Posts Tagged ‘Czech Republic’
Prague’s Old Town Square clock
Every hour on the hour in Prague’s historical center, Town Hall’s historic, astronomical clock chimes the hour as the crowds below watch. The astronomical clock, on Prague’s Old Town Square (Staromětske naměsti) stands at the base of the 14th century Town Hall. The clock itself was constructed in 1410, making it the third oldest astronomical…
Read MoreVisiting the idyllic Rožmberk nad Vltavou Castle, Czech Republic
The little town of Rožmberk nad Vltavou is a small down in southern Bohemia, close to the Austrian border and situated along the Vltava (Moldau) River. It is only a few kilometers of the pretty town of Český Krumlov, and looks like a miniature version of that town. The most famous monument in the town –…
Read MoreKafka’s castle? Frýdlant, Czech Republic
If you’re in northern Czech Republic, just beyond Liberec and close to the Polish border, you’ll want to see the dramatic Frýdlant Castle in the little town of Frýdlant that is dominated by its hilltop castle. This is said to have been the castle that inspired Franz Kafka’s famous novel The Castle. Following the Battle of…
Read MoreMacabre memories in Sedlec, Czech Republic
Close to the pretty town of Kutna Hora, an oft-visited town close to Prague and famous for its spectacular Gothic church – Svata Barbora (Saint Barbara), see my earlier post – lies another impressive must-see. Only two kilometers northeast of Kutna Hora lies the suburb of Sedlec. While the town is nothing special, it’s a destination…
Read MoreThe view from the top of St Vitus’ bell tower, Prague
Admittedly, I may have a problem. It doesn’t matter where I am in the world, when I visit a city, I always want to make a beeline to the highest vanatage point to enjoy the views from a bird’s eye perspective. This includes skyscraper tourism in modern cities, and – most commonly- church bell towers…
Read MoreAdmiring Prague from a paddleboat on the Vltava
This past summer, I was with my family in Prague, Czech Republic. On a beautiful, sunny day, my kids wanted to rent a paddleboat out on the Vltava River to float along and enjoy the city from a new perspective. Back when I lived in this city, two decades ago, it seemed a ridiculously touristy…
Read MoreSilver mining wealth in Kutna Hora, Czech Republic
Only 60 kilometers southeast from the Czech Republic’s capital, Kutna Hora is an easy day trip from Prague. I can remember visiting here in the days when I lived in Prague over (gulp!) two decades ago. Once, I missed the ‘fast’ train and had to take the milk train – it took four and a…
Read MoreSummer holidays in Mitteleuropa
I’ve long been a southern European, making my home in Rome, Italy, with its centuries of history, balmy weather, and proximity to the warm Mediterranean sea. But when I was younger, I used to live and work in landlocked European countries farther north. This summer holiday, my family and I drove up from Rome on…
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