Fantastic, romantic, attractive Prague

Left Milan with Skyeurope we landed in Budapest and, later, we moved at night by bus (Euroline) in Prague.

NB the story will be completed in the coming days.

Below is some information for a trip is-it-yourself

Sites used:
FLIGHT to buy Prague-Milan and book HOSTEL
http://www.skyeurope.com/it/
http://www.informagiovani-italia.com/Ostelli_in_Europa.htm

Bus from Budapest to Prague
http://www.eurolines.com/

Costs per person:
18 Eur transfer by bus from Budapest
56 Eur hostel (3 nights double room)
Eur 43 museums, bus etc..
47 Eur lunches / dinners / expense / sweets etc..
30 Eur Flight Prague-Milan
=====
Total DKK 194 Prague
Total Budapest and Prague (7 days) 300 DKK

 

Arrival, Old city and Mala Strana (Kampa, Palace..)

Arrive before 7 am in the bus station. The time is uncertain and is very cold (10-12 degrees). E 'a working day and runs a small crowd to the various bus stops, subways, and take away's coffee. The city seems in complete turmoil. I think about Milan ... basically I take the subway too, to 7:15 in the morning!
We head towards the old square. The old town is very small and in a moment we arrived. We stop on the benches of the square center reflecting on what to do. 8:30 are cold, wind and pulls it all ended, the square was empty: how different are the times of the tourists!
But we saw an interesting exchange office on the road ... we could go back and make two passes through heat and wait for the opening 9:00. Changing the Fiorini and advanced un po 'di euro. Across the pavement of the streets is Pavè and the bag is difficult to move silently and scoltezza. We decided therefore to leave the suitcases in the hostel which is located on the other side of the center and, therefore, will use the opportunity to follow the paths indicated by the guide to visit the center Soletti alone in the cold and melancholy Prague.
First of all, a nice hot cappuccino to warm! (nice not good, we had basically just need a little 'shelter from the wind and something hot to drink)

Visit the past at the old Palazzo del Comune decorao by Mucha and enter the dark door of the Dust. Folded immediately to the right and then Jakubská via the Tyn courtyard, turn around the Gothic church and to take Celetna. We pass under the watchful eyes of the Black Madonna and Ovocny Trh, where once there was a market for fruit, we in the midst of a strange statue of extemporaneous to get through Carolinum and the Theater of the States General, in Zelezna of front all'Orogolio Astronomical (Old Town Hall). The Old Town Square is surrounded by the church of S. Nicola white Baroque church of St. Mary of Tyn high and dark gothic spire, the Palais Kinsky, elegant rococo building is dominated by Jus Hus Monument, located near the center, religious reformer and a symbol of integrity.

Crossing the bridge and then Carlo S continue to the left. All'ostello arrive at 12:00.
Having got the formalities carry your luggage in the room and we decide to use immediately in the afternoon to return to the center but we are forced to wait for reopening the hall to retrieve the material. What to do in uell'oretta? We decide to go exploring in the nearby supermarket is a big shopping center with lots of shops and a multiplex. We shop, which is always a discovery of
strange products. Let's go back to hostel, because we bought in the refrigerator, which is in the room and retrieve the material.
Walking towards the Ponte S. Carlo mesta spend in front of the church but ordinatissima S. Mary Victorious, we decide to enter, rather curious about its history: first baroque church in Prague (1611), belonged to a congregation of German Lutherans was then assigned to Catholics and to the order of Discalced Carmelites. The major attraction is, however, the wax statues of the Child Jesus' Prague, offered in 1628 by the Princess of Lobkowicz, daughter of an aristocratic Spanish. Equipped with numerous and rich robes (on display in a room apart from including a dress embroidered with gold offered by Maria Teresa) and miraculous power, the statue attracted many pilgrims, especially Spanish.
Later there is the Romanesque church of S. Mary under the Chain, with two impressive towers, is located adjacent to the Grand Master's Palace (seat of the Order of Malta).
We are a little 'tired from the trip and therefore we decide to stay close, between the bend of the Vltava and the Castle, bordered to the south by the high green hill Petrin, extends the area of Malá Strana ie Town, rich in palaces and churches. The Viette is narrow and contorted suddenly expands into squares so betraying the origin of the medieval city disguised facades of the buildings, rebuilt in time ECOPA, and dominated by the colorful and rich Baroque dear to the Counter. The red and white tram rattle quickly in all directions. We are somewhat 'disoriented because each route is interesting, decisdiamo, then head immediately to the Church St. Nicola.
We enter in SAN NICOLA (60Kr) The building, located on the square of Mala Strana, is defined as "a typical example of Prague baroque." E 'was built by a family of architects (father, son and son!). It 'definitely full: completely painted, richly decorated with stucco work, statues and pillars. Through a door along the left aisle, climb on the balcony from which to admire the frescoes better and the whole church. View from the church is much more beautiful! The paintings on display, though beautiful are exposed with the light wrong and then almost not visible. Sin.

