Prague, Czech’s Republic Capital

1.

Prague, Czech’s Republic Capital is both a modern city and a true Architecture relic. Golden
city, dream in stone, magic city, hundred towers’ city, or Prague – the mother-city, are some of
the epithets she is known for.

2.

The Prague Castle is the largest castle in the world - 72,500 m2 – its construction begun in the
early IX century by Prince Borijov, Earl of Bohemia. It is situated on hills, on both banks of the
Vltava River. It has, within its interior, the Cathedral of St. Vito, the Powder Tower, the Royal
Palace Castle, Dalibor Tower, Monastery of St. George, Lobkowicz Palace and the Golden Alley.

3.

Entrance to the Castle, which is currently used as presidential residence

4.

This is the only type of lamp used in all internal streets within the Castle’s limits.

5.

The Prague Castle houses the reliquary of St. Mauro – the only sanctuary of
domečkového’s type - dating from the XIII century. The reliquary is made of
gilded silver, copper and gold, decorated with 200 precious stones.

6.

The complex of the Castle (Pražský hrad) encompasses the imposing Cathedral
of St. Vito (katedrála sv. Víta), the oldest Gothic cathedral in Europe.

7.

St. Vitus Cathedral’s (katedrála sv. Víta)- Its construction started in 1344. Its great Chapel of
St. Wenceslas, XIV century, boasts rich frescoes and more than 1,000 semi-precious stones.

8.

The full name of the
cathedral is St. Vitus,
St. Wenceslas and St.
Adalbert.
Among other figures of
Czech history - religious
or political – the kings of
Bohemia and some
Roman Emperors are also
buried here.
In this photo an inside
view detail of the lancet
window in the main
tower of St. Vitus
Cathedral, whose beauty,
viewd from the outside
(seen in the previous
slide), seems a decorative
relief.

9.

Among other unique treasures of the “ St. Vitus ", are the stunning Mucha’s stained glass
windows framed by the Cathedral’s high Gothic arches.

10.

Part of this marvelous city’s beauty is emphasized by the Vltava river course with its
pretty centennial bridges.

11.

When admiring this river waters and its flow we can understand Bedrich Smetana’s root of
inspiration for its symphonic poem – Die Moldau (Vltava) – here used as musical
background.

12.

Bedrich
Smetana, one
of the greatest
Czechs
composers of
19th Century,
born in March 2,
1824 and dead at
Prague in May
12, 1884,
founded the
Czech Music
National School,
and ascended as
Conductor of
Prague’s Opera
Orchestra in
1866.
He has been pupil
of Liszt, and was
influenced by
Wagner. From his
part, he influenced
the divine Antonin
Dvorak.
In 1874, a deafness
due to syphilis, led
him, as Beethoven,
to devote himself
solely to the
composition.
In 1883 he was
admitted to a
psychiatric
hospital, where he
died.

13.

The Old Town Square, situated along the "Královská cesta “, encompasses the
most important monuments of the city - some more than 10 centuries old.
(360 º photo unfolded into panoramic).

14.

Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady of Tyn, in the Old Town Square (Staré Mesto), whose
construction began in 1461. Since 1992, not only this square but the whole historic center
of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage.

15.

Old Town Square (Staré Mesto) is the heart of the cultural Mecca and home to the
Architecture, going from the most primitive to the most comprehensive existing style in the
world, including Gothic, Baroque, Neo-classic, Art Nouveau, Cubist, Rondocubist and

16.

« Královská cesta » stretches from the Municipal House to the Prague Castle.
Along way you can admire the famous Czech crystals commerce and, at Old Town Square
(Staroměstské náměstí ), the famous astronomic « Orloj ».

17.

The oldest part of Prague’s Astronomic "Orloj" - composed by the mechanical clock and the
astronomic dial - was built in 1410. Represent the position of the sun and moon in the sky.

18.

Here, when it comes to mention Old Town, the "old" refers to the centuries – not years – but
the respect and pride for its cultural heritage do not spare the most modern and efficient
means and tools for its conservation.

19.

St. Nicolas Cathedral – Lesse Square, where one can see that Prague is a feast for the
tourists, and the Czech tradition reveals a mixture of joy of living with art and culture.

20.

