Prague by www.beprague.com

Ever wanted to make Bramboraky from Czech hospoda at home? Here is how!

Bramboracky (Czech Savory Potato Pancakes) These fried potato pancakes are best accompanied by beer. You can adjust the seasonings and add other ingredients to your liking.

NATIONAL THEATRE – OPENED, DESTROYED BY FIRE, RE-BUILT, RE-OPENED
The idea of building a dignified edifice to serve as a Czech national theatre matured already in the autumn of 1844 at the gatherings of patriots in Prague. But as always, money was the problem. Luckily the construction was facilitated by collections of money among the broad masses of the people, and so the foundation stone has been laid on May 16, 1868 on the magnificent site on the banks of the river Vltava. The design for the building was draft by then 33-year old professor of civil engineering architect Josef Zítek.
The National Theatre was opened for the first time on June 11, 1881. Another 11 performances were presented after that. Then the theatre was closed down to enable the completion of the finishing touches. While this work was under way a fire broke out, which destroyed the copper dome, the auditorium and the stage of the theatre. The fire was seen as a national catastrophe and was met with a mighty wave of determination to take up a new collection: Within 47 days a million guldens were collected. National Theatre was REopened on November 18, 1883, with a performance of Smetana’s festive opera Libuše, composed for this occasion. The building, with perfect technical equipment including electric illumination, served without any extensive modifications for almost one hundred years.
Tip: During the daytime, rent a pedal boat at the Žofín island located right next to the theatre and enjoy exceptional view to the building from the river. In the night, just buy a couple of beers and sit to the tip of the island facing the theatre. Great view!:-)

GPS: 50°4'52.521"N, 14°24'48.478"E

Photo by Patrick-Emil Zörner.

WENCESLAS SQUARE - WHERE CZECHS GATHER FOR CELEBRATIONS AND REVOLUTIONS
The square is named after Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia. Colloquially called "Václavák" is one the main city squares and the centre of the business and cultural communities in the New Town of Prague. Many historical events occurred there, and it is a traditional setting for public gatherings.
On January 16, 1969, student Jan Palach set himself on fire in Wenceslas Square to protest the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Union in 1968. Two months later national ice hockey team defeated the USSR for the second time in that year's Ice Hockey World Championships. As the country was still under Soviet occupation, the victory induced great celebrations. Perhaps 150,000 people gathered on Wenceslas Square, and skirmishes with police developed. In 1989, during the Velvet Revolution, large demonstrations (with hundreds of thousands of people or more) were held here.
Wenceslas Square is lined by hotels, offices, retail stores, currency exchange booths and fast-food joints. To the dismay of locals and city officials, the street is also a popular location for prostitutes to ply their trade late at night. Many strip clubs exist on and around Wenceslas Square, making Prague a popular location for stag parties.

GPS: 50°4'54.731"N, 14°25'36.512"E
Photo: Björn Láczay

http://www.czechtourism.com/News/Evropskou-jednickou-pro-oslavy-Silvestra-je-Praha.aspx?lang=en-GB&selectedculture=en-GB

Czech Republic - Prague is Europe’s number one destination for New Year’s celebrations Czech Republic - - Prague is Europe’s number one destination for New Year’s celebrations

WALK THROUGH A MONKEY HABITAT IN PRAGUE ZOO - MOST VISITED PAID ATTRACTION IN ALL CZECH REPUBLIC!!
This year the Zoo’s best record from 2009 was already broken at the beginning of November. The immense popularity of the ZOO was brought about by not only its wonderfull breeding successes of the now famous gorillas Moja, Tatua and Kiburi but also by major achievements in reptile breeding, Przewalski’s horse, large ungulates and other animals. In addition to this the ZOO has found a way into the hearts and minds of so many newcomers who like innovative ideas such as selling genuine elephant dung, live broadcasting from inside animal houses (see here: http://www.zoopraha.cz/en/webcam ) or meeting with babies and striking pictures of animals via bill boards. In 2007 Forbes Traveler Magazine listed Prague ZOO among the world's best zoos. Go

Go see a polar bearat GPS: 50° 6'59.420"N, 14° 24'39.656"E

PS: and have a beer:-)

Photos of Humboldt penguins in Prague ZOO by Petr Novák, Wikipedia.

Video mapping Staroměstského Orloje Full HD (Nikon D3100) Video mapping Staroměstského Orloje. Více info na http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=138720539508263

MUNICIPAL HOUSE - AN ART NOUVEAU MASTERPIECE, WHERE CZECH INDEPENDENCE WAS PROCLAIMED IN 1918.
The Municipal House (in Czech:"Obecní dům") is one of the most remarkable constructions of Prague Art Nouveau and it is an artifact of the Czech nationalism of the time. In the summer of 1905 the firm Schlaffer & Sebek began the construction work and the entire building was officially opened on 22 November 1912.
The main facade features a large ceramic half-dome mosaic above the entry, Homage to Prague, by Karel Špillar. On either side are allegorical sculpture groups representing The Degradation of the People and The Resurrection of the People by Ladislav Šaloun, while the remainder of the rich decoration was done by Josef Mařatka and others, with light stands designed by Karel Novák. Inside there are murals by the famous Alfons Mucha, Jan Preisler and Max Švabinský and others, all of this on nationalist themes.
The main space within the Municipal House is the concert space, Smetana Hall, named in honor of the Czech music composer Bedřich Smetana. On October 28, 1918, Smetana Hall was the scene of the proclamation of the independent state of Czechoslovakia. Neo­Baroque, Neo­Renaissance, and both Western and Oriental influences fuse together with Czech Art Nouveau.

