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| Prague Old Town, Copyright Janet Cameron |
Romantic Prague is a city of fairytale buildings, delightful streets and
great food and drink. Whether you are after beauty or beer, you will find it
here.
Heart of
Medieval Bohemia, one-time Capital of the Roman Empire, Prague, also known as
The City of a Thousand Spires, has seen oppression under both the Nazis and the
Communists. After a split from the Austrian Empire after the 1914-1918 Great
War, the Czech nation became a state.
"Forty
years of Communism influenced nearly every side of our lives - our characters,
our self-confidence, our industry, our skills," proclaims the promotional
leaflet Prague Walks. Prague is renowned for its
great "free" walks, many of which begin in the hub of its old town
centre, in the vicinity of the famous Astronomical Clock. Wherever you look,
there is a proud guide holding a brightly-coloured umbrella aloft as thrilled
tourists trail behind, hardly able to fully comprehend the richness, diversity
and colour around them.
The Astronomical Clock
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| The Astronomical Clock, Copyright Janet Cameron |
Prague's
Astronomical Clock is the oldest working clock of its type in the world and
dates from the 1400s. Each hour, on the hour, a statue of Christ and his twelve
apostles, appear in front of two openings. Taking lunch in a nearby restaurant,
I always knew the time of day by the jubilant cheer that erupted from the
expectant crowd as the little procession of religious figures emerged from this
amazing timepiece. Below the main clock are medallions showing the signs of the
Zodiac. These were added in 1865 by Josef Manes. To see the clock and the
procession, please go to Prague in Your
Pocket - The Astronomical Clock.
Prague Walks
The walks are,
in the loosest sense, free. Although you are invited to donate something to
your guide, you are not obliged to do so, but if you have enjoyed the tour and
appreciate the quality of the information, then you may tip according to the
level of your appreciation and your budget. Most tours begin in the Old Town
Square close to the Astronomical Clock. The following trips are offered and
leaflets showing details are freely available at information centres and other
venues, or go towww.neweuropetours.eu
·
3-hour sightseeing tour covering most of
Prague's most important landmarks.
·
Full-day tour, focussing on Kutna Hora and
the Bone Chapel for those fascinated by the macabre.
·
3-hour tour to Prague Castle, including St.
Vitus Cathedral and other attractions.
·
Full-day tour to Terezin Concentration Camp.
·
4-hour beer tour, evenings from 6.00pm.
Expect to pay for your beer, of course.
Entertainment in the Old Town Square
You may find
there's a stage set up in the middle of the Old Town Square and a great band
just doing its stuff, while large screens above the crowds display the action
for those unable to see the live show. A busker outside St. Nicholas Church
brought tears to my eyes as he sang Ave Maria, then made me laugh with jolly
drinking songs, and finally by serenading a local woman, see photo below. In
the building adjoining Tyn Church, there were two art exhibitions and I spent a
fascinating hour or two contemplating the weird work of Salvadore Dali.
The Old Town
Square is well-served with every kind of restaurant, indoor and out. Plenty of
places, too, to have a drink, or a take-away kebab or even just a bag of chips.
There's even a Starbucks if you're missing home (although this seems unlikely
in the midst of such a lively, welcoming place.) Starbucks is in the tall blue
building near the Astronomical Clock, see the main photo.
Tyn Church
The twin
towers of the gothic Church of Our Lady Before Tyne dominate, not only the Old
Town Square, but Prague's skyline. Interestingly, the two spires are not
symmetrical; they are meant to represent both the masculine and feminine in the
world. To read more about Tyn Church please go to The Church of
Our Lady Before Tyn The
interior of the church is in the Baroque style.
St. Nicholas Church
The Baroque Church
of St. Nicholas is located in the Old Town Square opposite Tyn Church. Its
construction was completed in 1735. In the late nineteenth to the early
twentieth century, St. Nicholas became a Russian Orthodox church and it was
used to accommodate the military during the Second World War. After the war it
was taken over by the Hussite movement and has remained
so ever since. You can find out more about St. Nicholas Church here.
Keep Prague Beautiful...
If you do go
to Prague, and you are fit enough, please take note of Prague's "Save the
Planet" plea: "Keep Prague beautiful. Why not help the environment by
leaving a smaller footprint and going on a walking tour."
However, for
those less able, there are excellent and inexpensive minibus tours also based
in the Old Town Square.
Sources:
Sandemans New Prague Free Tour Guide, www.neweuropetours.eu 2012.
Prague Tourist Information, leaflet, info@prague-information.eu 2012.
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