2014 PRAGUE: Evening 5 The Clementinum

June 29

The Clementinum (Klementinum) tour of the Bell Tower, Baroque Library and the Mirror Chapel performance

The beautiful Clementinum (Klementinum) was founded in 1232.  It is the city and nation's library, and the second biggest architectural complex behind the Castle.  It occupies space of 32 houses, seven courts, three churches, a monastery and a few gardens.  Since the middle ages many of Europe's great astronomers, scientists, musicians and philosophers have studied and worked here.

The Astronomical Clock Tower (Astronomická věž) is from 1722. We climbed up to see the spectacular views of Prague. There are 172 steep stairs leading to the top and it used the Prague Meridian to tell time at one point.

Here we go!

The easy stairs

One of the original clocks that was removed to install telescopes to tell meridian time.

The impressive Baroque Library (Barokní knihovní sál) with 20,000 books dating back as far as the 16th century. I wasn't allowed to take pictures so I had to borrow this from online. It makes the Root Room at Oberlin look so plain and young.  In the middle of the hall are various astronomical clocks.  Apparently it's still being used by scholars and distinguished guests.  

Aaron with our Czech guide, looking at Old Town from the top of the bell tower.

The view of Old Town

The view of Prague Castle

The Mirror Chapel (Zrcadlová kaple) was built in 1724 with extensive frescos and carvings. It houses two 18th century organs, one played by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on his visits. This is the front of the chapel with one of the Baroque organs.

This is back of the Chapel with the other 18th century organ.

The fresco ceiling also had mirrors.

 

Aaron and I saw an hour performance of "Mozart in Old Prague".  There was a piano/organ player, violinist, soprano and a baritone to perform Mozart pieces, especially from Don Giovanni.  The sound was amazing.  The singers didn't have to use little microphones to project their voices.  As an encore we were blessed with a song from "The Phantom of the Opera".  Talk about being verklempt!  The performance lasted only an hour and I think Aaron enjoyed himself too.

Feeling energized, we walked around looking for somewhere to eat dinner.

We ended up at Hostinec U Meteje... after we walked in circles finding it.

It had bric-a-brac of musical instruments as its decor.

Aaron had roasted beef in cream sauce, cranberry jam, bread dumplings (Hovězí pečeně „Svíčková“, houskový knedlík, brusinkový terč).  I had vegetable risotto with cheese (Lehké rizoto z čerstvé zeleniny a jasmínové rýže, sypané parmezánem), although the risotto was jasmine rice.

A night view of Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

 Tonight has magical!  I was very happy on my choice of performance we got to experience in Prague.

2014 PRAGUE: Day 6 Vyšehrad

June 30

Vyšehrad is a fortified castle with a museum, hidden passages, large grounds & remains of a medieval basilica.  I didn't do much research on this area outside of the city core because I didn't realize we would plow through the city and my daily itineraries, AND I thought we were leaving this morning. Surprise -- we have an extra day in Prague! 

We started off late with lunch at Meduzzy around the corner.

We ran into our favorite concierge Jan on his dayoff.

Prague has a connection with Hilo, in they love to put gravy on things.  I craved french fries with goulash gravy.  Da best!

Aaron and I caught the Tram down the Vltava River to Vyšehrad.   The fort, cemetery and Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul are located south of New Town.

We were told the hike was long and steep.

Me, all smiles before I got the wind knocked out of me half way up the hill.

The view half way up was nice though.

We made it!  It's like we transformed back in time with cobblestone street and walls.

  

The Vyšehrad Cemetery (Vyšehradský hřbitov) was established in 1869.  It's where kings, saints and famous Czechs are buried, like Antonín Dvořák the composer and Alfons Maria Mucha, the Art Nouveau painter and decorative artist.

 

A view of the remains of the original 11th century fort and Romanesque Bridge (Zbytky zdiva kamenného románského mostu).

 

 

The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (Bazilika svatého Petra a Pavla) was originally founded in 1070-1080 by the Czech King Vratislav II.  Over time the original Romanesque church was rebuilt in Gothic and now in a Neo-Gothic style.  It is Roman Catholic.

 

 

 

The Neo-Gothic style interior is unlike the other churches we've seen in Prague, being reconstructed in the 19th century.

 

I'm touching history again!  Bless me, Mary Magdalene!

Our museum pick which happens to be underground -- the Gothic Cellar (Gotický sklep).

 

The view of section Prague 5 from the southern lookout point.

 

We thought we got to the east end but apparently there were more to see beyond the Leopold Gate (Leopoldova brána).

St. Martin's Rotunda (Rotunda sv. Martina)

My amateur photographer hard at work taking photos of the city.

Statue of St. Wenceslas (Sv. Václava od)

 

We had a great, relaxing day even though thunderstorms and rain threatened above.  Time to head back to our hotel and pack.  Boo!

2014 PRAGUE: Evening 6 U Fleků Brewery and Restaurant

June 30

So I asked Aaron if he wanted to try and grab dinner and a drink at U Fleků.  We were so close to the Beer garden before walking across the bridge back to our hotel.  Well guess who finally made it in!

Some Czech entertainment -- oompa music on the accordions.

We shared the special -- duck, roast beef and sausage with dumplings, sauerkraut and red cabbage (Flekovská bašta - pečená kachna, vepřová plec, klobása, bílé a červené zelí, houskový knedlík, bramborový knedlík). They only make one type of beer but Aaron enjoyed the dark lager a lot.

This place has 8 areas to enjoy a drink besides the restaurant.

 

 

 

In my opinion, the place is definitely hyped for tourists.  The service was bad, the food was okay and the prices were higher than the other beer pubs we went to.  My pick?  U Medvídků Brewery!

Now we walk back to the hotel and pack!  Double boo!

2014 PRAGUE: Cobble-collage

 

 

 

 

  

   

 

 

 

Yes, I was a bit obsessed with all the designs made in the cobblestone streets and sidewalks. Beautiful to look at but hard to walk and drive on.  You definitely can't walk around with stilettos here!