Czechia
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The Heroes of the Heydrich Terror Memorial
On the outside wall of the Orthodox Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Prague is this memorial to one of the most dramatic acts of resistance against Nazi occupation during World War II. The bullet-scarred stone surrounding the small window is not a reconstructed decoration. This is where the final chapter of Operation Anthropoid […]
Tomb of Rabii Loew
Walking through the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague is an extraordinary experience. The gravestones seem almost to overlap one another, leaning at different angles and filling nearly every available space. Among them is this particularly elaborate tomb belonging to one of the most important figures in the history of Prague’s Jewish community—Rabbi Judah Loew ben […]
The Golden Gate Mosaic
One of the artistic treasures that captured my attention at St. Vitus Cathedral was the magnificent mosaic above the Golden Gate. While many visitors focus on the cathedral’s soaring Gothic architecture, this mosaic invites you to stop, look carefully, and appreciate one of the finest surviving medieval mosaics in Europe. Created between 1370 and 1371 […]
The Old Town Bridge Tower
Standing at the entrance to Prague’s famous Charles Bridge is one of the finest examples of medieval Gothic architecture in Europe. The Old Town Bridge Tower is much more than an entrance to the bridge. it was designed as a symbol of the power, prosperity and ambition of the Kingdom of Bohemia during the reign […]
Saint Agnes of Bohemia
Walking through the peaceful gardens of Karlovo náměstí, we came upon this simple but meaningful statue of Saint Agnes of Bohemia, one of the most revered figures in Czech history. Surrounded by trees and far removed from Prague’s crowded tourist attractions, the monument reflects the quiet humility that defined her life. Born in 1211 into the […]
The Blessing Hands
While touring the historic Jewish Cemetery in Prague, one of the symbols we learned to recognize was this carving of two hands. At first glance it appears to be a simple decorative image, but it is actually one of the oldest and most meaningful symbols found in Jewish cemeteries. The carving identifies the deceased as […]
The Star of David at Terezín National Cemetery
Traveling through the Czech Republic, Marty and I visited Terezín, one of the places that has remained with me long after our journey ended. Unlike many historic sites that celebrate achievement or commemorate victory, Terezín exists to remember unimaginable human suffering and to ensure that those who died are never forgotten. Standing within the National […]
Charles Bridge and Old Town Bridge Tower
Few places in Europe are as magical as Charles Bridge in Prague. Stretching across the Vltava River and lined with statues of saints, the bridge has connected the Old Town and the Lesser Town for more than six centuries. Early one morning, before the crowds arrived, I was able to capture this view looking toward the magnificent Old […]
The Tomb of Rabbi Yechezkel Landau
While in Prague, we took a guided tour of the city’s Jewish Quarter, which included a visit to the remarkable Old Jewish Cemetery. Established in the early fifteenth century and used until 1787, it is one of the oldest surviving Jewish cemeteries in Europe. Because Jews were forbidden to expand the cemetery beyond its limited […]
Spanish Synagogue
Among the many remarkable sites we visited in Prague, one of the most beautiful was the Spanish Synagogue. Built in 1868 on the site of Prague’s oldest synagogue, which had served the Jewish community since the Middle Ages, the building is renowned for its stunning Moorish Revival architecture and richly decorated interior inspired by the […]
Strahov Library
During our time in Prague, Marty and I hired a guide to take us around the city and introduce us to some of its treasures. One of these places was a visit to the Strahov Monastery. Founded in 1143 and perched on a hill overlooking Prague, the monastery has served as a center of faith, scholarship and learning for […]
Terezín Memorial
During our visit to the Czech Republic, Marty and I hired a tour guide to take us through the countryside to view soeof the region’s historic sites. One of the most memorable trips was Tererzin. Having a guide allowed us to better understand the history of the town and the events that unfolded there during World War II. A visit to Terezin is […]
