The greatest gastronomic event in the Czech Republic!

Mmmm...offerings from Czech brewers, smokehouses, butchers, and pastry chefs.  Yes, please, I'll take two of each!

From May 14th through May 30th, head on over to the 3rd Annual Czech Beer Festival in Letnany at the Letnany Exhibition Centre (metro C line to "Letnany" for those of you who wish to leave the car at home)

Všechno nejlepší k svátku! (All the best on your name day, Vlastislav!)

Today we honor Vlastislav.  Happy Name Day, Vlastislav!

Vlastislav is of Czech origin, and it's derived from the Slavic elements vlast "homeland" and slav "glory".

Všechno nejlepší k svátku! (All the best on your name day, Jaroslav!)

Today we honor Jaroslav.  Happy Name Day, Jaroslav!

Jaroslav is of Slavic origin, and its meaning is "beauty of spring".

Všechno nejlepší k svátku! (All the best for your name day, Oto!)

Today we honor Oto.  Happy Name Day, Oto!

Oto is the Czech form of Otto, which is of Germanic origin meaning "wealth; fortune".

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!

Quite a vision on Tomášská...

This is one of the most elaborate building emblems that I know of, and the crazy thing is that I have walked right by it on several occasions.  Why? How?  Well, I didn't look up!

Now look closely...

At the Golden Stag (dum U zlateho jelena) has an interesting story behind it...

According to legend, St. Hubert was hunting deep in the forest on Good Friday when a stag appeared before him. His aim faltered as a crucifix glowed over the animal's head and a voice reproached him for hunting--particularly on Good Friday.  The voice warned him, "Hubert, unless you turn to the Lord, and lead a holy life, you shall quickly go down to hell."  

Inspired by his vision, St. Hubert vowed to put down his bow and arrow forever.  He renounced his riches and military honors and joined the church, becoming Bishop of Liege.  When hydrophobia raged in France and Belgium, St. Hubert set up a refuge for all the dogs he could find, marking each with the sign of the cross on its forehead, which was believed to render immunity to rabies. 

St. Hubert is the patron of hunters, mathematicians and metalworkers.

Happy Name Day, Marek!

Today we honor Marek.  Všechno nejlepší k svátku! (All the best on your name day, Marek!)

Marek is the Czech form of Mark, which is of Latin origin, and its meaning is "dedicated to Mars; from the God Mars".

Happy Name Day, Jiří!

Today we honor Jiří.  Všechno nejlepší k svátku! (All the best for your name day, Jiří)

Jiří is a variant of George, which is of Greek origin, and the meaning of Jiří is "farmer".  Saint George was a 3rd-century Roman soldier from Palestine who was martyred during the persecutions of emperor Diocletian.  Later legends describe his defeat of a dragon, with which he was often depicted in medieval art.

A very special "Happy Name Day" goes out to my brother, Jiří...love you!

Home away from home

Can't wait to be back home and taking in this spectacular view from a 15th century flat!

  

I adore Prague's architecture... wish my flat in Brooklyn had this entrance!

Tomorrow let's stroll around and see some of ny favorite sights!

Happy Name Day, Vojtěch!

Today we honor Vojtěch.  Všechno nejlepší k svátku! (All the best for your name day, Vojtěch!)

Vojtěch is the Czech form of Wojciech, which is of Polish origin.  It's derived from the Slavic elements voi "soldier" and tech "solace, comfort, joy".

Happy Name Day, Evženie

Všechno nejlepší k svátku! (All the best for your name day, Evženie)

Evženie is the Czech form of Eugenia, which is of Old Greek origin, meaning "well born; noble".

Back to the old country

This blogger's heading back home in a few weeks and I can't wait!!!!!  Any places in Prague that you want me to visit for you?

Happy Name Day, Alexandra!

Today we honor Alexandra.  Všechno nejlepší k svátku! (All the best for your name day, Alexandra!)

Alexandra is of Greek origin, meaning "man's defender".  It's the Latinate feminine form of Alexander.  The name Alexandra was seldom used in the English-speaking world before the 20th century.  It became very popular in Britain after the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) married the Danish Princess Alexandra in 1863.

Always look up!

Have you ever walked down Tomášská?  I bet you have, but did you remember to do what I always say to do?  ...

In Prague, always look up!!! 

Do you recall seeing this?

Happy Name Day, Marcela!

Today we honor Marcela.  Všechno nejlepší k svátku! (All the best for your name day, Marcela!)

Marcela is a variant of Marcella, which is of Latin origin, and the meaning of Marcela is "dedicated to Mars".

The first friary in Bohemia...Brevnov Monastery

What a glorious day to visit the Brevnov Monastery.  Did you know that the Brevnov Monastery was the first friary in Bohemia?  Nor did I!  And that's why I think today is a great day to take a trip on the #22 tram and head on over to "Brevnovsky klaster."  (You can also take the 15 or 25 tram...also get off at Brevnovsky klaster.   

"Klaster" is the word used for monastery in most central European languages, which means closed place.  Monasteries were formerly, or at least partially, closed to the public.  In Brevnov, this area was the monks quarters and garden, but nowadays it's open to the public.

This is interesting...the monastery's name is derived from a Czech expression for rough-hewn timbers. They lay scattered around the place of the monastery and were used for foundations of a village nearby, which suggests that you are reading about one of the oldest inhabited parts of Prague!

The monastery was rebuilt several times due to fire, but also because of plundering and looting during the Hussite and the Thirty Years’ Wars, as well as during the famous battle of White Mountain, which was situated nearby.

The current monastery is from 18th century and represents baroque style.  During the communist era (1948-1989), Brevnov monastery was used as a headquarter for the secret police.  There were no monks there at that time and they couldn’t work elsewhere because Benedict order requires community, which during those times was impossible.  Benedictine monks returned to the Brevnov Monastery in the 1990s and restored the buildings. 

There are 13 monks at the moment in Brevnov monastery, and each of them works according to their abilities.  The main occupations are tourism and some publishing.  

The gateway at the entrance was built in 1740 and it is adorned with sculptures of St. Benedicte and angels by K. J. Hiernle.  The gateway will lead you to the courtyard where St. Margaret Basilica is located.

The Church of St. Margaret is spectacular.  St. Margaret Basilica was built between 1708 and 1735.  There is a high altar with paintings by Petr Brandl and the ceiling is decorated with frescoes. 

 It's interesting to note that this is the very first church in Prague to have received the honorary title Basilica Minor from the Pope.

Marketska Street 28, Prague 6.  Tram number 15, 22 or 25 to station Brevnovsky klaster.

Happy Name Day, Rostislav!

Today we honor Rostislav. Všechno nejlepší k svátku! (All the best for your name day, Rostislav!)

Rostislav is of Czech origin and means "to usurp glory" from the Slavic elements rosts "usurp" and slav "glory".

Happy Name Day, Valérie!

Today we honor Valérie.  Všechno nejlepší k svátku! (All the best for your name day, Valérie!)

Valérie is the Czech form of Valerie. It is of Latin origin meaning "strong, healthy".

Happy Name Day, Rudolf!

Všechno nejlepší k svátku! (All the best for your name day, Rudolf!)

Rudolf is the Czech form of Rudolph, which is of Old German origin, and its meaning is "famous wolf". 

Happy Name Day, Irena!

Všechno nejlepší k svátku! (All the best for your name day, Irena!)

Irena is a variant of Irene, which is of Greek origin meaning "peace".