Col GKS Reddy Coins: VISIT PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC 29 SEP TO 01 OCT 2018

CHAPPIDI ABHIRATH REDDY,

C/O COL GKS REDDY,

Secunderabad - 500 087.

Visited Prague, Czech Republic from 29 Sep 2018 to 01 Oct 2018 along with my Younger Daughter and family. Took off from Heathrow Airport at 0830 h on 29 Sep 2018 and landed at Prague Airport at about 1030 h and returned to Heathrow on 01 Oct 2019 (AN).

Inside Prague Airport

Outside Prague Airport

The Czech Republic

The Czech Republic (/ˈtʃɛk -/ (

listen);Czech: Česká republika [ˈtʃɛskaː ˈrɛpublɪka] (

listen)), also known by its short-form name, Czechia (/ˈtʃɛkiə/ (

listen); Czech: Česko [ˈtʃɛsko] (

listen)), is a landlocked country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west, Austria to the south, Slovakia to the east and Poland to the northeast. The Czech Republic covers an area of 78,866 square kilometres (30,450 sq mi) with a mostly temperate continental climate and oceanic climate. It is a unitary parliamentary republic, with 10.6 million inhabitants; its capital and largest city is Prague, with 1.3 million residents. Other major cities are Brno, Ostrava and Pilsen. The Czech Republic is a member of the European Union (EU), NATO, the OECD, the United Nations, the OSCE, and the Council of Europe.

It is a developed country with an advanced, high income export-oriented social market economy based in services, manufacturing and innovation. The UNDP ranks the country 14th in inequality-adjusted human development. The Czech Republic is a welfare state with a "continental" European social model, a universal health care system, tuition-free university education an is ranked 14th in the Human Capital Index. It ranks as the 6th safest or most peaceful country and is one of the most non-religious countries in the world, while achieving strong performance in democratic governance.

The Prague

Prague (/prɑːɡ/; Czech: Praha [ˈpraɦa] (

listen), German: Prag) is the capital and largest city in the Czech Republic, the 14th largest city in the European Union^[9] and the historical capital of Bohemia. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of 2.6 million.^[4] The city has a temperate climate, with warm summers and chilly winters.

Prague has been a political, cultural and economic centre of central Europe complete with a rich history. Founded during the Romanesque and flourishing by the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque eras, Prague was the capital of the kingdom of Bohemia and the main residence of several Holy Roman Emperors, most notably of Charles IV (r. 1346–1378).^[10] It was an important city to the Habsburg Monarchy and its Austro-Hungarian Empire. The city played major roles in the Bohemian and Protestant Reformation, the Thirty Years' War and in 20th-century history as the capital of Czechoslovakia, during both World Wars and the post-war Communist era.^[11]

Prague is home to a number of famous cultural attractions, many of which survived the violence and destruction of 20th-century Europe. Main attractions include Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square with the Prague astronomical clock, the Jewish Quarter, Petřín hill and Vyšehrad. Since 1992, the extensive historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Old Town Square Prague

At the heart of Prague’s Old Town, this majestic and extremely popular by tourists square with its colorful baroque houses is located just between the famous Wenceslas Square and Charles Bridge. The square presents several architectural styles such as gothic of the Týn Church or baroque architecture of the St. Nicholas Church. Many tourists come here to see the medieval Astronomical Clock built on top of the Town’s Hall that provides a musical show every hour from 8:00 Am to 8:00 PM. The Astronomical Clock, which now proudly symbolizes Prague, was originally build in 1410 which makes it the oldest working astronomical clock in the world. The various signs on the clock stand for the phases of the moon, the seasons and also for some of the Christian holidays.
You may want to climb up to the Old Town Hall's tower to get a magnificent view of Staromestské námestí but keep in mind that the climb may be challenging as the steps are quite narrow and steep. If you’re not fit for that, taking the elevator may be a good alternative.

As a day visit is a must, you may want to return at night time if only to have a look at the baroque buildings as they are lighted by the towers of the Týn church.

A view of the Old Town Square Prague

A Panoramic view of the Old Town Square, Prague

The Church of Our Lady Before Tyn

The Church of Mother of God before Týn (in Czech Kostel Matky Boží před Týnem, also Týnský chrám (Týn Church) or just Týn), often translated as Church of Our Lady before Týn, is a gothic church and a dominant feature of the Old Town of Prague, Czech Republic. It has been the main church of this part of the city since the 14th century. The church's towers are 80 m high and topped by four small spires.

