Travel Notes | Prague, Czech Republic - The sunset reflects on the stained glass windows, and music and stories flow together (more pictures)

Maybe one day, when you are heartbroken, you travel to Prague alone, sit by the Vltava River with white mist, watch the golden light fill the scattered red roofs of Prague, and listen to the artist on the street corner playing that beautiful tune: "Violin The glissando plays the glass window of the church and the light floats up. The little puppet is panicking at twelve o'clock. Mary's frescoes are filled with sorrow that you can't see through at a glance. Tears in heaven are flowing down. The light in the sanctuary is giving charity to the world for a period of pink sadness... "

——Zhang Bei "Prague Hall of Fame"

It was two years ago that I traveled to Prague with Emma. On the weekend after the business trip, we rushed to Prague from Hannover, Germany, dragging two large suitcases of luggage and even got off at the wrong stop on the way. Fortunately, With the kind guidance of the enthusiastic Germans, we finally set foot on this land in the center of Europe.

Interior roof of Prague train station

We were very sleepy and arrived in Prague in the afternoon. We rented a small apartment not far from the Charles Bridge. Although the room was small, it was well-equipped. The landlord was Ukrainian and the room was size relatively large. The bunk beds are large, clean and tidy, and there is a small kitchen where you can cook noodles. Except for the occasional restless music from the small bar nearby, everything is perfect. You can reach Charles Bridge within a five-minute walk, and opposite the bridge is Prague Castle.

The core area of ​​the entire city is very small, and the basic landmarks are not very far away. That afternoon, after we settled in for a while, we started to walk around. We were first attracted by the sound of music in a courtyard, and walked into It was discovered that it was a small T stage show. It was set up in a community yard on a simple stage, and models in colorful costumes took the stage one after another. Adults and children from the surrounding communities came to watch, and it was very lively.

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, located in the country's Central Bohemia region, along the Vltava River basin. Prague is a famous tourist city with a large number of buildings of various historical periods and styles, among which Baroque and Gothic are particularly dominant. Prague is known as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and is also the first city in the world to have an entire city designated as a World Cultural Heritage.

The buildings in the city are painted in various colors, and the combination is as colorful as colorful building blocks. But at first glance, it feels a bit old and has a sense of ancient history. Maybe the sleepiness that has not been relieved after staying up late the day before leads to Our experience of visiting the ancient city in the evening on the first day was noisy and crowded crowds, unspectacular buildings and shops that we were not interested in experiencing. It was not until we had a full sleep the next day that we set out to explore the city again. Only then did I discover her beautiful and lovely side, which shows how closely a person's state and perception are connected.

1. Charles Bridge

Kafka called Charles Bridge the cradle of life. This ancient bridge with a history of more than 650 years has witnessed the joys and sorrows of countless people. There are enthusiastic performers on the bridge, the music continues, many vendors sell a dazzling array of handicrafts, and tourists from all over the world are constantly shuttling.

From all sides of the Tower Bridge, you can see the whole of Prague's old town. There are 30 statues of saints on the Charles Bridge, all from the Czech Republic 17～18 The masterpiece of the Baroque art master of the 19th century is called "Europe's open-air Baroque sculpture art gallery " by Europeans. Now the original has been preserved in the museum, and it is said that as long as you touch the stone statue with your heart, it will bring you happiness for a lifetime.

2. Castle District (St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, Presidential Palace, St. George’s Cathedral, Powder Tower, Golden Lane)

After crossing the Charles Bridge, you will arrive at the Castle District on the other side. It is a large area consisting of St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, the Presidential Palace, St. George's Cathedral, the Powder Tower, Golden Lane, etc. The buildings are scattered and colorful.

Old lady drinking beer at dusk

There are many types of tickets for attractions in the Castle District. We purchased a combined ticket, which includes 4 attractions: St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St. George's Church, and Golden Lane.

st vitus cathedral

The stained glass is the work of Mucha, a famous painter in Prague. Light plays an important role in religion. Some people believe that the light shining from the stained glass window to the choir is a kind of divine light, which reminds the spirit of God. Therefore, since the Middle Ages, The emphasis on light in Romanesque and Gothic churches reflects the unity of aesthetics and theology, and stained glass windows undoubtedly best express the wonderful light.

St. George's church dome

Golden Lane and Kafka’s former residence

1916 Kafka, a famous Czech writer who was just a bank clerk at the time, liked the environment here and rented a house with the house number twenty two The house was used as a studio, where he quietly completed the then unknown works "Country Doctor" and "Report to the Academy of Sciences". Now it has been transformed into It became a Kafka memorial bookstore, selling Kafka-related products and Prague souvenirs.

Medieval Exhibition Hall

Inside the Old Palace, I was asked to stop just taking a photo, so it became the only photo I was lucky enough to take inside the Old Palace

After visiting the four scenic spots, at the intersection of the rotating slope, you can overlook the entire scenery. The sound of street performers playing and singing can be heard in your ears. Combined with the lazy sunshine in the afternoon, you want to be like a cat taking a nap in the corner.

