As real travel would neither be safe nor legal, I’m indulging in photo-travel by using Becky’s Squares Challenge (Up) as an excuse to revisit our brief trip to Prague in January two years ago.
1. (Layered up) Locals and visitors have been adding slogans, quotes, I-was-heres and drawings to The Lennon Wall since the singer’s death. The wall has always been controversial, so authorities and activists have often covered up the colours with fresh layers of paint, to find it quickly filled with artwork and slogans again. It is now protected by new rules (no spraying) while cameras help enforce the theme of peace and love.
2. (Looking up) A statue of St John of Nepomuk on Charles Bridge honours his bravery in protecting details of the Queen of Bohemia’s confession from the King, and consequently being hurled into the river in chains. Tourists are supposed to touch an image of him falling as a good luck charm.
But my reference is to the dog looking up at its master in one of the metal panels under the statue. It’s rubbed golden because people like stroking dogs, even though no myth is attached to it.
3. (Sliced up) Prague has many examples of David Cerny’s public art, including this revolving head of Franz Kafka. The slices move round in an abstract way until they come together to reveal the face.
4. (Upscale) The Art Nouveau entrance to Smetana Hall, a concert venue, is so ornamental, it’s hard to focus on any one feature.
5. (Up on the wall) Prague’s Old Town buildings include examples of sgraffito, which is made by scratching away layers of coloured plaster to reveal a different coloured ground. This is the House Under A Minute, where Kafka lived as a child.
6. (Gussied up – with thanks to Margaret for reminding me of the word) Unesco have protected the gilded facade of the V.J. Rott building which is now occupied by the Hard Rock Cafe.
7. (Sup up) We took our custom instead to a micro brewery. The beer family tree on the wall including my sweetheart’s favourite, Dark roses. I liked the way spaces had been left for new creations.
8. (Propped up) Dancing House has been nicknamed Fred and Ginger. To me, it looks more like one building is propping the other up or has been captured in the aftermath of saving them from the tram.
9. (Hanging up) Another curiosity by David Cerny, Man Hanging Out represents Sigmund Freud hanging by one hand from a rooftop. A half full / half empty idea, we may see this as hopeful (he has not fallen) or despairing. I have never been overly keen on Freud, but I am sorry to see him dangling. Several people have tried to help the statue, mistaking it for a person in need.
10. (Loved up) This is the Čertovka love bridge in the Malá Strana district of Prague, near The Lennon Wall. It’s another controversial idea, as the combined weight of the locks can eventually cause structural problems.
11. (Sprouting up) I love to see ecclesiastical carvings of natural things. I think this is the only time I’ve seen a clump of mushrooms immortalised in stone. Very fine mushrooms, too.
12. (Covered up) My favourite balcony in Prague is very petite, with a slender, gently sweeping canopy of the style often found in the city.
Though I’m late to Becky’s party, I’ve made a decent stab at catching up. In looking back over my pictures, I’ve concluded that I’ve been nowhere that more richly repays looking up than does Prague, and nowhere half as decorative.
Susan Rushton 
Very beautiful and sometimes also remarkable images
It’s a remarkable city.
wow!! I am almost blown away by the number of different ups, and the glorious walk you have taken us on around Prague. This is such a fabulous post
PS and lovely how you have made in twelve, in honour I presume of today?!
That was a coincidence. I started off aiming for six, then found just a few more, and a few more. It’s hard to fathom why I’ve not shared them before now. I must have been saving them up for a snowy day.
well I am delighted they were saved up for squares 🙂
Beautiful photos, I was in Germany and it was a spur of the moment idea to visit Prague, so happy we did. Thanks for sharing the memories
It was a spur of the moment thing for us too.
What a city of marvels, both old and new. Hard to pick a favorite, but the gleaming dog is certainly at the top of my list.
There must surely be a story behind that – the sculptor’s own dog, if nothing else.
Yes. So lovely.
Extraordinary! What amazing images, most of which scrambled my brain. This all takes the unexpected to a new high. I was glad to land finally on that little balcony with the graceful canopy over it. I can stand there and look over it all. This was wonderful travel — thank you!
I had the impulse to share a different world from a different time. Prague is a heady mixture of ideas and imagery, some very old, some new, some of it decidedly edgy.
I’ve long had Prague on my To Visit list, but now doubt if I ever will. Several friends have told us of the congested tourist sites, the need to be tough and pugilistic to get to the front anywhere: but your photos don’t give that impression at all. Mind you, crowds anywhere won’t be A Thing anytime soon.
We were there in January and it was not particularly busy. I’d been hoping for snow, but probably it was better than we missed out on that. I would not have fancied climbing icy hills and there was a lot to see in a short time.
We were there in October and also not too busy, though cold and can be wet.
Well, it won’t be this year, that’s for sure
Not much overseas travel this year I suspect.
Oooh. I forgot to say. Thanks for the mention!
Credit where credit’s due!
😉
These are fabulous, takes me right back to Prague, which I loved. It is a paradise for photographers. Love all your ups 🙃
I agree. It’s a place where a zoom lens would have come in handy.
I’m ashamed to say I’ve never been to Prague although I’ve wanted to visit for some years now. Always needing a few more weeks, or days, to fulfil my desires but one day ………
Lovely post and I’m even more determined to get to Prague when this is all over. Thank you for the walkaround – it was entertaining and informative.
I think you’ll absolutely love it.
Some beauties here, Susan! Love the dog looking up at the knight and that Kafka is amazing. Hard to photograph too, I imagine 🙂 🙂
Not really. You just had to wait and watch for a bit first. Having said that, I still have a lot of pictures to delete!
All great photos but my favourite has to be the dog looking up at its master, it has a bit of an ‘aww’ factor for me 🙂
The man is looking down at it very kindly too.
These are great images! Enjoyed visiting Prague several years back. This post brings back memories and opens to new discoveries. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure. It’s a memorable place.