Along the high white wall, we arrived at the gateway to the gardens of Palazzo WALLESTEIN (Duke of Friedland, which razed to the ground 24 houses, a factory and a port of the city to build its "small" residence). Today there was a Senate seat. The public is allowed access to the gardens, we rest, the last photo shoot of the day enveloped by a silence restaurateur threatened by big black clouds that are designed around the long silhouette of the castle which can be seen beyond the high white walls.
Satisfied with the day we return to the hostel along elegant buildings and manicured gardens of the embassies, ministries and administrative offices are based in this area.
Passiamio front of the church of Saint Joseph, S. Thomas and S. Joseph, different interpretations of the Baroque style. Small note: in the vaulted cellars dell'adiacente monastery still serves beer produced by the monks since 1358!
The collapsed from exhaustion evening (for the night gone by bus, because we started to run from 6:30 to 20in or mileage?) And decided to postpone the release night.

Jewish quarter, Mucha museum, National museum, Wenceslas square

With a hopeful sky we head toward the Jewish Quarter. Will be around 8:30 ... cecidiamo and change our way of reaching the bridge S. Charles Long from Moldova to see the palaces on both sides (in fact often do not see the other side if not through the bridges) Belli, as well as interesting gardens to spot, thanks to a nice guide to Water Mill Wooden immerso in green. Walk along the bridge, already animated, pass through the gate of the city, we cross again the ancient Old Town Square, waiting for a cockcrow dell'Orologio Astronomico. Prague, where Jews had settled from the beginning of the city, is the subject of an extensive restoration project. Witness of this reconstruction is the elegant Avenue Paris, wide straight road connecting the Old Town Square to the Bridge Cech (who leads the district Letná), flanked by beautiful buildings (in neo-Renaissance style or secession) decorated facades, gables and richly decorated bay. Going to the cemetery meet the Maisel Synagogue, reconstruction neogothic (1905) of the building destroyed by fire, and the Jewish Town Hall, rococo palace of the eighteenth century. rebuilt on an old building of the XVI century., equipped with a clock tower, which is visible in a quadrant whose Jewish hands move counter-clockwise (as noted Apollinaire, "moving backwards"), the Great Synagogue. The Spanish Synagogue, built in 1868 in style neomoresco at the other end of Paris Avenue, presents the colors in warm tones, ranging from yellow to deep red.>
Descend the few steps from Viale Paris Jewish Quarter in place and are immediately next to the Synagogue. Tickets for any visit you buy in the souvenir shop just nearby. To our disappointment, you can buy only three types of tickets: 1.solo Old-New Synagogue (200 kr), 2.All synagogues and museums including the cemetery (about 15 eur) except Sinagoga VN, 3.la sum of the first two. We are only interested in the synagogue and the cemetery VN ... We decide to buy only one of the synagogue VN and evaluate later.
OLD-NEW SYNAGOGUE
Historically interesting, but it is a bit disappointing since visited other richly decorated synagogues. The small nave contains original elements.
CEMETERY
Leaving the synagogue we head to the cemetery. E 'elevated, about one more than the high street and therefore not visible. Through the ladder at a synagogue-museum you can see from above in the dense network of Tompa who surmount and overlap in a chaotic and fascinating collection of gravestones which is the oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe.

