Author - valniko77 . This is a quote from this post.
The main attractions in Prague - what to see?The main attractions in Prague - what to see?
Prague is comfortably located on banks of the Vltava river which divides the city into two parts. The territory of the city is divided into 15 administrative districts, the most interesting of which are the central "Prague-1" and "Prague-2". There are more than 10 bridges across the river, the most famous of which is
The Charles Bridge
The Charles Bridge- one of the main attractions of the city. The pedestrian bridge in the Gothic style is decorated with ancient sculptures; its image is one of the symbols of Prague.
The most soulful attraction of Prague, 520 meters long - The Charles Bridge
It connects the two banks of the Vltava River and leads from the Old Town to Mala Strana. For several centuries, this bridge served as the only communication. At the beginning of the last century, a tram service was launched along the Charles Bridge for some time, but due to the heavy load on the structure and the significance of this structure, the tram tracks had to be dismantled. ">
Guardian of the Charles Bridge
Knight Brunsvik. This is the only statue that does not stand on the bridge, but behind the fence, on the support of the Charles Bridge; in place of the statue.
One of the legends is connected with the knight Brunsvik, who also bears the name of Roland.
One day, as a young man, Roland went on a journey, and everywhere along the way he fought injustice, defended the weak and the disadvantaged. In one of the kingdoms, an evil dragon kidnapped the king's daughter and ruined the kingdom. The fearless Roland fought the dragon and freed the king's daughter. As a reward for this, the king offered the knight Brunswick to take the young princess as his wife. The knight refused, because his beloved girl was waiting for him at home. Roland's refusal angered the king, and he ordered Roland to be thrown into the dungeon. But the knight Roland did not have to languish in the dungeon for a long time, a magic sword helped him to free himself. Subsequently, this sword was laid at the base of the Charles Bridge, and will lie there until nothing threatens Prague. And only in the face of serious danger will the sword come out of the base of the bridge and strike the enemies with its edge.
It was about the knight Roland, standing on the Charles Bridge, that Marina Tsvetaeva wrote: “I have a friend in Prague, a stone knight, very similar to me in face. He stands on the bridge and guards the river: oaths, rings, waves, bodies. He is about five hundred years old and very young: a stone boy.” She dedicated her poem The Knight of Prague to him:
The Charles Bridge- this is a kind of Broadway in Prague and one of the most famous sights of the Czech Republic. Hundreds of thousands of tourists daily overcome the treasured 520 meters from one bank of the Vltava to the other. And everyone finds here something interesting and unforgettable. Today only pedestrians walk here: tourists and locals.
White swans on the banks of the Vltava
Once a year, in two places of this Prague attraction, you can and should make wishes that come true.
Come to Charles Bridge in Prague, put your hand on the statue, kiss your loved one, dream, recharge yourself with the most positive energy of this fantastic city. No wonder the great Dalai Lama, during his visit to the Czech Republic in 1990, walking along the Charles Bridge, called this place the center of the universe. As a great Buddhist spiritual leader said, there is no negative energy on the bridge.
From a height of several meters, the natives of Prague and tourists, including you, have been watched tirelessly for several centuries 30 beautiful statues of saints.
Each of them has its own story. The most entertaining is at the statue of St. John of Nepomuk, who was the general vicar of the Archbishopric of Prague and who, by order of King Wenceslas IV, was thrown off the Charles Bridge. Legend has it that in the very place where he drowned, glows of five stars appeared.
Statue of St. John of Nepomuk on Charles Bridge.
Officially, the church recognized this phenomenon as a miracle, and that is why all sculptures and photographs depict Jan Nepomuk with five stars above his head.
Old Town Square
Here she is beauty Old Town Square where the city is located town hall, on which for several centuries famous all over the world have been beating time astronomical clock. Every hour from 9 am to 9 pm hundreds of people gather to see interesting show.
Monument to Jan Hus in Prague
Interesting to know! On the monument to Jan Hus, which depicts, by the way, not just him, but a whole group of people - his supporters, there is an inscription.
It says: "Love people." This was the life philosophy of the great Czech.
Jan Hus - 14th century Czech philosopher, educator, priest-preacher. He became known for daring to go against the established church rules for centuries, trying to “humanize” the church, make it more fair and loyal to the parishioners and honest in front of them. Jan Hus also made a significant contribution to the development of Czech philology, as he preached exclusively in Czech, promoted native language and reformed the spelling. After that, the letter became more accessible to the common people.
Church of the Virgin Mary in front of Tyn (Tyn Cathedral)
New Town Hall
Astronomical clock in Prague or Prague Orloj
Modern experts still cannot understand how in the Middle Ages they managed to create such a mechanism, which is now called a model of the universe. Recently, the watch celebrated its 600th anniversary, for the holiday it was created laser show in 3D format, which reflects the most significant historical events in Prague.
