Stuff you don't find in guide books
The Rotunda of St Stephen in Prague, was part of the Christianization effort in Bohemia. Constructed in the Benedictine-owned village of Na Rybničku, the rotunda was later owned by Teutonic Knights who reconsecrated it to St Longinus in the 15th century.
Europe is full of ruins that paint a delightful picture of its turbulent past. It’s not every day you can see ruins that are as artificial as a fast food joint. Prague’s ruins of Baba are one such fake ruin.
One thing which fascinates me is the amount of human history we’ve lost. The barbican is one of those historical architectural features we’ve almost lost. In fact in Coimbra, Portugal, one of the remaining few is often confused with something else.
I’m fascinated by the rotundas in Prague. This city has more of them than I’d ever seen in my life. St Martin’s rotunda sits inside the Vyšehrad castle complex and its history is as varied and complex as any other.
The Koněprusy cave complex is in the middle of a nature reserve and is 40 km away from Prague. Don’t think this is a mere collection of caves because it is one of the most unique cave networks in the world.
It’s not everyday you find castles still owned by the original family. Czechia’s Český Šternberk ? towers over the town of the same name, and is one of the few in the world to make that claim ?
I’ve often seen forts and castles built according to the geography of the land. I’d never seen one designed according to the material used to build it. Until I visited the Czech Valečov castle ruins, that is.
There are many ? stories of Grey Ladies that haunt certain places. It’s interesting that most of these ghosts that wish to warn the living about something or other. The Grey Lady of Malta’s Fort St Angelo is no exception.
Driving through Bohemia heading to (or from) Poland means driving through some beautiful landscapes. If you’re looking for a pit stop but don’t want a faceless motorway cafe, I’d recommend a quick diversion to the quaint town of Jičin.
Tucked into the entrance of an alley beside the road leading to Prague’s Old Town Square lies the House of Two Bears. The imagery, whichRead More