Go and have cofee inside, or go for a concert, it's worth it!
GPS: 50°5'15.65"N 14°25'41.86"E

for more info in English go at:
www: http://www.obecnidum.cz/web/en/homepage

6th edition of Prague Short Film Festival will be held from January 19 till 23, 2011, in the Svetozor cinema in Prague. If you like short films, don´t miss this.

Prague Short Film Festival | News Prague Short Film Festival - official website

INFANT JESUS OF PRAGUE – A CATHOLIC BARBIE WITH A HUNDRED OUTFITS!
The charming statue of the Child Jesus, displayed for people to venerate in the church of Our Lady of Victory of Prague, receives visitors from dozens of countries from all over the world every day.
Originally came from Spain, it was made there in the second half of the 16th century or earlier. The statue is 47 cm high and represents Jesus when he was only a few years old. The Infant Jesus has his right hand raised in blessing, while the left hand has its palm turned upwards and holds a symbol of rule over the world – the imperial orb surmounted by a cross.

DRESSING THE STATUE
The Infant Jesus of Prague has been dressed in different clothes from time immemorial, and people know him best in his royal robes. Most of his outfits are gifts of thanksgiving. The wardrobe numbers around a hundred costumes, some of which are incomplete or unusable. The task of changing the Infant Jesus' robes is entrusted to the Carmelite Sisters of the Child Jesus.

COLOURS OF THE ROBES
The robes of the Infant Jesus of Prague are changed so that the colour corresponds to the liturgical season, which is governed by the church calendar:
WHITE – festive colour of purity and holiness – for feast days and the Easter and Christmas periods
RED – colour of blood and fire, royal colour – for Holy Week, Pentecost time and feasts of the Holy Cross
VIOLET – solemn colour symbolising repentance – for the Lenten and Advent seasons
GREEN – colour of life and hope – for ordinary time (colour used most often)
On the feast of his coronation the Infant Jesus is usually dressed in royal robes with an ermine mantle.

In Ireland some brides will place an Infant of Prague statue outside their house the night before their wedding. This is meant to ensure that there will be good weather for the wedding day.

But go and explore the beauties of the statue on your own!
GPS : 50°5'8.88"N, 14°24'12.6"E

PRINCESS LIBUŠE AND FULFILLED PROPHECY: "I SEE A GREAT CITY WHOSE GLORY WILL TOUCH THE STARS"
Slavic princess Libuše is a mythical ancestor of the Přemyslid dynasty and the Czech people as whole. According to a legend she was woman of great beauty and wisdom who possessed prophetic powers and founded Prague during the 8th century.

VISION NUMBER ONE: HUSBAND
Although she proved herself as a wise chieftain, the male part of the tribe was displeased that their ruler was a woman. They asked Libuše to choose a male prince for the people, and she related a vision wherein she saw a farmer with one broken sandal, ploughing a field. She instructed her councilmen to seek out this man, noting that they would find him ploughing a field. Their search let them to Přemysl from the village of Stadice, who was found exactly as had been forseen. Přemysl the Ploughman thus became ruler; Libuše married him and this was the beginning of the Přemyslid dynasty in the Czech lands that most Czech kings related to.

VISION NUMBER TWO: PRAGUE
Libuše and her husband, ruled peacefully from the hill of Vyšehrad. One day Libuše had a vision. She stood on a cliff overlooking the Vltava, pointed to a forested hill across the river, and proclaimed: "I see a great city whose glory will touch the stars." ("Vidím město veliké, jehož sláva hvězd se dotýká."). She instructed her people to go and build a castle where a man was building the threshold (in Czech "práh", therefore "Praha" - Prague) of a house. "And because even the great noblemen must bow low before a threshold, you shall give it the name Praha". Her words were obeyed.

(Photo is from the motion picture Libuše - The Pagan Queen, see http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1096997/)

THE SAINT VITUS' CATHEDRAL - SEVEN LOCKS TO REACH THE CROWN JEWELS
In 1344 Charles IV began the construction of Saint Vitus'. In spite of the endeavours of some sovereigns to secure the continuation of the construction, work the cathedral remained uncompleted until 1929. So it took incredible 585 years to finish it! The cathedral is a fascinating mix of styles, a Gothic bulding with a Baroque helmet of the southern steeple and many Renaissance elements. There is a 96 meter accessible tower on the third courtyard with a nice view to the city.
The most outstanding place in the cathedral is the Chapel of St. Wenceslas, the tomb of the Czech
patron saint with magnificent decoration and the door to the Crown Chamber in which the Bohemian Coronation Jewels are kept. Their value can in no way be expressed in terms of money, the Crown, Apple and Sceptre are wrought of extremely pure gold decorated with precious stones and pearls and possess priceless historic value as a symbol of Czech statehood.
To reach the Jewels you need to open seven locks and there are seven holders of the keys: the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Prague Archbishop, the Chairman of the House of Deputies, the Chairman of the Senate, the Dean of the Metropolitan Chapter of St. Vitus Cathedral and the Lord Mayor of Prague, who must all convene to facilitate opening the impenetrable door and coffer (last time this happened 12 years ago for the 80th anniversary of Czech independence..)

The cathedral is one the greatest things Prague can offer, so go and see on your own!

GPS: 50°5'23.59"N; 14°23'59.79"E