Revisiting the renaissance
Aruna RathodPrague, November 26, 2011
First Published: 11:21 IST(26/11/2011)
Last Updated: 11:21 IST(26/11/2011)
The capital of the
the Czech
Republic has a life
of its own.
Sightseeing
begins right from
the railway station, a unique
one with a lush garden
around it. The best way to
begin is at the National
Museum, followed by the
Wenceslas Square and the
famous Charles Bridge.
Founded in 1818
What
Lobkowicz Palace Old Town Square Old Town
When
Any Time
Where
Alchymist Residence Nosticova Vintage Design Hotel Sax Arcadia Residence Golden Well Unitas Hotel
Map
as a
regional natural history
museum, the architectural
symbol of the Czech National
Revival was completed in
1890 in a Neo-Renaissance
style. Wenceslas Square, once
a horse market, is now
flanked with cinemas, souvenir
stores and cafes offering
Czech beer.
The 750-metre-long and
60-metre-wide square has
seen a great deal of Czech
history. In 1969, a university
student, Jan Palach, burnt
himself to death in protest
against the Warsaw Pact
invasion. In November 1989,
protest meetings against
police brutality were held
here, leading to the Velvet
Revolution and the end of
communism in
Czechoslovakia. In the middle
of the square is a monument
of St Wenceslas on a
horse, accompanied by sculptures
of four Czech saints.
Beautiful architecture
from varying periods is displayed
in building clusters --
the Rococo Kinsky Palace,
Gothic Tyn Cathedral,
Baroque St. Nicholas Church,
National Museum, State
Opera, Church of St Ignatius,
and the Clock Tower which
attracts the most eyeballs.
Groups of tourists gather
around looking up in anticipation
every hour, when the
window opens and the apostles
give their blessings.
You're overwhelmed by the
live music, stalls dishing out
traditional Czech specialities
like old Prague ham, Halusky
(a snack made of potatoes,
cabbage and bacon), stores
selling an amazing range of
marionettes, colourful crystals
and cut glassware which
the country is famous for.
Some factories like Ruckl at
Nizbor offer a free tour.
A spot that sets you thinking
is the Jewish Quarter
which also has the cemetery,
founded in 1478, and Europe's
oldest surviving Jewish
cemetery with over 12,000
gravestones. During the Nazi
regime, people were buried
on top of each other due to
lack of space.
A few metres away is the
ever-lively Charles Bridge,
famous for the 30 statues
that stand on it. The bridge
was the most important connection
between the Prague
Castle and the Old Town.
Open to pedestrians only,
there are plenty of street
musicians and wares on sale
-- jewellery, paintings and
artists who'll paint your portrait
on the spot. Keep aside
one full day to visit the
Prague Castle, which is situated
on a hill, with a tram
taking you up the winding
road. The largest ancient castle
in the world, it has
churches, gardens, alleyways
and royal residences on its
campus. Watch the change of
guard at the castle which
now houses the Czech
President's office.
If pubbing is not your
scene, then the Krizik
Fountain Show is a good bet
in the evening or even the
Black Light Theater WOW
Show. Or just hop in to the
Palladium shopping mall
which has 200 outlets and a
food court that dishes out
even Asian specialities.
On the outskirts of the city,
the Karlstejn castle of
Charles IV, accessed by a
horse cart (about 150 kronas
per person) is a good day
trip. Frescoes, a rich history
and the famous chapel of St
Cross that safeguarded the
crown jewels of the Holy
Roman Empire make this
visit memorable.
How to get there?
- Well connected by rail, the Czech capital has direct trains from Zurich, Munich and Vienna. You can also take a connecting flight from any of the major European cities. Fares start at R 35,000
- GOOD TO KNOW: Make sure to change your Euros to Kronas from a reliable bank. There are touts who promise to give you a good rate but try and avoid them as they dole out fake notes. 24 Kronas = 1 Euro
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