3. Prague Old Town Square and Astronomy bell

After visiting the castle area, we set off to the Old Town Square. We passed a quiet courtyard on the way and sat down to rest. I can’t remember the exact name of the place. I happened to encounter two peacocks in full bloom. It was a wonderful encounter that left a deep impression on me.

Across the bridge from the castle area, the gurgling sound of the Vltava River and the mottled light and shadow create a quiet beauty under the setting sun.

Walking on the streets of Prague, there are always street performers playing, and the city filled with music is particularly romantic.

The Old Town Square at dusk, was one of the most important markets in central Europe in the 11-12 century. Rich merchants from all over the world built mansions of various architectural styles around the Old Town Square, with orange roofs and The elegant exterior wall is exquisite. Time passes and things change. Immortal architecture is a way to freeze time.

While taking pictures, there was a naughty foreign uncle making faces behind me

The famous astronomical clock next to the square is a complex and unique self-ringing clock. 15 The clock was built by a fitter in the middle of the 18th century using a hammer, pliers, files and other tools. It still keeps accurate time and has become a treasure for people to appreciate. At every hour, the windows on the clock will automatically open and the bells will ring. 12 An icon appears in the window. Waiting for the bell to ring on time has become a must-do in Prague, kissing the one you love and making a wish for your dream.

Style Avenue Store Spring Collection

After sightseeing in the Old Town Square, we walked back along the alleys of the city and passed by a dazzling array of shops. I couldn't resist going in for a walk. Prague is rich in glass products, but considering the carrying problem, what we packed in our bags in the end were small handmade products, such as painted crafts, refrigerator magnets and the like.

4. Lennon Wall and Dancing House

The Lennon Wall is located in the Main Square of the Prague Monastery, a short walk from the river in the Castle District. Since I was going to return the next day, in order not to leave any regrets, I looked for the place in the night using the map. I passed by a very atmospheric restaurant, but unfortunately I was already full. I took some photos as I passed by, and headed towards the Lennon Wall.

The Lennon Wall was originally an ordinary wall owned by the Knights Hospitaller. 1980 After John Lennon was shot in 1996, the religious group generously offered their walls to young people for painting, and people began to paint Lennon's portraits and his songs on the walls. 88 In 1995, the Lennon Wall became the source of anger for Husak's communism. Many Czech youths wrote slogans of dissatisfaction on the wall. A wall contains the emotions of so many people, and every graffiti is a surging force.

On the way back, we walked back along the Vltava River and passed the legendary Dancing House. Dancing House, also known as "Fred and Ginger's House (Fred and Ginger)" , named after Fred · Astaire Er and Ginji·Rogers, a pair of dancers, the shape of the house is full of curved rhythm, the twisting twin towers are like two people embracing each other and dancing. On the left is the glass curtain appearance" Female dancers", narrow at the top and wide at the bottom like a dance skirt, the cylindrical one on the right is "Male dancers", two buildings The buildings resemble their dancing shadows.

The Dancing House stands out between the neo-Baroque, Neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings. It is a very famous and representative building in Prague. There is also "The Drunken House"Another name for. The top floor is a French restaurant with a beautiful view of Prague. When night falls, the lights of the palace and the shadows of lights flowing on the river are ambiguously intertwined, creating an endless romantic atmosphere.

At night, facing the breeze from the river, away from the noisy and bustling streets of the city, there is another kind of quiet beauty. We bought juice and potato skewers from a small vendor by the river near the Charles Bridge. After chatting, the enthusiastic boss kept giving us free potato skewers. It was very cute and allowed us to fully experience the local area on our last night out of Prague. The people are warm, interesting and full of human touch.

The boss’s girlfriend is a beautiful woman

In the early morning after leaving Prague, when we were looking for the platform at the train station, we thought we would meet a local enthusiastic guide. When we successfully found the platform, the person directly asked us for a tip. At that time, we had already spent all the local currency, so I really couldn’t give it, but luckily the other party didn’t bother me in the end, so maybe there are people like this at the train station who have been providing this kind of guidance service for a long time, and it’s not all out of pure enthusiasm. Friends who are new here should pay attention.

On the train leaving Prague, the scenery passing by is also very beautiful. po Take two pictures to feel free to experience the paradise-like artistic conception.

This trip to Prague was quite rushed, with only one weekend, and there were still many places I wanted to visit that I didn’t go to, but overall I really felt the charm of this city. Dusk, sunset, wandering music and fairy tale castle will continue to be written by more people who have experienced her.

Note: This travelogue is compiled based on the two days and two nights trip in 2016, , June . The memory has been in disrepair for a long time. It is probably based on the impression of the itinerary, pictures and popular science knowledge. It is To remember.