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Karluv Most (Charles Bridge) is one of the central attractions in Praha |
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We had climbed up to a German castle, drove to the Czech border, left a multitude of highway-walking prostitutes in the dust, and explored (no, not lost!) the beautiful lands of northern Bohemia before we finally arrived in Praha (Prague).
What a pearl of a city this place is. The only unfortunate thing about it was that it was probably the 2nd busiest day of the year (the day after May Day) and therefore it was hard to see much without dealing with the crowd. But we did see was great. |
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The National Museum Václavské Námestí (Wenceslas Square) |


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Mama probably getting sick of me taking so many photos |
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The gate to Karluv most, the "Charles Bridge" |




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Karluv Most (Charles Bridge) was built at a time specified by astrologers. A new bridge was needed because a previous bridge erected in the 12th century had been destroyed by floods. So they specified that on this year of 1357 on the 9th day of the 7th month (July) at 5:31 in the morning, the construction would begin. Part of the construction was to record the event as a palindromed sequence in the design of the gate. .. 1357 (year)... 9 (day)...7 (month, last digit of year)..531 (first three digits of year, and time). 135797531.
Today Charles Bridge has many musicians and people who sells tons of junk to tourists. But it's still one of the most impressive views of the town. And early in the morning, there is a group of citizens who perform a ritual where they slowly walk across the bridge to drive off the bad spirits caused by excessive consumerism and tourism.
The bridge was named after King Karluv, or "Charles". |
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You can also see The Castle, made famous by Kafka, from the Karluv most (Charles Bridge). |



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We couldn't stay in Praha too long as we needed to get down to southern Bohemia by nightfall for our journey the next day to the medieval town of ?eský Krumlov. However, on our way back to the car we saw the billboard you see to the left. I just had to take a picture of this Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones movie billboard. |
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We leave Praha and head down to Ceške Budojovice, home of the original namesake of "Budweiser" beer (the Germans call the city Budweis from back when it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but only the name comes from this town, not the actual beer!). Get ready for the Day 5 adventure, when we go deep into southern Bohemia and end up in Bavaria on the Blue Danube. |







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