Sleeping in the heat was tough. I am not sure what we would have done without the fan. We didn't have a departure until 9:15. Breakfast at the hotel featured a few hot items and the European custom of cold meats, cheeses, and all sorts of bread. It was plenty to fortify us for the ensuing walk.
Our Red group under Lucas' leadership set off on a brief coach ride to the Lesser Quarter of the city. We met our guide Linka, a native of Prague, who absolutely loves her city, but also was not hesitant to talk on political or historical issues. We appreciated her desire to stop and talk in the shade. It was already around 85 so early in the morning. We made our way past the seat of the Czech government, a very unpretentious building with only 1 guard.
Just a little way farther we came to a park with 2 memorials. The first was the Winged Lion Memorial, that was unveiled in 2014 by a grandson of Winston Churchill. It honors the Czech airmen who served in the RAF.
Very close to that memorial is the WWII memorial with the torn Czech flag.
After a very short walk we can to another park that was so quiet with benchEs and shades. There we were introduced to a Czech man who was an eye witness to both the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 and the Velvet Revolution in 1989 when communism was brought to an end. His presentation was incredibly moving and emotional. He brought newspapers and photos to share with us. We were all very appreciative of his sharing his story.
Then the walk continued passed the narrowest street in Prague and then to what used to be a brickyard and the site of Franz Kafka's home. But the centerpiece was a sculpture by Cherny. The urinating men actually moved their behinds. It was a great introduction to this artist's work.
We made our way to the Charles Bridge past one of the traditional pastry vendors. No time to stop.
The Charles Bridge is an iron bridge and is lined with statues. It also provides wonderful vistas of the Vltava River. The one statue that draws the most attention is that of Saint John of Nepomuk, the priest to whom the queen confesses her sins. When her husband wanted to know her secrets, John would not divulge her confessions. John was executed by being thrown from the bridge. Tradition says that if you touch the statue, your wish will come true. The statue was unveiled in 1683, 300 years after the martyr's death.
Walking through narrow streets lined with shops selling glass and garnet, we made it to Old Town Square. Prominent on the square is the old town hall with its clock tower. There are actually 3 clocks that adorn the tower. On the hour the apostles come from one of the windows and make a circle. It was so hot and sunny that we didn't stay and watch since we had seen it on our last visit to Prague in 2009.
We were hungry and found a place for lunch, one that had been recommended by Linka. I opened the menu to find apple strudel, so I knew it had to be a light lunch so I chose the Greek salad (yellow and red peppers, tomatoes, cucumber and marinated feta cheese. Earle, Barbara, and Charles all had the frankfurter special. We followed it with the strudel.
We had some free time to wander around the shops before meeting to do a Discovery Walk to Wenceslas Square. We walked past a satellite National Museum location and I did a double take at the poster advertising the paintings of Cranach. He is my 12 great grandfather and so I must try to find the museum where the exhibition is. We decided to head to the Old Town House and go to the top of the tower. The view was breathtaking.
Back to street level and we met Lukas to go on the walk. A subway and trolley ride later we arrived the square that was so important in both the Communist takeover and the Velvet Revolution. We paused to look at a memorial to Jan Palach and Jan Zajic. Both had committed suicide in porotest of the invasion of the Soviets in 1969.
Lukas took us into the Yalta Hotel where we found an original Warhol.
It was then to the Lucerna Palace, an indoor mall where we found another David Cerny sculture. This is a paraody of the Wenceslas statue as he is on an upside down horse.
Back to the hotel in time to get ready for an included dinner. It was still very hot and the restaurant was not air conditioned. I think we all would have enjoyed the musrhoom soup, goulash and dessert better if it had been cooler.
Back to the hotel and time for bed. The heat (typical of Ashbridge travel) really is getting to everyone. But there isn't much you can do except see what you can see and try to ignore it.
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