Today was a full day. Started out early and I got tickets for a concert and train ticket to Budapest. Visited the municipal building again and check out the Art Nouveau exhibit. It's funny the style still feels very relevant. I could see having a house today filled with it, it's very classic. Maybe because it's based on natural forms it's always lovely and familiar. I think I'm enamored with the era. Bohemian artist lifestyle, where women were becoming independent, so many changes. I always wondered if it feels like magic at the time and only as nostalgic hindsight?
Next up was Castle Hill, took the train up the hill and started at the Stranhov monastery. I was very hungry so stopped off at the Kladtrtoni Pivovar brewery for lunch. This is where the the monks used to brew beer, it's still a brewery but no more monks.
Then I got to see the libraries. These libraries hold books that are hundreds of years old. I was a bit disappointed that you can't actually go inside, you can only look from the doorway. Just as well, I don't think I could have helped myself from touching the books. They are just as beautiful as I imagined,such history and knowledge, I just want to soak it all in. Plus I wanted to check out the banned books held under lock and key, all the good heretics. The hallways hold cabinets of curiosities, my favorite were boxes made of tree bark, the inside held seeds, leaves and cross-sections to match the other binding. Beautiful and clever.
Then on to St. Vitnus cathedral. I don't know if it's the modern stained glass but this has a real sense of personality and energy. Other Cathedrals feel stuffy, this just felt alive. The church has been an ongoing construction site for hundreds of years with it finally finished in 1928. There's a Mucha stained glass window. A carved wooden relief showing Prague in three 1600s. Very Gothic on the outside with lots of buttresses. St. George's Basilica a little ways down the hill is a strong contrast. One of the oldest churches in Prague, it's solid with a beautiful flat wooden ceiling. Thick walls have faint traces of frescoes all over. I think I prefer these older churches. They are calm and peaceful, more like a zen temple.
Then to cap the evening off I went to a concert at the church down the street from the hostel. St. Giles Church, apparently famous because it was in the movie Amadeus, I guess I'll have to watch it again when I get home. Super over the top Baroque decoration. Great concert of a string quartet and the church organ, not at the same time though. Wonderful acoustics.
Next up was Castle Hill, took the train up the hill and started at the Stranhov monastery. I was very hungry so stopped off at the Kladtrtoni Pivovar brewery for lunch. This is where the the monks used to brew beer, it's still a brewery but no more monks.
Then I got to see the libraries. These libraries hold books that are hundreds of years old. I was a bit disappointed that you can't actually go inside, you can only look from the doorway. Just as well, I don't think I could have helped myself from touching the books. They are just as beautiful as I imagined,such history and knowledge, I just want to soak it all in. Plus I wanted to check out the banned books held under lock and key, all the good heretics. The hallways hold cabinets of curiosities, my favorite were boxes made of tree bark, the inside held seeds, leaves and cross-sections to match the other binding. Beautiful and clever.
Then on to St. Vitnus cathedral. I don't know if it's the modern stained glass but this has a real sense of personality and energy. Other Cathedrals feel stuffy, this just felt alive. The church has been an ongoing construction site for hundreds of years with it finally finished in 1928. There's a Mucha stained glass window. A carved wooden relief showing Prague in three 1600s. Very Gothic on the outside with lots of buttresses. St. George's Basilica a little ways down the hill is a strong contrast. One of the oldest churches in Prague, it's solid with a beautiful flat wooden ceiling. Thick walls have faint traces of frescoes all over. I think I prefer these older churches. They are calm and peaceful, more like a zen temple.
Then to cap the evening off I went to a concert at the church down the street from the hostel. St. Giles Church, apparently famous because it was in the movie Amadeus, I guess I'll have to watch it again when I get home. Super over the top Baroque decoration. Great concert of a string quartet and the church organ, not at the same time though. Wonderful acoustics.
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