/countries/show/czech-republic/1.rss en-us Lying in the shadow of Prague Castle's twisted Gothic spires, Old Town Prague's twisting labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets enchant the traveller with visions of antiquity. Indeed, you will quickly find yourself lost amid artisans, street-vendors and fellow travellers. Visiting Old Town Prague is a discovery of the history, culture and people that make it captivating to the imagination. Lost behind the iron curtain of communism in its recent past, Prague has emerged as the cultural hub of Eastern Europe. Old Town Prague demonstrates this better than anywhere else in the region. Like many other destination cities steeped in European antiquity, Prague's history, its culture and its unique character are truly discovered on its streets and in its cafes. Home to the oh-so-infamous astronomical clock, and the ever-so-bewildering sculptures of David Cerny, it has its iconic tourist draws. But Old Town Prague's true appeal is more absorbed in the repressed feel of its active communist-period intelligentsia, in exploring its deep religious roots, or by having a pint in one of its traditional pubs found throughout Old Town. Prague was home to the famous modern novelist Franz Kafka, and Old Town Prague offers much for the Kafka enthusiast. It now hosts the unique and genuinely post-modern Kafka Museum, and you can walk the streets of Kafka's world with a Kafka tour. Or, you can wax philosophical while sipping coffee in one of the many "grand cafes" around Old Town Prague that Kafka once frequented. These gorgeous cafes are found throughout Old Town, and were home not only to Kafka and his crowd, but also to subversive intellectuals of the communist period, such as Milan Kundera and Vaclav Havel. Old town Prague's unique and enchanting ethos is further enhanced by a number of gorgeous Eastern Orthodox Cathedrals, and a well-preserved 13th century Jewish ghetto and cemetery, which speak volumes about Prague and its people. If you’re less the history and literature enthusiast, and more the good food, beer and conversation sort, then Old Town Prague will not disappoint. With traditional Czech pubs scattered throughout Old Town Prague—each boasting a formidable array of local Czech beers and offering a variety of traditional Czech dishes—food and drink is an excellent way into understanding the Czech heart and mind. After wandering the tight cobbled streets of Mala Strana and Stare Mestro (the two Old Town Prague districts on either side of the Vltava River), there is nothing more welcoming than a bustling old Czech pub with warm lighting, old wooden benches and tables, cold beer on tap, and no shortage of fresh baked pretzels. There are so many exciting facets of Old Town Prague's atmosphere and culture that you can only experience by wandering its streets and frequenting its cafes and pubs during both day and night. There is one experience that stands out from the rest as truly pulling you into the fairytale charm so unique to Old Town Prague. At the very heart of Prague's tumultuous and unsteady history, and connecting Mala Strana with Stare Mestro, lies Charles Bridge: a beautiful walking bridge lined with intricate and ornate statues, each giving their own snapshot into Prague's past. During the day it is also lined with artisans, painters and portrait artists, all selling their work to the many passersby, and filling the atmosphere with energy and excitement. In the morning, however, just as the sun is rising, while the mist still hovers just above the water and the town has yet to awaken, the bridge is still. Bring a cup of coffee and sit on the eastern bank, watching the light from the rising sun break onto the bridge and scatter the morning mist while Prague Castle looms just above on the opposite bank. Taking in this breathtaking scene, Old Town Prague will truly make you feel as though you have been written straight into the pages of a fairytale. Thu, 27 Jan 2011 05:27:40 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/old-town-prague http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/old-town-prague Within the grounds of Prague Castle, there are many opportunities to explore magnificent architecture and stunning buildings. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Prague Castle is the largest “coherent castle complex” in the world, and holds the exquisite St. Vitus Cathedral within its grounds of almost 70,000 m². After a decent walk up a steep hill, the Castle grounds unfold before you, and on a sunny winter’s day you can enjoy loads of Gothic architecture, the changing of the guards, and the gemstone in the Castle’s crown: St. Vitus Cathedral. Saint Vitus is a Roman Catholic cathedral, also known by its full name of St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas and St. Adalbert Cathedral. The present-day Gothic cathedral was founded in 1344, and has undergone many stages of development, providing an interesting work-in-progress through history. St. Vitus Cathedral was first conceived by French master Mathias in 1344. Further work was then undertaken between 1354 and 1399 by Petr Parler, who was only 24-years-old at the