“Prague on the Vltava River”
Prague, Czechia (The Czech Republic). May 2018 (14 photos)
This is Part 3 of my Czechia (The Czech Republic) 2018 photo series, and also Part 23 of my Europe 2018 photo series.
As we near the end of my European photography series, let’s leave Athens and return to Prague. So here are some more of my postcards from Prague…
“Excuse me Sir, can you tell me how to get to Prague Castle please?”
Prague is a rather small city, easily walkable with beautiful architectural details everywhere you go. Of course, Prague Castle is one of the more famous icons of the city, and acts as an orientation marker should you get lost.
“Lost in Prague”
But you shouldn’t be afraid to get lost in Prague. Because if you do get lost, you’ll come across buildings like these…
“More of the same”
And decorated buildings like this…
“Move along, nothing to see here”
And doors like this…
“Sun and Moon”
And other surprise features like these.
“The Dancing House”
Prague also has its modern side. The Dancing House (Czech: Tančící dům) is the nickname given to the Nationale-Nederlanden building on the Rašín Embankment. It was designed by the Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunić in cooperation with Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry on a vacant riverfront plot. Designed in 1992 and completed in 1996.
“Malostranské náměstí”
But I was mainly interested in the old Prague such as the area of the Malá Strana.
“View from The Malá Strana Bridge Tower to St Nicholas Church”
“The House of Hlahol”
The House of the Hlahol Choir, built in 1906 by Josef Fanta for a patriotic choral society associated with the Czech National Revival, is decorated with elaborate musical motifs and topped by a giant mosaic depicting Music.
“Lost again”
“New World, Old Prague”
This is the area of Nový Svět (New World), practically adjacent to Prague castle yet few people pass through the area.
“When you gotta go, you gotta go”
At the entrance to the Franz Kafka Museum is a fountain, evocatively named, Piss (Czech: Čůrající postavy). It was designed by Czech artist David Černý in 2004. The fountain’s basin is made of bronze and shaped like the former Czech Republic. Standing in the fountain are mechanical statues of men, standing 210cm (6 ft 11 in) tall with moving pelvises, “urinating”. Visitors can command the men to write messages into the water via SMS.
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This is Part 3 of my Czechia (The Czech Republic) 2018 photo series.
This is Part 23 of my Europe 2018 photo series, including Czechia (The Czech Republic), The Netherlands, France, Italy, Austria, Greece and Germany.
But would Kafka have approved?
Well, he did indulge the surreal and absurd. I think that fountain fits in. 🙂
It looks like a beautiful and interesting city to visit.
Indeed it is. It’s a compact city with so much interesting beauty everywhere. I think it was one of the more picturesque cities visited. In fact, it is commonly stated that Adolf Hitler considered Prague to be so beautiful, that he deliberately spared it from destruction/bombing during World War II.
I am glad that he did so. It would have been sad for the beauty to have been destroyed
Indeed. Have to thankful for small mercies.
What a gorgeous city 🖤
It’s incredibly picturesque.
How much I enjoyed viewing your post on a part of the world I won’t ever see in in person. Beautiful images! That dancing building wow! Incredible! Thank you for the share. And yeah, you got a giggle out of me when I saw the last few pictures.
Thank you very much, Amy.The architectural details in Prague are incredible. I’m glad the last ones gave you a smile. It was funny to watch those pelvises gyrating. 🙂
LOL
🙂
Beautiful photos. I saw some of those sites when I visited Prague at the end of August. Incidently the reason the lot was empty for the dancing house was that an American bomber pilot had got lost on the way to Dresden. It has the Fred and Ginger restaurant at the top as it is supposed to look like Fred Astaire dancing with Ginger Rogers.
Thank you. I read that Gehry’s working name for the building was Fred and Ginger but ultimately he didn’t want to “americanise” the building so dropped his nickname. I didn’t realise there was a restaurant up top. Thanks for the information. I assume you’ll be headed back later.
