Prague’s New Town
Posted by Mike on October 23rd, 2009 in 2009: Prague
New Town is “new” since the 14th century. King Charles IV made Prague his residence, and established New Town, between the Old Town on the south side and Vysehrad Castle to the north. It is by far the largest area in the tourist section of Prague (about 3 times the size of Old Town). It features a wide variety of architectural styles, including several very homely communist era buildings, amidst the beautiful older buildings.
For me it was the most interesting part of the city, as I spent a lot of time in college and grad school studying the history of the Soviet Union and communism, and several important events happened in Prague. New Town was the center of activity in both the Soviet military clampdown following the 1969 Prague Spring (with students Jan Palach and others burning themselves alive in protest), and the 1989 Velvet Revolution, when Czechoslovakia’s communist government was finally deposed. Look for the mismatched plaster patches in the picture of the National Museum – this was a subtle protest by Prague’s masons, who were ordered to repair the building after the Soviets shelled it in 1969.
The entire city fell into a serious state of disrepair under 50 years of communist rule. Private property ownership was abolished, and the government did not have the resources or the interest in maintaining Prague’s historic architecture. In at least a few desperate situations, massive wooden beams were wedged between buildings, high above the streets, to prevent them collapsing on each other. It amazed me how utterly pristine the city is now, and what an impressive job was done restoring Prague’s thousands of beautiful buildings.
The National Museum in Wenceslas Square05-Aug-2009 21:57, SONY DSC-W55, 7.1, 6.3mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
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The statue to King Wenceslas is the heart of the square05-Aug-2009 21:58, SONY DSC-W55, 7.1, 6.3mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
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Memorial to Jan Palach, who self-immolated in the name of Czech indepedence in 196906-Aug-2009 18:37, SONY DSC-W55, 7.1, 6.3mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 100
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The hideous former communist Parliament building, now home to Radio Free Europe06-Aug-2009 18:35, SONY DSC-W55, 7.1, 6.3mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 100
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The art nouveau Grand Hotel Europa in Wenceslas Square06-Aug-2009 18:47, SONY DSC-W55, 7.1, 6.3mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 100
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David Cerny’s “Wenceslas riding an upside down horse”29-Jun-2009 20:16, SONY DSC-W55, 2.8, 6.3mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 1000
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McDonald’s on the left, casino on the right, Museum of Communism on the middle – Lenin is turning over in his grave07-Aug-2009 18:08, SONY DSC-W55, 2.8, 6.3mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
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Decisions, decisions…03-Aug-2009 19:26, SONY DSC-W55, 3.5, 9.4mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
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Memorial to the hundreds of students injured by police in the 1989 Velvet Revolution06-Aug-2009 20:22, SONY DSC-W55, 2.8, 6.3mm, 0.025 sec, ISO 320
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Kai and Eidan enjoying a milkshake in the Grand Cafe Slavia29-Jul-2009 22:43, SONY DSC-W55, 2.8, 6.3mm, 0.025 sec, ISO 100
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The National Theater29-Jul-2009 21:20, SONY DSC-W55, 5.2, 18.9mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
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Beautiful buildings along the Vltava river29-Jul-2009 20:50, SONY DSC-W55, 8.0, 7.2mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
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Gehry’s controversial Dancing House (nicknamed Fred and Ginger)29-Jul-2009 21:33, SONY DSC-W55, 5.2, 18.9mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
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The Powder Tower – once the gate in the town wall28-Jul-2009 21:01, SONY DSC-W55, 8.0, 8.2mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 100
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THe Municipal House, feature a concert hall and several restaurants28-Jul-2009 21:05, SONY DSC-W55, 7.1, 6.3mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
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i dunno – i think the former communist parliament building looks pretty damn cool. but then, i spent seven years in higher eduation learning to love ugly buildings.