Friday, April 6, 2012

Klementinum

   Hello everyone, I've just returned from my 3 weeks long holidays, ready to write again :).



   This pretty unknown building was built in 1653 and edited few times until 1726. It used to be a college for jezuit students. There was also a school for those students. Later it became multifunctional building with weather station and astronomical observatory. In 1622 a library was built in here.



   Nowadays it is residence of Czech national library and Czech technical library. Since 2010 the building is being reconstructed by Prague. This is classic example of not enough known building, although it is definitely worth seeing.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Prašná brána (Powder tower)

   It's a gothic building designed by Matěj Rejsek made in Gothic style. It was built in 1475 as 1 of 13 Prague gates. It's 65 height and it has an exibition: "The life in medieval Prague" inside. As the city grew beyond its old wall, this tower became less important. Now its just a piece of historic work. There is a street starting here, heading towards Prague castle. This is one of the building that is absolutely worth seeing, because it is just few steps from Wenceslav's square.

Picture is taken in front of the building of Czech national bank.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Vyšehrad

   Vyšehrad is a castle located on the hill over Vltava river. It was built in the second half of 10th century. There is a basilica of Saint Peter and Paul, Vyšehrad cemetry where many famous, important people are buried.

Vyšehrad with Saint Peter and Paul basilica.

   Vyšehrad was heavily destroyed during history. The remaining things are few buildings and walls. Especially in the spring and summer a small walk around the walls is so refreshing, relaxing and you can enjoy the historic part with amazing view on Prague and Vltava.


   There is a legend about Horymír, who was senteced to death. The army caught him on cliff but his brave horse, Šemík, decided to jump down from the very high reef. The horse died during the jump, but Horymír survived. The prince was so amazed that he gave him a grace.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Hladová zeď (Hunger wall)

   There is no correct translation of this name in english. Hladova zed is a medieval defence wall on Petřín Hill next to the Petřín Lookout Tower. It was built in 1360-1363 by Charles IV. It is fully built from marlstone and its purpose is to increase the defence of South and West of Prague Castle. I is about 5m high.


   As almost every building in Prague, this wall has own legend. Many people still believe that the only reason of building this, was to give people a job so they dont die on famine. Another legend says that king Charles IV. worked on this wall a few hours a day to "meet and help his beloved people". This is kinda ridicolous...

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Beautiful day

   Today was such a beautiful day in Prague so I visited Prague Castle with my girlfriend, we had a really good time but I have to inform you that there are many repair works out there :/. Prague is really trying to improve the area as much as they can. Many things are closed and somewhere you have to wait, but they say its gonna be done soon :). So dont worry to visit Prague. Spring is probably the best part of the year to do so.

Petřín lookout tower

   It's a 60 meter high steel framework tower next to Prague Castle. It was built in 1891 and it strongly resembles Eiffel tower in Paris but have many differences. You can see almost whole Prague from this point on clear days. It is open from 10am to 7-10pm every day from April to October and only at weekends from November to March, from 10am to 5pm. Entrance is about 4 Euros for adults and 2 Euros for students. It has exactly 299 stairs.




   Petřín tower is probably one of the most romantic places in Prague, it's huge park all around the tower is full of people showing their love to each other. If you want to spend soem time with your partner or you really want to see Prague from bird perspective, this is the prefect place for you to visit.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Charles bridge

   Who was ever in Prague and haven't visited this bridge was not actual visitor of Prague. This is the place where you feel the atmosphere of Prague. It's crowded by tourist every day since morning til' night. There are many statues built throughout the history of Czech state. You can pay to speedpainters or karikatourists to paint you a picture of yourself or your partner. Always care for pickpockets, this is probably the place where the amount of pickpockets is the highest in Prague.
   Charles bridge is in the city center, easily reached by metro. Many of restaurants around there. 

Information:
Pedestrian only
Made of Bohemian sandstone
About 520m long
Designed by Peter Parler, built by Charles IV.
built from 1357 to 1402

   The legend says that eggs were added in the cement substance and it was actually proved lately by scientists. Many people believe that this is the reason Charles bridge survived all floods including those devastating in 2002.