back next Prague, Czech Republic Photos PURCHASE GREAT MEMORIES OF YOUR TRIP TO PRAGUE- FOR HOME OR OFFICE. This gallery features distintive Prague, Czech Republic Photos. Prague Castle The castle is the traditional seat of Czech rulers. The Castle square consists of the Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, the old Royal Palace, and numerous gardens. St. Vitus Cathedral is the Czech Republic's most important church. It features a beautiful stained-glass window by artist Alfons Mucha. This window was created in 1931 by Mucha to celebrate the birth of the Czech Nation. The part of the stained glass window featured in this gallery centers on the beautiful maidens representing the bright future of the Czech and Slovak peoples. Mucha's use of yellow and gold colors that draws your attention to these maidens. Schwartzenberg Palace One of the most beautiful and well preserved Renaissance palaces in Prague is situated near Prague Castle on the Hradcanske square. The palace is easily recognizable by its rich black-and-white sgraffito decorations on its walls. Schwarzenberg Palace stands on the area of three buildings that were destroyed by great fire in 1541. The ruins were bought by Jan Popel of Lobkowicz, one of the richest noblemen in Bohemia and later on Prague’s highest burgrave. The mail building, in T-shape, was built in 1567, the western wing was finished several years later. The walls of the palace enclose a square courtyard divided from the Hradcanske square by a wall and a grille gate. Nerudova Street- leading from Castle Square to Charles Bridge There are some impressive buildings on Nerudova, many of which are former burgher houses. The Romanian and Italian embassies can both be found here. Also notable is the former home of the Czech poet, novelist, playwright and journalist, Jan Neruda after whom the street is named. This house with his statue is not featured in this gallery since Neruda was an antisemite. One can see many impressive doorway signs or facades on homes, hotels and eateries on Nerudova and a walk down this very steep street is worth the pain on your knees and feet. This gallery features a mosaic featuring a number of these including the green lobster, golden suns, lion, etc. The signs date back to the 1700's or earlier and are protected by law. The signs represent family names, occupations, or passions of people who occupied these homes. Charles Bridge This is a statue lined bridge that connects the Old Town to the Little Quarter and Prague Castle. It was built in 1342 and was the only bridge across the Vltava River in Prague for over 400 years. The Vltava River is called the Moldau by the Germans. The Old Town The old Town features a square that is Old World Prague. The square includes the Tyn Church built in 1365, the Old Town Hall built in 1338, Astronomical Clock built in 1552, Jan Hus Monument, and a range of colorful facades. The Astronmical Clock has two dials, the top one tells the time and the bottom is a calender. The top dial has blue colors representing daylight hours, orange for night, and shades of gray in between for dusk and dawn. The center has a sun in Aries, an outer ring with 24 Arabic numbers representing the hours, an inner dial that is stationary marked with Roman numerals from I-XII, starting at the top and bottom of the dial for noon and midnight respectively. Four statues flank the clock: a figure staring into a mirror representing vanity, a Jewish money lender holding a bag of coins is greed (antisemetic for sure!!), and on the right side is a Turk with a mandolin symbolic of hedonism, and the face of Death with an hour glass. Walking on Celetna, one encounters the following: Powder Tower or gate This gothic gate stands as one of the original 11th centure entryways into the Old Town. The road from Vienna ended here and the Hapsburgs entered the city through this gate. Continuing on Celetna through the tower arch veering left brings you to one of the most beautiful buildings in Prague- the Municpal House. Municipal House - built in 1905 on the site of the former Royal Court Palace. Adjacent to the Powder Tower is the Municipal House. This building has beautiful art noveau architecture, several concert halls, and eateries. Be sure to go downstairs to see art noveau ceramics and stained glass, some of which are featured in this gallery. There is a stained glass window of a women's face by Czech artist Alfons Mucha on the front building overhang. Look at the dome on the roof and the beautiful mosaic image of medival Prague just below it. The building is stunning at night. Wenceslas Square is in the New Town section of Prague. The square features a lively boulevard featuring more art noveau architecture including the Grand Hotel Europa, a building not to be missed. Some useful travel resources are: https://www.pragueexperience.com/sightseeing/sights-attractions.asp Prague Castle Museum Prague Experience Don't Miss Attractions