From the Dancing House to New World, Old Prague, such a variety of textures, styles and history. Thanks for the images.
Architecture in Prague ranges from the 14th Century to the modern day. Incredible, isn’t it? I just loved walking the city. So beautiful.
I have many photos LD of the same things (though not the lovely window and sun and moon chairs), and not as beautifully photographed as yours. Did you ever find yourself in the Wallenstein Garden, in Malá Strana, where there is an artificial stalactite cave (grotto), made of lime stucco stalactites. Very odd.
Thanks, Jude. It’s difficult not to be captivated by those beautiful buildings in Prague. I’m not surprised we walked many of the same streets and photographed the same sights.
OK, I’ve just reviewed Google Maps. It seems I walked on the street with the Wallenstein Garden to my left and the Embassies and their gardens to my right. The Wallenstein Garden was mostly behind a wall so my gaze was on the Embassies! I really should look at Google Maps more often when I’m wandering.
Never saw that fountain. Are they pissing at the former country? Hmmm. Artistic freedom, right?
Looooved the Dancing House.
Yes they are. 🙂 I don’t think the Czech Republic is a stranger to artistic freedom. BTW, near there is the Bakeshop – loved their strudels.
The other nickname of the Dancing House is Fred (Astaire) and Ginger (Rogers).
Oh yes. I remember that. Thanks for reminding me.
No problem. It’s easy to remember a good strudel. 🙂
The best one I’ve eaten was in Vienna.
You sound like an expert. I only tried Demel in Vienna, and had the Sacher Torte.
Mmmmm, Sacher. Tried Demel too.
I found this one online, where else, and was impressed by it. I forgot the name. I remember it’s in downtown Vienna. It was a 19c cafe where poets, writers and intellectuals gathered. The interior with its colors, and arches is spectacular, like that strudel with cream and vanilla ice cream on the side.
Sounds great. When it comes to pastries and desserts, there’s too many choices and not enough time. 🙂
I know. I have a sweet tooth myself.
It’s a curse at times. 🙂
Don’t even mention it or I might head to the kitchen to grab that toblerone…again.
Lol 🙂 🙂 🙂
I did…Some character.
I’m not one to be judgemental, having had the same moments of weakness. 🙂
Such amazing architecture and history. I am absolutely amazed at all the different architectural styles — from old to new. I love the old ornate buildings but the Dancing building was fascinating and fun! Each building is so unique and ornate and very artistic! It just amazes me. Thank you for sharing places I won’t see in person. You have captured sights magnificently! 😀
My pleasure. I’m happy you enjoyed this small tour around Prague. In the Old Town, the facade of practically every building is adorned in some beautiful way.
So many new things have appeared on the streets of Prague since I was there! Time to go again. Thanks for the photos.
Always evolving but not ignoring its past. Prague mixes the modern and the historic well.
Prague looks absolutely beautiful via your lens, Dragon! It’s good the city didn’t look crowded. What a grand tour you had!
Thank you, Amy. Prague doesn’t really have a low tourist season any more. So it’s good to be able to get away from the crowds every now and then. Yes, it was a great holiday. Planning the next one now. 🙂
Awesome!! I won’t even try to keep up with Dragon…
Very funny. I can’t keep up with you.
Prague must be amazing – everybody says so, and you too. I can see from your pictures that you enjoyed the diversity despite wanting the old town…I am a Kafka fan (my students never were…) so I loved that fountain too – and I bet he likes it, wherever he is!
Originally I didn’t plan to go to Prague, but I was convinced by a friend and made some alterations to my plans a few weeks before leaving. . I’m truly glad I went because it so beautiful. The legacy of Kafka is all over Prague. I think you could just spend a day or two following his “trail” there. And you have to see the fountain. 🙂
Oh, some day…
You’ll love it.
Your opening shot is my favourite but I love sun and moon too. Looks like a great city to get lost Draco 😃😃
Thanks, Jo. It’s definitely a place for you to wander and be amazed at every turn.
