Prague, Architecture

This is an “Art and Architecture ” tour, day 3 was devoted to the Architecture theme.

But first. A word about breakfast. “The most important meal of the day”.

The Petr hotel provided breakfast, and an afternoon snack.

Upon arrival on the first day I had a chance to interact with a Chicago couple on their way home from their tour of Prague.

Small world, they knew my brother in law, Ted Cohen, at the University of Chicago.

They raved about Prague and their Road Scholar tour. They were not enamored with the provided breakfast, nor the Czech coffee.

The following morning brought me downstairs, not expecting a great spread. WOW!

A spread of wonders complimented by an automatic coffee maker with multiple caffeine choices. Perhaps the Chicago couple was wanting waffles and donuts? Weak DD style coffee?

Coffee Americano for me. Every Czech cup of coffee proved strong and flavorful. The pastries, delicious.

Enough about food. Back to the tour, and Architecture.

The headline for Day 3, “Lesser Town, Charles Bridge, Old Town”.

Road Scholar promotes themselves as the “University of the World, a Not for profit creator of experimental travel..for age 50+.”

They promote sustainable travel, and have partnered with Tontoton http://tontoton, funding the reclamation of 10 metric tons of plastic waste.

I keep digressing from Architecture.

Our lecture of the morning was presented by Petra Biolasava. She discussed the varied architectural styles of Prague. Romanesque, rounded windows, Gothic, pointed windows, Baroque, over⁰ the top, Cubist, as it sounds, as well as stories regarding some of Prague’s incredible monuments.

Prague, one amazing building after another. Some date back to the second half of the 9th century! We Americans “got nuttin”. Californians especially noted the historical comparison.

The day took us to Lesser Town, the infamously crowded Charles Bridge, and Old Town.

Lesser Town has many Baroque palaces. It was founded in 1257.

This was the day we got to see the famous Astronomical Clock https://www.astronomy.com/science/the-secrets-and-scandal-of-the-prague-astronomical-clock/.

Large crowds, we were warned about pickpockets. I did not see any, but did give my Starbucks gift card, and an uneaten sausage lunch to a couple of homeless.

Lunch was at The Grand Cafe Orient. Yummy pastries. And this! Tried to bring one home for my Moderna daughter. Sadly broke, and I was forced to eat it.

The best way to showcase our tour of the magnificent Bascillica of St. James, a spectacular Baroque Church is with a photo dump.

On our way, I shot some photos of the omnipresent sculptures.

And some photos of the architecture near the Old Town Hall.

This was our chance for Dagmar to take us on a tour of The Charles Bridge . I ended up crossing it many times in the next few days.

We had the evening off to explore on our own. I headed to the park behind the hotel. It’s a beautiful spot that warrants it’s own post.

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