Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Prague Blog


The Prague Castle, a symbol of the Czech lands, was founded in the 9th Century and is the largest castle complex in the world.



At the Locks of Love, couples pledge their love and commitment to each other by attaching a lock to the bars of a gate over the canal in the Mala Strana district and then toss the key into the water below.



On Kampa Island you will find The house At the Blue Fox, which was built around the year 1700.



The Old Jewish Cemetery dates back to the 15th Century. When the cemetery ran out of space, new soil was placed on the graves and the old tombstones were then placed on the new layer of soil. There are now 12 layers of graves, explaining why the tombstones are so close to each other.



Franz Kafka was born and lived in the Old Town area of Prague and there is now a museum there dedicated to him.



Outdoor sculpture, most of which is politically themed, can be found everywhere in Prague.



The Charles Bridge crosses the Vltava River and connects the Lesser Quarter and the Old Town. First constructed in the 14th century, it is lined with 30 statues, and is pedestrian only. It is also tourist central, lined with people with cameras day and night.



I usually am looking down when I travel, hoping to spot some found objects to bring back for my artwork. However in Prague I was always looking up because you never knew what you might see.



Old Town Square is ringed by stunning churches and ancient buildings. It dates back to the 12th century is was originally the central marketplace in Prague.




The Lennon Wall is in the Mala Strana district and has been an ongoing shrine to John Lennon since his death in 1980. Its many layers are filled with lyrics, drawings, and sentiments all related to Lennon. And I will admit, it made me feel a bit closer to my home in NYC!

35 comments:

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

I am loving these photos...the political sculptures were especially powerful! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Rebeca Trevino said...

One of my favorite places in the whole world! Locks of love! The cemetery! all of it!
terrific!

stregata said...

Your photos are just fantastic! And the Locks of Love - awesome idea. Awesome photo. Thanks for sharing.

Jacky said...

Wonderful photos...another place I have on my list of places I would love to visit!!! Such beautiful architecture and those political sculptures!
Those locks of love are lovely, they did a similar thing in Florence on the Pont de Vecchio.

Jacky xox

Coffee Messiah said...

Europe is amazing, no?

thanks for sharing the info and photos!

Cheers!

kerry hawkins art and photo said...

The photos are cool and I love what you did to them. They look very old world

Kathryn Dyche said...

Wow great photos Seth, love that lock of love, very cool.

bockel24 said...

great pics, especially the one showing the cemetary!

*jean* said...

so great to see this through your eyes...sigh...would love to go there some day...the unbearable lightness of being made me love this city

~*~Patty S said...

brilliant tour Seth, thanks so much for sharing ... Locks of Love was not about hair at all LOL

wonderful photos

giddy up said...

Great pictures... the history... thanks for sharing them.

Unknown said...

Beautiful photos...wonderful stories. Thank you for sharing a bit of your journey Seth.

Marit said...

I was kinda waiting untill Kafka would come into the picture, and here he is! I never heard of the locks of love, what a marvelous tradition and sight!

Missouri Bend Paper Works said...

Wonderful, magical photos! Reminds you of just how young our country is! Thanks for posting these!

Anonymous said...

Love the photos of Prague...did you use a Diana or Holga for some of these..or is this "photoshop"..in any case they're great! And I have been along time fan of Kafka's work so I was glad to see him included.

Patti Sandham said...

Thanks for sharing these photos of Prague. I love how you gave them an antique feel so perfect for a city with such a long history. Have you seen the Astronomical clock 600 year celebration on youtube? Built in 1410 and they made a 3D video mapping show. Amazing! You piqued my interest of Frank Kafka with your image of him. Very interesting character.

Great post!
cheers

Mescrap said...

Amazing Prague !! Thank you for sharing your photos. Especially love those architectural.

Bill said...

Yikes! They're showing their everything! I didn't realize that was considered political.

layers said...

What wonderful images you have here- European cities are so different from our cities- and I would love to see that John Lennon wall.

Julie Prichard said...

Fantastic! I love those locks...and I LOVE to think of how the keys look under the water...I'm sure they are awesomely rusty and great!

Commuter's Journal said...

Thanks so much for taking us on a virtual artist's tour of Prague, Seth. It's so interesting to see the city I've read and heard so much about. From your great photos I can see that it lives up to its reputation.

LensVerse said...

Great photographs. Great narration of what's in them. Great trip. Prague is beckoning me!

Lynn Cohen said...

Amazing stuff! The Jewish cemetary with its twelve layers of graves made me feel weird. As did the statues on the stairs, what strange wonderful art that is...
I love the locks on the metal posts such art it makes! What will they do when the poles are full I wonder? What a variety of old and new and strange and beauty you saw. Thank you so much for sharing it here with all of us Seth. I'm so glad you continued to look up!

ArtPropelled said...

The lovers locks got my attention and they make a wonderful photograph. Thanks for sharing Seth. Love the sculptures too.

Sharmon Davidson said...

Beautiful photos, Seth; they really do capture the 'old world' feeling. Definitely on my list of places to see!

azirca said...

Amazing atmospheric photos. Prague looks stunning.

Poetic Artist said...

Wonderful Photos..I love the locks..I am glad you took the time to look up and see so much beauty.
I know us that are always looking down trying to find that perfect piece, sometimes miss the perfect photo. Glad you were looking up.
Katelen

Anonymous said...

*Love* locks of love!

JudyK said...

Wonderful photos! This is my first (and more to come!) visit to your blog! I love it...so interesting!
I just might do the questions in the latest call for entries.

Parabolic Muse said...

The John Lennon Wall?!! Twelve layers of graves?! The largest castle complex in the world?!?

You're making me very jealous.

These are amazing photos. Thank you!

Unknown said...

I would love to travel to Prague, but if I never do thank you for this glimpse.

what a fabulous trip!

Kathy McElroy said...

I love your photo's of Prague. I Fascinating city. Love the architecture. Just curious, how you did the dark edges around your photo's. Really adds to the drama of the city.

Anonymous said...

how ever did i miss this post? these are such awe-inspiringly gorgeous sights! i will go to prague one day for sure. i must!!! everything, but especially that cemetery, is just to die for. (no pun intended, sorry)

Gillian McMurray said...

I love this post. I am reading The Golem by Gustav Meyrink at the moment and it's all set in Prague. These pictures just add to the atmosphere that I'm reading about.

Kim Palmer said...

Prague is just one fo the most beautiful cities. I bet you were thinking of looking for a way in to scavenge for all those rusty keys!