According to the astrological dial, you can determine the current time, Central European, Old Bohemian, the position of the stars, the setting and rising of the sun and moon, and even the sedric zodiac. On the sides are 4 figures: Vanity, looking in the mirror; Greed is a Jew holding a bag of gold; Death with a skeletal scythe ringing a bell and a Turk shaking his head. Later, in 1490, a lower dial-calendar was added.
St. Vitus Cathedral
St. Vitus Cathedral located in the center Prague Castle. It is the largest and most important cathedral in the Czech Republic; its spiritual and national-historical shrine.
St. Vitus Cathedral is the second largest after the Roman Cathedral of Peter and Paul.
Strahov Monastery
Strahov Monastery (Czech Strahovský klášter) is a monastery in Prague, an architectural monument of the Czech Republic. It is located in Hradcany, Prague 1. The monastery belongs to the oldest monasteries of the order of Premonstratensian monks.
It was founded in 1140-1143 by Vladislav II on the initiative of Bishop Jindrich Zdik of Olomouc. The name of the monastery has its roots from the word “guard”, since it was in this place that the outpost was located, guarding the approaches to the Prague Castle.
Philosophical Hall
Theological Hall
Golden Lane
Miniature houses, where, according to legend, huddled the alchemists whom Charles IV gathered from all over the world to search for the philosopher's stone, decorate a tiny street in the labyrinths of Prague Castle and its name is Golden Lane.
Prague Castle
Prague Castle- the residence of the Czech kings, now the president, which is located near the palace. Prague Castle- the largest fortress in the Czech Republic, stretching along the top of a hill on the left bank of the Vltava. It is a major historical, political and Cultural Center countries founded in the 9th century.
Inside the Castle from Hradchanskaya Square are the front gates, at which there is a guard of honor, with which tourists love to take pictures. Every day at noon there is an honorary changing of the guard.
On the first from the gate ("Honorable") courtyard of the Castle is the Teresian Palace. Further, into the second courtyard, they lead
Matthias Baroque Gate.
Here is the chapel of the Holy Cross, two fountains and a well with a wrought-iron domed lattice of the Renaissance.
In the third courtyard - the most ancient part of the Castle - there is the famous Cathedral of St. Vitus (Witt). This stunning gothic building is considered the "calling card" of the city, and its oldest part, the chapel of St. Wenceslas, in which the "folk Czech saint" was buried in 932, is a major center of pilgrimage.
Queen Anne Summer Palace and Royal Garden
Basilica of Saint George
Wenceslas Square
The Czech people love Wenceslas Square like none of the streets, monuments or churches of Prague.
If Prague is the capital, then it is, first of all, on Wenceslas Square.
The heart of the New Town is Wenceslas Square, which until 1848 was the Horse Market. Vaclavak, as the Czechs call the square, today is the center of city life. Shops, company offices, casinos, hotels, restaurants are concentrated on it.
On Wenceslas Square is the National Museum of Prague and the monument to Wenceslas.
National Museum of Prague
Monument to St. Wenceslas.
On the pedestal of the monument is engraved the inscription:
"Saint Wenceslas, Duke of the Czech Land, our prince, do not let us or our children perish"
The image of St. Wenceslas on the wall of the Building
dancing House
dancing House or, as the Czechs themselves call it, the drunken house, is the only building in the historical part of Prague built in the twentieth century.
The Dancing House is a symbolic building depicting a dancing man and woman.
The house is also called "Ginger and Fred" in honor of the duo of the great Hollywood dancers Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire.
"Ginger and Fred", "Drunken House", "Glass", "Dancing House"- such different and sometimes funny names are given by the inhabitants of Prague to a non-standard building. Today, the Dancing House in Prague is an unusual office building in Prague, where several international companies are located, and on the top floor there is a trendy French restaurant "Pearl of Prague". From its windows you can enjoy a wonderful view of the city.
Sculpture-fountain "Manneken Pis" in Prague
In Prague, near the Gerget brick factory, there is an electromechanical statue of two men pissing into a pond that resembles a map of the Czech Republic with its outlines. Bronze figures do not just pour water, but, under computer control, "write out" famous quotes from famous residents of Prague. Visitors can also ask the statue to write their own text via SMS.
