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Published: December 30th 2014
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Strange sculptures commemorating the end of communism
It doesn't look like a commemoration to freedom until you see that the top figure is only partial and the bottom one is whole. It's definitely time to leave. This place is treacherous........ It wasn't snowing but at -6 degrees the pavements stayed iced up from yesterday leaving no traction, boots or no boots. Add to that wall to wall people. What a recipe. What are they all doing here? If you can imagine a popular football match and the crowd going to it, then this what it's like here. I wonder if there is a quiet time.
We headed first to the New Town Hall and made our way down to the river and across over the island. On the other side we walked up to the monument that was a memorial to the end of communism and totaliterianism. It was a strange set of sculpted partial, then to whole figures. We continued along the canal to the Charles Bridge which was a zoo, and found our way to the John Lennon Wall which was in fact a huge mess of gaudy graffiti on a wall. It was put there by students in the 1980's protesting about the communist government of the day and it was a huge thorn in the side of the authorities. Students would write quotes, poems and songs about
The city seen from the Royal Gardens park
The bridge in the middle is the Charles Bridge. The light was perfect to reflect on the water. love and peace. The authorities tried to blot it out but it would be written up again.
We thought we would get out of the crowds by walking along the river but that did not happen until we headed uphill into the Royal Gardens which is a huge park up on the hill continuing along from Prague Castle. It has grand views of the city and over the Vltava River. With the trees and paths through the park you can imagine the aristocracy using the area for their recreation. It really is a grand city of superb buildings, bridges, spires, parks and gardens. On a detrimental note, the park was completely ruined by graffiti spray painted over beautiful old granite walls. What is it with young people that they want to deface lovely things?
Back into the city we visited the 12th century Jewish Quarter which in the past had been a ghetto where the Jews were forced to live in a confined area. Over time they became more persecuted and eventually Jews from other countries in Europe were crammed in there too. The whole area was flattened and remodeled early in the 20th century with lovely buildings,
leaving some significant historical buildings remaining which make up the Jewish Museum. We visited the Old-New Synagogue, the Klausen Synagogue, the ceremonial hall, the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Pinkas Synagogue and the Spanish (Jerusalem) Synagogue. It was very enlightening for me who only knows about the faith from the Old Testament. However the most profound part of the visit was at the Pinkas Synagogue where all the walls inside were inscribed with the names of 77,000 people from Moravia and Bohemia who had perished in the holocaust. What an indictment it is to human history to see it recorded in this way - name upon name, upon name - walls of them. Very sad indeed. Add to that the pictures, photos and art by inhabitants and once again I am pleased that we are distanced, but aware of it. The Spanish Synagogue is absolutely exquisite. It is Moorish inspired so the whole interior is painted in fine intricate moorish/islamic style designs. Finally, we finished our visit at the cemetery which was a mass of headstones crammed into a small area. So, I can't say it was a pleasant visit, but it was worthwhile.
Then back into the hoards and
The domed ceiling of the Spanish Synagogue
Note the arabesque designs and the Star of David. Exquisite intricate designs to the peace of the hotel. Yay!! Our day was completed at an excellent restaurant on Wensleslas Square, made even more excellent by the only free thing in Prague - a glass of gluh wein. We walked back to the hotel with the snow falling. New Zealand and summer, here we come :-)
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