Released in advance by the District in which even to go to the bathroom and then you must pay code, try the Convent of St. Agnes, quite hidden in a Vietta tortuous. We stop, and then for the hot restaurant and here we decide to head to Wenceslas Square and visit the Mucha Museum that is located on the route.
MUCHA MUSEUM (120 Kr) The museum includes several works by the artist and a movie about his life of approximately 20 minutes.
My passion for liberty has meant that tormented, even before leaving, Lore with my beloved Mucha, which he renamed "Cow". They are definitely part because, for my part, Mucha justified the trip to Prague, which is why I prefer to leave the comment Lore reserve a space in all my "special Mucha.
Stop along the road for a snack to Lore Thai Take away, very good and a really nice room and clean!
In just a few minutes we arrive in Piazza S. Wenceslas. With elegant buildings, shops, green benches and cared for is a place driven by a steady walk. The square is tilted and the climb ends with the National Museum. This slope allows a particular perspective, and you can admire the square for the entire length. Note many of the Belle Époque buildings in Prague for brevity's mention just some: Palazzo Koruna (1914), which illustrates the transition from Art Nouveau to Art Deco, located opposite the palace Bata (1913), functional lines, adjacent to the pharmacy Adam enriched with cubist elements, then building Peterka (1899), a work earlier than the Secession. The palace Wiehl breaks with these fees and expressive approach proposes a neo-Renaissance with gables, turrets and bay. On the sidewalk opposite the three major hotels: Europe and the Meran, Art Nouveau buildings, and Jalta, which dates back to the socialist realism.
STATUE OF S. At the end of Wenceslas Square is the statue of Wenceslas on horseback, he, yes, the Holy Wenceslav is seen as a beautiful Marcantonio! He was murdered by his brother Boleslav at the end of the tenth century., After the canonization Wenceslas became the patron saint of Bohemia. The equestrian statue is of 1913 and is supplemented by national figures of saints that adorn the base (Ludmilla, Agnese, Procopio and Adalbert) and the entry of medieval carved in marble: "What can we and our descendants be allowed to not perish. "
While I imagine that beautiful young man in his shining armor (and Lore I look a little 'male) are going to the National Museum building, which closes and dominates the square-path symbol of the history of the last two centuries.
NATIONAL MUSEUM: (110Kr) Inside was greeted by stucco and gilding of the vast hall and a beautiful staircase leads upstairs. Under the dome is the Pantheon, is decorated with numerous statues, paintings and other representations of the nature of the glories of Bohemia.) Collections of the National Museum are of mineralogy and zoology. Also contains a section of the prehistory of the region Bohemian. While the fountain in front of the building depicts the Elbe and Vltava.
Under a sky that opens and closes decide to go to across the long river.

Mucha special and secessionism

Alfons Mucha (1860-1939) became famous in Paris as the official poster of Sarah Bernhardt. He worked in the atelier of Rodin and Gauguin and becoming a master of Art Nouveau.
On his return to Prague is devoted to the most committed (cycle of twenty paintings dell'Epopea Slavonic windows of St. Vitus, decorative items for the Town Hall and incision of notes).
Inside the museum dedicated to him there are several works and a movie (in English) which recounted his life.

Born July 24 1860 at Ivancice, a small town in South Moravia. Trying in vain to join the Academy of Prague and in 1877 he moved to Vienna where the portrait will do.
In 1885 began his studies at the Accademia delle Belle Arti di Monaco di Baviera. In 1887 he moved to Paris to continue his artistic training, also know where Paul Gauguin. Continue to work also as an illustrator.
In 1894 he designed the first poster for Sarah Bernhardt and the success is that it will sign a contract with the actress for six years. Its success is now known.
In 1898, following a trip in the Balkans began to work all'Epopea Slava.
From 1899 he worked for the Austro-Hungarian Empire to design posters and decorate the pavilion Bosnioa-Herzegovina at the International Paris (to receive the silver medal)
He began working for her jewelry and decorations are now considered an example of Art Nouveau. He received several awards for her work.
In Paris, in those years know his future wife, Maria Chytilová.

