Fairy Magic, a city trip to Prague

WALLENSTEIN PALACE GARDEN

Baroque geometry, build to rival the one high up on the hill. Remaining forever in it’s shadow.

Apparently the 17th century palace was build to rival the Prague castle. Walking around I never felt I was walking in palace gardens. We never went inside so I can't comment on the palace itself. But knowing that nowadays the President of the Czech Republic resides in the castle and the Senate in the palace should tell you something about it's success.

BEAUTY OF THE BEAST

THE ENCOUNTER

Underneath the window panes I met a lovely lady. I couldn’t resist capturing her for all eternity.

She never realized she was my “target”. I mostly aimed my camera high above her head as to photograph whatever was there. I would lower it only for brief instances to capture her. When she wasn't looking up behind her to see what I found so interesting.

BASILICAS, CHAPELS, CHURCHES AND CLOISTERS

THE RED ROOFS OF PRAGUE

NOW-A-DAY KNIGHTS

Marching through the castle grounds, now-a-day knights guard the Bohemian treasures of times gone by.

THE KNIGHT'S TEMPLE

Amongst the jogging suits, colourful backpacks, worn out hiking boots, a mishmash of languages, walking, talking, laughing, taking photos, I’m trying to imagine beauty, elegance, discipline, honour, pride and wild, wild banquets. Apparently they even held tournaments in this hall and one stairs was actually build to accomodate horses coming up to the hall.

DANCING WITH THE WIND

I dreamed I danced with the wind. Light as a feather. Soft like a kiss. Then I found a rainbow boy. The wind made his bubbles dance. I floated away in one of them far beyond the horizon. But then all my dreams burst into pieces.

You will find street performers all over the city. Some working hard to entertain their audience. Engaging them in the hopes of receiving a few korunas. Others stoically perform their arts, without ever even looking at the crowds, being insulted if you simply walk away.

NOOKS AND CRANNIES

Where others look at the beautiful splendour of medieval craftsmanship I see the hidden gems. Among painting covered church walls, statues and chandeliers I find beauty in simplicity and absurdity.

TIMELESS RISE

To pass the time I made an astronomical leap towards the top. Seeing the moving pieces down below.

We walked up the tower of the old Town Hall to enjoy it's view of the city. Circling the famous elevator all the way. The view over the city and the famous town square is breathtaking. Look straight down and you’ll see people swarming the square like tiny little ants. I was hoping for rain while I was up there. It would have made for beautiful photos. Looking down on a sea of umbrellas. But alas. And every hour the tourists gather in front of the astronomical clock for the ringing of the bells. Bursting into applause at it’s finish. On our last day we found ourselves in front of the clock at the hour. So we did the touristy thing and watched. Only to leave in disgrace. Wondering why we fell for the temptation.

MEDIAEVAL IMPORTUNITY

In times gone by, in yonder place, there lived a maiden fair. In darkened days, in simple grace, beseeching for love in every prayer.

CONTRADICTIONS

FLEETING

Where ever you go, where ever you look. People are fleeting by. Every hour of the day, every day of the week. And still it’s easy to imagine that in this bustling city, one can feel very lonely amongst strangers.

DANCING IN THE STREET

Every hour of the day, every day of the week, Fred and Ginger never stop dancing.

FADED BEAUTY

On the corner of Celetná and Ovocny tugged away on the first floor is a little cubist jem that seemingly has withstood modernisation. Enter Café Orient and you will enter a world of times gone by. It opened in 1912 but closed again just 10 years later when cubism was no longer fashionable. You can easily imagine poets and painters sitting here discussing their art over teas and beers. It reopened again in 2005 after careful renovation based on what was left of the original plans and historic photographs. Replicating furniture and lamps to revive the atmosphere of the cubist era. Today it’s a haven for those who want to believe themselves in times gone by. Relaxing and eating to the tunes of those times gone by. Until they’re abruptly awoken by a group of noisy tourists. When you do go there make sure to just look up the stairs before walking up to the café. It will be a light bulb moment.

THE WISDOM OF THE MONKS

These are the server farms of yesteryear. When knowledge was deemed more important than information. We may have access to more information now than ever. But where’s the beauty in that?

TUNE OF THE STREET

WHERE THE OLD ONES REST

DESTRUCTION

I never heard the bang. I didn’t see the desperation. All I witnessed was the after effect. People walking about aimlessly. Lots of police. Some blood. Closed roads. Hours later all I understood from a Czech conversation was “American embassy”. It disturbed me. I was quickly put at ease. No fatalities, no bomb, no terrorists. A gas explosion in a building close to. It still cast a shadow on my stay. Walking by the building, photographing it, I never felt like a rubberneck. It truly felt like documenting an event that no doubt has changed a lot of peoples lives forever.

LINE 22

Endearing, cuddly, a small romance. Line 22 took me every day to and from my hotel. I grew attached to this little red tram. I could not leave Prague without honouring these rattling little metal dwarfs that cross the city every day from east to west and from north to south. Transporting thousands of people on their way to who knows where to do who knows what. Silent heroes of the city. Well, maybe not exactly silent.

IN THE NIGHT I WALK ALONE

In the city that never sleeps …

NOT A FINAL GOODBYE

I made a list of things I would like to photograph whilst in this city. I made no plans, no schedule. I let the city surprise me and I have ticked just about every box. I guess the city decided to show them all to me. Leaving somehow does not feel like a final goodbye. So perhaps we will meet again.

FOOTNOTES: The fairy tales, stories of mystery and magic. They are starting to make sense. Forget the tourists, hustlers, the traffic and the noise. Just focus on the place itself. It truly is a magical place.