Prague: The Musical Capital of Europe
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Some call it Sin City, some call it Drug Capital but I call it Musical Capital of Europe. Music is all over the city and you can hear it while you walk towards Old Town Square and Charles Bridge. It’s the most beautiful city I have visited till date.
Prague/ Praha is the capital city of the Czech Republic. The metropolis is not so big like Vienna and you can walk around easily. Czech is the 10th safest country in the world. Old Town Square is the place where the city started. It is also known as the Land of Bohemia. Bohemians or Czech both are same. It is located along the banks of Vltava River.
Religion plays a major role in the development of the country. For virtually 100 years religious war happened and many people lost their lives. It was the darkest point in the life of Czech.
The Era of Charles the 4th
14th Century was the Golden Period in the life of Czech. He transformed Prague into an Imperial Capital. He only ordered to build New Town, adjacent to the old town and laid down the design by himself. He only ordered to build Charles Bridge replacing the Judith Bridge, which was destroyed in the flood prior to his reign. Charles Bridge connects the east bank districts to the Mala Strana and Castle area. He himself laid the foundation stone for the bridge on 9th July 1357 at 5.31 AM. The precise time is recognized because it was picked out by Royal Astrologists and Numerologists, as the best time to begin construction of the Bridge. He also founded Charles University, however the oldest university in Central Europe. He was the best Czech of all the time.
Mozart Connection to Prague
“My Praguers understand me,” said Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–91) was an Austrian composer. He composed music in various musical styles, including opera and symphonic music. He was very famous for his composition. So when some Czech happened to listen to his The Marriage of Figaro, they invited him to Prague so that Praguers can also listen to him. Then he arrived in Prague on 11th January 1787 and on 18th January he gave the premiere concert of his symphonic music, which is today called Prague Symphony.
29th Oct 1787, was the remarkable day in the life of Mozart. On this day his opera Don Giovanni premiered in Prague, at the Estates Theatre and the rest was history. The city went wild for it and it also got amazing reviews in the press. Everybody in the crowded theatre applauded by clapping enthusiastically. Mozart was overwhelmed by the response, respect, and recognition, which he never got in Vienna. It was the best time in the life of Mozart and he said: “My Praguers understand me”. They also asked him to stay in Prague forever, but he returned to Vienna.
Still, they play Don Giovanni at The Estates Theatre on certain days and people from the entire world come to hear it with pleasure.
Second World War
Heinrich Himmler, the member of Inner Circle was the Commanding In charge of Nazi Army, and SS. Reinhard Heydrich was a high ranking officer in SS and was reporting to Himmler. He was the main architect of the Holocaust. He was only behind the “Final Solution of Nazi”
In order to execute his plan of the Final Solution, he made a plan. He desired to control Czech and increased the production of Ammunition. He issued one report to Hitler stating that Czech is not able to control its people and the production of ammunition. He obtained approval and eventually he came to Prague in Sept 1941 as the Governor. As soon as he came, he started working on his plan. He started executing people who didn’t listen to him. That was his way of making things work. He started giving money to the poor and they started working and soon production started increasing. He traveled to Berlin to give this report personally to Hitler. Hitler was so glad that he made him part of his Inner Circle.
His success in “pacifying” the Czech population lulled Heydrich into a false sense of security, and on May 27, 1942, two Free Czech agents mortally wounded him with a bomb while he was riding in his open car without an armed escort. He died June 4, 1942, in a Prague hospital. Gestapo officials retaliated for his death by executing hundreds of Czechs and wiping out the entire village of Lidice and Lezaky. Finally, after killing everyone the body of Heydrich was returned to Berlin for Ceremony.
Let’s conclude the facts about the Musical Capital of Europe:
- Capital City of the Czech Republic
- Czech Krone is the Currency. At most of the places Euro is accepted but they will give you change in Krone
- Local Czech are very cool and helpful people
- English is a widely spoken language
- Beer is the thing
- They are fond of Ice creams
- You will find musicians in almost all the corner of the city
- The city is pretty walkable still, trams and buses are available
- Jewish Museums and Jewish Quarter are still maintained
- At Night it’s pretty different, so take a little precaution
- Don Giovanni at Estates Theatre is a must
- Early morning walk on Charles Bridge and Old Town because that is the only time you can get the real feeling of the city
- Weed is available in most of the small supermarkets which are owned by Chinese people but all are scams so beware
- Paradise for Shoppers
- Lots of Indian Restaurants are available
If next time you are planning a trip to Prague, I will help you to make your trip worth it.
If need any more information, feel free to write it in the comment section
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