January 10, 2011/ altair / European Vacations

Prague has been the political, cultural, and economic center of the Czech state for over 1100 years. The city is home to more than 1.2 million people. Prague is one of the most beautiful European cities, and Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world. In 1992 Prague became a World Heritage Site of the UNESCO.

The Prague Castle

The Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world (570m long, on average 128m wide, area 7.28ha). Constructed in the 9^th century, the castle transformed itself from a wooden fortress surrounded by earthen bulwarks to the imposing form it has today. Rulers made their own additions so there is a mixture of styles. Prague castle has had four major reconstructions, but it has kept its classical facelift it took on in the 18^th century during the reign of Maria Theresa. The castle has three courtyards and it has always been the seat of Czech rulers as well as the official residence.

The St Vitus Cathedral

The St Vitus Cathedral is the impressive structure in late-Gothic style. Its first foundation stone was laid in 1344 by Emperor Charles IV. Over the following centuries renaissance and baroque details were added and the job was completed in 1929. The most beautiful of numerous side chapels, Parler’s Chapel of St Wenceslas, houses the crown jewels and the tomb of “Good King” Wenceslas. There are many superb examples of the 20^th century Czech stained glass and marvelous pieces of art. The Royal Crypt contains the remains of Charles IV, Wenceslas IV, George of Pod?brady and Rudolf II. There are excellent views from the Great Tower on a clear day.

The Church of St Nicholas

The Church of St Nicholas (1735), originally a church of a Benedictine Monastery, now belongs to the Czech Hussite Church. There are beautiful ceiling paintings that show scenes from the life of St Nicholas and St Benedict, and a wonderful chandelier.

Being the scene of great events, both glorious and tragic, the Old Town Square (1.7ha) has been Prague’s heart since the 10^th century and its main market place until the beginning of the 20^th century. There are beautiful pastel-coloured buildings of Gothic origin with fascinating house signs. The square’s center is home to a statue of Jan Hus.

One of the square’s most notable places is the Astronomical Clock (1410). It is composed of three main components: 1) the astronomical dial, representing the position of the Sun and the Moon in the sky and displaying various astronomical details; 2) “The Walk of the Apostles”, a clockwork hourly show of figures of the Apostles and other moving sculptures; 3) a calendar dial with medallions representing the months. Today, the Old Town Square offers visitors numerous restaurants, cafés, shops and galleries.

The Charles Bridge

The Charles Bridge, as the only means of crossing the river Vltava, used to be the most important connection between the Old Town, the Prague Castle and the adjacent areas until 1841. The bridge is 650 years old. Its construction begun in 1357 at 5:31a.m.The astronomers of the court of Charles IV chose the numbers 1 3 5 7 9 7 5 3 1 or 1357 on the ninth day of the seventh month at 5:31a.m. as the most suitable and lucky date for the laying of the bridge’s foundation stone. The numbers are symmetrical and remain the same in the reverse order i.e. no matter whether read from left to right or right to left. The bridge was built not only on a special date but with special “ingredients”; eggs, milk, and some legends even say flour and wine were added to the mortar to bind the stone blocks.

The bridge is 516m long and nearly 10m wide, resting on 16 arches. It is protected by three bridge towers, and one of them, the Old Town bridge tower, is often considered to be one of the most astonishing civil gothic-style buildings in the world. The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues and statuaries, most of them baroque-style, erected around 1700. During the night Charles Bridge is a quiet witness of medieval times. But during the day it changes its face into a very busy place. Painters, owners of kiosks and other traders compete for the attention of numerous tourists crossing the bridge.

The Charles Bridge is connected with a number of legends. One takes place in the late fourteenth century. When St John of Nepomuk was thrown off the bridge because he refused to reveal the secret told to him by king Wenceslas’ wife, part of the bridge broke off at the exact same time. Numerous attempts at repairing the broken arch had failed – even eggs and milk probably didn’t do the trick – until one of the builders made a pact with the devil. He promised him the soul of the first being that crossed the newly repaired bridge in return for the successful repair work. When the day arrived, the builder asked the guards to ceremoniously release an ordinary cock over the bridge before anyone would be allowed to cross. But the devil outsmarted him. Dressed as the builder’s assistant, he ran to the builder’s wife and said her husband had been involved in an accident. She ran to the bridge past the guards and the cock and her soul became the devil’s forever.

The Old – New Synagogue

The Old – New Synagogue built in the 13^th century is one of the most valuable Jewish historical buildings in Europe. It is one of the oldest European synagogues still serving its purpose. Originally, women were permitted to enter it only on their wedding day; an annex for women was added later. They could only look into the main hall through the small windows. There are regular divine services held in the Old – New Synagogue nowadays, as well as Jewish weddings and other religious ceremonies.

For reservation and information please contact Altair Travel: 416-633-9404

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