Prague: Old and New Town

night scene of Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic

Using our day pass, we explored both the New Town and Old Town. This time we used a self-guided walking tour which we had printed out. We pretty much followed the route and started off with the National Museum by the Duke Wenceslas (from the “Good King” Christmas carol) statue. 

National Museum and Duke Wenceslas statue,  Prague, Czech Republic

Nearby, we also saw the Communist Era building and State Opera. We walked along Wenceslas square. 

Communist Era building,  Prague, Czech Republic

Unlike the historic Old Town, nearly all the buildings were from the past two centuries. Here are some buildings to note:

• We saw some beautiful Art Nouveau buildings such as the yellow Grand Hotel Evropa.
• We also saw the Marks and Spencer building with the balcony from the historic November 1989 revolution.
• The Art Deco Lucerna Arcade displays the sculpture called Wenceslas Riding an Upside-Down Horse hanging from a glass dome in the middle of the mall. 

Černý's Wenceslas Riding an Upside-down Horse

• Another 1930’s souvenir is the stained-glass window advertising Tesla, the radio manufacturer.

1930's stained glass window advertisement,  Prague, Czech Republic

• Through the Franciscan Garden, we went to the St. Mary of Snows Church. We took a peek (as it was closed) into its elegant interiors.
• Past Jungmann Square, we browsed through the multiple floors of the Bata shoe store (founded over 120 years ago in the Czech Republic). They had the good quality Bata shoes as well as other brands for sale. I have to say that it did take quite a bit of discipline not to go shopping. We had very little space left in our luggage!

By this time, we had already hit the end of the square by Mustek and the Old City Wall.

We walked to the Old City and explored areas we have not yet seen:

• Church of St. James—the church interiors were very beautiful and it housed the wooden Pieta from the 15^th century. What I will not forget from this church, though, was seeing the shriveled-up hand hanging by a chain from above, by the door. According to legend, a thief tried to rob the Madonna from the altar but his hand was frozen when he touched the statue. The monks had to cut off his hand to get it to let go of the statue. It now hangs in the church as a warning.

Church of St. James, Prague, Czech Republic

• House of the Black Madonna—this Cubist building is remarkable in the way that it stands out and yet mixes with its surroundings. It has a café and a gallery to showcase this movement. Of course, on the side of the building, you will see the Black Madonna.

House of the Black Madonna, Prague, Czech Republic

• Havelská market—offering various crafts and produce, but mostly souvenirs. The goods are not limited to Czech products and has its share of rude sellers.
• Estates Theatre (featured in the film, Amadeus) which premiered (and still currently runs) Mozart’s Don Giovanni

Estates Theater, Prague, Czech Republic

• Carolinium—heart of the Charles University

Other buildings to note:

• Powder Tower—connected to the Old Town Square via Celetná street (one of the oldest streets in Prague filled with many buildings with striking facades). This was the main gate of the Old Town wall and used to house the city’s gunpowder.

Powder Tower, Prague, Czech Republic

• Municipal House—dubbed the “pearl of Czech Art Nouveau,” this elaborate building has a restaurant and a hall for concerts. At the time we were there, they also exhibited Mucha’s Slav Epic (a series of large canvasses depicting the history of the Czechs and other Slavic peoples).

So many beautiful buildings to take in one day. Prague definitely goes down as one of my favourite cities.