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In discussions: Prague clubs, Best / worst Czech food, what to see and much more!
In discussions: Prague clubs, Best / worst Czech food, what to see and much more!
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Prague
THE DANCING HOUSE - 'TANČÍCÍ DŮM'
stands in Prague on Vltava river waterfront. The very non-traditional design was controversial at the time (it was completed in 1996). Czech president Václav Havel, who lived for decades next to the site, had supported it, hoping that the building would become a center of cultural activ...ity.
Originally named Fred and Ginger (after Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - the house vaguely resembles a pair of dancers) the house stands out among the Baroque, Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings for which Prague is famous. Others have nicknamed it "Drunk House".
Go to see it and make your own judgment!
GPS: 50° 4'31.747"N, 14° 24'50.818"E
Prague
THE BIGGEST CASTLE IN THE WORLD - 'PRAGUE CASTLE'
'Pražský hrad' is a castle where the Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors and president of the Czech Republic have had their offices. According to Guinness Book of Records Prague Castle is the biggest ancient castle in the world at about 570 meters in length and an aver...age of about 130 meters wide. The castle buildings represent virtually every architectural style of the last millennium. Includes gothic St Vitus Cathedral, Romanesque basilica, a monastery and several palaces, gardens and defense towers.
TIP: There is change of Prague Castle guards at twelve o’clock with music at the main gate. And for the whole day you can have a photo with Guards since they have to stand without any movement even if there are some curious tourist standing near them.
Worth visit!
More info at the official castle web-site
http://www.hrad.cz/en/prazsky_hrad/navst
GPS: 50°5'23.28"N, 14°23'54.6"E
Prague
Prague Ham - "Pražská šunka." It is brine cured, fully cooked and smoked, boneless juicy super-good ham. Smoked foods are so popular in the Czech Republic that many people have their own little smokehouse - or udírna - in the garden. In Prague you can buy smoked ham mostly in market squares and in some restaurants. Rea...d more in the article "From From the smokehouse"
http://www.radio.cz/en/article/70239
Prague
PRAGUE PUBS - A MONUMENT TO CZECH BEER TRADITION
Czechs have the highest per-capita consumption of beer in the world (160 litres per year:)) and Prague has six operating breweries (made up of three large industrial breweries and three pub breweries). The whole city is full of pubs at your disposal with a diverse array o...f environments in which to appreciate the Czech brewing skills. Away from the most obvious spots in the city centre - the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Charles Bridge - old-style Czech pubs still carry on. And how do you recognize them? They’re smoky, noisy and with moment when you place an empty glass on the table the waiter will bring you another (no asking..:-) You’ll find them in residential quarters (Žižkov, Smíchov..), they’re harder to find in the city center. So? Let’s go for a beer!!
Prague "ORLOJ" – CLOCK WITH MOVING STATUES! This is Prague Astronomical Clock or "Pražský orloj". It's a medieval astronomical clock that dates back to 1410. OK what's the big deal about the it? It does astronomical 'things' and also entertains about every tourist who comes to Prague for at least 5 minutes. So what exactly ha...ppens? First of all, in the lower parts the statues start moving! Death represented by a skeleton pulls the bell cord with one hand holding the clessidra in the other, The Apostles come out in a procession in two small windows above the Clock and a cockerel flaps and crows in an alcove and then the chimes of the hour can be heard. The Orloj stopped working many times in the centuries, and was repaired many times. And because in Prague we have a legend about everything, there is one about the clock malfunction as well: It says the clock was made by the master clockmaker Mr. Hanuš. The Orloj became his masterpiece. He refused to allow anyone to see his construction plans despite many requests. It was so perfect that the Old Town Councilors had his eyes burnt out with a hot poker, so that he would not be able to build another such instrument elsewhere, which could overshadow the beauty and the fame of the Prague Clock. In anger, Master Hanuš then asked his apprentice to take him to the clock. Then he touched it in a secret spot. The clock stopped. For many years nobody could repair it. Those who tried either died in doing so, or have gone mad. Go see it on your own (50°05′13,23″ - 14°25′15,30″) and after you do post a photo here :-)
Prague
MOST FAMOUS MONUMENT: Charles bridge - "Karlův most"
King Charles IV started to build this 516 meter long bridge in 1357. The bridge was originally called the "Stone Bridge" but has been the "Charles Bridge" since 1870.
It's the most famous monument in the city so during the day bridge is a very busy place, with painters..., musicians and owners of kiosks alongside steady flow of tourists. My recommendation: see it at night or early in the morning when it's empty, it's worth it!
Throughout its history suffered several floods and also battles, like in 1648 when Swedes attacked Prague and heavy fights took place right on the bridge.
Charles Bridge appears in many movies (Mission: Impossible) and many music videos (Linkin Park - Numb).
But now go and see it on your own! Loc: 50°5'11.42"N, 14°24'40.65"E
If you're a history fan visit Museum of the Charles Bridge
http://www.charlesbridgemuseum.com/
Prague
Czech liver sausage - "Jitrnice"
The crown jewel of every "zabíjačka" e.g. traditional Czech pig-slaughtering feast. It is a big sausage filled with a mix of the pig's head, brisket, liver, lungs and other entrails, pork stock, bread, onions, garlic, marjoram, pepper and other seasoning... nevertheless, it tastes very n...ice!:-))
It is served with sauerkraut and boiled potatoes. Gorgious!
