CHECKING OUT THE CZECH REPUBLIC - Prague, Czech Republic Jul 2016

CHECKING OUT THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Prague, Czech Republic  July 2016

The jam-packed town square

The Prague Castle

Yes, everything they say about Prague is true.The buildings are architecturally stunning, the arts scene is vibrant, and natural beauty abounds. 

While costs are not as low as in its fellow East European countries, like Hungary and Romania, they are also not as high as those in nearby Western Europe.

And, because of these reasons and a whole bunch more, it is packed with tourists all eager to find out if, in fact, everything they say about Prague is true.

View from atop

Counting the minutes

The centerpiece of the city is unarguably the Old Town Square and the iconic Astronomical Clock located on the Old Town Hall. We were told Christmas is the best time to see the square in all its glory.

On the hour you can listen to the chimes ring and statues of the disciples look out from two windows above the clock. 

Maybe a little anticlimactic as you wait with the hordes, but when you consider it dates back to 1410, it's hard to not be impressed. The calendar dial was added in 1490, along with the gothic sculptures.  

It's classic

Folk dancing

We made sure to squeeze in as many cultural activities as possible during our visit. One highlight was attending a classical music performance, at Simone's urging. There were also outdoor stages with local performers, in several locations. The city was clearly in full tourist mode at the peak of the summer season.

Very Kafka-esque

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic and the 14th largest city in Europe, is a political, economic, and cultural center. As in most of Europe, there was art everywhere we turned and a number of museums. 

Jerusalem Synagogue

We especially enjoyed going to the Franz Kafka Museum. Kafka, a German-speaking Bohemian novelist, faced a great deal of anti-Semitism in his life which was clearly illustrated throughout the excellent displays.

The Czech Republic has embraced the restoration of its synagogues. It's complicated, attempting to reconcile a dark past while realizing how these restorations draw significant tourism to the country.