Statue of two men pissing in a pond resembling a map of the Czech Republic. Bronze figures do not just pour water, but, under computer control, "write out" famous quotes from famous residents of Prague. Visitors can also, via SMS, to the number (+420 724 370 770) indicated next to the unusual fountain, ask the statue to write its own text. The author of the composition is David Cherny, 2004
Monument to Franz Kafka
John Lennon wall
in Malaya Strana there is a wall dedicated to John Lennon. The wall has an interesting location, because right in front of the wall is the French embassy. Rumor has it that the inscriptions on the memorial wall began to appear immediately after the death of the famous John Lennon. They also believe that a real Lennon fan will find Lennon's autograph among the thousand inscriptions.
The city authorities did their best to stop the high art of the fans, but nothing could be done. After each staining, new entries appeared on the wall. After reading the Beatles fan forum, I found a very interesting quote explaining why the John Lennon Wall in Prague still "lives" - "They say that the French ambassador solved the problem by urgently asking them to stop such abuse in order to avoid manifestations of outraged Prague Beatles: )" This wall, like the wall of Viktor Tsoi, is constantly changing, so it is always interesting to look at the wall.
Petrin hill
Petřín Hill- a hill worthy of the attention of every tourist. It is located on the left bank of the Vltava River, the highest point reaches 327 meters. The hill has been known since ancient times, because it was here that the pagans worshiped the god of thunder - Perun. With the erection of the Hunger Wall under Charles IV, the hill gained strategic importance for the city.
At the top of the hill is an observation tower that visually resembles the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Here you can also visit the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, the mirror labyrinth and the Petrin Gardens.
Visegrad
South hill of the central part modern Prague crowns an ancient fortress, once the residence of Czech kings - Vysehrad.
Within the walls of Visegrad are such sights as the Neo-Gothic Church of Saints Peter and Paul, the remains of the oldest Romanesque basilica, the Romanesque rotunda of St. Martin. Visegrad Cemetery is the burial place of famous figures of the Czech Republic.
Krzhizhikovy Fountains (Singing Fountains)
The most important attraction of the Vystaviste Park Complex, the highlight that attracts hundreds and thousands of tourists and residents of Prague are, of course, Singing fountains (Křižíkova fontana).
Singing Fountains today it is a huge pool with several fountains, and with a stage for a colorful show in the middle. Water jets, illuminated and shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow to the beat of sounding classical or modern music, change height, pressure, stun and amaze.
Immortal " Swan Lake» P.I. Tchaikovsky performed by the Czech ballet, famous arias, three thousand fountains that merge with light and music, create an unforgettable sacrament, enchant and delight both adults and the smallest spectators. Since 2000, the Singing Fountains have become even more spectacular and impressive due to the fact that colorful frames are projected onto the water screen.
Prague Zoo
Prague Zoo (Czech. Zoologická zahrada hl. m. Prahy)- the largest zoo in the Czech Republic and one of the largest in Europe, located in the Troja Basin (Troja district) of Prague.
The fountain (Čůrající postavy) is located near the building of the Franz Kafka Museum, which is not quite a museum in the traditional sense. Rather, it is a traveling exhibition that has remained in the city for quite some time. long term(about 10 years). Its exposition is located on the territory of the former Gergeta brick factory. Here, next to it, there is an interesting, simply amazing, sculptural composition.
What is a sculpture
The installation is made in some completely absurd style, in principle, like the works of a brilliant writer. It represents a fountain formed by two pissing men standing opposite each other. Interestingly, the middle part of the sculptures can turn from side to side. Thanks to this movement, the fountains draw various figures on the water.
The principle of operation of hi-tech creation
The author of this monument is the sculptor and artist David Cherny. He really created a rather unusual "monument" to men who relieve themselves of a small need on the map of the Czech Republic and at the same time "draw" the sayings of famous Praguers near them.
The principle of operation of this hi-tech creation is very simple. The body parts of the bronze men, whose height is 2 meters 10 centimeters, are moved by electric motors installed inside the men, and they are controlled by a computer. As a result of the operation of the motors, the jet of water also moves, thus creating the outlines of various symbols at the foot of the statues.
The usual "work" of these men, who quote celebrities in such an unusual way, can be suspended. For this it is necessary with mobile phone send a short SMS to the number (+420 724 370 770) indicated next to the unusual fountain. A few minutes after receiving the message, the men will try to reproduce its content. Interestingly, the movements of the statues look very natural. This feature of the sculpture attracts everyone's attention. There are always many tourists here.
David Cherny is quite a scandalous person. However, thanks to this unusual and defiant combination of shameful and funny people and pay attention to the nearby Kafka Museum. sculptural composition"Manneken Pis", like many of his works, also caused sharp criticism the public, but, nevertheless, received the same wide recognition and became another bright sight of Prague.
