Prague
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A month ago Michael and I spent a few days in Prague. I’ve been really looking forward to putting together some photos of our time there, and just this week I’ve been able to.
The photos basically follow our time in this beautiful city. Scenes from the castle on the hill, the Old Town with its spires and maze of cobblestone streets, the Vltava and its bridges; there is famous Czech beer and also a lunch of goulash and dumplings. I love taking photos of things that catch my eye as we’re walking as well, so there are lots of these too; street art, detail from buildings, flowers at the market. One thing that made a big impression on me during our time in Prague was how musical this city is. Concerts were prolific – in churches throughout the city, in concert halls and even on the streets (you’ll see a couple of photos of this After the concert, later that evening, we came across this fantastic jazz club/restaurant in the Old Town. This was one of the highlights! It was so fun, I loved it! We listened to these musicians perform a few sets and had a cocktail. The atmosphere was amazing. And similar to my feeling about the Baroque concert, there really is something special about seeing music performed live. We got chatting with one of the musicians, Blake, during a break. His story was so interesting. He came from Boston and moved to the Czech Republic in the early nineties to teach English. It hadn’t been possible for him to fully pursue his passion as a jazz musician back in the States, but opportunities had opened up for him in Prague and so he had stayed on for eighteen years! Statues were another aspect that made a big impression on me. Statues too, were prolific throughout the city. And so beautiful. Even on the facades of buildings, or instead of a pillar, statues are built in. They become a feature of the buildings, and are exquisite. Charles Bridge, which is a famous landmark of the city, crossing the Vltava, has around 33 statues alone! A couple of these appear in the photos – of Jesus, Mary and Mary Magdalene after the crucifixion. My favourite statue was at one end of Charles Bridge in a square called Křižovnické. It’s iron and it’s by Ernst Hähnel from Dresden. I read that it was placed here in 1848 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the establishment of the University of Prague, by Charles IV. What I loved were these four statues all around the pedestal of it, of women symbolising the Faculties of the University – you’ll see these too – the Arts, Law, Medicine and Theology. I learnt that the Czech Republic is also known for beautiful glassworks and glass art, as well as puppets, marionettes and puppet theatre. There are photos of the most exquisite glass art, these beautiful women holding bunches of lilies and grapes, and also a few of puppet shops we passed in the cobblestone alleys of the Old Town. The shop assistants would stand at the door, demonstrating the marionettes to the passers-by. The magnificent Astronomical Clock (Orloj) is another wonderful attraction in the Old Town. On the hour, crowds gather to watch as the clock chimes and a window opens on the tower with a procession of little figures appearing such as the Apostles and a skeleton. We had hot chocolate at cafe right in front of the Astronomical Clock and were able to get a great view (and photos Lastly, I fell in love with the language. I love Slavic languages, the sound of them, and also the way the words look. I’ve tried to include the Czech place names as well the English translations with the photos, but sometimes it wasn’t possible for all the accents to appear. I hope you enjoy the photos and it gives a good impression of our time. I’d love to know if you have any favourites 
)! It really was marked for me, and I loved it! It had been a long time since we’d been to a concert and when we saw that the Prague Royal Orchestra were performing these Baroque pieces at Municipal House, Michael and I bought tickets. My favourite that evening was the Four Seasons by Vivaldi. It truly is so beautiful hearing this live. Municipal House itself is wonderful. It’s the seat of the Prague Symphony Orchestra, and has this really lovely Art Nouveau interior (a few features of this are in the photos too). I loved watching these guys perform. Their expressions. The way the music absorbed them. I’ve tried to capture some of this in the photos. ) of the procession. . Lots of blessings to you.
I want to go! It looks like an artists playground. What a rich culture you describe.
Ok, favorites were VERY hard to pick! Loved the glassworks images. The babushka stacking dolls pic at an angle was amazing. Loved the picture of the cherub statue holding up the corner of a balcony. Of course the picture of the Bohemia sign is great (I have a Bohemian heritage). The city scape shots were breathtaking. I appreciated all the pictures of the paintings. Wow.
Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us!
The multitude and diversity of images, Birgit, you have retained of your and Michael’s recent journey to Prague, and their particular historical significance and cultural depth – including your generous slide-show-introduction – and all of this for all of us viewers to enjoy – goes right to the heart.
Your fascinating Prague-report in its detail, depth, intricacy and quality is a distinct continuation of all your wonderful travel-reports before.
Prague appears to be a complete cultural treasure – a powerful testimonial to human civilization and to the creativity, good-will, devotion and craftsmanship of mankind. Can you imagine the possibility, that all of this could be destroyed by a man-made war ?
