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Built between 1992-1996 for an insurance company, the Dancing Building (or House) is crazy looking, and appears somewhat out of place amongst the usual Prague architecture.
The building is nick-named Fred and Ginger, as it looks like two people dancing…and it really does! Hopefully my photo does it justice. Besides housing offices, it is home to one of Prague's top restaurants.
It was one of the things I really wanted to see on our visit so made sure we squeezed in a trip to this part of town. Leave a Comment
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Built in 1475, the Powder Gate or Powder Tower stands 65 metres tall. Although damaged during attacks in the mid 1700's, it was restored in the mid-late 1800's.
Originally used to store gunpowder, this is a majestic neo-gothic structure.
You can climb to the top for views over the old town. Leave a Comment
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Look for the huge crowd of tourists milling about in the Old Town Square and you will have found the Astronomical Clock, constructed in 1490.
So, what is so special about this clock on the Old Town Hall...well, it doesn't just tell time, it also 'relates the movement of the planets around earth and the sun and moon through the signs of the zodiac'.
Probably of more interest though to the onlookers is the show that occurs when the clock chimes on the hour each hour. There are mechanical Apostles that parade and a skeleton ringing a bell.
We happened past here on a few occasions just before the clock chimed, and enjoyed watching the spectators exclaiming and taking photos, and tried to spot pick-pockets, who are said to be rife around the clock. Leave a Comment
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The cause of St. John of Nepomuck's death has been an issue of controversy in the Church since the XVIII century. A few historians mentioned two Johns of Nepomuch -- one was the father confessor of Queen Johanna and the other, Vicar-General of Prague -- both were thrown into the Vltava to drown, their deaths were ten years apart.
However, most scholars believe the XIV century records showing there was only one John and his death was caused by both aforementioned reasons.
John was born in 1340 in Nepomuck, Pilsen, Bohemia. He became Vicar-General for the Archdiocese of Prague in 1390. The discord between John and King Wenceslas IV happened after the vicar steadily refused the King’s request in divulging the Queen’s confession. As if he did not think that was enough to infuriate the King, the vicar also expressed his sentiment by publicly declared, "Only he who rules well is worthy of the name of king."
Not known as a good sport, King Wenceslas found an excellent opportunity to revenge. He ordered that another abbot would not be elected when Abbot Rarek of Kladrau passed on because the abbey church would be turned into a cathedral. Completely ignored the King’s order, the vicar confirmed Odelenus as the new abbot. When the news reached the King, all persons involved in the election were arrested.
Although his council did not handle torture well, John of Nepomuch refused to yield even when parts of his body were burned. On Mach 20, 1393, the King ordered that the vicar be chained and led through the city with a block of wood in his mouth. When the parade ended, John of Nepomuck was thrown from the Karlsbrücke into the river Vltava. He was later buried in Prague Cathedral.
In 1719, during the gathering of evidences for the beatification, the vicar’s grave was opened and his tongue was found intact.
St. John Nepomucene was canonized in 1729. His statues were erected in several locations in Prague, but the most visited one is on Charles Bridge. Leave a Comment Address: Karlův most
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Located just off Wenceslas Square, the Lucerna Passage is an Art Nouveau shopping arcade.
There is a rather bizarre statue hanging from the roof in the middle of the passage - it is an upside down statue of Wenceslas on a horse...check out the horse's tongue sticking out. Bizarre.
Rather dark and gloomy, there is however a certain charm to the arcade and some interesting shops can be found here. There is a good wine shop (Cellarius) (just near the statue), and a very cool Art Nouveau bar on the 1st floor. Leave a Comment
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Legends notwithstanding, the astronomical clock was not made by a man who was blinded after the work was done, who in turn spitefully broke the clock mechanism before his death.
Records credit the idea and design to a physician/rector/professor of astronomy and math at Charles University named Iohannes Andreae dictus Schindel (Jan Ondrejuv known as Sindel). With his design and the skill of a clock master named Nicolas of Kadaň, the astronomical clock was created in 1410.
The original clock only showed astronomical data including the movement of the sun, the moon, and the ecliptic; all mechanical figures were added in centuries later.
The permanent figures surround the clock represent three of the seven cardinal sins and their ultimate destiny. On the left side of the clock, Superbia (Vanity) admires her reflection from a handheld mirror, and Avaritia (Greed) holds tight to a bag of money. On the right side, Death stands ready to strike while Acedia (Sloth) idling life away in music and dance.
Every hour on the hour, Death pulls the bell while nodding his head to announce that time is up. The rest of the main casts shake their heads refusing to leave. The window flies open and the twelve apostles come running around in circle -- an act that holds no meaning except adding chaos to the unfolding drama between Death and the three sinners. Leave a Comment Address: Staroměstské námestí, Old Town Square
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Dating back to 1338, the Old Town Hall is located in the heart of the Old Town Square. It was constructed from a complex of homes that were merged and have been rebuilt over the years.
To find the entrance to the Hall, just look to the left of the large crowd of tourists waiting for the Astronomical Clock to chime.
Inside the Town Hall are the Gothic Chapel and the Hall of Mayors of the City.
But my favourite bit was a trip to the top of the 60 metre high tower, for fabulous views across the Old Town. There is an intriguingly designed elevator that whisks you up...so no energetic stair climbing required, giving wheel chair access to the top of the tower.
Great views. Leave a Comment
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Just when I thought I had seen some of the most beautiful squares in Europe I saw Prague's Old Town Square and had to re-adjust my 'Top 10 Favourite Squares' list!
The heart of the city, this is a large and lively square surrounded by fabulous buildings and lined with cafes. The perfect place for people watching...though keep and eye out for pick pockets.
The buildings surrounding the square include the Old Town Hall, with it's Astronomical Clock; the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn; St Nicholas Church; and Kinsky Palace which contains an excellent collection of graphic art from the middle ages till today.
We spent quite a bit of time here, at various times of day, enjoying the way the look of the buildings changed with the light. Leave a Comment
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Male Namesti is a cute triangular square located just off the Old Town Square. There is a mix of Gothic houses and Renaissance 'sgraffito' facades to see here.
The square is surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants. In the centre there are tables were you can relax with a beer or a snack and do some serious people watching.
Another interesting thing to see is the ornate wrought-iron well/fountain in the centre of the square, which double as a plague memorial.
You may also notice a few shiny convertible cars parked in the square. These are used for sightseeing tours around the city. I must admit I was tempted to go for a tour in the little red Skoda (see extra photos)! Leave a Comment Address: Just off the Old Town SquareDirections: Nearest metro: Staromestska
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Municipal House (Obecni Dum)
Municipal House is an Art Nouveau gem located in the Old Town. The facade is pretty impressive and we were equally awed by most of the interior as well, which was completed around 1911.
These days it is home to the Prague Symphony Orchestra, who perform in the biggest concert hall in town, Smetana Hall. You will also find exhibition halls, shops, an 'American' bar and three restaurants.
We had breakfast one day in the more relaxed Kavarna Obecni Dum, located on the ground floor - you can see in from the street. The food was nothing special, but the café is spectacular - lots of marble, big mirrors and those chandeliers!! At least stick your head in and have a look. Leave a Comment Address: Obecni dum, Namesti RepublikyPhone: +420/222 002 101Directions: Nearest metro: Námesti RepublikyWebsite: http://www.obecni-dum.cz/ Other Contact: info@obecni-dum.cz
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on December 29, 2005
on June 29, 2006
