To Anthony on the 30th anniversary of his birth. Many Happy Returns!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Praha - Day 5 - Peanut's Day Out
Peanut is my traveling companion in the absence of Anthony, since Anthony has Eddie, his pal since the day he was born, it was felt I should have a pal too.
On the last day of my Prague visit, I decided that I should take Peanut out and show him the city. I think he really enjoyed himself, he had a smile on his face all day long. And it was a glorious warm and sunny day.
At the Lucerna Palace off Wenceslas Square, you can find one of David Černý's sculptures. Entitled Horse, it represents St. Wenceslas raiding a dead horse.
Inside the National Museum. We got bored of that quickly.
Another of Černý's sculptures can be found crawling over the Prague TV Tower. Allegedly it's an homage to materialism, I thought was kinda creepy in a cool sort of way.
City view from a park.
And we got to ride the tram.
The home of Prague's Philharmonic Orchestra - Municipal House - is another example of the city's impressive architecture.
After a hard day of touristing, we needed a caramel frappucino break.
And alas, that was the end of our little weekend getaway. We buckled up and headed back to London.
On the last day of my Prague visit, I decided that I should take Peanut out and show him the city. I think he really enjoyed himself, he had a smile on his face all day long. And it was a glorious warm and sunny day.
We started off the day walking down Wenceslas Square, which has a great front view of the national museum.
At the Lucerna Palace off Wenceslas Square, you can find one of David Černý's sculptures. Entitled Horse, it represents St. Wenceslas raiding a dead horse.
Inside the National Museum. We got bored of that quickly.
Another of Černý's sculptures can be found crawling over the Prague TV Tower. Allegedly it's an homage to materialism, I thought was kinda creepy in a cool sort of way.
City view from a park.
And we got to ride the tram.
The home of Prague's Philharmonic Orchestra - Municipal House - is another example of the city's impressive architecture.
After a hard day of touristing, we needed a caramel frappucino break.
And alas, that was the end of our little weekend getaway. We buckled up and headed back to London.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Praha - Day 4
The fourth day in PRG had us meandering through the city exploring its ethereal charm. It was fun.
Old Town Square is fun, jammed pack with tourist and the perfect place to get pick-pockted (luckily I was safe). But the neat bit is this Clock Tower and it's astronomical clock, that does a fun dance thing on the hour.
The spirit of Don Giovanni. Turns out the Mozart opera opened 1787, just around the corner from where we were staying. Don't you just love Europe and it's quaint historical stuff :-)
I just thought this was a fun archway :-)
Now this is a knocker.
The National Museum. As far as museums go, it was ok - and all displays were in Czech, like whatever! - but the building itself was cool.
Random little dragon on a perch
I was really impressed with the architecture.
Don't you love random pieces of outdoor art. I have no clue if these served any purpose, and if they did it sure as heck was not obvious, but each 'head' was different.
Old Town Square is fun, jammed pack with tourist and the perfect place to get pick-pockted (luckily I was safe). But the neat bit is this Clock Tower and it's astronomical clock, that does a fun dance thing on the hour.
The spirit of Don Giovanni. Turns out the Mozart opera opened 1787, just around the corner from where we were staying. Don't you just love Europe and it's quaint historical stuff :-)
I just thought this was a fun archway :-)
Now this is a knocker.
The National Museum. As far as museums go, it was ok - and all displays were in Czech, like whatever! - but the building itself was cool.
Random little dragon on a perch
I was really impressed with the architecture.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Praha - Day 3
Today's adventure took us to Prague Castle.
Do you know the difference between a castle, a palace and a chateau? Well I didn't until today.
Castle = a large building formerly occupied by a ruler and fortified against attack.
Palace = a large and stately mansion use as the home of a head of state or other high-ranking public figure
Chateau = is a manor house or residence of the lord of the manor or a country house of nobility or gentry, with or without fortifications
Live and learn :-)
Prague Castle is the largest medieval castle complex in Europe and the ancient seat of Czech kings throughout the ages.
The Prague Castle complex consists of Saint Vitus Cathedral (Prague's most recognisable landmark), several palaces, viewing towers, art galleries, a monastery, The Story of Prague Castle Museum, Golden Lane and St. George's Basilica.
The first known building on the site of Prague Castle was erected in the 9th century. In the 12th century this was replaced by a Romanesque palace, and in the 14th century, under the reign of Charles IV, it was rebuilt in the Gothic style. A further reconstruction of the Royal Palace then took place under the Jagellons at the end of the 15th century. The builder, Benedikt Rejt, also added the now famous Vladislav Hall.
Memorial to a strangled mother-in-law (some princes killed an interferring in-law)
The Dungeon
Do you know the difference between a castle, a palace and a chateau? Well I didn't until today.
Castle = a large building formerly occupied by a ruler and fortified against attack.
Palace = a large and stately mansion use as the home of a head of state or other high-ranking public figure
Chateau = is a manor house or residence of the lord of the manor or a country house of nobility or gentry, with or without fortifications
Live and learn :-)
Prague Castle is the largest medieval castle complex in Europe and the ancient seat of Czech kings throughout the ages.
The Prague Castle complex consists of Saint Vitus Cathedral (Prague's most recognisable landmark), several palaces, viewing towers, art galleries, a monastery, The Story of Prague Castle Museum, Golden Lane and St. George's Basilica.
The first known building on the site of Prague Castle was erected in the 9th century. In the 12th century this was replaced by a Romanesque palace, and in the 14th century, under the reign of Charles IV, it was rebuilt in the Gothic style. A further reconstruction of the Royal Palace then took place under the Jagellons at the end of the 15th century. The builder, Benedikt Rejt, also added the now famous Vladislav Hall.
These are my pics
Memorial to a strangled mother-in-law (some princes killed an interferring in-law)
The Dungeon
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