The monument to Bozena Nemtsova is located on the Slovansky Island, which is located in the center of the city of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The monument has become one of the symbols of the park in which it is located. The monument in Prague was created in collaboration folk artist Czech Republic, sculptor Karel Pokorny, and architect Jaroslav Fragner, who designed an excellent pedestal.
Bozena Nemcova occupies a special place in Czech literature. She is often referred to as the founder of modern Czech prose. Having virtually no means of subsistence by the end of her life, the writer received due recognition and national fame only after her death. The bronze sculpture is filled with emotionality and true human drama. The monument to Bozena Nemcova in Prague is considered one of the best monuments to this outstanding Czech writer.
Monument to Jan Hus
In the Czech Republic, Jan Hus is a national hero, a great thinker and ideologist of the Czech Reformation. He spoke out against venality, hypocrisy and extortion of the Catholic Church.
A complex multi-figured composition on a huge stone pedestal is inscribed in the ensemble of the square in such a way that the tall figure of the courageous preacher-reformer Jan Hus was in the geometric center of the square.
On the monument is an inscription that expresses the basic philosophy of the great Czech reformer: "Love people."
The sculptural groups surrounding it personify the dramatic fate of the Czech Republic: the Hussite wars go into exile, the mother and child symbolize the hope for national rebirth.
The monument is undoubtedly one of the most significant works of the Czech sculptor of the early twentieth century, Ladislav Šaloun.
The Old Town Square is a pedestrian area, there are always a lot of walking Praguers and tourists.
Monument "Přemysl and Libuse"
The legend about the foundation of Prague says that after the death of Cech, who brought the Czech people to the Czech Republic, his son, voivode Krok, founded the city on a rock above the Vltava and named it Vysehrad due to its high location. When Krok died, the Czechs chose his youngest daughter, Libuse, as princess. Deciding to move the capital, she sent servants to look for a place on the left bank of the Vltava. The servants met woodcutters who were hewing wood. "What are you doing?" - Libushe's servants asked. "We cut the threshold," the woodcutters answered. Returning, the servants reported everything to the princess. "At this threshold it will be new town To be called Prague, and the glory of its stars will reach!” commanded the impressionable Libuse.
It is believed that at the place where Libuše uttered these words, a monument was erected in Vysehrad.
Monument to Berdjikh Smetana
The monument to Bedrich Smetana was erected in front of the composer's museum. On the site where the monument is installed, a beautiful view of the Vltava River, Charles Bridge and Prague Castle opens up.
Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884) - famous Czech composer, chief conductor of the National opera house Czech Republic and pianist. His name is associated with the national school of composers. In his works he used Czech plots and folk motifs. He owns the work "Brandenburgers in the Czech Republic", which became the first opera in the history of Czech. The unofficial Czech anthem is considered to be his symphonic poem"Vltava". Smetana was buried at the Visegrad cemetery.
Monument to the city tramp
Monument to the City Tramp is a modern original monument to the Czech homeless, located in the heart of the capital of the Czech Republic. It is a sitting statue of a man on a blue bench - a barefoot middle-aged man in a hat and a loose raincoat.
The tramp monument is located on a small street in the historical center of the Czech Republic, between Wenceslas and Old Town Squares. This is a small statue in human height, near which tourists are happy to rest and take pictures. The monument is cast in bronze. Vacationers in Prague like to shake hands with him, rub his nose or the edge of his raincoat for good luck.
Monument on Bila Mountain
The monument on Bila Gora is a stone embankment with a memorial plaque. It was erected in memory of those who died during a short battle that took place on Bila Gora on November 8, 1620 as part of the Thirty Years' War. On this day, the Habsburg Catholic army defeated the Czech Protestants, which sealed the fate of the Czech state for the next three centuries.
Bila Hora, 381 meters high, is one of the districts of Prague and is located on its western outskirts. The monument to the fallen Czech Protestants is located in the middle of the field on the hill where the meeting of the troops of 1620 took place.
A monument to Soviet soldiers was erected at the Olshansky military burial in Prague in the Zizkov district. Next to the monument to the soldiers who fell during the liberation of Prague from the German invaders, there are identical tombstones in the form of a stone pillar with a five-pointed star. In total, 426 people are buried here. Architect Karel Beneš and sculptor Jaroslav Brughi worked on the project of the monument. The monument is a tall gray slab with a bronze soldier holding a rifle in his hands. Above the plate rises a five-pointed star with Soviet symbols: hammer and sickle. The monument is accompanied by a memorial plaque.
