STREETS FILLED WITH STORIES PUNE PRIČA F or the traces of the stories that left the
strongest impression on us we go to those cities that served as the backdrop for those stories, whether they relate to books, films or crucial moments in history. Prague, as one of the best preserved European capitals, which was spared the destruction of World War II, has preserved in its streets all those stories that curious tourists head there to search for. A completely ordinary stroll through the cap- ital of the Czech Republic, even when there is no defined goal, will represent a walk through the cen- turies, but not that chronological walk that we can find in every historical museum, rather a completely unusual, unrepeatable and unique walk. One after another, in front of our eyes will appear buildings in all architectural styles, starting from Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance cathedrals, through Ba- roque, Rococo and Classicist edifices, all the way to the striking buildings coloured by secessionism and cubism. Even when you’ve crossed half of Eu- rope, Prague will convert people from our region into ridiculous tourists like those from distant Asian countries, who try to capture every pigeon and or- dinary building with their cameras. The reason for this lies in the fact that the architecture of Prague doesn’t resemble any other architecture. There you will not find the romance of Paris, the cold preci- sion of Berlin or the frozen previous millennium like that offered by Rome. Prague, in contrast, with all its picturesque buildings, none of which resemble any other or even have similar colouring or deco- ration, will compel you to take more pictures than on any other trip. If, however, you are a lover of the written word, you will recognise Kundera at every step. You will un- derstand everything you read in‘Laughable Loves’, and upon returning to your regular daily life you will want to dive back into‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being’, though this time in the rhythm of Prague’s cobbled streets and cobwebs, which flutter lightly on every monument. And that wind, which during all seasons blows through every alley covered by numerous painted passageways, will be “unbear- ably light” for you, because you will find the story that led you to the Czech capital in the first place. Kafka, on the other hand, will not prove so easy to find, because an enthusiastic tourist will not be able to feel the scandalous atmosphere of the“Cas-
Prelepi mostovi Praga
Beautiful bridges of Prague
| 61
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator