From Prague with Love
When I first arrived in Prague and saw the soviet-era brutalist architecture, I felt an odd feeling come over me. It's my least favourite architectural style, and although I have seen a few modern interpretations that soften its bulky overbearing appearance, I'm not a big fan. Glass and cedar for me, thank you. I'm a simple west-coast man. But nothing could prepare me for the architectural shock and grandeur of old Prague, which overwhelmed my senses with its vivid tapestry of architectural styles woven across its fabled skyline of spires and domes.
The Charles Bridge (1357)
I don't even know how I ended up on that side of town. Someone at a virtual reality demo had told me about it, I believe, so I headed that way following the majestic Vltava river with its soothing rushing sound.
Locals are camera shy
At times, I felt like I was in an old Soviet spy movie. My Gen-X cold-war paranoia circuits were definitely activated.
Wandering around Prague is like wandering in a Dali painting. You never know what you'll come across.
Did I take a wrong turn somewhere?
The architecture is a mix of styles like gothic, baroque, art nouveau, modern, etc. A far cry from the stark brutalist style outside the old city. This made me wonder, when did we stop trying to make our cities beautiful and majestic?
The Charles Bridge is a historic landmark in Prague, dating back to medieval times, it has seen a lot of history come and go across its length. When I saw it, I felt like I had just entered the Witcher game world.
Statue on the bridge.
Fortified tower at bridge entrance
On the bridge. Check out that awesome building in the background
The bridge was full of tourists and souvenir sellers. Thankfully, there were no vehicles allowed. On the other side, souvenir shops and restaurants were also plentiful. I stood there trying to imagine what it had looked like in medieval times with townsfolk going about their business on horse and carriage. There were no hordes of tourists back then, I imagine.
From the bridge
Alfons Mucha, Franz Kafka, Johannes Kepler, and John Dee are but a few innovative artists and intellectuals who were attracted by Prague's creative magnetism.
I wandered around aimlessly with my head swiveling this way and that. Lost in a haze of architectural visions. What a marvel of a city, infused with a long and rich history.
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I loved Prague when I was there back in 2000, a very long time ago now. Back then it was still the koruna over the euro, and they had these great coins with knights on which was enough to buy you a beer. I have many memories of being there as I stayed in a town outside Praha for months, and visited Prague often. So many stories I could tell.
What a cool coincidence that you were in Prague. Small world, after all. It's just time that's looooong. That must've been quite the trip because the fall of the Soviet Union was still kind of fresh. Were you doing duty as a femme-fatale double agent or working for the resistance? 😎
I wish I had spent more time enjoying the sights there, but alas it was mostly business. I do have a large amount of photos, strangely enough, so I'm not done singing the praises of that noble city.
Yeah it's magnificent!!! I was reading a lot of Kundera at the time too.
Nah, I'd heard this place called ceskt krumlov was amazing, so after landing in Germany, I headed straight there. It was first time overseas and I was traveling alone with a 4 year old in the data before people instagrammed about such things. I was very fancy free with barely a penny yo my name. Best trip of my life..... I only stopped coz stupid 9/11 had me running cared back to Australia because of my boy.
That would be a fantastic adventure with wonderful memories, except for the 9/11 mayhem. Here's to more adventures on the road ahead!
I would love to visit Prague, but now I am too old and unemployed. They say Prague is the holy city of alchemists!
I did not know that, but I did read that Paracelsus' ideas had a big influence there. It's so cool! :)
Yes, indeed, I hope you experienced some mysticism! Every house in the old town has alchemical symbols. I think, or have forgotten, Flathearth Brittish has a program about it!
The architecture in Prague is truly impressive. There is so much beauty everywhere, every window, every sculpture, so many styles and so many decorations. What I liked most was the bridge, not only because of the beautiful views it offers, but also because of the wealth of history it contains.
I really liked your phrase about Prague being like a Dalí painting, with amazing things waiting at every turn. It's a marvel in every sense, well worth exploring and enjoying. Thank you for bringing us this beautiful city full of history and art.
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If I were a student in the field of architecture, I would definitely want to visit this amazing city to see the wide array of design and styles. I visited a museum with a Dali exhibition, so it was very fitting.
I just found another photograph with a good view of the bridge:
https://peakd.com/hive-124838/@litguru/re-peaksnaps-t1ano7
It's beautiful!!!😃
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Somehow, the atmosphere of the place looks sublime, especially when you dropped that line of "like wandering in a Dali painting"! The architecture of the buildings, being joined together and their different colors gives the impression of a lively nostalgic past :)