time, and further development was continued by his son and masters Vaclau and Petr until the outbreak of the Hussite wars in 1420 intervened. St. Vitus cathedral was finally completed in 1929 after many additional attempts during the twentieth century, thanks to the Union for Completion of the Cathedral of St. Vitus in Prague. Today, St. Vitus Cathedral is an imposing sight, and it’s worth the effort to walk around its perimeter, craning your neck at its towering gothic spires. Its interior is as impressive, with St. Wenceslas Chapel (beautifully decorated in its cult centre), the Mausoleum, and the Royal Crypt. The St. Vitus Bell Tower has over 280 steps and the Golden Portal, which was the former main entrance, and includes a large mosaic made by Italian artists. The sun dances through the stained glass windows and projects bands of colour onto the pillars and walls, giving the building a magical quality. St. Vitus Cathedral also holds the Crown Chamber, the least accessible part of the entire Prague Castle complex. Here, the coronation jewels are locked in an iron safe behind two doors, conjuring up visions of something from Mission Impossible. It requires seven locks to be opened on each door of the iron safe, with seven keys held by seven different officials, including the president, the prime minister, and the lord mayor of Prague. The jewels include the crown of St. Wenceslas, Royal Sceptre, Royal Orbe, and the coronation vestments. I wouldn't suggest putting a crown jewel viewing on your list though, as during the twentieth century the jewels were shown only nine times on occasions decided by the president. You may not get to see the jewels, but St. Vitus Cathedral impresses from all angles, and truly is the gemstone in the crown of Prague Castle. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:39:33 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/st-vitus-cathedral http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/st-vitus-cathedral Every year, thousands of people flock to Old Town Square in Prague to get a glimpse of the Astronomical Clock, one of the finest examples of its kind still around in Europe. Located on the south wall of Prague’s Town Hall, the Astronomical Clock has an equally colourful history to match its colourful facade. Its oldest part was built in 1410 by a local clockmaker and a professor of astronomy. Other elements, such as the calendar dial and the moving statues, were added in the intervening centuries. Upon first glance, it can be difficult to figure out what you're seeing, given the number of dials and figures that make up the famous Orloj (as it's known locally). The easiest way to understand the Astronomical Clock is to take it piece by piece. The outermost gold letters on a black ring around the Clock indicate Old Czech Time using symbols known as Schwabacher numerals. This curious system starts at 1 for sunset, and the dial moves during the year to reflect the changing time. Inside of this, there are golden Roman numerals. On the stem of the Clock’s hand is a golden star marking the sign of the Zodiac, and the sun and moon on the dial are used to indicate the current position of the sun and the lunar phase. Even the background of the Astronomical Clock carries its own astronomical meaning: The blue circle in the centre is the Earth, while the blue portion above it represents the part of the sky above the horizon. At night the inner dial moves to the red part to indicate dawn or dusk. If you're starting to get confused with this detailed description, remember that this is no ordinary clock. It’s more a kind of basic planetarium that displays everything known about the Universe in medieval times. Beneath the main Astronomical Clock you'll see a decorative calendar ring added in 1870, which tells the time of year. To the left and right of the Clock dial you'll see a set of four statues, set in motion upon the hour. These four figures represent entities of loathing at the time of the Orloj's construction: Death (represented by the skeleton); Vanity (shown as a man gazing into a mirror); Greed (represented by a man with a gold bag); and the Turk (a figure dressed in a Turban). Finally, there is a presentation of the Twelve Apostles at small doorways above the Astronomical Clock. They appear and disappear at different times; but if you're there at noon you'll see all twelve present and correct. The Astronomical Clock has been repaired a number of times over its long history. It suffered the most damage during World War II, when occupying German forces fired from armored vehicles upon the western side of Old Town Square. This was an attempt to silence broadcasts being made from the area. The town hall, along with some nearby buildings, the wooden apostles and the calendar dial on the Clock were all burned. Both were eventually restored and the Orloj began working again from 1948. Since then, it has attracted the curiosity and bemusement of locals and visitors alike. Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:38:54 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/astronomical-clock http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/astronomical-clock