Prague, My Love

I never tire of the view...I never tire of the city.

Spring is almost here...and I can't wait!

It's almost here!  The first day of spring is sooooo close I can feel it.
There's just something about the warm sun on my face, seeing happy people enjoying the outdoors, and knowing that my favorite season of all is not far off... summer!

"Wisemen & Shepherds, Camels & Sheep. Bow at a Manger, God's Son Fast Asleep"

Both live and still nativity scenes are set up throughout Prague for the Christmas season.  Look for open-air nativity scenes and for special nativity scene exhibits in museums around Prague.

This version of the manger story, located at Prague Castle, shows the Three Wise Men and animals formed from straw 

 Nativity scene made of wood in Old Town Square

Be sure to visit the many churches and museums that have nativity scenes on display...

Pearls of Czech and World Classical Music

Just read this in the Prague Post and have to pass it along because there is no better place to listen to classical music then in the spectacular Lubkowicz Palace...

The article states...

If you’re in Prague on vacation and want to sample some of its classical music delights, but feel bewildered by array of concerts on offer, the daily lunchtime concert at Prague Castle’s Lobkowicz Palace could be an ideal option.

Make your way to the back of the castle complex, where you’ll find the very ornate concert hall decorated with 17^th Century stuccoed ceilings.

Entitled Pearls of Czech and World Classical Music, the daily program features an hour of well-known pieces by Mozart, Dvořák, Vivaldi, Bach and others.

While you’re there you can also see all the other historical sights of the castle, or just pay for the concert and enjoy a gourmet lunch in the Lobkowicz Palace Café.

If you’re the hiking type, you can take the Old Castle Steps from near Malostranská metro station all the way to the palace, enjoying fantastic views of the city along the way.

Lobkowicz Palace Lunchtime Concerts

Jiřská 3, Prague 1 – Prague Castle (map)

Daily, 1pm

Tickets: 390-490 Kč; combination ticket 590 Kč including admission to concert and Lobkowicz Palace Museum, with 10% discount at the café.

Did you say gilded silver & 200 precious stones?

I must be drawn to precious gems and stones because whenever I hear about an exhibit that involves "shiny things", I just can't resist!

Here's the article from the Prague Daily Monitor:

Prague Castle to exhibit unique St Maur reliquary

ČTK | 

9 NOVEMBER 2010

Prague, Nov 8 (CTK) - The rare Romanesque reliquary of St. Maur made of gilded silver and gilded copper and decorated with almost 200 precious stones will be put on display at Prague Castle, the presidential seat, from November 24, David Sebek, from the Presidential Office, told reporters yesterday.

The National Heritage Institute (NPU) has lent the reliquary, which was found in Becov na Teplou, west Bohemia, 25 years ago has been on display in the Becov chateau since 2002, to Prague Castle.

The reliquary will be shown in the late Gothic Vladislav Hall in the Old Royal Place at Prague Castle until February 27, 2011.

The reliquary of St. Maur was made on the order of the Benedictine monastery in Florennes, Belgium, for the relics of St. Maur, St. Timothy and St. John Baptist in the first quarter of the 13th century.

It later got into the ownership of Alfred de Beaufort-Spontin. The Beauforts collaborated with the Nazis and had to leave Becov and Czechoslovakia after World War Two. Before they left, they hid the reliquary under the floor of the castle chapel.

It was uncovered after a strenuous search by a team of detectives in 1985.

The restoration of the unique artifact started in 1993 and was completed in 2002 when the reliquary returned to Becov. It is placed in a glass case in a special vault with its own air-conditioning.

The restoration cost over ten million crowns.

The reliquary will return to Prague Castle after ten years. It was displayed there dismantled into parts for two months in 2000 when the restoration was still underway.

Petrin Hill...great place for a jog!

I'm not much of a runner, but after eating lots of this...

And drinking lots of this...

A jog may be in order.  Lucky for me the view from Petrin Hill is breathtaking!  

Petrin Hill was formerly one of King Charles' vineyards, but now it's a great park.  It's easily recognizable by the TV tower that is a miniature version of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

We can walk to get some exercise (it's a steep hike along a wooded path) or we can take the funicular...

Because I like the ride, let's take the funicular.  

Ready for a jog with spectacular views of the city?

Nice little detour off the path...we'll head down there next time

We're approaching the castle area...

And look where we end up... Hradcany, the castle district!

A stroll around town...

So it's cloudy, maybe even rains a bit here & there.  It's still a glorious day for a stroll through the city!  I think tomorrow sounds like a good day for our "Cafe Tour", what do you think?  So for today, just stroll around town, take in the sights and smells, rest your feet in a hospoda for a bite or a pivovar for a brew, and remember, always look up!

This is one of my favorite photos.  I just adore all of the red roofs and the way the castle is lit up in the background.  Just puts my soul at ease and fills me with love for this magical city...