Prague, Czechs Republic Capital is both a modern city and a true Architecture relic.

Golden
city, dream in stone, magic city, hundred towers city, or Prague the mother-city, are some of the epithets she is known for.

The Prague Castle is the largest castle in the world - 72,500 m2 its construction begun in the early IX century by Prince Borijov, Earl of Bohemia. It is situated on hills, on both banks of the Vltava River. It has, within its interior, the Cathedral of St. Vito, the Powder Tower, the Royal Palace Castle, Dalibor Tower, Monastery of St. George, Lobkowicz Palace and the Golden Alley.

Entrance to the Castle, which is currently used as presidential residence

This is the only type of lamp used in all internal streets within the Castles limits.

The Prague Castle houses the reliquary of St. Mauro the only sanctuary of domekovhos type - dating from the XIII century. The reliquary is made of gilded silver, copper and gold, decorated with 200 precious stones.

The complex of the Castle (Prask hrad) encompasses the imposing Cathedral of St. Vito (katedrla sv. Vta), the oldest Gothic cathedral in Europe.

St. Vitus Cathedrals (katedrla sv. Vta)- Its construction started in 1344. Its great Chapel of
St. Wenceslas, XIV century, boasts rich frescoes and more than 1,000 semi-precious stones.

The full name of the

cathedral is St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas and St. Adalbert.

Among other figures of Czech history - religious or political the kings of Bohemia and some Roman Emperors are also buried here. In this photo an inside view detail of the lancet window in the main tower of St. Vitus Cathedral, whose beauty, viewd from the outside (seen in the previous slide), seems a decorative relief.

Among other unique treasures of the St. Vitus ", are the stunning Muchas stained glass windows framed by the Cathedrals high Gothic arches.

Part of this marvelous citys beauty is emphasized by the Vltava river course with its pretty centennial bridges.

When admiring this river waters and its flow we can understand Bedrich Smetanas root of inspiration for its symphonic poem Die Moldau (Vltava) here used as musical background.

Bedrich

Smetana, one
of the greatest Czechs composers of 19th Century, born in March 2, 1824 and dead at Prague in May 12, 1884, founded the Czech Music National School, and ascended as Conductor of Pragues Opera Orchestra in 1866.

He has been pupil of Liszt, and was influenced by Wagner. From his part, he influenced the divine Antonin Dvorak. In 1874, a deafness due to syphilis, led him, as Beethoven, to devote himself solely to the composition. In 1883 he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital, where he died.

The Old Town Square, situated along the "Krlovsk cesta , encompasses the most important monuments of the city - some more than 10 centuries old.
(360 photo unfolded into panoramic).

Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady of Tyn, in the Old Town Square (Star Mesto), whose
construction began in 1461. Since 1992, not only this square but the whole historic center of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage.

Old Town Square (Star Mesto) is the heart of the cultural Mecca and home to the
Architecture, going from the most primitive to the most comprehensive existing style in the world, including Gothic, Baroque, Neo-classic, Art Nouveau, Cubist, Rondocubist and

 Krlovsk cesta stretches from the Municipal House to the Prague Castle. Along way you can admire the famous Czech crystals commerce and, at Old Town Square (Staromstsk nmst ), the famous astronomic Orloj .

The oldest part of Pragues Astronomic "Orloj" - composed by the mechanical clock and the astronomic dial - was built in 1410. Represent the position of the sun and moon in the sky.

Here, when it comes to mention Old Town, the "old" refers to the centuries not years but the respect and pride for its cultural heritage do not spare the most modern and efficient means and tools for its conservation.

St. Nicolas Cathedral Lesse Square, where one can see that Prague is a feast for the
tourists, and the Czech tradition reveals a mixture of joy of living with art and culture.

St. Nicholas Cathedral in Baroque style, all decorated in various shades of pink
marble. Although the majority of the population is atheist (59%), the largest religious community is the Catholic (27%).