Your vivid kaleidoscope of these most amazing images, Birgit, also makes us – I believe – very humble – but – on the other hand – also guides us to realize, what treasures we have to admire, and what mankind is capable of achieving, if left in peace and if given total philosophical freedom to live, work and exercise their faith – in personal happiness – as Blake, the Jazz-singer, and the groom carrying his bride so touchingly demonstrate ! Thank you for all of this, Birgit ! Love, Dad
An ‘artist’s playground’ – I love the way you describe that @ngie
It really was! The art shops, the glass art, the music, the statues, I even saw some writing by Kafka – it truly is a very creative place! You would love it 
Oh, I’m so glad you liked the different pictures – weren’t the Babushka dolls lovely? There were all kinds of designs in that shop!
So. Tell me more about your Bohemian heritage – how great is that!
Love and blessings.
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Dad, I love your thoughtful replies! Thank you. And you’re so right about the richness of the history, culture and creativity we saw, it truly was wonderful.
It’s an interesting point you raise about the war, I read that Prague is one of the only cities in Central Europe left unscathed by the war or by natural disaster.
I also wanted to pick up on what you said about the realisation of all the treasures we have to admire – that’s maybe one of the things I love most about travelling, there truly is so much to see, and learn about and enjoy. So much beauty all around. What a gift.
I loved talking with Blake, and hearing from someone who has pursued his passion, and finds so much joy in it. I could see it in how absorbed he was in the music – his enjoyment of the music brought so much to the performance.
And the groom carrying his bride. How beautiful was that? So romantic, and lovely.
Thanks for your reply, Dad. Lots of love xoxo
So beautiful! The glassworks are amazing! And I loved the musicians and the views of the city. I thought your photos of the music book (black and white) and the bride and groom were especially lovely and artistic. And I think my favourite is the street art. Thanks for sharing this beautiful place with us:)
What beautiful pictures, Birgit, I just realize how far away we are from all this! How lucky you are to be able to see this.
Lovely pictures – good memories aren’t they!
Hi Rain, that’s so lovely you liked the pictures of the music and the bride and groom
As I said to Dad above, isn’t that wedding day photo just so romantic and so lovely?
I snuck up to the front of the concert hall at the end to get the photo of the music
That’s so great you liked the street art. I loved seeing the artists at their easels, and these prints they displayed.
Love B ox
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You will love it, seeing these places again, when you come home Susanne. Especially Prague, after your friend gave you that book about it as a child that you really love
Lots of love to you xo
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So true, Des. That’s one thing I love about taking photos, being able to go back and relive the memories
Love you xo
What’s to tell? I wish I knew more. My mother’s maiden name is Kavan – pure Bohemian. My maiden name is Houtz, from my father. Evidently it used to be Le Houtz (French influence or something) until they migrated to Bohemian country where they dropped the Le part. Both sides came to the United States not even 5 generations before me.
That is about all I know. I would love to visit the land of my roots and take my little culture enriched children with me.
Oh wow, that’s lovely @ngie. It’s really interesting hearing more about your family background. I love hearing family stories, and learning about family trees and cultural roots. Just to sidetrack a bit, I’m really intrigued by this idea that God knew each of us before the foundation of the world, and knew all of the generations of our family that would lead to us being born, and obviously that He was at work in that. My parents come from opposite sides of the world, and sometimes I wonder at the odds of them even meeting, but I guess God had all of that in hand in His bigger purpose
In a previous comment here you mentioned how you would love to visit Europe one day, and with your family roots being based here, I can understand this even more. It would be so interesting for you – and for your children as you say
Okay…very late here…sorry.
Ducks’ butts!! Yep, that’s my favorite.
I love the architecture, the city scapes, but mostly, the roses. I know you can see roses all over the world, and I thank God for that, but they were exquisite. I also loved the dolls.
The jazz club looked like lots of fun. I’ve only been to one in my life, but it was a most memorable evening.
Thanks for sharing, Birg. What a jet-setting life you lead.
Ha, ha, Michelle, the ducks are so funny aren’t they?
That’s so lovely you liked the roses. I know how much you love gardens, and how amazing your own garden is, so it’s lovely that these photos blessed you.
The jazz club was so fun, yes! I’d never been to one before, except for hearing some live jazz in cafes from time to time, but the atmosphere really was wonderful! A great experience.
Jet-setting around? Ha, ha, yes we seem to have packed in a few trips away in the past few months, but I think things will be quieter now for a little while
Lots of love xo
[...] photo was taken by the Royal Palace in Prague on our visit there a few months ago. I thought these statues were so beautiful and so full of grace and poise and [...]
Psalm 144:12 « said this on February 6, 2010 at 1:06 pm