Monument to Rabindranath Tagore
The monument to Rabindranath Tagore is located in the historical district of Prague-6, not far from the Dejvicka metro station, in the capital of the Czech Republic. This is a monument in honor of the outstanding Indian writer and poet, composer and performer, politician, who also had a positive impact on individual cultural figures of the Czech Republic. The Tagore monument is made in the form of a bust of the writer on a high pedestal and is located in the middle of a small square.
Monument to Palach and Hare
On January 16, 1969, Jan Palach self-immolated on Wenceslas Square, who protested against the occupation of the Czechoslovak Republic by Soviet troops. Jan Palach was a twenty-year-old student who, seeing around the passivity in the actions of his compatriots in front of the troops who occupied Czechoslovakia, was out of despair, fearing that the country might remain forever totalitarian state committed an act of self-immolation. Jan Zaitz followed suit.
Monument to Joseph Manes
A monument to Josef Manes stands on the Prague embankment at the base of the bridge, named after the prominent Czech artist XIX century.
Josef Manes is a leading Czech painter of the 19th century. His works in the style of romanticism were a vivid continuation of the European artistic tradition.
A monument to the artist was erected in late XIX century on the embankment, near the hall of Rudolfinum, which houses national orchestra Prague.
The figure of Manes, who holds an easel in his hands, complements architectural ensemble square, echoing the monument to another great Czech - Antonin Dvorak, whose sculpture is installed opposite.
Monument TGM
A bronze monument to the first president of Czechoslovakia, Tomas Garrig Masaryk, was erected on Hradcany Square in Prague.
The three-meter figure of Tomasz Masaryk rises on a granite pedestal in the very center of the historical district of Prague Hradcany.
The monument was made by sculptors Josef Weitz and Jan Bartosz on the model of the master Otakar Spaniel, having increased the original model three times. The prototype of the sculpture was created in 1931 and is now housed in the Prague Pantheon of the National Museum. Modern look The original model was given by the architect Jiří Ratowski.
After the installation of the monument on Hradcany Square, a copy of the statue was also made, which was then taken away and placed in Mexico City on the main avenue named after Masaryk. He is so well known in his country that the authors limited themselves to the laconic inscription "TGM" on the monument, without deciphering the full name of the first president.
Monument to Sigmund Freud "The Hanging Man"
The monument to Sigmund Freud "The Hanging Man" is located on the protruding part of the roof of one of the houses in Prague. The figure of the famous scientist "hangs", clinging to the beam with one hand. The author of such an unusual creation is the infamous Prague sculptor David Cherny. The monument was created in 1996 and was a resounding success, in connection with which the sculpture was hung out in Prague, Chicago, London.
They say that from a distance at dusk, the suspended figure of Freud resembles a hanged man or a person in trouble and often frightens passers-by. Some even see in the sculpture a resemblance to Vladimir Lenin and a political background. But according to the author's intention, the monument should embody the isolation of the intelligentsia from the people.
Fountain-monument to pissing men
A fountain-monument to pissing men is installed in the courtyard in front of Franz Kafka's house-museum. The museum is located in Mala Strana, about 50 meters from the Charles Bridge. The museum contains the published books of the writer, his diary, letters, photographs, sketches and many other things related to his life.
In front of the museum there is an unusual sculpture, which is a composition-fountain, made by David Cherny. Two bronze men stand opposite each other, urinating in a shallow tank, shaped like the borders of the Czech Republic. The creator of this sculpture was inspired by the statue of a pissing boy located in Brussels.
Prague Metronome
The Prague metronome over the Vltava is a unique monument in its own way. On the one hand, it is absurd and, as they say, closes a kind of void that was formed at this place in the course of historical events. On the other hand, impartially counting hours, minutes, moments, the metronome is an impeccable and powerful symbol of time that does not depend on anything. Rising above the center beautiful Prague, this awkward structure breaks stereotypes and often leads to existential experiences.
The monument was erected in 1991 on the site former monument Stalin. History ordered that a huge monument to the leader of the peoples was erected at an unfortunate time, in 1955. A few years later, it was dismantled, and the resulting hole was eventually "plugged" with a metronome, a kind of modern art. At first, the monument temporarily placed here took root and has been steadily and steadily swinging its pendulum for the third decade. And it seems that this process will never stop.
Monument to Wenceslas on an upside down horse
The monument to Wenceslas on an inverted horse is an ironic version of the well-known classical monument to St. Wenceslas. This unusual monument was made by a very scandalous sculptor David Cherny.
This version is in no way inferior to the original in popularity: a horse tied by its legs hangs upside down with its tongue hanging out, and the Czech king Wenceslas sits on her belly.
At first, it was decided to place the monument, albeit close to the original, but on the other side of the square. However, the inhabitants of the city did not like this sculpture and caused a storm of discontent. Therefore, the monument was decided to move to another place.