Castle, S. Vito church, restaurant

Today visit the CASTLE!
We climbed through the long flight of steps and so we reach the entrance. It goes beyond the first courtyard and reach the ticket office where you can choose the combinations of visits with different prices ... S. Vito, the Royal Palace and so on. We choose the 200 + Kr 60 Kr right photo (do it!). There are hordes of tourists from Tour O. passing, heedless, in front of the cameras back and forth lounge wrapping everything and everyone, occupying whole rooms as crude pushed and dragged by shepherds-guide with colorful umbrellas. (excuse the expression). We start from the Church just because we leave the group and some illusion that there is little crowded. S. Vito is beautiful and deserves a visit just accurate. There are 4-5 basic elements to visit: you will not find them difficult to see them but yes, you will have putting on between a group and the other to be able to picture. Released fascinated to enter the Royal Palace famous for its beautiful and evocative, ribbed ceilings. (each guide provides descriptions on this). We use the toilets "public" from the royal palace: the tail worm is absurd: I have before me a group of Japanese and one German ... omit no mistake about the herds of valkirie had occupied the men's bathroom. Un po 'visit proved the Vicolo d'Oro. Suggestivo seen from above (to be able to take a picture over the heads I have done hoist on the shoulders of Lore with the fun of the Japanese). Carino and the shops of weapons etc..
Starts to rain and we have some 'tried by "human crowds." We decided not to linger and leave.

The day before had seen a restaurant that inspired us and we decide to test the tourist menu. The tourist menu, tested by Lore includes beer, soup and second. I taste the Gulash Czech (180Kr) that is conceptually similar to ours and different from the Hungarian. All good. The service leaves us a little 'perplexed: we do not understand why we do not see the ever smiling local people, always seem angry and bother (everywhere, in shops, ticket offices, the premises ...). Cha are tired of the tourists? Yet all this multitude of people and brings hard currency, I think, is enriching Prague at a pace impressive. Their racism is not in the sense that anyone behave like this (because often, until you open your mouth, there to exchange local - will be clear why we are ...).

a little 'tired from the miles and time and a heavy meal we decide to skip the planned visits for the afternoon (Loreto and Strahov Monastery) and back to hostel to sleep a bit. We do cherish the idea of taking a tram stop but in all we think, by the next. In doing so we arrive at the base of Petrin park. No, and who want to climb that with the rain, wind and fatigue? But maybe I am a small piece of park could be done, just to see the Kinsky palace museum exhibitions (a beautiful white building surrounded by a lush green and well cared for) and the wooden church so interesting to Lore S. Michele donated Ukraine and directly relayed from his village is beautiful but almost deserted. And 'interesting to look with Kirk in Norway. In the end it was done tonight. We relax just a moment, dinner etc.. In the evening, definitely heavier clothes and armed with easel back, through the St. Charles Bridge in Old Town Square to see Prague AT NIGHT.
And we discover that it is another city!
We decide to leave dall'ostello just started the dark. At 21:30, then we are moving towards the center. Bridge St. Carlo is always full, and passaimo the streets, passing near the astronomical, we arrive in Piazza. Uh, we are perplexed: dark but ... no monument is illuminated? Waiting ... in the end we decide to go to City Hall, take a trip but everything is dark. The Powder Tower blackened by time is the same as the sky. We try to take some photos with the stand but ... not worth it. Let us return to the Square and sit on the benches under the big statue of Hus. And there finally happens, they turned all the lights! And the square transformed. The buildings stand out all the same color (effect of light) in contrast with the sky and the light is reflected in the polished floor passing millions. So peep the stands. of tourists, including ours, that populate the center of the square. The magic of Prague is finally visible! There are many tourists (they will all be at dinner?) And the silence makes the square as suspended, as if Prague was the place.
We are taken up almost from the emotions.

