Past POIs - Charles Bridge [Prague, Czech Republic, Europe]

While in Prague, I think it will be pretty hard to miss the Charles Bridge which was built in 1357 and took until 1402 to be completed, which was built by King Charles IV. This bridge was built to replace the first stone bridge to span the river which collapsed in a flood in 1342. Although it was supposed to be known as the Stone Bridge or the Prague Bridge, the name Charles Bridge has stuck since the 1870 and has been called this since. The architect behind the Charles Bridge is actually the same as St. Vitus Cathedral which is located in the Prague Castle, Petr Parléř.

At each end of the bridge there are towers, each named after the town it connects, one called the Lesser Town Bridge Towers and the Old Town Bridge Tower. Between 1683 and 1928, 30 statues of saints were carved and placed on the bridge as decoration. Now, all the statues are just replicas and the originals are stored at the Prague Museums for preservation.

When I went in September 2015, there are a lot of street vendors that straddle the sides of the bridge, so it will feel a bit cramped especially if you happen to cross it when there are tour groups going across as well. Note that if you want to avoid the crowd, there is another bridge just up the river but I think it is worth a stop to see this bridge, the oldest in Prague.

Come back next Friday for another Past Point of Interest!

Future POIs - Petřín Lookout Tower [Prague, Czech Republic]

Observation towers are one of the best ways to get a aerial view of the area that you are at and usually we try to climb one even though I'm pretty afraid of heights (got to keep telling myself not to look down).  In Prague, just a short 30 minute walk from the main train station is the Petřín Lookout Tower .

The tower was built in 1891 and only took 4 months to complete.  At first glance, you may think that it is like the Eiffel Tower and you are correct.  It was inspired by the Eiffel Tower but significantly shorter at 63.5 metres tall vs Eiffel Tower's 301 metres.

There are two options to get here, either you can walk up the hill which takes about 30 minutes or you can ride the funicular up.  The tower itself has two viewing platforms both of which are octagonal in shape.  To go up, you have two options, there is an elevator or you can walk up the 299 stairs to the top.

Come back next Monday for another Future Point of Interest!

Future POIs - Sedlec Ossuary [Kutná Hora, Czech Republic]

Sedlec Ossuary, also known as the Bone Church, is a underground Roman Catholic chapel located in Kutná Hora, Czech Republic.  It is actually located underneath the Church of All Saints and contains the bones of about 40,000 people who died from the plague and the Hussite wars in the 15th century.

Bone Chandelier (from myczechrepublic.com)

Originally, all of these bones were buried in the church cemetery, but throughout the years starting in 1511, the bones were arranged to be part of the chapel.  The present arrangement dates back to 1870, when František Rint of Česká Skalice, a Czech wood-carver, was asked to arrange the bones and skulls as you see today in creative decorations such as bells, a coat of arms and a chandelier.  You can actually see his name, in bones, on the right-hand wall over the last bench.  Fun fact, the chandelier contains all the bones of a human body.

Bone Coat of Arms (from myczechrepublic.com)

It costs 80 CZK for admission to both the Cathedral and the Church.  From Prague, it is about 120km, easily accessible by car, by train, or even by bus.

Come back next Monday for another Future Point of Interest.

Future POIs - Old Town Square [Prague, Czech Republic]

Most main squares are to be visited when you go to cities new and old.  There is almost always a great amount of history since it was the main place where people would go.

From 500px

The Old Town Square was founded in the 12th century and houses many interesting buildings as well as some historical items.  The buildings here are not limited to the Old Town Hall, Church of Our Lady before Týn, St Nicholas Church, the Kinský Palace (which is now an art museum), an astronomical clock, and the monument to Jan Hus.  As well, in the pavement of the square are memorial stones (tributary crosses) marking the execution of 27 Czech lords in 1621.

In my opinion, the astronomical clock is the most interesting item in this square.  The astronomical clock was installed in 1410 making it the world's third oldest astronomical clock and is the oldest one that is still working.  Mounted on the southern wall of Old Town City Hall.  Be sure to come on the hour to see an hourly clockwork show.

You can get a bird's eye view of the square by visiting the Old Town Hall located in the square itself.

Be sure to come back next Monday for another Future POI.