Prague (Praha) is the capital and the largest city of Czech Republic. It is a political, cultural and economic center of Central Europe. Founded during the Romanesque and flourishing by the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque eras, Prague was the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia and the main residence of several Holy Roman Emperors. The city was the capital of Czechoslovakia between the World Wars and the post-war Communist era.
Prague, a magical city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, has been mirrored in the surface of the swan-filled Vltava river for more than thousand years. Almost undamaged by WWII, Prague’s medieval center remains a wonderful mixture of cobbled lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and countless church spires. Prague is also a modern and vibrant city full of energy, music, cultural art, fine dining and centuries old breweries.
Since 1992, the extensive historic center of Prague has been inscribed in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
Pictures below are from my visit to this historic city during Dec 2009, using point-shoot camera.
Welcome to Prague! A beautiful Manhole Cover with City’s Coat of Arms.The Powder Tower or Powder Gate, a Gothic tower, one of the original 13 city gates in Old Town, Prague, Construction began in 1475. The gate was used to store gunpowder in the 17th century, hence the name Powder Tower or Powder Gate.The Powder Gate, after dark, one of the original 13 city gates in Old Town.The Jan Hus Memorial in the Old Town Square of Prague. Born in 1369, Jan Hus became an influential religious thinker, philosopher, and reformer in Prague. He was a key predecessor to the Protestant movement of the sixteenth century. In his works he criticized religious moral decay of the Catholic Church. Jan Hus was burned at the stake in Konstanz for his beliefs. The Memorial was unveiled in 1915 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Jan Hus’ martyrdom.The Jan Hus Memorial, , after dark, in the Old Town Square of Prague.Christmas market in the Old Town Square of Prague.The Church of Saint Nicholas, a Late-Gothic and Baroque church in the Old Town of Prague. It was built between 1732-1737 on the site of a Gothic church from the 13th century which was also dedicated to Saint Nicholas.The Christmas Market and The Church of Saint Nicholas after dark.The Church of Our Lady before Týn, a Gothic church and a dominant feature of the Old Town of Prague. It has been the main church of this part of the city since the 14th century. The Old Town Hall, a complex of several ancient houses in the Old Town Square of Prague. The houses were connected one by one to a single unit for the purpose of administration of the Old Town of Prague. The tower, which was the highest in the city in the Middle Ages, was completed in 1364, and has been largely unchanged since then.The Orloj, mounted on the southern wall of Old Town Hall in the Old Town Square.The Prague Astronomical Clock or Prague Orloj is the most fascinating feature of the Town Hall. The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest clock still operating. The Orloj consists of three independent units: the moving figures, the astronomical dial and the calendar dial. The figures are set in motion on the stroke of every hour by a complex mechanism.A late Gothic door in the house adjacent to the tower serves as the main entrance to the Old Town Hall.Coat of arms of the Old Town of Prague at the Old Town Hall.Christmas market in the Old town square of Prague. The Church of Our Lady before Týn in the backdrop.Late night in the Old town square of Prague.The Church of Saint Nicholas in the old town of Prague.The Loreta Monastery, a Baroque Church of the Nativity in the Castle district.U Černého vola Beerhall, One of the original Old Prague beerhalls located on the Loreta Square (Loretánské náměstí) near Prague Castle.local market in the old town of Prague.Statue of Charles IV, the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia. He made Prague the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, also founded the oldest university in Central Europe – the Charles University – in 1348. This Neo-Gothic monument was made in 1848 for the 500th anniversary of the foundation of the Charles University.Vintage iron water hand pump on street in the Prague Old Town.A Prague tram in front of the belfry of the St. Nicolas’ Church in the Lesser Town.A tram in the Mala Strana, lesser town square.Novotný lávka footbridge), a series of historic buildings, former mills above the Vltava River.Charles Bridge, a historic bridge on the Vltava river in Prague. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century.At The Prague Astronomical Clock in the old town of Prague.The Rudolfinum, designed in the neo-renaissance style, has been associated with music and art since its opening in 1885. It has been the home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra since 1946.The Rudolfinum after dark.The National Theater (Národní divadlo), a stunning neo-Renaissance building, first opened in 1881, is the Czech Republic’s representative stage, built with funds from a nationwide collection.The National Theatre (Národní divadlo), after dark.The Dancing House, a modern building surrounded by historic architecture, designed by Milunić and Gehry, constructed between 1992-1996.U Medvidku Beer Hall, Originally founded in 1466, a Home of X33 – the strongest beer in the world!
The Legend, X33 beer with 12.6% Alcohol, ferments for 200 days in oak barrels.Enjoying the X33, a beer with 12.6% Alcohol, claimed to be the strongest beer in the world!U Fleků, a pub and brewery, founded in 1499. The brewery U Fleků is the only brewery in Central Europe which has been brewing continuously for over 500 years. Flekovský ležák 13°, dark lager beer with 5 percent alcohol ABV, brewed on the premises and is not available anywhere else.Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí), the entertainment and nightlife center of Prague, and the main shopping and commercial district.A beautiful Manhole Cover near city’s main railway Station.
In May 2017, 23 days before I was going to complete 50 years, grabbed an opportunity and took an early retirement.. Picked up a backpack and traveling ever since.. Love to travel around the world, experience different culture, local cuisine & drinks .. and take pictures.. so far been to 108 countries and still counting...
. or visit the Bone Church of Kutna Hora
Window on the World 