St. Nicholas Cathedral – in Baroque style, all decorated in various shades of pink
marble. Although the majority of the population is atheist (59%), the largest religious
community is the Catholic (27%).

21.

The tradition of working the glass and crystal in the Czech Republic is known since the first
century BC, but the large-scale production dates from the ninth century AD. Since long
Prague is known for its crystal. In the photo, a splendid Moser gold crystal tableware

22.

Municipal House – scenery of Czechoslovakia’s independency proclamation in October 28,
1918 – houses the Smetana Concert Hall (Smetanova síň), the largest theater hall of Prague.
At his side sits the Powder Tower (Prašná brána).

23.

Municipal House – the first building in Art Nouveu of Prague – it also houses one of the
finest French restaurants. Its exterior has embedded stones, gold garnishes, frescoes and
stained glass. (photo cut to show details)

24.

Powder Tower - the building after the Municipal House, is one of the two towers that
complete the ends of the most important bridge of Prague - the Charles Bridge.

25.

i
And what an incomparable experience is to await the sunrise since early morning under
the spell of Charles Bridge (Karlův most), built in the mid-fourteenth century ! ! !

26.

Afterwards, under full sun, be part of the crowd crossing the Charles Bridge
from tower to tower in its 520 m extension and 10 m. wide, to closely admire the
pillars decorated with thirty baroque statues depicting Catholic saints.

27.

Lesser Tower – While most young people is still asleep, you can enjoy with more space the
details of the vast exhibition of medieval art that permeates the whole Prague.

28.

Charles Bridge – besides serving as an access route between the two banks of the Vltava
River, is a true gazebo for tourists dazzlement.

29.

To more closely admire another of the characteristics of Prague – spotless clean tiling with its
colors shinning as new - nothing better than this restaurant on one of them.

30.

Estates Theater (Stavovske divadlo) - showing that not only the architectural styles are in
harmony, but also – as in the whole Czech Republic (Česká republika) – its people perfectly
balances the enjoyment of relaxing entertainment with cultural activities.

31.

Strahov Monastery (Strahovský Klášter) - built in 1140, is the second oldest monastery in
the city. It has one of the most beautiful, important and majestic libraries of the whole

32.

The National Theatre (Národní divadlo) is a beautiful neo-Renaissance work whose
construction was finished in 1883. It is the oldest professional theater in the Czech
Republic - founded in 1920, after the creation of Czechoslovakia.

33.

The National Museum building is considered a symbol of the Czech National Revival, and
houses its largest and oldest museum. (Monument to Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia, circa 907).

34.

The inner staircases of the National Museum (Národní muzeum) building are a perfect
acoustic space that, as so, constitutes a favorite place for traditional camera and coral
concerts.

35.

The legendary Ball of the Opera is one of the most prestigious social events and of long
tradition organized in the Czech Republic. The first Prague Opera Ball took place in 1948.

36.

The divine Dvořák * Sept 08, 1841 in a Bohemian village near Prague; +May 1st, 1904, in
Prague. Dvořák was an extraordinary talented composer, orchestrator and specially a
counterpoint master. Created numerous and captivating musical works, and also stood out for
the special gift to elaborate three or four voices talking at once in perfect harmony.

37.

But it's the Music that holds the most important role in the city where, in addition to the
National Theatre – whose interior can be seen here – every church, every palace, invites to
nightly performances of great composers' melodies, turning Prague into a giant concert hall
by the Moldau river.

38.

And it was also at the National Theater where took place the special opportunity to hear Yo-Yo
Ma and Itzhak Perlman - accompanied by the Boston Symphony under the baton of Seiji Ozawa
- playing a composition of another of the children-geniuses of the Czech Republic, Dvořák.

39.

And still at the
recording sound of
the concert "Dvorak
in Prague – A
Celebration" – the
night goes on in high
style, outdoors dining
at President Hotel
Prague to – very
moved, believe me, –
say goodbye to the
city...

40.

IX – 2006 original
Reissued in XI – 2011
From the
Musics
1- Die Moldau (edited) by Bedrich Smetana
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig Orchestra
2- Humoresque (edited) by Antonin Dvořák
Yo-Yo Ma & Itzhak Perlman - Boston Symphony, conductor Seiji
Ozawa
www.culturesandart.com
by
Delza Dias Ferreira
English version by
[email protected]
Flavio M. de Freitas Guimarães