Postcards pictures indeed. Interesting you can control the fountain by SMS. From the outset it looks like an normal fountain with some kind of display. Very cheeky to control moving pelvises.
Thanks. Yes, it’s a “normal” fountain until someone sends an SMS to the number on display and then they start to “write” the message. Very funny. 🙂
I always advise people to let themselves get lost in Prague. It’s really the only way to start to get a feel for the spirit of the city. You did that fabulously. You even found Novy Svet! Few tourists stumble upon it. And what a unique angle on the peeing statues.
Thank you. I agree with you. That’s great advice. Yes, Novy Svet was a good find. I guess most people head to the Castle mostly from the Charles Bridge direction and just don’t come anywhere near there.
As for the statues, well I had to do something different, didn’t I? 🙂
I really liked Prague, somehow I missed mention of that fountain though.
There’s so much to see there. That’s something for next time. 🙂
Mil gracias por permitirnos mirar tales maravillas. Esas imágenes ayudan a convertir un día malo en bueno y alientan el alma.
Muchas gracias. Espero que mañana sea un día mejor. Siempre es bueno saber de ti, Juan.
What a fabulous tour you’ve taken me on. Thank you!!
My pleasure. Thank you very much. 🙂
The places you go and the photos you take 🙂 That dancing house is amazing. Reminds me of a building near MIT.
Well, that Frank Gehry does get around. He even has a building here in Sydney.
Fancy that! I wear a Gehry ring.
No wonder you like the Dancing House. You’ve got style.
Thank you. I would like to think I do 🙂
Trust me, you do. 🙂
No wonder my friends say Prague is their favorite city! Seen through your eyes, it seems to very gracefully balance the new with the old. Gorgeous images as always, Mr. Draco.
And did your friends tell you that beer is cheaper than water in Prague? It’s true.
Thank you. With your eye for detail, it’s definitely worth a visit if you can pull yourself from Paris for a couple of days. 🙂
Beer is cheaper than water????!! THE MIND REELS. Paris just went down a couple of notches, methinks. 😉
LOL. 🙂
“Visitors can command the men to write messages into the water via SMS.” This must be the silliest thing I’ve heard all week (but I don’t listen to the news). I was to Prague a couple of times and saw many posts from there, but I have never seen this sculpture. Not a fan.
I love the photos and the old architecture, but something was off both times I was there. I think it was the love of moneymoneymoney that I hated: attempts to rip the tourist everywhere, poor quality of food on a few occasions, and the fact that my guidebook was stolen in a restaurant in a few minutes before I noticed it, returned to where I was reading it moments ago and only met empty table and blank stares from customers and staff. I know, I know, could be worse. Also, this was decades ago.
Funny how you call it a rather small town though. I remember quite some distances and the subway. In Ljubljana you’d then soon know everybody by name. 😉 There are many similarities between the two cities.
That sun and moon scene is just to my liking. ❤ And I love it how you get lost and find beauty.
I friend of mine had a similar experience in Prague – he hates the place. Sometimes, luck is against you when you travel. At least you only lost a guidebook.
My reference is Sydney which has chosen to sprawl outwards.”Officially” it is almost 75km at its widest point and can take up to 2 hours to drive across.
Right… it’s almost the size of Slovenia then. 🙂 (Nah, it must be at least 300 km and 3 hours to drive across Slovenia – where it’s highway. But you can get really lost too, in the Alps, don’t recommend it.)
It takes about 5 hours to fly from Sydney on the East Coast to Perth on the West Coast. Plenty of land but not enough water to support a big population. I was almost in shock that it took just under an hour to fly from Frankfurt to Prague.
Hey Mr Draco .. looks like getting lost in Prague is a great idea! I so want to go there .. one day! Love that door! You are so right about postcards … your images are wonderful as always
Thanks, Julie. Prague is a beautiful compact city. The beauty in the details is incredible. Your camera will be going overtime. 🙂
Looks like we have been visiting the same location
Well it is a beautiful city. 🙂