Prague

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Prague.

Wow. I love this city. So many impressive things to see, there's a remarkable photo op every time you turn a corner. Czechia (Czech Republic) has all the things I love; excellent beer, beautiful architecture, music and culture, wonderful food ... and they like hockey. What more could I ask for? Ann also joined us here which is awesome ... and she's going to continue traveling with Jacqueline for the next several weeks.

My first visit here was nearly 30 years ago back in 1993 only a few months after Czechoslovakia split into 2 separate countries. A lot has changed and a lot has stayed the same (though back then, I could get a full 3 course dinner and a beer for $5 cdn ... at least the beer is still cheap 😊 )

Some history: The last 100+ years have been a tumultuous time for Prague, marked by significant political and social upheaval. During World War I, the city was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed at the end of the war. In 1918, Czechoslovakia was formed, and Prague became the capital of the new country. During World War II, Prague was occupied by Nazi Germany, and many of the city's Jewish residents were sent to concentration camps. After the war, the city became part of the communist bloc and was subject to Soviet influence. The city saw protests and uprisings against the communist government in the 1960s and 1970s, but these were ultimately suppressed.

In 1989, after the Berlin Wall had fallen and the Velvet Revolution crowded the streets of Prague, Czechoslovakia freed itself from communism and Soviet influence. In January 1990, the first democratic elections were conducted. On 1st January 1993, Czechoslovakia was split into two independent countries, Slovakia and Czech Republic. Prague became the capital of the Czech Republic. In 1999, the Czech Republic joined NATO and was approved as a member of the European Union in 2002 (though they chose to still use the Czech Koruna as official currency). More recently, Czech government officials wanted to have a shorter English name for their country. The government approved the use of the name ”Czechia” in 2016.

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Photos

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Prašná brána. City gate built in the 15th century and restored after being damaged in the Battle of Prague.

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Kostel sv. Salvátora (St. Salvator Church)

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St. Salvator Church (Czech: Kostel svatého Salvátora)

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St. Salvator Church (Czech: Kostel svatého Salvátora)

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Lesser Town Bridge Tower. Together with the bridge, it was built by Emperor Charles IV. The gate to the Old Town of Prague was also the arch through which the Czech kings passed on their coronation journey through the city to the Temple of St. Vitus in Prague Castle.

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Lesser Town Bridge Tower and the Charles Bridge.
The Charles Bridge is a medieval stone arch bridge that crosses the Vltava river. Its construction started in 1357 by King Charles IV, and finished in the early 15th century. The bridge replaced the old Judith Bridge built 1158–1172 that had been badly damaged by a flood in 1342. This new bridge was originally called Stone Bridge (Kamenný most) or Prague Bridge (Pražský most), but has been referred to as "Charles Bridge" since 1870.
As the only means of crossing the river Vltava until 1841, Charles Bridge was the most important connection between Prague Castle and the city's Old Town and adjacent areas.

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Church of Our Lady before Týn at Old Town Square. One of the most impressive Gothic religious buildings in Prague was built from the mid-14th to the early 16th centuries

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The Astronomical clock at Old Town Square.
The oldest part of the Orloj, the mechanical clock and astronomical dial, dates back to 1410, when it was created by clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň and Charles University professor of mathematics and astronomy Jan Šindel.
It still functions with the original parts !

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Old Town Square
St. Nicholas' Church (Kostel sv. Mikuláše)
Late-Gothic and Baroque church in the Old Town of Prague. It was built between 1732-1737. The church was formerly used by the Czech and Slovak Orthodox Church. Since 1920 it has been the main church of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church.
During the Prague uprising in 1945, the church was used by the Czech partisans as a concealed site for Radio Prague, as the main radio building was under attack by the Waffen-SS.

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Inside the St. Nicholas Church

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Random beautiful church (Church of St. Anthony of Padua) that was around the corner from the laundromat.
So much going on in this photo ... in the foreground there are workers doing track repairs (welding) but the trams were still running ... so every few minutes they would pick up their gear, let a tram pass, and then continue their work.

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Excellent soup

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And beer of course

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Old Town Square.

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Church of Our Lady before Týn at Old Town Square.

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Some sweet cars that you could hire to tour the city.

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The old Jewish cemetery.

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Old Town Square
St. Nicholas' Church (Kostel sv. Mikuláše)