwork |
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| organ grinder |
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| colorful jewelry displays |
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| very talented quartet-enjoyed listening to them |
Later in the day when we were discussing the bridge, I mentioned that I liked getting photos of various vendors to show the 'atmosphere' on the bridge.Geoffrey then said,"Yes Mom, and all those vendors had no picture taking signs on their displays." .....and now as I look at my pics, he is correct. However, I believe that they really don't want anyone taking close-ups of their work.
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| picture of a camera with red line thru it on display |
Walking along we take in many of the 30 statues.
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| Most of the statues are replicas of the originals. |
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| St.John of Nepomuk, the oldest statue on the bridge-completed in 1683. |
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| Even in silhouette, they are striking. |
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| If it wasn't for photoshop, most of my statue pics would just be silhouettes :-) |
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| One of Jim's pics |
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| Same statue, but my pic of it |
We make our way to the other side of the bridge, where there are 2 towers, instead of one. The tower on the right is in the Gothic style and is from the late 15th century. The left tower is of Renaissance style and was finished in 1591.
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| I had not noticed that the 2 towers were so different from each other when we were there!! |
At the end of the bridge we turned around and headed back, still taking pictures or to just pause and take in the views.
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| The clouds/sky were quite dramatic looking when we were there. |
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| Peter Parler was the head builder for Charles Bridge, Old Town Bridge Tower, and St. Vitus Cathedral (seen in the background). |
We go through the tower and take one last look at it...
before we turn and see the Clementinum, a baroque building by Charles Bridge.The inside is also supposed to be spectacular. The chapel within has classical music concerts daily...definitely a must next time.
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| National Library of the Czech Republic-holds over 6 million volumes |
Our tour group has all gathered together and we walk along Karlova Street, probably the twistiest street in Old Town Prague, to Old Town Square. The colorful mixture of baroque and Renaissance buildings lining the cobblestone street is quite a visual treat.
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| many shops are located on this street |
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| I better not get behind here...otherwise, I may take the wrong 'fork' and get separated from the group! |
This picture especially makes me feel like I am in a canyon with curving wind/water cut canyon walls---- and the people/tourists are the stream flowing thru it.
We arrive at the Old Time Square...
and find an opening for our group right in front of..
the Astronomical Clock from 1490.
This clock has 3 parts : 1) The astronomical dial, which shows the position of sun and moon in relation to the zodiac,
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| Not sure how to 'read' this |
2) The calendar dial, which has medallions representing the months of the year,
3) the "walk of the Apostles", which occur hourly.
Our tour guide got us here with about 10-15 minutes to spare. While we are waiting for the 'Apostle walk' ...
the crowd near the clock gets larger.
From where we stand, we have views of the clock and these side buildings...
and the Church Of Our Lady Before Tyn, which towers over the square.
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| A 1385 Gothic church, has twin towers, which are capped by 4 small spires |
Then the brief show begins, and I get a few of the Apostle 'puppets' as they appear in the little doors and move from left to right.
Then the doors close and the show is over.
After this event our morning tour is finished and we have a while on our own to explore and have lunch before meeting up again for the afternoon at the castle and St. Vitus Cathedral.
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