Day 3
Of the four tour days in Prague, day 3 was the one I felt was the most active. The day started with a tour of Prague's Jewish Quarter, which included visiting 3 synagogues and a coffee break, and, in the afternoon, the group explored the Municipal Hall (Obecní Dům). Andrea also had a surprise activity planned for the group!
Jewish Quarter
Our visit to Prague's Jewish Quarter was on a rainy Tuesday, which felt like the appropriate backdrop for what would be a solemn morning. Prague's Jewish community has a rich history, from periods of prosperity to years of prosecution. Each synagogue we visited housed an exhibit featuring a different era of Jewish history, allowing us to learn more about this community. Between Honza's lectures and the exhibits, the tour of Prague's Jewish Quarter was a great and invaluable learning experience.
Maisel Synagogue
The first synagogue we visited was the Maisel Synagogue, which was built in 1592. It is a simple but architecturally beautiful synagogue. Unfortunately, because of the weather, I was not able to take pictures of the exterior. The exhibit in this synagogue focuses on the early years of Prague's Jewish community.
Pinkas Synagogue
The visit to the Pinkas Synagogue served as a sobering reminder of the atrocities committed during World War II and the millions who lost their lives during the Holocaust. The walls of this synagogue are etched with the names of 80,000 innocent souls who perished in the Holocaust and have no grave. It was definitely a very emotional experience walking from room to room and seeing the names of whole families listed on the walls.
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The special exhibit in the synagogue featured drawings from children who lived in the Terezín Ghetto. These drawings were saved by their teacher and discovered in her briefcase.
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Old Jewish Cemetery
The Old Jewish Cemetery is one of the world’s oldest surviving Jewish burial grounds, and the earliest tombstone dates back to 1439. While walking through the cemetery, Honza shared information on notable Jews buried there and shared some information on Jewish burial customs.
Coffee Break
After visiting the cemetery, the group was treated to a coffee break. This was a wonderful opportunity to escape the rain and to spend time with fellow tourmates. I love hearing other people's travel stories and learning about the different places they have visited!
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The cappuccino was delicious and hit the spot. Sadly, I forgot to write down the name of the café.
Spanish Synagogue
The Spanish Synagogue was absolutely beautiful, and I was mesmerized by the intricate detailing throughout the building. Inspired by the Alahambra, the synagogue's Moorish-style interior is rather unique for a synagogue.
This site was the final stop on our tour of the Jewish Quarters, and we had free time until later that afternoon. So I decided to stay at the Spanish Synagogue much longer, exploring every nook and cranny and viewing the various exhibits. In this synagogue, one set of exhibits focused on the recent history of the Jewish community, while other displays showcased Jewish artists, scientists, writers, and musicians.
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The Spanish Synagogue had a store near the entrance where I was able to find a great book about Prague's Jewish Quarter for my travel library!
Lunch Break
Today, my lunch break meal consisted of the snacks provided during the orientation meeting. I lost track of time while exploring the Spanish Synagogue and the area around the Jewish Quarter, so I only had enough time to run to the hotel, grab the snacks, and walk over to the Municipal Hall. ​
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Thank you, Andrea, for the Pringles and peanuts!!
Lesson learned: Set an alarm for the afternoon and evening activities. This will help you keep track of time so you don't miss out on anything.
Municipal Hall (Obecní Dům)
Ceiling mural in Grégr Hall
On Tuesday afternoon, the group met at the Obecní Dům for a special guided tour. With its many colorful murals and beautifully decorated halls, this site is best described as a feast for the eyes. The tour was led by a wonderful lady who very much reminded me of the late Queen Elizabeth II! While guiding the group through the Obecní Dům, the lady shared some lovely stories of the times her husband and she spent there when they were children. That personal touch brought the site to life and truly enhanced our visit.
Smetana Hall
Confectionery
Palacký Hall
Artwork by Czech Artist Jan Preisle
Mayor’s Hall
Artwork by Czech Artist Alphonse Mucha
My favorite hall was the Mayor's Hall, which not only was spectacularly painted but also had some interesting acoustic features.
Special Experience
Andrea's surprise activity was a trip to StaromÄ›stský Pivovar to sample some local pivo (Czech word for beer). I am not a beer aficionado, but I could not pass up the opportunity to try local brews. (I was surprised there was any pivo left after all those hockey championship festivities!!)
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My drinking buddy for this activity was Roy, and judging by the picture, I think we did a decent job of almost finishing off the samples. The beers were good, with the darker one being my favorite. The cherry beer was quite interesting; it had a unique flavor but was pretty good.
This activity turned out to be a super fun event and a highlight of the tour!
Na zdraví do Praha!!
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(Cheers to Prague)
Dinner Time
For dinner, Allison and I discovered a charming Italian eatery tucked into an alleyway near Old Town Square. Pizzeria Pulcinella had a lovely atmosphere and as the rains had cleared out, we sat in a courtyard decorated with string lights and beautiful pictures of Italy. I continued my sampling of European lemonades, and this one was absolutely delicious, flavored with raspberries and mint. We ordered the funghi pizza (mushrooms) and it was great! Very different from the pizzas I have tried in the States.
