The Rooftops of Prague
The pictures were taken in Prague, May of 2018.
The Golden City
The “Golden City,” of course, is Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic or Czechia. It is one of the oldest cities in Central Europe and was the most crucial metropolis in the region for many centuries. Prague was a multicultural city with Czech, German, and Jewish populations. It was also a tremendously rich place, being a cultural, political, and economic hub in Europe. Because of that fact, it was probably called golden, maybe because of the many golden tower roofs visible from afar or the myths surrounding alchemists working in the city. There are plenty of other legends about Prague; one well-known is the story of the Golem, a monster who was said to live in the Jewish quarter. For sure, though, it can be said that Prague accumulated an astounding assembly of architecture over many centuries, reaching from medieval Gothic buildings to baroque and art nouveau structures. No wonder the city is a living museum of European history today.
Český Krumlov: A little town in Bohemia
Český Krumlov in Southern Bohemia, Czechia, is one of this little places in Europe that looks like it was taken directly from a fantasy film or role playing game and unfolded upon the landscape. Situated alongside the Vltava river below an impressive castle complex it seems especially unreal in it’s beauty on sunny days with clear skies. If Krumlov would be situated somewhere else in the world it surely would be a top attraction, in central Europe though it is not even well known, although there are plenty tourists from Asia and other parts of the world. The place has many great little shops with local craft work and delicious restaurants with regional food. If you are in the region don’t miss Krumlov!
The Bone Chapel
The Bone Chapel in Kutna Chora, Czech Republic, can genuinely be a frighting place for some people. It is a Catholic church in a small town just one hour away from Prague with a very particular interior. The remains of 40,000 to 70,000 people decorate this chapel. Like in a Castlevania game, there is an enormous chandelier of bones, which contains at least one of every bone in the human body; there is also a coat of arms made out of human remains and many other oddities. Come down with me and look at this extraordinary place – but beware of the walking skeletons!
Bohemia in March
It should have been spring, but it was a freezing cold winter weekend. Some impressions of the southern bohemian cities of Czeske Budejovice (Budweis) and Czesky Krumlov (Krumlau) in those days.
Main Square of Czeske Budejovice (Böhmisch Budweis)
Bookstore “Shakespeare And Sons” in Czesky Krumlov (Krumlau)
Krumlov, as seen from the Schwarzenberg castle
Winter in spring
Cesky Pernik in Krumlov
Colors of Budejovice
Budweis Brewery in Budejovice (must visit!)
Michael Hoffman Photography 