Kutna Hora and Sedlec (a small suburb of Kutna Hora) is a unique site about an hour outside of Prague. In the middle ages it was a site of pilgrimage. Legend has it that the Abbot at the time Abbbot Heidenreich had travelled to Jerusalem and brought back a fistful of soil from Akeldama (Field of Blood) establishing the first holy field in Central Europe. After a monk at the monestary here discovered silver in the second half of the 13th century, the population grew to about 80,000 making it one of the largest cities in the world at the time. With the black plague, mining accidents, etc. the cemetary grew to an unmanagable size of 3.5 Hectares (almost 9 Acres). At the time the solution was to build an Ossuary (a repository for the bones). Since tradition mandates that remains must be buried below ground the Church od All Saints was built with the bones carefully stored in the basement "Below Ground". Records show that are over 500 Ossuaries in the Czech Republic, but this on...
Day 2 in Prague and the scheduled tour was a four walking tour. We decided we were not up to that so we decided to walk to the old town square on our own. The town is very pedestrian friendly except for the trolleys, they don't stop for anyone and they have the right of way. Prašná brána, the city gate built in the 15th century and restored after being damaged in the Battle of Prague. As we were walking along, we saw all these classic cars lined up to give tours. One pulled up next to us and we decided to go for it. Main train station Narodni Museum Government Buildings, our guide did not have a lot good to say about the government. They refer to this building as the "Dancing Building" or "Dancing House" Hradcany Square in front of the Matyáš Gate, main entrance to Prague Castle. Loreto, Historic pilgrimage destination with a church, a cloister, a clock tower & rare liturgical objects Our guide and driver Jakub, born and raised in Prague, but spoke perfect...
This morning after Breakfast we said our good-byes to the staff and loaded on a bus for a 7 hour ride from Budapest to Prague. Once we were all checked into the Prague Hilton, we had a evening tour scheduled called Prague at Night. The former Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia. It was a little dishearening to see that after 40 years of communist control so many people were never exposed to religion, so approximately 80% of the population is Atheist. Most of the churches, convents and abbeys are now used for other purposes. The Convent of St. Agnes is now an Art Gallery. The former St. Nicolas Church across the Charles Bridge is now part of the University and acts as a lecture hall and library. There are still plenty of religious statues around the city but most maintained for their historic value, as the old city is an UNESCO World Heritage Site Houses that were built in the old city could not be taller than the buildings around it, so the ground floor would h...
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