Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Travel Tuesday - Czech Republic

A third Travel Tuesday post is here! I've been a little busy traveling more or else I would have been a lot better about getting this post up. Anyways, today will be about the Czech Republic so let's get started.


The journey to the Czech Republic involved a quick detour through Slovakia due to traffic conditions and the rain. It didn't bother me one bit of course because it was another country to check off my list of places I've been to. Don't get me wrong, I want to experience every country I visit and do somethng there besides hang out in an airport or quickly pass through so this was just a surprise bonus. There was a pit stop in Kutná Hora in order to visit Sedlec Ossuary also known as the bone church. Let me tell you. It was amazing. Talk about aesthetics. Like, I was in love. Everything was made of human bone, real human bone. Crazy I know but just go with me on this. It's worth the visit and the few bucks to get inside. There's a chandelier made completely of bones, the walls are decorated with skulls and bones, and there are stacks of bones layered up more than 10 feet tall.


I mean, look at all those bones. Isn't it amazing?

After leaving Sedlec Ossuary I arrived in Prague and I had to visit Charles Bridge. There were a lot of performers on the bridge playing a variety of stringed instruments and even a few singers. Then there were vendors selling a variety of artwork or other little goods for people to buy. The art is just beautiful and the jewelry is fascinating to look at because it is so bright and colorful.


The view from the bridge of the city was gorgeous in my opinion. 


I attempted to take a panorama of the view but it doesn't do it justice.


This is the tower that greets you on the end of the bridge.


St. Vitus Cathedral (Prague Castle) can not be fit into one single shot image! Even a panorama can't capture it's height and glory.


Can't forget the Astronomical Clock!


The Prague Jewish Museum is just fascinating. This is only one of the walls with a list of names of the lives lost.

Make sure you buy a ticket to see the inside of St. Vitus Cathedral (Prague Castle) because it is surely worth it! Although, make sure you go on a day and time when they aren't having mass! I accidentally went at a time that they were holding mass and afterwards it closed! The website didn't list that mass time so I ended up going back the following day and my ticket still worked thankfully. The inside is full of stain glass windows and beautiful sculptures with the history marking the walls. The castle may seem packed at first but most people are only able to walk inside the small opening area for free, however going around the interior costs money and requires a ticket so you get to bypass the crowd and see everything!

Behind the Prague Castle there is a very narrow passageway (I mean three to four people wide narrow) that has a bunch of very short doors (I'm 5'10") that lead you up winding stairs into a museum of amazing weaponry. There are helmets, guns, shields, armor, and crossbows just waiting to be looked at. They were all so cool to look at and see. There was even a set up where you could fire the crossbow at a target to test your skill for a few bucks. I mean, why not find out if you are any good with medieval weaponry?

The Astronomical Clock is a bit hyped up in my opinion. It's actually rather small and the little routine and chimes that it does to mark the time isn't that fantastic. On top of that it's very crowded because everyone is trying to take a picture in front of it and there are a lot of street vendors and shops nearby meaning the people traffic around it is crazy. I mean, it's cool to see but I know I didn't bother with having my picture taken with it. 

The Prague Jewish Museum was a must. The first day I tried to get to it they were going to close after my being there only 30 minutes so I went back the next day. It was worth it. I didn't pay the price for the audio guide, it was overpriced in my opinion, but exploring on your own is easy enough. There are plenty of signs explaining what you are looking at in English. I bought my ticket to access the old and new synagogue as well as the cemetery. The tomb stones look rather stacked and haphazardly placed but when you find out that they had to stack the people (up to 12 bodies) it sort of makes more sense. It's very sad that they lost their lives but learning about the Jewish community and what they did for each other was fascinating.

Must see list:
  • Sedlec Ossuary
  • Charles Bridge
  • St. Vitus Cathedral (Prague Castle)
  • Prague Castle Armory
  • Prague Jewish Museum (Pink Synagogue)
  • John Lennon Wall

Have you ever been to Prague or are you planning to visit? Let me know in the comments because I'd love to know what you did or are planning to do.

Also, would you be interested in reading separate posts regarding what's on my must see list?

4 comments :

  1. The view from that bridge is phenomenal! I've only been to the Czech Republic once but I'd love to go back someday. The Prague Jewish Museum sounds really interesting.

    www.thesundaymode.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have not been to Prague, but I would LOVE to visit one day. And wow, Sedlec Ossuary is quite the place! I visited The Capuchin Crypt in Rome and it sounds very similar to it. Wow! St. Vitus Cathedral looks spectacular! And how cool that you get to try firing a crossbow! I am weirdly fascinated with medieval weaponry, so if I ever make it to Prague I will definitely be checking out the Prague Castle Armory - thank you for the tip! :)

    ~Lindsey
    http://have-clothes-will-travel.com/

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm obsessed with your blog! It's so unique and creative :) I'm new to blogging, it'd mean a lot if you could check out my blog and let me know what you think! Much love Holly xo

    www.corkylilthing.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love this! I have a travel bug so bad. Visiting cathedrals is so rewarding, all the history and architecture. You have my dying to check out the Sedlec Ossuary, it reminds me vaguely of the catacombs at the Cathedral of San Francisco in Lima, Peru.
    Happy Travels!
    Ashleigh | Mermaid on the Move

    ReplyDelete