Prague #1of7

Some people say Prague is the most beautiful city in Europe. While we might not go that far, it’s difficult to find a “one-view” that would surpass the sight of the Vltava River and Karluv Most (the Charles Bridge, a pedestrian bridge adorned with 75 statues and statue groups), with the Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral high above Marla Strana (Lesser town).

Many towers in Prague follow a style that is unique to that city. The Powder Tower (one of the 13 original fortification gates to the Old Town), the Tyn Cathedral, the Charles Bridge Towers, and others, have a roof with a steep slant, with little towers and spires at the tip of the main tower. The skyline silhouette of the towers of Prague’s Staromestske Namesti (Old Town Square), at sunset, is very distinctive. It’s fascinating to see that a photograph of buildings will tell, with great accuracy, if the photo was taken in Istanbul, Paris, Vienna, Prague, Berlin, London, Venice, or Rome.

The magnificent and huge St. Vitus Cathedral towers over Prague. Started in 1344, and consecrated in 1929, the Cathedral is situated inside the walls of the Prague Castle. The stained windows and the beauty of the columns and pillars, make St. Vitus an outstanding example of Gothic architecture. The outside eastern end presents an excellent view of Gothic flying buttresses, with gargoyles poking out grotesquely. At an archaeological dig next to the Cathedral, students were finding both small items of interest, and items of small interest.

Golden Lane (Zlata Ulicka), is just inside the walls of the Prague Castle, at the east end of the St. Vitus Cathedral.  From time to time the diminutive houses in the Lane have been home to goldsmiths, Prague's poorest people, some famous Czech writers, and now are tourist shops. Nearby, St. George’s Basilica, a Romanesque Church which predates St. Vitus Cathedral, now hosts frequent concerts.

A long, long flight of stairs extends down this hill to the riverside, and what a walk that is. At one place there is a panoramic spot for viewing and picture taking of Prague, with rooftops and dozens of steeples scattered far below. At level after level we were serenaded by musical entertainers. A violinist, a clarinetist, and would you believe two young ladies in costume, one playing a small harpsichord, the other a flute.