Click for background music of a very special song to the Czech people.
Prague – Praha to the Czechs
Prague – located on the Vltava River, the capital and largest city in the Czech Republic, the historical capital of Bohemia, and the place known as The City of 100 Spires.
Prague – with its historic Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site) providing much of the city’s charm. Once surrounded by a wall, now only a few towers remain. Old Town Square serving as its center while featuring a statue to Jan Hus – a Czech religious reformer who was 100 years before the Reformation.
Prague – with the historic Charles Bridge connecting Old Town and the Little Quarter located across the Vltava, just below Prague Castle. The bridge served as part of Coronation Way during the days of the monarchy.
Prague – the home of Prague Castle with the majestic St. Vitus Cathedral within its walls. At our first dinner, two members of the Prague Castle Orchestra (from the opening video – the flute and accordion players) – privately entertained our group.
Prague – with New Town flourishing outside Old Town. A magnificent collection of Art Nouveau buildings dominating the eyes – as well as a pair of dancers (Dancing Towers) known as Fred and Ginger.
Prague – featuring Wenceslas Square as New Town’s main square – the place where thousands of Czechs gathered for 1989’s Velvet Revolution ending one-party rule (Communists). Yes – the square is named after the Good King (of Christmas carol fame) who is buried at St. Vitus Cathedral.
Prague, not only a wonderful place to start our tour, it’s a great city for visitors. If you get a chance, GO! Below is 3-minute video about Prague’s Jewish Quarter (in Old Town). Hope you watch. Have you ever been to Prague?
Next stop: Krakow
I love that piece of music… and that church… wow!
Thanks for sharing the first leg of your trip!
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Dale,
Oh yes – that music is wonderful … and we got a wonderful treat. On Day 1 of the tour, we met for an orientation meeting, then went on a brief tour of Old Town on the way to dinner. After dinner, the flute and accordion player showed up to give our group a private concert. And yes, this song was included!
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Fantabulous start to your tour!
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Absolutely … and quite the surprise!
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Yes, nice music thank you Frank for sharing it. It is so beautiful architecturally, I have never been sadly.
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Pauline,
Art Nouveau architecture in more than obvious throughout New Town – and it is simply beautiful. Plus (for me), Old Town captures me. In terms of the music, see my reply to Dale.
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I’ve been to Prague and while I thought the city centre was lovely, I didn’t really enjoy my visit. The food was awful and the service dished out miserably by surly people. It was 10 years ago, I am prepared to try again.
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Debra,
Oh wow. Sorry to that you didn’t have a good experience. In terms of food, we didn’t know what to expect – but I still prefer Mediterranean cuisine. Service was OK – but not exceptional.
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The Jewish quarter was very interesting and some of the city is beautiful, but on my many travels I find that I don’t like communist or ex communist countries.
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Those countries are still a step backwards in their adjustment. I get the impression of one foot out, one foot in.
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Prague is living magic.
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Cindy,
Magical it is! I greatly enjoyed this beautiful city.
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Lovely, thanks for sharing this.
I’ve never been but I have always thought it would be the perfect place to write a Fairy Tale
X
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Fiery,
Given your location, I won’t be surprised you can find very reasonable airfare for a trip to this magical city – which I imagine would inspire you for some heated Medieval tales. 🙂
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Giggling.
You never know!
🙊
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Ha ha … Maybe someday!
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Thank you dear Frank you almost took me to Prague… Once upon a day I was there… with my Dad… Of course, it was different because of the regime… Anyway, Have a nice day, Love, nia
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Nia,
Thanks for sharing. It would be interesting to compare then-and-now visits.
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I’ve never been there, but it is beautiful–like a fairy tale city.
I watched the video about the Jewish quarter. I had to look up why the synagogue was spared. Apparently, it was going to be a museum of an “extinct race.”
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Merril,
Prague is unquestionably beautiful – and I would visit again. Because this was where our trip started, the Jewish Qtr. set the stage for the Holocaust’s haunting presence during much of the trip.
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Amazing photos, Frank. Thank you. Prague is beautiful. There seems to be a lot of people milling about there.
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John,
We were there Sept 22-24, and the crowds surprised me – although I was told that it was worse not that long ago. The Charles Bridge is pedestrian only. plus there are numerous street vendors and performers on the bridge. Nonetheless, I recommend Prague!
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Looks like a great place to visit.
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One of my all time favorite cities in the world. Thank you for sharing your memories. It reminded me of my trip and I will be waltzing with smiles in my mind for the rest of the week. Praha is not to be forgotten!
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Monika,
Cheers to someone else who loves Praha – and glad to know that I ignited some memory cells that bring smiles!
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It truly is one of the most magical cities in Europe. One with an amazing history that is equally compelling and fascinating. I may have to put on a Smetana CD and swoon while I work in the studio today!
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Such beautiful music … enjoy! …. and I may even have a future post about it’s fascinating history.
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🎶 Enjoying away 🎶
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Every time I had a business trip planned for Prague it would end up cancelled. Having heard so many great things about the city, I went last (2017) spring on my own dime. Other than enjoying the beauty of the city, I also made a point of drinking Pilsner beer which was harder to do than I would have imagined (the city is full of micro-breweries) and I was pleased to discover Trdelník.
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Yahooey,
Glad you finally made it to Prague – and besides the beauty of the city, Czechs do love their beer!
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I must somehow get to Prague, which I’ve heard from all my relatives is a must see. I’d especially like to visit the Jewish Quarter and also learn more about the invasion of Czechoslovakia on August 20, 1968, when the Soviet Union sent in Warsaw Pact troops and tanks to crack down on reformist trends in Prague. Meanwhile it’s driving me crazy that I can’t remember the name of the famous melody so beautifully played by the Prague Castle Orchestra’s flutist. I’m sure it’s by Bedřich Smetana but I’m not positive. Can you help me out?
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Tim,
Your ear is correct – The Moldau (Vltava) by Bedřich Smetana. Here’s a full orchestra performing this beautiful piece. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcDzRjMIDvo
Much of the Jewish Qtr has been replaced by beautiful art nouveau buildings, but multiple sites remain to tell the story. Hope you watched the Rick Steves’ segment at the end of the post. Meanwhile, Prague is definitely worth visiting!
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I’m happy you enjoyed Praha, it’s a beautiful city and that’s the reason why I’m still here after 6 years.
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Rincewind,
Glad to hear from a local who is pleased with this post. As you can tell, I primarily saw the tourist areas of the city – Although we walked from our hotel just outside the gate to the Dancing Towers – then crossed to bridge to return on the other side of the river. Meanwhile, we may return. Any suggestions?
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Frank,
The architecture is absolutely stunning, and the music dovetails perfectly with the gallery!
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Marc,
Prague is a very beautiful city. Old Town is charming, New Town is loaded with Art Nouveau, and Castle Hill is quite the blend. All adding up to quite the romantic place. .. and that music … simply wow!
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Double wow! 🙂
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Prague looks gorgeous! Thank you for the tour, Frank! 😀
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Resa,
Prague is very beautiful. Definitely a special place!
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Love these pics. Another place I would like to visit.
On a different, what is next on our list of pronouns?
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Drew,
Prague is a beautiful place – as well as romantic. Personally, I love the Old City sections of places in Europe. Something captures me in those places.
Pronouns? Our (or Ours) is next on the agenda. 1 AM this Saturday.
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Excellent – Ours it is.
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