Prague - Day 3

Today was our last, full day in Prague!


We started the day off with a tour of the Municipal House, which as built in1905 and restored in the mid 1990's. While many of us believe that the word "Municipal" means government house, here in Prague it simply means that it is maintained and paid for by the government. The Municipal House is Prague's star Art Nouveau attraction. One of its most beautiful and striking features is Karel Spillar's mosaic above the main entrance, entitled Homage to Prague. It also has a firm place in history as it was the Municipal House that Czechoslovakia was declared an independent state in 1918. Today it is home to restaurants, cafes, exhibition halls, shops and the Prague Symphony Orchestra. Inside of the MH, there is the symphony hall, semante, where the Prague Symphony Orchestra performs and kicks off the spring music festival every March. There are also rooms thorughout the hall that are used for various reasons. These rooms range from small to large and each has its own distinction in history. One room is more royal, a place where they would entertain French Kings, then there is a more "folklore" decorated room, used by the Prague people. In all we viewed 6 of these rooms, some of the walls were ornately painted, jeweled, ect. The detail in these rooms were unbelievable!



















Secondly, we saw the Powder Gate, which is located directly next to the MH. This was built in the 15th century intended to complete the Royal Court nearby. Used to store gunpowder in the 17th century and the tower was damaged durign attacks by Prussian forces in 1757.













Just down the street from the Powder Gate is the famous Old Town Hall, which features an old Medieval Astrological Clock. During the day, on the hour, bells ring, cocks crow and 15th century statues dance while tourists watch....it was really neat!!! The face of the clock not only tells the current time, but relates the movement of the planets around earth and the sun and moon through the signs of the zodiac.










Just a short jump from the clock is the Dum u Minuty and the House at the Stone Bell. The Dum u Minuty has grafiti like images on its walls, it is very interesting. The House at the Stone Bell was formerly done in Baroque, but was discoered in the 1980's that it was meant to be a Gothic Facade.










We spent the later part of the day, walking through Palladium, Prague's famous in-door mall. We were actually amazed by their food court. Not so much food court, rather full restaurants, but a restaurant for every ethnic desire ... Indian, Lebanese, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, LA (we think this means American), and Mexican.

We also did a little shopping, we are torn between a chandalier and a painting! Prague is famous for its glass and crystal and the chandaliers are absolutely beautiful. We have tomorrow morning to still decide.

XOXO
Jenn