Prague – Buildings and Music

PRAGUE – BUILDINGS AND MUSIC

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A wide variety of roof lines yet they harmonise wo well

The buildings are largely what make Prague so appealing to me. P1030886 (603x640)Like elegant Paris, so many of them have to be captured in photos. I love the variety of architectural styles, the generally pale colours on the walls, and the different roof lines. In Australia I rarely look up to the top of the buildings, but in Prague there are so many styles from vastly different eras that I am surprised at the way they blend and harmonise so beautifully.

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One of my favourite buildings is in the famous square near the P1030953 (480x640)Astrological clock. To me it typifies Bohemian Prague.

The photo was taken as we walked to our first concert; attending at least one musical performance is imperative while in Prague as musicians are everywhere. Our Mozart Dinner Concert was held in the Grand Hotel Prague which is immediately opposite the famous clock.

 

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Ready for our romantic Mozart evening

We were greeted by a gentleman wearing a white wig and costume appropriate P1030949 (640x480)to the time. In the dining room the décor is over the top – crystal chandeliers (Bohemian of course) two walls of display cabinets full of antique china, and many wonderful clocks, on walls, in cabinets, even on the bar. That and the introductory glass of champagne put us in the mood for a romantic evening.

And the food and music certainly lived up to our expectations – tasty little morsels to start, then a delicious salad that even had David practically licking the plate, followed by salmon cooked medium rare just as I requested, and venison that was ‘tender and sweet’ for David, both meals presented like works of art. For dessert we shared a serving of apple strudel with perfect custard.P1030937 (640x480)

As if that wasn’t enough, the musicians played favourite pieces from the classics – Carmen, Vivaldi, and of course lots of Mozart.

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Waiting for the opera

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Prague National Theatre

Our second musical feast was on opera, P1040025 (640x480)booked from Australia as I wanted to make sure we visited the National Theatre. Salome was a macabre production, probably performed in its usual way, although with modern dress, and the voices were very good, but I can understand why the place was half empty. However, it was the only performance available to suit our timing and the theatre itself was an experience not to be missed.

Other highlights in Prague included a

Irish Gypsy music, we bought two CDs

Irish Gypsy music, we bought two CDs

I found this nice chap on the Charles Bridge

I found this nice chap on the Charles Bridge

walk across the famous Charles Bridge, again stopping to listen to musicians.

 

 

 

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And for me, a return to a small Baroque church at the old town end of the bridge. I think it’s called St Agnes (couldn’t find any information in English) because it’s directly above a very old disused church from about the 13th century where St Agnes had built and organized a convent, which seemed to have also been a sort of hospital and refuge for the poor.

That same day we took a trip on the river in a little flat topped wooden boat.P1030998 (640x404) Climbing down the steps to reach the water was something of an achievement, but we managed and had fun as well as learning about the buildings along

View from the bridge

View from the bridge

the edge of the water. The only thing I remember is that the floods of 2002 must have ruined the ground floor of every building in Prague.

They have since built concrete embankments, which do the job but detract from the appearance. P1030978 (548x640)We found one area, like a little Venice, where there’s one remaining water wheel, and where, despite the likelihood of flooding, the properties are obviously very expensive.P1030982 Seeing the famous bridge from the water demanded a photo but, the with the light coming directly into the camera, it didn’t work out very well.

P1040010 (480x640)By this time we were very tired and hungry. We found a small bistro and asked for a soup. The local version of soup was a meat and potato stew, served in a large bread bowl. Delicious and very filling. We had to try some local wine too.

I must mention the Aria Hotel, where we stayed. It’s not in the historical part of the city, but was very comfortable, the staff were excellent P1030930and our room faced an internal courtyard which cut out all traffic noise, and like everything in the Aria, the walls, although on the outside of the building, were decorated with the heads of composers.

Our next stop was Nice in France.

 

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