Today it can be seen in the atrium of the Passage Lucerne. There, the monument is suspended from the ceiling on iron cables, and there are always a lot of tourists around it.
Monument to Jan Nepomuk
Monument to Jan of Nepomuk - a statue depicting the famous Czech saint and martyr, installed on the Charles Bridge in Prague. It is believed that touching the statue brings good luck and happiness.
The first monument to John of Nepomuk was erected on the Charles Bridge at the beginning of the 17th century, and the modern bronze sculpture appeared in 1863. Its author was the famous sculptor Wolfgang Gerolt, and the pedestal was made by Jean Baptiste Matei. The monument turned out to be very beautiful and majestic, and it quickly became a model for many other sculptures depicting John of Nepomuk.
And even today this statue is considered the most beautiful decoration of the Charles Bridge and one of the most famous sights of Prague.
Monument to firefighters
The Firemen's Monument is a memorial dedicated to the 343 New York City firefighters who died in New York City rescue operations on September 11, 2001, in a terrorist attack. This monument was opened on the island of Kampa. in Prague. The monument is a granite monument that depicts a fireman's helmet with the number 114.
The words on the pedestal read: “A firefighter is a person who lives twice in the world: for himself and for others. And that is why the life of a firefighter is a real example of a real understanding of human life.
The opening of the monument was attended by the mayor of the capital, Bohuslav Svoboda, and representatives of the US Embassy. After the end of the national anthem - members of the Prague Corps of Volunteer Firefighters laid wreaths on the granite monument.
Monument "Pieta" on the Charles Bridge
Monument "Pieta" is located on the Charles Bridge in Prague. This sculptural group was created in 1859 by sculptor Emanuel Max, who captured the scene of mourning for Jesus Christ. Translated from Italian, "Pieta" means mercy and piety.
In addition to the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene familiar in this iconographic plot, the Apostle John the Theologian also mourns for the Savior on the Charles Bridge.
This is not the first Pieta erected on this site. Previously, the hand of the sculptor Jan Brokoff, carved in 1695 from the Pieta stone, was located here, which was later transferred to the garden of the Convent of the Merciful Sisters. And at an earlier time, namely in the 15th century, on the site of modern Pieta, there was an image of the Crucifixion, demolished by a powerful flood in 1496.
In addition to Pieta, today on the Charles Bridge there are 29 more sculptural groups dedicated to Catholic saints and having their own unique history.
Monument to Saint Wenceslas
In 1912 in front of the building national museum one of the sights of Prague, a monument to St. Wenceslas by Josef Vaclav Myslbek, was erected.
Monument to Jan Hus
The monument to Jan Hus is located in the northern part of the square and with all its grandeur demonstrates the symbol of national unity. The philosopher, preacher and reformer who fought for the freedom of the Czechs was recognized as a heretic in 1414, and a year later he was sentenced by the Catholic Church to death by burning.
Monument to Charles IV
The monument to Charles IV is installed on Krzhizhovnitskaya Square, near the Charles Bridge, in Prague. It was erected in honor of the 500th anniversary of Charles University in 1848. This four-meter bronze monument is made in the Neo-Gothic style. It is decorated with allegories of four university faculties: Arnost Pardubice, Jan Ocek Vlashimsky, Beneš Kolowratsky and Mathieu of Arras - the famous associates of the king.
Charles IV is depicted holding a sword - a symbol of his military victories and the statute of the university. It is worth noting that Charles University, which is the main one in the country, the oldest in Central Europe, and also one of the oldest in the world, was founded by the emperor in 1348.
Monument to Franz Kafka
Between the Spanish Synagogue and the Church of the Holy Spirit in the Old Town is unusual monument- a monument to the famous Austro-Hungarian writer Franz Kafka.
A bronze sculpture designed by Jaroslav Rona appeared in Prague in 2003. The monument to Kafka is 3.75 meters high and weighs 700 kilograms. The monument depicts the writer on the shoulders of a giant suit, in which the one who should wear it is missing. The monument refers to one of Kafka's works "The History of a Struggle". This is a story about a man who, riding on the shoulders of another person, wanders the streets of Prague.
Monument to the Victims of Communism
The Monument to the Victims of Communism is a multi-sculptural allegorical composition located at the foot of Petřín Hill in the Lesser Town of Prague. This memorial was erected in honor of the victims of the totalitarian regime of 1948-1988. The monument was unveiled in 2002 by sculptor Olbram Zubek and architects Zdeněk Holzel and Jan Kerel.
