The Platinum Line

Five things to see in Prague

This year my daughter is teaching in a village school just outside Prague.  She has introduced her pupils to the game “Simon says” and it has quickly become a firm favourite.  For those of you who have not played it, the teacher gives a list of instructions and you have to obey those that have the phrase “Simon says” before them and ignore those that don’t.  It is good for teaching a foreign language as the children have to listen if they want to win the game.

These are a few of my “Simon says visit.. ” places in Prague.

The dancing house

This is one of the few modern buildings in the heart of Prague. It is supposed to look like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing.
The Dancing house. The stone tower is supposed to be Fred Astaire and the glass tower is supposed to be Ginger Rogers.

The buildings in Prague were largely undamaged during the second world war. However, one American bomber pilot got lost on his way to Dresden and damaged a building in the heart of Prague.   The Croatian architect Vlado Milunic and the famous Canadian architect Frank Gehry were commissioned to design a new building and in 1996 the dancing house was opened.  It is now a hotel with the Fred and Ginger restaurant on the fourth floor.

The  Prague Astronomical clock

The picture shows the dial of the Prague astronomical clock.
The Astronomical clock. This is a stock photo as the original is being restored.

The famous astronomical clock on the town hall probably dates back to 1410.  Though extra features were added later. As well as the time, days of the week and months it shows the signs of the zodiac and the phases of the moon.  On the hour figures emerge including a skeleton, vanity worshiping his reflection in a mirror and greed counting his money.  There are also the twelve apostles and the Christ child. We were unable to see it when we visited Prague but work is supposed to finish by November 2018.

The John Lennon graffiti wall

This shows a section of wall covered in spray paint with very prominant paintings of John Lennon
The John Lennon graffiti wall. For a long time, this was the only part of Prague where graffiti was allowed. Photograph Angela Fraser

For a long time, this was the only place in Prague where graffiti was allowed.  I come from Bristol home of Banksy and must admit I wish sometimes our local council would adopt a  similar policy.

A dancing bear

The photo shows a polar bear dancing in the street.
In earlier times real bears would have danced for tourists. Now it is just a couple of people in a bear suit. Photograph Angela Fraser

Prague has always attracted tourists and one of the popular street acts would have been a dancing bear.  When I was in Prague I saw the more traditional brown bear but my daughter spotted this polar bear.

A questionable sculpture

This shows two men urinating into a pool shaped like a map of Czechia
This sculpture is outside the Franz Kafka museum.

I am not sure what I can say about this sculpture. It is outside the Franz Kafka museum and is called Piss. The pool represents a map of Czechia. You were able to text a message by phone and the men would “write it”.

This post follows on from Prague a short visit to Czechia’s fairy tale capital.

Here are the top attractions in Prague according to trip advisor What to do in Prague.

If you want to find out more about Prague

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Anne Fraser

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10 responses to “Five things to see in Prague”

  3. Wow, that dancing house looks incredible, almost like it is about to fall over

  4. Great list, you’ve really made me want to visit! Love the look of the dancing house, makes you think you eyes are deceiving you.

  5. I’ve been to Prague a couple of times – and I can’t believe I’ve not seen any of these things! (In my defense I was there for the Christmas markets, both times). That sculpture is rather intriguing isn’t it!!

  8. I’ve always wanted to visit Prague – all of these places look very interesting and such a pretty way to explore the culture 🙂

  9. How exciting for your daughter to be teaching there, and it’s wonderful the children like Simon Says (a must play game as a child, I think, though it worries me to think soon even that will probably be taught/played on a smartphone or tablet!) Some wonderful picks as I know almost nothing about what’s in Prague. The dancing house is fascinating, what incredible architecture! The dancing bear is cute, I like that! 🙂
    Caz xx