Across the Charles Bridge
Sometimes I feel like there's so much to tell about one trip that it's too overwhelming to write about. If I put in this detail, well then I should put in that detail as well. What do I leave out? What's not important enough to make the cut? The problem is I'm a person who keeps pretty much everything. I take too many photos on purpose so that I can weed out the bad ones on my computer and end up with a nice, reasonable bunch of great photos. That usually doesn't happen, though. I just have an unreasonable number of photos of varying quality. And clothes? I remember where most of my clothes came from, so I find it hard to give them up, even many years, holes, and worn fabric spots later. Probably the most troublesome is the giant plastic tub that sits in my closet brimming with notes, letters, and scraps of pretty much everything starting from when I was probably 7 or 8.
Well, all my aversion to throwing things out means for this blog is that I'm not done with retelling the tales of Prague (and Amsterdam, which I haven't even gotten to!). In fact, one of the most interesting photos I took on the trip was along the Charles Bridge in Prague. While there is no particular interest in the way in which I snapped this shot, I think the subject matter is what makes it so intriguing for me. Mind you, I was quite intrigued when I saw it in person:
I don't think I've ever seen a depiction of Christ, particularly on a crucifix, surrounded by anything reminiscent of his own religion. If anyone knows what it means, I'd love to learn more about it.
This was by no means the only statue on the Charles Bridge. There are tons of statues lining each side, one of which shines golden at the base from all the people who rub it for good luck as they go by. It is of a man who was thrown off the bridge to his death all for his unwillingness to divulge information to the King.
Our lovely Midd guide told us a bit about the story, but she was foggy on the details. So, I turned to faithful Google for help. According to The Prague Experience website, his name was John of Nepomuk, and it was the Queen's secret he refused to tell. Unfortunately, King Wenceslas wasn't pleased and he ordered that old Johnny take a dive. Maybe king Wenceslas wasn't so Good after all. At least it made a Martyr out of John of Nepomuk.
In addition to the statues lining the bridge, there is a beautiful view to look at.
This is Prague Castle, one of the largest castles in the world. I don't know what happened, but we didn't make it there. Maybe it was closed? Maybe we missed the entrance? We went to St. Vitus Cathedral instead, which, I'm pretty sure, is that pointy building on the left that looks like a castle. And like at a castle, the cathedral was lined with guards and protected by gates.
Once inside, however, you can enjoy the silence as you watch splotches of purple and red humming on the stone walls from the brightly lit stained glass windows.
Well, all my aversion to throwing things out means for this blog is that I'm not done with retelling the tales of Prague (and Amsterdam, which I haven't even gotten to!). In fact, one of the most interesting photos I took on the trip was along the Charles Bridge in Prague. While there is no particular interest in the way in which I snapped this shot, I think the subject matter is what makes it so intriguing for me. Mind you, I was quite intrigued when I saw it in person:
I don't think I've ever seen a depiction of Christ, particularly on a crucifix, surrounded by anything reminiscent of his own religion. If anyone knows what it means, I'd love to learn more about it.This was by no means the only statue on the Charles Bridge. There are tons of statues lining each side, one of which shines golden at the base from all the people who rub it for good luck as they go by. It is of a man who was thrown off the bridge to his death all for his unwillingness to divulge information to the King.
Our lovely Midd guide told us a bit about the story, but she was foggy on the details. So, I turned to faithful Google for help. According to The Prague Experience website, his name was John of Nepomuk, and it was the Queen's secret he refused to tell. Unfortunately, King Wenceslas wasn't pleased and he ordered that old Johnny take a dive. Maybe king Wenceslas wasn't so Good after all. At least it made a Martyr out of John of Nepomuk.In addition to the statues lining the bridge, there is a beautiful view to look at.
This is Prague Castle, one of the largest castles in the world. I don't know what happened, but we didn't make it there. Maybe it was closed? Maybe we missed the entrance? We went to St. Vitus Cathedral instead, which, I'm pretty sure, is that pointy building on the left that looks like a castle. And like at a castle, the cathedral was lined with guards and protected by gates.
Once inside, however, you can enjoy the silence as you watch splotches of purple and red humming on the stone walls from the brightly lit stained glass windows.
Very interesting..but glad to know that you haven't forgotten about Amsterdam!!! Your mind must be "boggled" to be experiencing so much in such a short time!!! It is fabulous!!! Love you, Grandma
ReplyDeleteWow, I am really intrigued by the Christ statue. The stained glass is beautiful in the church!!!
ReplyDelete"The Crucifix and Calvary
ReplyDeleteStatuary of the Holy Crucifix and Calvary(sousoší Kříže s Kalvárií) This sculpture is one of the most historically interesting sculptures on the bridge, which gradually gained its present appearance throughout many centuries. The original wooden crucifix was installed at this place soon after 1361 and probably destroyed by the Hussites in 1419. A new crucifix with a wooden corpus was erected in 1629 but was severely damaged by the Swedes towards the end of the Thirty Years' War. The remnants of this crucifix can be found in the lapidarium of the National Museum in Prague. This was replaced by another wooden Calvary which, in turn, was replaced with a metal version in 1657. Bought in Dresden, this crucifix was originally made in 1629 by H. Hillger based upon a design by W. E. Brohn. In 1666, two lead figures were added, but these were replaced in 1861 by the present sandstone statues by Emanuel Max, portraying the Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist.
The golden Hebrew text on the crucifix was added in 1696. It was placed there as punishment for a Prague Jew, Eliass Backoffen, who had been convicted of debasing the Holy Cross by not removing his hat while passing by it. The text is derived from the words of the prophet Isaiah and reads, in English, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts. These words, which are the origin of the Sanctus in the Mass, are an important confession of faith in the Jewish tradition as well; their placement in this context has been perceived by some as offensive. A bronze tablet with explanatory text in Czech, English and Hebrew was mounted under the statue by the City of Prague in 2000. The tablet's placement came after an American Rabbi, Ronald Brown of Temple Beth Am in Merrick, New York was passing over the bridge and noted the possibly offensive nature of the placing of the text. Upon a direct request to the mayor, the tablet was soon placed in front of the statue."