The tradition of working the glass and crystal in the Czech Republic is known since the first century BC, but the large-scale production dates from the ninth century AD. Since long Prague is known for its crystal. In the photo, a splendid Moser gold crystal tableware

Municipal House scenery of Czechoslovakias independency proclamation in October 28,

1918 houses the Smetana Concert Hall (Smetanova s), the largest theater hall of Prague. At his side sits the Powder Tower (Pran brna).

Municipal House the first building in Art Nouveu of Prague it also houses one of the
finest French restaurants. Its exterior has embedded stones, gold garnishes, frescoes and stained glass. (photo cut to show details)

Powder Tower - the building after the Municipal House, is one of the two towers that
complete the ends of the most important bridge of Prague - the Charles Bridge.

And what an incomparable experience is to await the sunrise since early morning under the spell of Charles Bridge (Karlv most), built in the mid-fourteenth century ! ! !

Afterwards, under full sun, be part of the crowd crossing the Charles Bridge from tower to tower in its 520 m extension and 10 m. wide, to closely admire the pillars decorated with thirty baroque statues depicting Catholic saints.

Lesser Tower While most young people is still asleep, you can enjoy with more space the
details of the vast exhibition of medieval art that permeates the whole Prague.

Charles Bridge besides serving as an access route between the two banks of the Vltava
River, is a true gazebo for tourists dazzlement.

To more closely admire another of the characteristics of Prague spotless clean tiling with its colors shinning as new - nothing better than this restaurant on one of them.

Estates Theater (Stavovske divadlo) - showing that not only the architectural styles are in
harmony, but also as in the whole Czech Republic (esk republika) its people perfectly balances the enjoyment of relaxing entertainment with cultural activities.

Strahov Monastery (Strahovsk Klter) - built in 1140, is the second oldest monastery in
the city. It has one of the most beautiful, important and majestic libraries of the whole

The National Theatre (Nrodn divadlo) is a beautiful neo-Renaissance work whose construction was finished in 1883. It is the oldest professional theater in the Czech Republic - founded in 1920, after the creation of Czechoslovakia.

The National Museum building is considered a symbol of the Czech National Revival, and houses its largest and oldest museum. (Monument to Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia, circa 907).

The inner staircases of the National Museum (Nrodn muzeum) building are a perfect acoustic space that, as so, constitutes a favorite place for traditional camera and coral concerts.

The legendary Ball of the Opera is one of the most prestigious social events and of long tradition organized in the Czech Republic. The first Prague Opera Ball took place in 1948.

The divine Dvok * Sept 08, 1841 in a Bohemian village near Prague; +May 1st, 1904, in Prague. Dvok was an extraordinary talented composer, orchestrator and specially a counterpoint master. Created numerous and captivating musical works, and also stood out for the special gift to elaborate three or four voices talking at once in perfect harmony.

But it's the Music that holds the most important role in the city where, in addition to the National Theatre whose interior can be seen here every church, every palace, invites to nightly performances of great composers' melodies, turning Prague into a giant concert hall by the Moldau river.

And it was also at the National Theater where took place the special opportunity to hear Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman - accompanied by the Boston Symphony under the baton of Seiji Ozawa - playing a composition of another of the children-geniuses of the Czech Republic, Dvok.

And still at the recording sound of the concert "Dvorak in Prague A Celebration" the night goes on in high style, outdoors dining at President Hotel Prague to very moved, believe me, say goodbye to the city...

From the

IX 2006 original Reissued in XI 2011

Musics 1- Die Moldau (edited) by Bedrich Smetana Gewandhausorchester Leipzig Orchestra 2- Humoresque (edited) by Antonin Dvok Yo-Yo Ma & Itzhak Perlman - Boston Symphony, conductor Seiji Ozawa

www.culturesandart.com
by

Delza Dias Ferreira

delzadfer@gmail.com

English version by

Flavio M. de Freitas Guimares