Prague is the capital + largest city in the Czech Republic, the 14th largest city in the European Union + the historical capital of Bohemia. It is located East of Germany, south of Poland, North of Austria, NW of Slovakia in central Bohemia, the largest region in the Czech Republic.

Slovak + Polish are the main minority languages spoken in the Czech Republic.

Tap water in Prague is perfectly safe to drink. OK maybe not from this fountain… HA!

Prague is well-known for its beautiful architecture…

…but also for its food :: potato soup, traditional roast pork with dumplings [shown below] + sauerkraut, fruit dumplings…

…apple strudel + Trdelník [shown below].

The currency in Prague is the Czech Crown (CZK). 1 US Dollar = 22.563 CZK

TYPICAL PRICES:
Classic meal at restaurant :: meat, sauce, dumplings 140CZK :: 6.16USD

Large sausage, bun + mustard at Wenceslas Square   40CZK :: 1.76USD
Pint of draft beer   35CZK :: 1.54USD
750ml decent bottle of wine 160CZK :: 7.04USD

Known as the Golden City she received this nickname during the reign of the Czech King + Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV when the towers of Prague Castle were covered in gold. Another theory is that Prague was called ‘Golden’ during the reign of Rudolf II who employed alchemists to turn ordinary metals into gold.

Now that I’ve given you some history on Prague let me cover some of the uniqueness of this city which can really only be explained in pictures. But since I only had two days in Prague I was able to capture just a few of the many, many things that make Prague truly special.

#10 :: 135797531 Museum

July 9, 2007 was the 650th anniversary of Charles Bridge. The foundation stone was laid at 5:31am on July 9, 1357 with the help of King Charles IV. He consulted his astrologers + the date + time were chosen so that the odd numbers that ascend + descend on the scale of 1 – 9 would form the palindrome 135797531.

#9 :: Locks on gate of Charles Bridge

As the trend that begun in Paris after the best selling novel “I Want You” that was subsequently made into a movie in 2007 it has become popular for lovers to mimic the seemingly innocent gesture by placing locks on the beautiful gates in Paris + around the world, even on the Charles Bridge here in Prague.

What people don’t realize is that the Charles Bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage site + placing these locks are technically a form of vandalism.

The Charles Bridge Artists Association [CBAA] is working hard to remove these locks to prevent more damage. In one year, they fill five boxes of locks, each weighing in at around 110 lbs. When you realize how damaging it can be it changes your perspective. And although it seems romantic + lovely, I don’t recommend propagating this gesture.

#8 :: Man Hanging Out in Prague

First created in 1996, “Man Hanging Out” is the vision of Czech sculptor David Černý, whose work can be found all across Prague. It is simply a sculptural statement about intellectualism in the 20th century + Černý’s uncertainty about it. And it is certainly unique.

The piece was quite popular after its unveiling + actually toured the world in places from London to Grand Rapids. The piece has since returned + has been hanging out in Prague causing passersby to look up in wonder.

#7 :: John Lennon Pub

If you’re a Beatles fan holidaying in Prague you’re sure to come across this unique pub close to the John Lennon Wall. No prizes for guessing what kind of music is played while you choose a cocktail [or rum from the 20 brands on the menu]. Its walls were painted in bright colors + there is even a Yellow Submarine wall.

Before leaving don’t forget to take some pictures in the traditional red phone box. The ambience is quaint + relaxed :: be sure to go out + enjoy their popular outdoor garden.

 #6 :: John Lennon Wall

In the 1960’s it became known as the “Crying Wall” + was associated with protest text/lyrics + art although the authorities regularly painted over it. On December 8, 1980 everything changed with the murder of John Lennon. The Crying Wall became a place for the outpouring of grief + protest against his death. Almost overnight with the painting of his face + the old gravestone it became this unique John Lennon Wall.

#5 :: Beneficial Brick

On our journey of Prague we passed a little stand called Beneficial Brick which is a unique international street art fundraising project for people with special needs started in Czech Republic in 1999. Buying a brick or donating supports people with special needs live a full filled life! Connecting street art with help to people with special needs they are also the biggest world open-public street market with more than 40,000 painters every year. I love this concept! And I love how it shows what the Czech people value in life.

#4 :: Commemoration of 1621

In a rebellion against the Habsburg monarchy + the threat of being forced to convert to Catholicism or leave their homeland, forty-seven nobles including 27 Czech Protestant leaders of the Bohemian Revolt by the Austrian Catholic House of Habsburg were put on trial. More than half of them were sentenced to death. On June 21, 1621 the executions began at 5am + concluded at 9am. Twenty-four of the nobles would be beheaded that day + the other three would be hanged.

Just seeing this commemoration in the street really hit me in the heart to hear from my tour guide about the events of that time. Not only were men not allowed to think differently from the current religious administration but they were put to death for defying them.

Many such incidents took place in those days. I am so grateful that we live in a time when we can choose our religion + way of life. And I am thankful for those who have paved the way. I couldn’t walk across those numbers on the street this day. I felt that I would be trampling on what it stood for. So even though our group walked across it I just couldn’t. It certainly made an impact on me.

#3 :: Prastanek Prague

I thought this “tree cafe” definitely qualified as a unique place in Prague :: the 20-foot 350-year-old oak “Prastanek” by František Skála :: open from 4am to midnight from Monday to Sunday you can enjoy the Prastanek spirits for 35 crowns, a medium Křižík for 39 crowns + small for 27 crowns.

#2 :: National Marionette Theater

Marionettes first came to Bohemia in the late 1600s, brought in by performers from across Europe, notably France, Italy + the Netherlands but by the 1700s the Czechs had established their own companies. Marionettes have since become synonymous with the Czech Republic, a unique + very popular souvenir.

Don’t confuse puppets with these intricate works of art because you will immediately be corrected by the artists. And they take their art very seriously.

#1 :: Prague Boat Tour

What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon just putzing around in a boat in Prague on the Vltava River, the longest river in the Czech Republic, taking in a different perspective from the water just as we did in Bruges + Amsterdam + Bangkok.

We were given a little refreshment at the start + began to leisurely sail down the Vltava River this day. Our tour guide was so informative, highlighting all the important features along the river.

Then he showed us this, a stark reminder of the torrid ravages this river is capable of. In 2002 the Vltava River rose to a record level flooding the entire town; the worst in their history. It took them 2 years to rebuild. Crazy to think that this happened less than 20 years ago… But it is a testament to the resiliency of the people.

Sailing past bridges + historic buildings + restaurants on this beautiful day was absolutely perfect. And although we learned that this town had to endure the ravages of this river, I am grateful to have been able to take this tour + learn more about this magnificent city.

A more unique perspective of Prague + the Charles Bridge from the Vltava river just isn’t to be had.

Visiting this part of Eastern Europe really helped put everything Prague together for me in my mind. One of the reasons I am so intrigued in history is the stories I find out about in my travels. Gaining an understanding of what happened in the past brings me a little closer to understanding people throughout the world. How + where they live + what they have gone through makes them who they are. And I am so excited to learn about them everywhere I go.

If I can help you understand more about the world through my blogging then I am most happy + fulfilled. Let me know what you got out of my post about Prague, won’t you? And feel free to tell me about your experience there.

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