The northern portal is a wonderful example of Gothic sculpture from the Parler workshop, with a relief depicting the Crucifixion. The main entrance is located on the church's western face, through a narrow passage between the houses in front of the church.

The early baroque altarpiece has paintings by Karel Škréta from around 1649. The oldest pipe organ in Prague stands inside this church. The organ was built in 1673 by Heinrich Mundt and is one of the most representative 17th-century organs in whole Europe.

Frontal view of The Church of Our Lady Before Tyn

Another view of the Church

Entrance to the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn

A rear view of the Church from outside the Square

The Prague Astronomical Clock

The Prague Astronomical Clock, or Prague Orloj (Czech: Pražský orloj [praʃskiː orloj]), is a medieval astronomical clock located in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.

The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still operating.

A view of the Clock Tower, Old Town Square

A view of the Astronomical Clock

Another view of the Clock Tower

Jan Hus Monument

In the north-east corner of the square is the large Jan Hus Monument. It was erected in 1915 to mark the 500th anniversary of the reformer's death at the stake. Jan Hus, born in 1369, was besides a reformer also a fervent Czech nationalist. In 1415 he was declared a heretic at the council of Constance.

The monument depicts the persecution of the Czech nationalists and their re-emergence two hundred years later with the imposing figure of Jan Hus at the center.

Jan Hus Monument, Old Town Square Prague

Another view of the Jan Hus Monument

Goltz-Kinsky Palace

To the left of the House at the Stone Clock is the Goltz-Kinský Palace, a beautiful building with a delicate Rococo facade. Originally built by the Goltz family, the building was later purchased by Kinský, a diplomat of the emperor. In February 1948 Klement Gottwald, the communist leader, held a speech from the balcony of this palace which would eventually lead to the proclamation of a communist state.

A view of the Kinsky Palace (The Building on the Left)

Another view of the Kinsky Palace

The Stone Bell House

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The Stone Bell House is located at the Old Town Square in Prague. It is located next to the Kinský Palace, on the corner of Old Town Square and Týnská street.

The house is named after the stone bell embedded in the outside corner. The bell could be a reminder of the arrival of John of Bohemia to Prague in 1310, after a futile siege of the city occupied by Henry of Bohemia.

The house today is a remainder of a larger residence from the mid-14th century. It most likely served as a temporary residence for Elizabeth of Bohemia and John of Bohemia after their move to Prague.

The Tower shaped House on the Right is The Stone Bell House

The Old Town Hall

The most famous building on the Old Town Square is the fourteenth-century Old Town Hall. Its Gothic tower, built in 1364, is one of the most recognizable buildings in Prague.

The tower is famous for its magnificent astronomical clock, built in 1410. It is the oldest such clock in Europe. Throngs of tourists gather in front of the clock every hour to witness the procession of miniature figures

A view of the Old Town Hall, Prague

The old Town Hall on which stands the Astronomical Clock

St Nicholas Church, Old Town Square, Prague

The Church of Saint Nicholas (Czech: Kostel svatého Mikuláše) is a Late-Gothic and Baroque church in the Old Town of Prague. It was built between 1732-1737 on the site of a Gothic church from the 13th century which was also dedicated to Saint Nicholas.

The church was formerly used by the Czech and Slovak Orthodox Church. Since 1920 it has been the main church of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church and its Prague diocese.

During the Prague uprising in 1945, the church was used by the Czech partisans as a concealed site for Radio Prague, as the main radio building was under attack by the Waffen-SS.

A view of St Nicholas Church from the Centre of Old Town Square, Prague

A view of St Nicholas Church From the Centre of Old Town Square

Another view of St Nicholas Church from the Clock Tower

A side view of St Nicholas Church

Apartment Block, 9 Kaprova Street, Prague

The old street was remodelled at the beginning of the 20th century. This building, located adjacent to St Nicholas church, Old Town Square, Prague dates from 1910-1920, and shows the transition from art nouveau to art deco.

Apartment Block, 9 Kaprova Street Prague

Rudolfinum, Prague

The Rudolfinum is a building in Prague, Czech Republic. It is designed in the neo-renaissance style and is situated on Jan Palach Square on the bank of the river Vltava. Since its opening in 1885 it has been associated with music and art. Currently the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and Galerie Rudolfinum are based in the building. Its largest music auditorium, Dvořák Hall, is one of the main venues of the Prague Spring International Music Festival and is noted for its excellent acoustics.