Prague

Intro

In his trip to Eastern Europe under Soviet Union, Gabriel García Márquez was describing Leipzig as shabby and depressing. It was not only about the system and life style but also about the atmosphere of city. In his point of view, nobody was happy, no smiley people on the street and maximum melancholy on the air.

After Leipzig, he went to Prague where he realize that all this misery and sadness in the city was not because of weather, architecture or the system. It was German people. Because Prague was different. what he wrote is “only socialist country where the people [did] not seem to suffer from nervous tension and where you did not [have] the impression — true or false — of being controlled by the secret police”. He was impressed with it because people were smiling here and no sign of the misery or down mood of people. So it was just how Germans were living. (No offense)

Today, I don’t think that Leipzig is sad. It is colorful and with full of freedom instead. However, Prague is much more smiley and welcoming anyway. I have this feeling especially when I go out of Saxony and compare Leipzig with other German cities, other cities in Europe… It is seen as new Berlin with multi cultural atmosphere and complicated history however, it is still not that happy and cheering like Berlin or Prague.

Prague

I am not good at writing travel blog because I think that it is not good idea to go anywhere with expectation, preparation or must-see list. It is not true to check the GPS and lift the head up from point to point unless you prefer to skip all experience.

Sometimes, I just go somewhere and walk around aimlessly. I smell the air of the city and act like I am living there. Other times, I just go to a bar or cafe and watch people, trying to guess who are local, who are not, what the difference between them is. If I have opportunity, I just meet and talk with them and time is flying indoors. Sometimes, I think about the famous figures who were there, how they lived, where they had been, what they were thinking over while sitting on chair that I sit.

I think, instead of consuming cities, we should live them. It is possible to learn from books about history of the city, important places to visit, however you cannot experience the atmosphere of there. Therefore, writing about places to visit, things to do seems to me as if I stab the city from back.

Prague is one of the these cities. Wherever I recommend, other part will be missing. All I can say is don’t betray Prague. You should just go and have your own experience.

In the many travel blogs, I see the question and answers about how long it takes to visit the city. For Prague, many travelers say 3–4 days. As a person who visited Prague around 20 times, I can tell that every time I discover something new. So, don’t ever think that you can know this city even if you stay for a week.

Another question I have encountered is when should we go?

I prefer the off-season (if there is really one). Now, due to Corona. Pandemic, it is not as crowded as before but normally it is impossible move at many places. Therefore, my choice is winter. Every season has own unique offer.

On Christmas time, you will witness beauty of lights, decorations, Christmas market. It is also very beautiful when it snows.

If you go on a time with rain and cold, you will experience the depressing mood that Kafka have.

In spring, you will understand the prettiness and wealth of Bohemia.

In summer, you will experience fairy tale-like atmosphere of the city with full of cheer.

In short, you can choose what you want to experience.

What to do?

Perhaps, I am not so far from writing travel blog post but it would be unfair not to write what to do. Probably, you will visit at first the Old Town as everyone, join the crowd that Astronomical Clock, wait and watch the second most disappointing event in Europe(the first is Mona Lisa at Louvre), after that you will see the old City Hall, Tyn Church. Then your circle will be wider and you will see Opera House, the Powder Tower (which was built in order to have a magnificent entrance to the city, used to store gun powder).

You will definitely see the famous Wenceslas Square and take couple of pictures of National Gallery along the square. You might end up also in Jewish District and experience totally different time in history.

While you are walking around the streets of Prague like a labyrinth, you will enjoy the great harmony of Modern, Gothic and Baroque Architecture.

After spending enough time around Old Town, it will be time to get some fresh air and this wish will take you to Vlatna River which splits the city into two parts. Over the river, while the Prague Castle (was built by IV.Charles) is welcoming you, unique Charles Bridge which binds two side of the city( that was the capital of Empire and third big city after Rome and Istanbul) will accompany you.

Along the Charles Bridge, you will understand with every step why Prague was once named as the Golden City, the Mother of Cities, the Heart of Europe. Crossing the Charles Bridge is like time travel. On one hand, you will see beautiful view, interesting architecture, many street artists; on the other hand you will witness the dark history. Sometimes, you will think that you are in a movie or you can really encounter a real Film-set.

In Prague, you can witness different eras of the history that it is possible to see the footprint of Kafka, Einstein, Mozart, Mucha or even Che Guevara and Mich Jagger.

Only experiencing the Kafka’s Prague takes more than 2–3 days and you will find different stories at every corner.

Prague offers also countless museums, exhibitions and experiences as well as countless options for night life. One can write thousand of books and talk thousand hours about Prague. As I said, it is a city that you have to experience, not a city to say I went and done.