The sculptural composition consists of 7 bronze figures, which are depicted descending down the stairs. Each subsequent statue is more "destroyed" than the previous one: first, limbs are "lost", then fractures appear in the bodies, and in the end it seems that the person has gradually dissolved. As conceived by the authors, the monument symbolizes the suffering of political prisoners during the period of communist rule. In the center is an inscription indicating how many people were arrested, deported, died in prisons, killed while escaping, executed in those years. And on the bronze tablet placed nearby, it is explained to whom this monument is dedicated.
Monument to Jan Zizka
Monument to Jan Zizka equestrian statue Jan Zizka, installed on Vitkov Hill in 1950. It symbolizes the memory of the national hero of the Czech Republic - Jan Zizka, who at this place in 1420 with four thousand people defended Prague from thousands of crusaders.
The national monument to Jan Zizka is located in the center of Vitkov Park, on top of the hill of the same name, almost in the center of Prague. The majestic statue of the national hero of the Czech Republic is nine meters high without a pedestal and weighs almost 17 tons. It consists of 120 bronze parts and five thousand bolts. The statue of Jan Zizka is the world's largest bronze equestrian monument. It was designed by the Czech sculptor Bohumil Kafka, influenced by the works of Auguste Rodin, but the master himself did not see his own creation, as he died in World War II.
Monument to Yaroslav Hasek
The monument to Yaroslav Hasek, located in Prague, is made in the Art Nouveau style. The monument is a kind of hybrid of a horse with a bar. In the center of it is a small pedestal with a bust of the writer himself. The horse is made of bronze, the stele and the bust of the writer are made of stone. A huge hole is made inside the horse. According to the original idea, a beer barrel should have been located in this place.
The famous Czech sculptor Neprash Karel became the author of the monument. However, the author himself did not live three years before its discovery. The monument to Yaroslav Hasek was unveiled in 2005. Its opening was like a national holiday. During this event, the performance of the best Czech choreographic groups took place. On the same day, soldiers fired their weapons and sang the national anthem.
By the way, the monument cost the Czech treasury one hundred and forty thousand dollars.
ghost monument
Praguers really respect their ghosts. And even a monument was erected to one of them! This is iron Man, whose statue you will find on the corner of the New Town Hall building.
The spirit of Yachim Berka pays justly for his sins. Returning home from the war, he, believing gossip, rejected his bride. It was only when he married the girl next door that he found out what a mistake he had made. Not only did the rejected girl and her father take their own lives, but his wife turned into a lazy drunkard.
He made a man's decision: he strangled his wife and hanged himself in the basement. But even then he did not find peace. His spirit wanders along Platnerzhskaya Street, hoping for deliverance. Once in a hundred years, he can talk to a pure girl. However, today the cat has cried such things, and chatter with the shabby girls of life will not help Yahima.
Monument to Antonin Dvorak
A monument to Antonin Dvorak was erected on Jan Palach Square in front of the famous Rudolphinium, the Palace of Music and Arts.
Antonín Dvořák is a world-famous Czech composer whose works have glorified his native country. The musical traditions of Bohemia and Moravia found expression in his work, folk music and the tunes of his native land. In the last years of his life, Dvořák was the director of the Prague Conservatory, which at that time was located in the Rudolfinium, a palace in the heart of the city.
After the Second World War on the square in front of the residence symphony orchestra Czech Republic erected a bronze monument to Antonin Dvorak.
Sights of Prague
Franz Kafka Museum, Prague, Czech Republic
O famous sculpture"Manneken Pis", installed near the Grand Palace in Brussels, is known, perhaps, to every tourist. Do you know that his "competitor" is in the Czech capital? More precisely, even two. We are talking about a monument to pissing men, installed in the courtyard of the Franz Kafka Museum, which is located in Mala Strana, on the left side of the Charles Bridge (the distance between them is no more than 50 meters). The author of the original work is a popular artist and sculptor at home and abroad.
The sculptural composition in the form of a fountain is installed directly opposite, where, by the way, the writer's personal diary, letters, photographs and his books are kept. It looks like this: two men cast in bronze stand opposite each other and urinate. They do this, of course, not on the road surface, but in a shallow reservoir. If you thought that it was ordinary, like other fountains, you were mistaken: the shape of the reservoir resembles ... the outlines of the territory of the Czech Republic. The guests of the city on the Vltava, who saw the composition for the first time, enthusiastically exclaim: “It was necessary to think of such a thing!” And here there is something to be surprised and admire, because you will not see such monuments in Prague everywhere, but only in some places.
Today's story about unusual sculptures oh and the monuments of Prague. Their number and variety of styles are impressive: from classic to modern, from spiritual to outright provocations. They really decorate a walk around the city and if you meet them again, you perceive them as your old acquaintances!
