Prague -- The Fourth Series

This is the Metronome Sculpture that replaced a 

multi-ton granite statue of Stalin. Standing in front of

several workers, Stalin was described by the the locals, 

opposed to the repressive Communist regime, 

"as waiting in the front of the meat line."

 

This statue of Charles IV graces the eastern side 

of the Charles Bridge.  The Holy Roman Emperor is 

holding a contract that establishes the University of 

Prague. To quote Rick Steves: "This statue was erected 

in 1848 to celebrate the university's 500th birthday." 

The women around the base represent the four subjects 

taught at the university: law, medicine, the arts, and 

theology.

While the profile may remind one of Dr. Frankenstein's 

"creation," this is one of the Czech Republic's most 

acclaimed individuals. He is Frantisek Palacky 

(1798-1876), a Czech nationalist and historian. Among 

his many contributions, a comprehensive history 

of the country that took 46 years to complete.

The noted statue of a Gothic St. George atop a 

Renaissance horse. Exquisite, delicate, but surprisingly

small. The first time I went looking forward I walked 

past it.

Prague -- The Fifth Series will feature the photo of where 

the astronomer Kepler used to hang out when he visited

the king. 

Prague - The Third Series

Hourly the chimes of Prague's 15th century

astronomical clock draw crowds who watch

the skeleton swing his lantern in time with

the chimes as well as 

observe the Apostles marching around

inside those two small upper windows. The story is that the city rulers,

concerned that the clockmaker would make comparable clocks

for other cities in Europe, had him blinded (I will not elaborate).

The Vltava River is to Prague what the Willamette is to Portland.

The weather was bleak and cold. Please note the ice near the shore. 

We neither picnicked nor tarried.

The Charles Bridge is named for Charles IV,

14th century Holy Roman Emperor, who ruled his empire

from Prague. Among his numerous achievements is the chartering of Prague

University, the first university in Northern Europe.

Prague - The Second Series

In the Castle Quarter of Prague, St. Vitus Cathedral

is a testimony to perseverance. Begun in 1344, the church

was finished in 1929. It houses the relics and tombs of

saints and kings and features an astounding, and

astonishing, Art Nouveau window by Czech artist

Alfons Mucha.

A side door at St. Vitus's features Saints Peter and Paul.

This is the Church of St. Salvator where we attended an

evening concert. The weather was below 32-degrees F so

"heated seats" were part of the advertisement. Midway through

the concert Roger commented, "This is the first concert I've

attended where I could see my breath." Appropriately

the chamber ensemble played Vivaldi's "Winter."

According to the informal guidebook we had, titled

Prague, My Love, this spire at St. Katherine's is considered one of the most

beautiful Gothic spires in the Czech Republic.

Prague -- The Second Series

And now, Prague -- The Czech Republic

The mass transit system in Prague is exceptional. Here is Roger ascending one of the escalators in order to reach the street level. With all-day passes on all forms of public transportation, we could ride subways, trams, and buses to anyone of hundreds of sights in this city of 1.2 million people.

Established in the 1200s by the Order of Poor Clares, led by St. Francis, this 13th century monastery, now an art gallery, was our apartment's next-door-neighbor. 

Like Switzerland shoppers in the Czech Republic take bags to the grocery stores -- or buy them from the clerk. Here's one of our bags and one of the purchases is obvious.

To leave no room for doubt, the logo informs the consumer that the meat is "ground." At an exchange rate of approximately 20 crowns to the dollar, the meat cost us a little over $2.00.

A Contrast

From our bedroom 

this is the scene that provides a benediction to our day.

On this evening the large snowflakes 

soon covered street and churchyard.

On the other hand....

this somber stain glass illustration in

the St. Sebastian Chapel in Baden, Switzerland, 

serves to remind worshippers of how transitory this life is.

But....

in the Evangelical Reform Church in Bulach

this illustration of Bethlehem lifts one's spirits as

do the simple, but powerful, ornamented windows

featuring symbols of wheat, wine, fish, and crown.

"Theology often comes across as dull and abstract,

but the history of God has been passionate and intense."

Karen Armstrong, A History of God