Returning all'ostello we stop at a bar near the Ponte S. Carlo. The pub, very nice, has a part to the outside and closed with an even disco. Look slag life as we heated with a coffee liqueur very good - the cocktails were appetizing but the idea of drinking something cold .... brrr!). (60 Kr)

Strahov monastery, Loreta, Old city

We decided to devote the morning to the north of Mala Strana. We begin, then, soon enough a visit to the Strahov Monastery (launched in 1140, but carried out in the eighteenth century), which has a baroque church which apparently has performed Mozart and the Strahov Library, with its incredible collection of tomes and frescoes inspired by the themes of education. This monastery was in operation until it was closed by the Communist regime (which was also imprisoned most of the monks), in recent years the monks have returned there to live.
Visit the Gallery (20 Kr), which is interesting, in complete isolation (it is out of the Tour) and then we put ourselves in the queue to see the hall and Philosophical Theology (80 Kr), can you turn to go a few seconds before the door of both rooms.
Hradcany Square is a Námestí born in the Middle Ages, at whose center stands the column of Ferdinand Brokoff (1726), which commemorates the struggle of Prague against the plague. The Palace Scwartzenburg and other residential buildings in the baroque and rococo style make this area an ideal destination for lovers of architecture.
A few steps west of the square opens Loretánské námestí, created in the eighteenth century with the building Cernin (now the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The main attraction of the square is the Loreta (1626), baroque sanctuary designed to resemble the house of the Virgin Mary. This place of pilgrimage keeps the Sun of Prague, made of solid gold and encrusted in diamonds well 6222.

We cross the bridge again S. Charles to visit the churches in the city center. Tyn etc..
Unfortunately, the Tyn church was closed and without any time or message posted. In addition, the box office selling tickets for concerts, nearby, had a beautiful sign in English "do not provide information on the timetable of the church"! Patience. You can see through the grate ...

Rodolfinum, Letnà Park, Hus chapel....and back home!

We decide to rest and get up with all calm in order to be ready with our bags for the 10:00 hour when we had to vacate the room.
The bear, timely, and the boy decided to make the last lap for the city.

In reality, presence, mainly to breathe the atmosphere.
We pass from the center and we are in front of the Rodolfinum.
We stop to eat and right in front of us is the bridge to go to the Letna park, where the Belvedere.
We are, of course, tempting. Crossing the bridge, from which one can admire the famous Charles Bridge inspired by a continual passage of individuals dominated by soft Nuvoloni that shed light on placid waters of Moldova.
To reach the Belvedere Palace along a rich and well-kept the Government Offices. Under the sun (which did not show for the holiday) climb the many stairs to get on top of the park. Che fatica!
The view, however, deserves. It overlooks the whole city and the view is completely different from the one you admire from the Castle. In good weather, dedicated to this traipsing down. (perhaps there is also underground but now we have arrived at mosochismo .. or had already done the muscles ....
On top of the hill there is a bar kitchen with Liberty, the most expensive in town! but want to put the panorama?

Always walk back to the center and if we stop in front of the Chapel of Hus. Curious dall'edicifio enter and find to be a chapel - museum. Revenue! costs about 40 Kr, is rather a historical site. For instance Hus was a religious secession and unleashed all consegueze. In the old square, and elegant stern out into its own monument in the middle, surrounded by the Gothic churches, Renaissance, from the old town hall, dall'orologio astronimico, bars and restaurants. So himself, who became famous for his strictness dominates political power, religion and life. Surpasses the past and the present. Living the moment in which everything was born in the chapel built with private funds and which were held with fervor speeches that changed the history of the nation is exciting.

Let us return then to our hostel, abbaimo the opportunity to return a shower, etc.. We pay the deposit bags and take the subway and then the bus that brings us to our flight on time.