01. Fountain "Musicians" on hay area(sculptor Anna Khroma). The four dancing bronze sculptures represent the four rivers: the Ganges with the mandolin, the Amazon with the flute, the Danube with the violin and the Mississippi with the trumpet. The fifth sculpture is an allegory of the Nile River. (Honestly, I didn't see the fifth one)
02. Sculptures of some special, mysterious beauty. The musicians are naked and covered only with patches of "bronze cloth", but their faces are covered. 
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05. It seemed to me that their wrapped faces symbolize the absolute rapture of the sounds of music and the neglect of their nudity 
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07. "Dancer". Himself and puppeteer and puppet - brilliant! 
08. "Manneken Pis" (sculptor David Cerny). They stand in the courtyard of the Franz Kafka Museum, at Cihelna 2b, Prague 1 on the Small Side. This composition represents two bronze men pissing on a map of the Czech Republic. Provocative sculptures were installed in 2004 and are controlled by a computer that regulates the rotation of the hips and raises the pipikhoztsy. 
09. So, you can even make the statues "write" their own phrase by sending an SMS message from a mobile phone to 724 370 770. 
10. In general, there are a huge number of naked boys in Prague, and all of them have their causal place rubbed to a shine. This one stands in the courtyard of the toy museum (at Jirska 6, Praha 1)
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12. These are probably the most famous figures of babies by the famous Czech master David Cerny. They are called "Babies" and crawl next to the museum on the island of Kampa
13. You can climb on them, and no one is chasing anyone 
14. Monument to the victims of communism (sculptor Zoubek). Mala Strana, at the foot of Petrin Hill. It is a staircase, on which there are seven sculptures, symbolizing the suffering of a man doomed to death... A depressing sight 
15. The theme of religious sculptures deserves special mention. In addition to the classic statues of the Apostles and many crucifixes, the city has a lot of extraordinary performances, such as Christ from old shoes (usually these installations are dismantled for the winter, so I did not find him) 
16. This is how the jokers depicted the crucifixion in the AMoYA Museum - Artbanka Museum of Young Art at Karlova 2, Praha 1
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18. "Commander" at the Estates Theater. This is a monument in honor of the premiere of Mozart's opera Don Giovanni in 1787 (c sculptor Anna Chromy)
19. The "chip" of this character is that under the cloak ... emptiness. This is also creepy 
20. On the facade New City Hall we meet Rabbi Lev. The legend says that Death, who could not reach him for a long time, pretended to be a rose and was presented to the rabbi by his daughter (now she is always crying next to him). If you don't know this beautiful story, then all sorts of bad thoughts come into my head; -P 
21. From the other side of the building we are met by the Iron (Black) knight of Shalone. The bewitched knight seems to be able to be bewitched by the prayers of a young virgin (well settled, however). 
22. A funny bench without legs, occupied by voluptuous musicians 
23. Very touching guys are standing on one of the platforms of the Main Prague Station ( Wilsonova 300/8, Prague)
24. On the embankment, next to the Kampa Museum, the Dalai Lama stands and blesses the river buses passing by 
25. Kafka is everywhere. This one is at Praha 1, Dušni 141/12
26. "Sigmund Freud, hanging intellectual" (with sculptor David Cerny). Sculpture made of plastic and epoxy symbolizes detachment intelligence from the people. 
27. A detached look and a hand in a kakbe pocket hints that a comrade is completely indifferent to his safety, and in general, he is philosophical about life and death 
28. Another interesting object "hovering" over Prague. Golden bone... (no comment) 
29. And this sweetest car on human legs is called "Quo vadis - People's car of the GDR "Trabant"" and stands in the courtyard of the German Embassy ( Vlasská 19, Praha 1, Mala Strana).
30. Prague boasts many lovely maidens. For example, this lady lights the way with her stone torches on one of the pillars of the Chekhov Bridge 
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32. In general, naked young maidens everywhere sparkle with their charms on the facades of Prague houses. 
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35. Some fabulous frog thoughtfully smokes a pipe on the pier 
36. Another variant of contemporary art in Prague is street art. For example, a whole orchestra of colored wire figurines 
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38. Each city has its own Tsoi wall ;-) In Prague, it bears the name of John Lennon and, in combination, is the wall of the Maltese Garden (address Velkoprevorské nam.). Our VKontashnaya doggy is right there
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40. The graffiti in the transitions is very colorful and fun. It is curious that no one will pollute them with other inscriptions 
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44. And this is my favorite "Embryo" by my favorite David Cerny. Sculpture resembling a human fetus" was created in 1996 from metal, plastic and epoxy resin. It "grew" on the corner of the facade of the Na Zabradli theater building at