czechrepublic – Snapping The Globe

Rushing to make the train to Karlstejn, I walked quickly, head bowed, with a quick glance to my watch ever couple of minutes. Passing down Jerusalem Street, nothing in the immediate area caught my preoccupied glances.

Taking the same route, in reverse, later that evening, at a much slower pace, I took in the astounding architecture that lies at every corner. Turning onto Jerusalem Street, with an upward glance…

“Whoa! How did I not see that this morning?”

Hard to miss for its Moorish Revival form and Art Nouveau decoration, the colorful Jubilee Synagogue of Prague looks like something out of Disney and beckons tourists to enter. Really, how could you not, especially if you are a fan of Aladdin!

The Jubilee Synagogue was built in 1906 and designed by Wilhelm Stiastny. It was named in honor of the silver Jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, however, since Czechoslovakia became independent in 1918, it has been called the Jerusalem Synagogue for the street it is located on.

Open as a house of worship for over a century, except for the period of Nazi German occupation when it was used to store confiscated Jewish property, the Synagogue is now open, during part of the year, to tourists and those interested in its incredible architecture.

Not the oldest synagogue in the city, nor located in the Jewish quarter of the city, Josefov, it is noted for being the largest place of worship in the city and certainly the most colorful. Because it is sandwiched between two tenement building, it stands out all the more. After entering through the horseshoe arches on the facade and paying your admittance fee, surprisingly, you are met with a basilica type triple-nave style with two transverse wings in which churches are usually built.

My suggestion is to take a seat and take a look…up, down, forward, backward…everywhere.

The nave and the gallery are illuminated by large stained-glass windows both in the walls and the ceiling. The large central arch frames a rosette window with the Star of David. In addition, wrought chandeliers hang throughout the building. Many diverse paintings adorn the walls and a large organ is located on the western tribune. The high Ark is adorned with a vine leaf motif and the tablets of the Ten Commandments.

After your tour of the bottom level is complete, make your way upstairs to the women’s gallery, where you will find an exhibition on the synagogue, describing its history and construction, how it withstood World War II and the changes to the Jewish community in Prague throughout history.

While not on the regular Prague Jewish Quarter and Synagogue tours, find your way to the Jerusalem Synagogue. Not like anything you have ever seen, I promise you will be amazed that something like this exists in Prague…even Europe. If you are visiting during the busy summer months (when it is open) you will also appreciate that with it not being on the usual touristy paths, it is somewhat quiet. More of a reason to visit and appreciate its beauty, architecture and history!

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Jerusalem Synagogue

http://www.synagogue.cz/cs/jerusalem-synagogue-page/
Address: Jeruzalemska 7, Prague 1
Hours: April 23-October 31, daily, 1300-1700
Admission: 50 CZK (about $2.00)
Getting There: Take a tram no. 3, 9, 14 or 24 to stop Jindrisska. Turn to Jeruzalemska Street just opposite the stop. You can also get there on foot from the Wencelas Square via Jindrisska street.
Regular Prayer Service: Fridays at 2000 (April-September), Saturdays at 0900 (year round)

Many cities, throughout the world, have have major architectural structures that they are associated with.

Rome? The Coliseum.

Paris? The Eiffel Tower.

Rio De Janeiro? The Christ Statue.

Prague? The Charles Bridge.

The iconic bridge that crosses the Vltava River, linking the Lesser Quarter and the Old Town, is known worldwide and considered to be one of the most astonishing civil gothic-style structures ever built. It is so well known that while on your whirlwind tour of Europe and buying the Coliseum charm for your Pandora bracelet, you can pick up a Charles Bridge charm as well.

At some point during a trip to Prague, most tourists will seek out the bridge as a means to travel across the river, but most will seek it out for it’s beautiful views of the river and the picturesque buildings that line its banks and for the beauty of the ancient bridge itself. It is an absolute must-see on anyone’s visit to this alluring city.

Built to replace Judith’s bridge which was destroyed by the Great Flood of 1342, construction began in 1357 under the Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI. Charles IV laid the first stone of the bridge and construction continued for many years under the supervision of Petr Parléř, who was also working on St. Vitus Cathedral. The bridge, however, was not to be completed during Charles’ lifetime, but was at a near enough completion point to accommodate the king’s funeral procession in its crossing of the Vltava River. Such a solid construction, it has survived many floods and other calamities…legend has it that eggs were mixed into the mortar used in its construction. Maybe there is some truth to this matter, as it still stands strong and proud to this day.

