2014 PRAGUE: Day 5 New Town and Wenceslas Square

June 29

New Town (Nové Město) and Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí)

We crossed a new bridge today, the Jiraskova Bridge (Jiráskův most) that takes us into New Town.  It is located south of the Legion Bridge (Most legií) and is less crowded than the two we've been using.

The Dancing House or Fred and Ginger (Tančící dům) is on the New Town side.

The Dancing House (Tančící dům) was built in 1997 and designed by Frank Gehry.  All my BFFs with Tiffany & Co. jewelry should know this name as he designs one of their jewelry lines.  I actually own a couple of his pieces.  Oh and he also designed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain, Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA and 8 Spruce Street in NYC.

There is so much more beautiful buildings to take in along the Vltava River.

Lunch at Bar U Mateje on Křemencova

Aaron had Pilsner goulash (Plzeňský hovězí guláš, houskový knedlík) and I just wanted a burger and fries (hovězího masa, salát, rajče, americký dresink, sýr, restovaná cibulka – se salátem coleslaw a hranolky).  My fries and the gravy -- ono!

Up the street we discovered the tourist-famous U Fleků Brewery and Restaurant.

We finally wondered into Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) and saw the Hotel Evropa in its Art Nouveau style.

A look down the boulevard toward the National Museum (Národní muzeum) in it's grand Neoclassic style.

St. Wenceslas Monument for the patron saint of Bohemia.

The main building of the National Museum (Národní muzeum) has been closed for renovations for several years now but tourists can visit all the other museum locations throughout the city.

 

A less visited spot lies a eerie memorial to Czech students protesting the invasion of their country by setting themselves on fire.

The Prague State Opera (Státní opera) opened in 1888 to house minority German-speaking performances.  Its auditorium is in a Neo-Rococo style.

The National Museum New Building (Navštivte nás) in between the State Opera House and the main building.

Walking down the boulevard we discovered Church of our Lady of the Snows (Panna Maria Sněžná - kostel) and the Franciscan Gardens (Františkánské zahrady).  This Roman Catholic church built between 1347-1603 in a Gothic style.

Lisa in art installation by Josef Klimeš called Wild Nymphs.  The Franciscan Gardens (Františkánské zahrady) date back to the 14th century.

We are on our way back to our hotel.  This is another view of the National Theatre (Národní divadlo) by the Legion Bridge.  This Prague treasure was constructed between 1844-1881 in a Neo-Renaissance style.