Prague Part Two, East of the River

We had two full days in Prague, and explored the area east of the river on the first day. The big tourist area is the Old Town Square. On the west side is the Old Town Hall, which features the famous Astronomical Clock.


On the opposite side, towering over the other buildings is the Church of Our Lady before Týn.


Slightly off the square are these colourful buildings.


Wenceslas Square - as I understand it anyway - is anything but square, being some 700 m long, but only 60 m wide. I would call that a wide street. This was the setting for the Velvet Revolution, 17 November to 28 November 1989, the start of the end of communism in the country.

This is the main tourist drag, and if you go here at night, expect to get offered all sorts of things...

There was construction work going on, which did get in the way of some photos. This is to bring trams back into the square.


At the top is the National Museum - a very impressive building.


And in front of it, a statue of Saint Wenceslas. This is the "Good King Wenceslas" of the carol, though he only became a king (and saint) posthumously.


There are numerous other little features throughout the city. This is Jindřišská Tower (Henry's Tower), built in 1475.


It is linked to the building behind it by a bridge, but I think it is technically connected to the Church of Saint Henry and Saint Cunigunde which lies to the right.



This is the Powder Tower, also dating from 1475, one of the gates to the city walls. Some sources state it was used to store gunpowder; others are equally sure it was not.


Small Square is certainly small, but clearly triangular.


At the east end of Manes Bridge is the Rudolfinum, built in 1885 as a music and arts venue - and in the sunshine - we did not see much of the sun over the weekend.


Across the road is the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design, built in the same year.


Continuing along the side of the river, this is the gateway to Charles Bridge; it served as a model for the Powder Tower.


Further along is Kranner's Fountain is a monument to Emperor Francis I of Austria.


And at the end of Legion's Bridge is the National Theatre.


Some further interesting streets.









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