Prague Vacation - December 2015


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Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, is bisected by the Vltava River and is known for its Old Town Square, with colorful baroque buildings, Gothic churches and the medieval astronomical clock.

The Powder Tower, Old Town

Old Town

 Old Town Square Christmas Tree
Spires of the Chuch of Our Lady before Tyn at Night Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral at Night Viewed from Old Town St. Vitus Cathedral at Night Viewed from Old Town

St. Nicholas Church, Old Town Square Jan Hus Statue and Church of St. Nicholas (Old Town) Old Town Square Christmas Market and St. Nicholas Church Exterior Murals on Old Town Square Buildings

Astronomical Clock on Old Town Square Clock Tower Skeleton and Musician Stutures on Clock Tower Apostles in Clock Windows During Hourly Procession

The Prague Astronomical Clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still operating. Each hour fgures of the Apostles parade past open windows in the clock tower.
Apostles in Clock Windows During Hourly Procession
Old Town Clock Tower and Astronomical Clock

The Old Town Hall Tower was built in 1338 and is one of the most identifiable buildings in Prague. Inside visitors can ride or climb to the top of the tower for views over the Old Town Square and the rest of Prague.

 Ceiling Mosaics, Entrance to Old Town Clock Tower
Ceiling Mosaics, Entrance to Old Town Clock Tower Wall Mosaic, Entrance to Old Town Clock Tower Wall Mosaic, Entrance to Old Town Clock Tower

Views of Prague from the Old Town Clock Tower

Christmas Market and Our Lady before Tyn from Old Town Clock Tower Old Town Square and Christmas Market, View from the Old Town Clock Tower Our Lady before Tyn Tower Detail, View from the Old Town Clock Tower Prague, Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral from Old Town Clock Tower St. Nicholas Church (Old Town) from Clock Tower

Charles Bridge

Old Town Bridge Tower, Charles Bridge Statue of Madonna and St. Bernard Near Charles Bridge Old Town Bridge Tower, Facade Detail Charles Bridge and Old Town Bridge Tower, View from Kampa Island Statue of King Charles IV Near Charles Bridge Statue of St. John of Nepomuk on Charles Bridge

Prague Castle Complex

Fighting Giants Statues over Entrance to Prague Castle

Prague Castle is a castle complex in Prague that dates from the 9th century and is the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic. The Prague Castle complex also includes St. George's Basilica (founded by Prince Vratislav in 920) and the Golden Lane.
Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral and Vltava River from Cechuv Bridge Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral, View from the North Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral Viewed from Charles Bridge Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral and Charles Bridge from Legion Bridge
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Cathedrals and Churches

St. Vitus Cathedral, commissioned by Charles IV, began construction in 1344 on the site of an earlier 10th century rotunda. The final phase of construction was from 1873-1929. The Great South Tower of the Cathedral was founded in the late 14th century, then reconstructed in the 16th and again in the 18th centuries. The tower holds the biggest bell in the Czech Republic, which dates from the 16th century. The tower is more than 90 meters high, and visitors can climb the 287 steps for views of the city.
Main Entrance Façade of St. Vitus Cathedral Interior and Stained Glass Windows of St. Vitus Cathedral Interior of St. Vitus Cathedral Interior of St. Vitus Cathedral Gargoyles, St. Vitus Cathedral
Front Tower of St. Vitus Cathedral Seen from South Tower Back of St. Vitus Cathedral High Altar of St. Vitus Cathedral Stained Glass Window in St. Vitus Cathedral Alfons Mucha Stained Glass Window in Archbishop's Chapel of St. Vitus Cathedral
Tomb of St. John of Nepomuk, St. Vitus Cathedral St. George's Basilica and Prague from St. Vitus Cathedral Tower View of Prague and Charles Bridge from St. Vitus Cathedral South Tower Creche in St. Vitus Cathedral

Pipe Organ, Church of St. James

The Church of St. James in Old Town is the second largest church in Prague. The church is the final resting place of Count Vratislav of Mitrovice who was accidentally buried alive in the tomb. There is a mummified forearm near the tomb entrance, dating back over 400 years that belonged to a jewel thief who tried to steal from the high altar. It is believed that when the thief tried to steal the jewels, a statue of the Virgin Mary grabbed his arm and would not let go, so his arm was cut off by the monks.

 Ceiling Murals, Church of St. James Ceiling Murals, Church of St. James Main Altar, Church of St. James

Infant of Prague Statue, Church of Our Lady Victorious in Malá Strana

The Church of Our Lady Victorious in Malá Strana holds a 16th-century Roman Catholic wax-coated wooden statue of the child Jesus holding a globus crucifer. Legends state that the statue once belonged to Saint Teresa of Avila. The exact origin of the Infant Jesus statue is not known, but historical sources point to a small sculpture of the Holy Child presently located in the Cistercian monastery of Santa Maria de la Valbonna in Spain that was carved around the year 1340.

 Infant of Prague Statue, Church of Our Lady Victorious in Malá Strana Infant of Prague Shrine, Church of Our Lady Victorious in Malá Strana
Top of Altar, Church of Our Lady Victorious in Malá Strana

Altar, Church of St. Nicholas (Malá Strana) Main Altar, Church of St. Nicholas (Malá Strana)

Construction of the Church of St. Nicholas (Malá Strana) began in 1703, on the site of a former parish church, the records for which date back to 1283. The interior of St. Nicholas Church is decorated with statues, paintings and frescoes by leading artists of the day. Particularly impressive is a fresco of the Celebration of the Holy Trinity which fills the 70m high dome. The Baroque organ was played by Mozart in 1787.
Altar, Church of St. Nicholas (Malá Strana) Rotunda and Ceiling Murals, Church of St. Nicholas (Malá Strana) Ceiling Statues and Murals, Church of St. Nicholas (Malá Strana) Ceiling Murals, Church of St. Nicholas (Malá Strana)

Miscellaneous Images of Prague

Grand Priory Mill Wheel on Canal in Malá Strana Cechuv Bridge Support Statues Statue of St. Wenceslas and National Museum, Wenceslas Square Plague Column in Lesser Town Square

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Copyright ©2015  James A. Morman