Whirlwind Day in Prague

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Our second day trip in April took us to Prague, the Czech Republic's capital.  The Czech Republic is one half of the former nation of Czechoslovakia.  Czechoslovakia was formed after World War I and dominated by the Soviet Union after World War II.  Communism ended in 1989 and the nation split on January 1, 1993 into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The locals call Prague - Praha.  Until about 1800, Prague was four distinct towns each with its own town square and all separated by fortified walls.  The four towns were Castle Quarter, Little Quarter, Old Town and New Town.  The Vltava River divides the west side (Castle Quarter and Little Quarter) from the east side (New Town, Old Town). 

The day began at the main train station, which is in New Town (Nové Město).  We walked towards Wenceslas Square, named for King Wenceslas -- yes, the "good king" Wenceslas.  The creation of the Czechoslovak state was celebrated in this square in 1918; and in 1989, more than 300,000 Czechs and Slovaks gathered here to claim their freedom. 
National Museum - looks down on the square
National Museum Dome
King Wenceslas equestrian statue
Beautiful architecture lines the square, which is more like an avenue than a square.
Top of the Grand Hotel
Municipal House
Close up view of 'Homage to Prague' mosaic
Powder Tower - was the Gothic gate of the town wall
The Czechs know their beer, inventing Pilsner-style lager and having a local beer with a very familiar name.  Known as Budvar, or Budweiser, this beer is from the town Budejovice, or Budweis in German.  For years the Czech and the American breweries disputed the "Budweiser" brand name and after years of lawyers, and probably millions, the hashed out agreement was that Czech Budweiser would be sold under its own name in Europe, China and Africa but in America it is marketed as Czechvar.  Can't say I've ever seen that in an American grocery store. 
Budweiser Sign on the left
As you leave the New Town and head towards Old Town you come across the Havelska Market.  It is an open-air market that traces its roots back to the 13th century.  We walked through the booths in the afternoon.
Havelska Market getting set up for the day
Old Town (Staré Město) has been a boomtown since the 10th century. 
Love the angles of the different rooftops
Old Town
Old Town Hall
Astronomical Clock
Taking place in Old Town Square was one of the two Easter markets we visited.
Easter Market - Church of St. Nicholas in the background
Also in Old Town is the Jewish Quarter.  While the Nazis were decimating whole Jewish communities in the region, Prague's Jews were allowed to collect and archive their treasures here.  The archivists were ultimately killed in concentration camps but their work survives.  There is a museum that encompasses many of the sites but since it was Saturday - the Jewish Sabbath - everything was closed. 
Ceremonial Hall
While technically not in the Jewish Quarter, we happened upon the synagogue below while walking a side road leading back to the main train station.   When I first saw it I thought it was a mosque because of the architecture but as we got closer I saw the Hebrew writing and the Star of David.
Jubilee Synagogue
The most popular way to get from east to west Prague is crossing the famous Charles Bridge.  The bridge is named for Charles IV, the Holy Roman Emperor who ruled his empire from Prague in the 14th century.  After a major flood in 1342, Emperor Charles IV decided to build a totally new bridge rather than fix the old one.  Up until the 19th century, Charles Bridge was Prague's only bridge linking east and west.
View of Castle Quarter from Charles Bridge
View of Charles Bridge (second from bottom) from Little Quarter
Once we crossed the bridge we stopped at a cafe in Little Quarter (Malá Strana) for a snack.  We had some delicious quiche and cake and Tom got his first Budvar.  
Happy Boy
After refueling we began to explore our way through Little Quarter and up the hill to Castle Quarter (Hradčany).
Castle Square
View from Castle Quarter
Unique lamp that Tom liked
St. Vitus Cathedral
St. Vitus Cathedral
An all-around wonderful day even with Tom having to do another bus tour.   



 

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