Read more about traditional pig-slaughtering feast here:
http://www.radio.cz/en/article/65937
Prague
„MYDLÁŘ“ - EXECUTIONER WITH A TENDER HEART!:
Jan Mydlář is one of the most well-known executioners of the middle Ages because in 1621 he carried out the biggest mass execution – the execution of 27 Bohemian rebel leaders that led the rebellion against Catholic king Matyas.
Mydlář was born in burgher's family. He studied... medicine at the university of Prague, but did not graduate. Intead of becoming a respectable physician (he was a talented student), he became executioner's apprentice.
What reason could lead him to such decision? Neither more nor less than unfortunate love. Mydlář fell in love with pretty Dorotka during his studies. The love wholly blinded him. He didn't realize that Dorotka repeated love to anyone who courted her. Dorotka had to marry old miller Vaňura, and later she poisoned him. For this crime she was condemned to death.
Mydlář immediately left his studies and hurried to save Dorothy. But only the executioner and his assistants could enter the prison. Mydlář did not hesitate and he became an apprentice of executioner despite knowing that he will be cast out to the edge of the society. Though he didn't manage to save his beloved Dorothy, he had to carry on the executioner's work because he was already considered "untouchable". He
As a student of medicine Mydlář lived in a house near Old Jewish Cemetery, where the cemetery wall meets the Museum of Decorative Arts building. Go and explore the place on your own!
http://mapy.cz/#mm=ZP@sa=s@st=s@ssq=17.%
Locals say you can sometimes see his ghost running in between the thumbstones of Jewish cemetery, maybe you’ll be lucky!
Prague
Fried breadcrumbed cheese - "Smažený sýr."
A typical comunist-style recipe: cheap cheese, lots of oil and mayo. But it's sooo good!
Recipe here
http://www.recipezaar.com/czech-fried-ch
You can eat the protable version in many fast-foods in the citycenter as drunkards like the cheese in between two buns.
Prague
"ŠEMÍK" - THE TALKING HORSE!
When the Czech lands were ruled by prince Křesomysl, a farmer named Horymír lived in the village of Neumětely. He had a white horse of extraordinary intelligence called Šemík. Due to king's obsession to find treasures that were said to be hidden underground, people were encouraged to abandon... farming and to become miners. Horymír was unhappy with his rule and warned that neglecting farming would result in famine. His protests were not liked by the miners who one day set Horymír's property on fire. Horymír and his followers in turn burned down the miners' village. Horymír was punished and sentenced for execution. When he was asked his last wish, he requested one last ride around the castle grounds on his beloved horse Šemík. His wish was granted. When Horymír got on his white horse, he whispered something in his ear. Šemík ran to the ramparts, jumped over them and slid down the cliff. When the on-lookers got to the ramparts, they were astonished to see Horymír and Šemík on the other side of the Vltava, galloping towards Neumětely.
The miraculous jump exhausted Šemík. The dying horse spoke to Horymír in a human voice and asked for a tomb to be built for him. Horymír did as the horse wished. The tomb has since disappeared but Šemík is said to be sleeping in the Vyšehrad rock, ready to come out when his help is needed again.
You can visit the place where allegedly Šemík performed his miraculous jump, it’s right on the Vyšehrad rock. Nice panorama there, worth hiking up:-) See map here:
http://www.mapy.cz/#mm=ZP@sa=s@st=s@ssq=
Prague
THE PRAGUE "GOLEM": The Golem is a mythical creature created out of clay that is brought to life. 16th century: The High Rabbi Lowe, a man learned in kabalistic lore, forms a man-like creature out of clay and then bring it to life by inserting a shem (capsule) with a written magic formula into its mouth. He also writes... the German word for truth, anmauth, on its forehead. The Golem, which is given the name Joseph, does the work around the Jewish Quarter of Prague, sweeping the streets, carrying water, splitting wood etc. The Golem was tireless and uncomplaining; it needed neither food nor drink. It was exceedingly strong and fearless and defended the Jewish Quarter from attacks.
The only care required of the Golem was that it must not be alive on the Sabbath (Saturday). Rabbi Lowe deactivated the Golem by removing the shem from its mouth on Friday evenings before the Sabbath began. One Friday evening Rabbi Lowe forgot to remove the shem and Joseph the Golem went beserk. As mentioned above Joseph was very strong; he started pulling up trees. The rabbi ran after Joseph and managed to pull the shem from his mouth thus immobilizing him.
There were two versions of how the Golem was permanently deactivated. In one version the word anmauth (truth) written on Joseph the Golem's forehead was changed to mauth (death) by erasing the an. In the second version, Joseph is told he can only sleep in the attic of the synagogue. While he is asleep there Rabbi Lowe and his assistants perform a ritual of circling seven times around the sleeping Joseph while reciting magic formulas. They then wrap the lifeless body in prayer shawls and conceal it in that attic. No one is allowed to go to the attic of that synagogue and the clay body of the Golem is still there to be reactivated if need be.
Note that the Prague’s Golem reappeared in various forms and was reworked like in Frankenstein.
To find out more about Golem:
http://www.applet-magic.com/golem.htm
http://www.prague.net/golem
and, obviously, come to Prague!
Prague
Sweet Czech fruits dumplings - "Ovocný knedlíky", a MUST-TO EAT:-) If you can't come to Prague and eat them here at least cook them on your own it's worth the effort http://infidelity.blogsome.com/2009/07/2
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