Originally called the Stone Bridge or the Prague Bridge, the Gothic structure only became known as the Charles Bridge (or Karlův Most) in 1870. It is protected by two bridge towers…on the Lesser Quarter side, Malostranská věž and on the Old Town side, Staroměstská věž. Both towers can be climbed for an extraordinary view of the city and the bridge from above.

As you walk along the bridge, it is hard to believe that it was once open to car and tram traffic. Hoards of tourists stroll across its expanse every day, stopping to examine the statues of saints and patron saints that line the balustrade with the most popular being St. John of Nepomuk. The Czech martyr saint was executed during the reign of Wenceslas IV by being thrown into the river from the bridge. It is easy to find this statue from the plaque that has been polished to a shine by the countless people that line up to touch it for good luck every day. Most of the statues today are copies with the originals being found in the Lapidarium, part of the National Museum.

The bridge is also a popular area for Czech musicians and artists and souvenir vendors to display their wares. It is a great place to be entertained and to purchase unique finds. As I walked along the bridge most recently, I watched both a flutist and an accordionist perform and browsed numerous stands selling jewelry, photographs and artwork. It is a place that I come specifically when searching for paintings, as their are many types and styles available.

While everyone should make their way to the Charles Bridge when staying in Prague, do not expect your stroll to be a stress-free one. Thousands of tourists stroll and linger on the bridge hourly. You will find yourself dodging selfie-sticks and tour groups following their flag-wielding tour leader as they make their way from Old Town to the Lesser Town. A great time of the day to enjoy this bridge is at sunset so as to enjoy the Prague Castle against the evening sky. But…if you wish to have it almost all to yourself…go at night or the very early morning.

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The Charles Bridge (Karlův Most)

http://www.prague.eu/cs/objekt/mista/93/karluv-most
Address: Charles Bridge, 110 00 Prague 1
Hours: Open continually
Admission: free
Getting there: Metro, A station Staroměstská, Tram, 6, 9, 17, 18, 22, station Národní divadlo, Bus, 294 station Mariánské náměstí

Old Town Bridge Tower (Staroměstská věž)

http://en.muzeumprahy.cz/201-the-old-town-bridge-tower/
Address: parc. č. 148, 110 00 Prague 1 – Old Town
Hours: November–February, 1000-1800, March, 1000-2000, April–September, 1000-2200, October, 1000-2000, daily
Admission: General, 90 CZK, Reduced 65 CZK, Family 250 CZK
Getting there: Metro, A station Staroměstská, Tram, 6, 9, 17, 18, 22, station Národní divadlo, Bus, 294 station Mariánské náměstí

The Lesser Town Bridge Tower (Malostranská věž)

http://en.muzeumprahy.cz/202-the-lesser-town-bridge-tower/
Address: čp. 57, 110 00 Prague 1 – Lesser Town
Hours: November–February, 1000-1800, March, 1000-2000, April–September, 1000-2200, October, 1000-2000, daily
Admission: General, 90 CZK, Reduced 65 CZK, Family 250 CZK
Getting There: Metro, A station Malostranská, Tram, 12, 20, 22 station, Malostranské náměstí

LIST OF STATUES ON CHARLES BRIDGE

Statues on the south side of the bridge

Statue of St. Ivo
Statues of saints Barbara, margaret and Elizabeth
Statue of the Lamentation of Christ
Statue of St. Joseph
Statue of St. Francis Xavier
Statue of St. Christopher
Statue of St. Farncis Borgia
Statue of St. Ludmila
Statue of St. Francis of Assisi
Statue of Saints Vincent Ferrer and Procopius +Bruncvik column
Statue of St. Nicholas of Tolentino
Statue of St. Luthgard (Dream of St. Luthgard)
Statue of St. Adalbert
Statues of Saints John of Matha, Felix of Valois and Ivan
Statue of St. Wenceslas

Statues on the north side of the bridge

Statue of the Madonna attending to St. Bernard
Statue of the Madonna, Saints Dominic and Thomas Aquinas
The Crucifix and Calvary
Statue of St. Anne
Statue of St. Cyril and St. Methodius
Statue of St. John the Baptist
Statue of Saints Norbert of Xanten, Wenceslas and Sigismund
Statue of St. John of Nepomuk
Statue of St. Anthony of Padua
Statue of St. Jude Thaddeus
Statue of St. Augustine
Statue of St. Cajetan
Statue of St. Philip Benitius
Statuary of St. Vitus
Statue of the Holy Savior with Cosmas and Damian

Tag: czechrepublic

A Synagogue Second To None

The Stone Bridge