From Prague to Vienna via Slovakia

[Malyan]

Great pictures of a great city! I really love Prague´s combination of a large and quite intact medieval and renaissance old town and extended, beautiful 19th/early 20th century historistic buildings in Viennese style. But unfortunately I had the impression during my last trip to Prague that the mass tourism there has reached a level which makes the city less attractive, and the commercialisation of the city center has also become extreme - for almost every church you have to pay a ticket, and the fares for the museums are also just insane (For exemple 12€ for visiting the Jewish cemetery, which is more expensive than a ticket for the Louvre).

[Himmelwärts]

lovely!!

[Basnix]

I have fond memories of Prague which I visited during the summer of '10. Lots of tourists, yes, but the cityscape stays amazing. Looking forward to pictures of Vienna. I had only 1 day to explore that city and I can't say I liked it thát much (atleast certainly not as much as Prague), but maybe your photo's can change my opinion.

Anyway, great pictures of Prague!

[e2ek1el]

Congratuliations to very nice....and moreover.... very unusal photos of Prague :-) You really have a talent, guy :-)

[Benonie]

Thank you guys!

Originally Posted by Malyan

But unfortunately I had the impression during my last trip to Prague that the mass tourism there has reached a level which makes the city less attractive, and the commercialisation of the city center has also become extreme - for almost every church you have to pay a ticket, and the fares for the museums are also just insane (For exemple 12€ for visiting the Jewish cemetery, which is more expensive than a ticket for the Louvre).

I agree that Prague is somewhat overcrowded (allthough not overrated of course), but it's still a cheap city in general. And considering it's one of the most beautiful and touristic cities in Europe. Oké, a concert is more expensive than 15 years ago. And prices of visiting sites on Castle Hill are really expensive nowadays, but I think they want to encourage large crowds inside the buildings.
I suppose the 12 euro for the Jewish cemetery is the combi-ticket for a visit of alle Jewish heritage in the Jewish Quarter, including 5 synagoges and the Jewish Museum. Or am I wrong?

[Benonie]

Originally Posted by Basnix

Looking forward to pictures of Vienna. I had only 1 day to explore that city and I can't say I liked it thát much (atleast certainly not as much as Prague), but maybe your photo's can change my opinion.

Well, we only spent 2 days in Vienna. I liked the city a lot, very stylish and great architecture. But I prefer Prague above Vienna too. Not only because of the lower prices, but Prague is even more colourful, has got the perfect cityscape along the river (or better on both sides of the Vlata river) and has got a well kept old center.
On the other hand, museums in Vienna are great and the Klimt exhibition was amazing!
But more of Vienna at the end of this journey. Just be patient.

[Benonie]

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[christos-greece]

Indeed, very nice updates; well done

[Benonie]

Thank you Christos! Much more is yet to come.

[Tiaren]

Originally Posted by Ingwaeone

Austro-German architecture

Originally Posted by 1+1=3

Nonsense

Oh, why is that nonsense? Most of the buildings seen here were either built when Prague was part of "The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation" or when it was part of the "Austro-Hungarian Empire".
Everyone, who knows just a little of the history of architecture in Europe, knows, that Central Europe was mainly influenced by German and even more so Austrian architecture. From the Middle Ages to the early 20th century.

Beautiful pictures, Benonie!

[1+1=3]

Originally Posted by Tiaren

Oh, why is that nonsense? Most of the buildings seen here were either built when Prague was part of "The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation" or when it was part of the "Austro-Hungarian Empire".

German nation? WTF? Seems like rewriting of history is a new hobby of todays Germans. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roman_Empire
Till 1620 Czech Lands were independent, part Of Holy Roman Empire as much as Kingdom of Italy, Burgundy, Luxembourg and pretty much whole Central Europe.

Everyone, who knows just a little of the history of architecture in Europe, knows, that Central Europe was mainly influenced by German and even more so Austrian architecture. From the Middle Ages to the early 20th century.

Ahem, no. How does 'German' or 'Austrian' architecture looks like? Yes, there are some architectonic patterns common for whole Central Europe from Germany to let's say Hungary, but it were all styles invented and transformed thorough whole Europe. Prague was lucky to be influenced by all styles from the whole Europe, e.g. Spain, France, Italy, Benelux, Germany... Those were pretty much international styles back then and nations were basicly nonexistent in the Middle ages. Were only waiting for people like you and your fellows to invent nonsense terms like "German" of "Austrian" architecture.

[Tiaren]

Originally Posted by 1+1=3

German nation? WTF? Seems like rewriting of history is a new hobby of todays Germans.

"The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation" is the full name of that empire. Please check Wikipedia, if that is so new to you...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roman_Empire

Until 1861 the majority of Prague's population was German speaking. German/Austrian culture, including architecture was prevalent in the city.
Please czech (haha!) Wikipedia for that too, if you didn't know.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague

But there's no reasoning with a butthurt Czech over something like that, I guess.

[1+1=3]

Originally Posted by Tiaren

"The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation" is the full name of that empire. Please check Wikipedia, if that is so new to you...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roman_Empire

"In a decree following the 1512 Diet of Cologne, the name was officially changed to Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation"

That's probably when germanisation in Central Europe started. However till 1620 Czech lands were still free of Germans.
The Czech defeat at the Battle of White Mountain (1620) was followed by measures that effectively secured Habsburg authority and the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church. Many Czech nobles were executed; most others were forced to flee the kingdom. An estimated five-sixths of the Czech nobility went into exile soon after the Battle of White Mountain, and their properties were confiscated. Large numbers of Czech and German Protestant burghers emigrated. In 1622, Charles University was merged with the Jesuit Academy, and the entire education system of the Bohemian Kingdom was placed under Jesuit control. In 1624 all non-Catholic priests were expelled by royal decree.

German nation, does it mean Czechs, Italians, Lusatia Serbs, Dutch, French, Slovenians, Danes.. are all of German nation? The capital of Holy Roman Empire was Rome (hint: Rome is in Italy).

Until 1861 the majority of Prague's population was German speaking. German/Austrian culture, including architecture was prevalent in the city.
Please czech (haha!) Wikipedia for that too, if you didn't know.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague

Sure I know that, we all know after 1620 there was huge germanisation taking place here. At schools, universities and bureaus only german language was allowed. Most Czechs and Jews in the city switched to German language, there was no other option. Czech language remained mainly in the coutryside.
The main architectural style during that period was Baroque, which started in Rome in 17th century a spread to whole Europe (Spain, France and to the East). If you trying to fool yourself and call this international style "German/Austrian culture" I'm OK with that, dream on.

[Bristol Mike]

Awesome photos mate! Love the attention to detail and angles you take.

[Benonie]

Thank you Mike!

[Benonie]

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