Czechia, aka Czech Republic – Places I've Been, Beauty I've Seen

After a couple days in Prague I realized why this city is referred as the most beautiful capital in the world. Prague is like a fairy tale place you imagine when dreaming of a castle, cobblestone streets and some charm and magic. The Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world. The charming old town has a pedestrian stone bridge and the oldest working astronomical clock. I was impressed with their rich history and culture. I admire the Czech who throughout history have endured conquests, religious persecutions, wars, occupations, Stalin and Hitler and feel proud of their gorgeous country.

Vltava River adorned with 17 bridges connecting the old and new towns of Prague

Vltava River adorned with 17 bridges connecting the old and new towns of Prague
East end of Charles Bridge, Prague

East end of Charles Bridge, Prague
Barrandov Bridge built in 1988 as a bypass of the new highway

Barrandov Bridge built in 1988 as a bypass of the new highway
The Cathedral of Our Lady in the Old Town Square

The Cathedral of Our Lady in the Old Town Square
Around one of the towers of Charles Bridge it felt like in a Renaissance fair

Around one of the towers of Charles Bridge it felt like in a Renaissance fair
Saint Jan Nepomucky is the symbol of strength against oppressive regimes

Saint Jan Nepomucky is the symbol of strength against oppressive regimes
Prague Castle has been the political center of this country for over 1200 years

Prague Castle has been the political center of this country for over 1200 years
Jan Hus Memorial built with public donations to honor this philosopher burned at the stake for his support to peasants who resented heavy taxes from monarchy and church

Jan Hus Memorial built with public donations to honor this philosopher burned at the stake for his support to peasants who resented heavy taxes from monarchy and church
The Old Town Square, the gathering center of Prague

The Old Town Square, the gathering center of Prague
The National Theatre is the pride of the city because was built with money collected from its people

The National Theatre is the pride of the city because was built with money collected from its people
Karlovo Nám Boulevard

Karlovo Nám Boulevard
The National Museum was built in 1818 and holds around 14 million pieces of art

The National Museum was built in 1818 and holds around 14 million pieces of art
Street life, Prague

Street life, Prague
Bethlehem Square this evening its Chapel hosted a symphony event

Bethlehem Square this evening its Chapel hosted a symphony event
Tango in Prague! Too bad I didn’t have my dancing shoes

Tango in Prague! Too bad I didn’t have my dancing shoes
A brilliant idea, coffee on the street, sill gave us a funny feeling

A brilliant idea, coffee on the street, sill gave us a funny feeling
Old Town Prague is full of outdoor restaurants, bars and cafés

Old Town Prague is full of outdoor restaurants, bars and cafés
Lunch by a sidewalk before heading to the Jewish Quarters

Lunch by a sidewalk before heading to the Jewish Quarters
Outdoor tables around the statue of composer Bedrich Smetana’s museum

Outdoor tables around the statue of composer Bedrich Smetana’s museum
View of the east bank of Vltava River from Charles Bridge

View of the east bank of Vltava River from Charles Bridge
Kampa Island neighborhood is also known as the Venice of Prague

Kampa Island neighborhood is also known as the Venice of Prague
Municipal House is a national heritage building and still host concerts and balls

Municipal House is a national heritage building and still host concerts and balls
A rooftop table at an Old Town’s restaurant

A rooftop table at an Old Town’s restaurant
Thick walls and décor gave the hotel a medieval castle appearance

Thick walls and décor gave the hotel a medieval castle appearance
The window is his gateway to fresh air and the outside world

The window is his gateway to fresh air and the outside world
Town Square on the way to the castle

Town Square on the way to the castle
Old Prague view captured from the castle

Old Prague view captured from the castle
Small houses built along the castle wall for guards and goldsmiths, Golden Lane

Small houses built along the castle wall for guards and goldsmiths, Golden Lane
Franz Kafka lived temporarily here. The manuscript of his novel The Trial was sold in 1988 for $1.98 million, the highest price ever paid for a modern manuscript

Franz Kafka lived temporarily here. The manuscript of his novel The Trial was sold in 1988 for $1.98 million, the highest price ever paid for a modern manuscript
Old Town of Prague demonstrates in many ways its strong commitment to the arts

Old Town of Prague demonstrates in many ways its strong commitment to the arts
I never found out the story behind this hung mannequin

I never found out the story behind this hung mannequin
Mia was finishing her last year at Prague’s School of Music and Fine Arts

Mia was finishing her last year at Prague’s School of Music and Fine Arts
At the banks of the Vltava River

At the banks of the Vltava River
Last day in Prague

Last day in Prague
Dinner cruise on the Vltava River the last day

Dinner cruise on the Vltava River the last day
Farewell cheering

Farewell cheering