Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/189

159 Antonín Bubeníček: ŽIDOVSKÝ HŘBITOV (Jewish Cementery).

This place of solemn interest is one of the best known places in Prague and is located in the vicinity of the Staronová škola. The ground is not now used for burials; that ceased many years ago (1780). There ane many thousands of old stones timeworn,—some moss-grown, while the ivy clinging to others is the one, ever-present sign of life in this abode of the dead.

The curious emblematical devices arrest the attention of all visitors. These figures of varied kind; such as the hare, stag or fish, are the sings peculiar to certain tribes, and with the Jews, did duty as „armes parlantes“.

Viktor Stretti: STAROMĚSTSKÁ VĚŽ MOSTECKÁ. (The Brige-Tower of the Old Town.)

This tower was erected in the XIVth century and renewed in the XIX. century Its solidity was subjected to a splendid test during the Thirty Years war and its defence by the citizens of Prague and the students against the Swedes will always be remembered in the history of Prague. The heads of the Bohemian nobles decapitated on the market-place of the Old Town Hall of Prague (21. June 1621) were exposed on this tower till 1637.

Jaroslav Šetelík. Panoramic view of Prague.

Prague, „the golden Prague of a hundred towers“, as the Bohemians designate their capital is situated in the valley of the river Vltava (Moldau) which flows through the City from South to North. The great Humboldt declared Prague to be „the most beautiful inland town of Europe!“ an opinion shared by travellers generally who view it from the bridge, Strahov Abbey or the Belvedere.

Viktor Stretti: ZLATÁ STUDEŇ. (The Golden Fountain.) Prague.

One of the most poetical nooks of the Malá Strana (Smaller Town), there, we can sit and admire the lovely prospect which opens before us with the charms of the gardens that extend over the sloping ground beneath the wall south of the Royal Castle of Prague. It commands a fine view of the right bank of the Vltava.

Bohumil Dvořák: KARLŮV TÝN. (Karlstein.) Bohemia.

The castle with its massive tower, was built by Charles IV., in 1348, and stands on a mighty rock near the river „Berounka“. The walls are double, and in some parts threefold, therefore under the old conditions of war, it must have been a place of immense strength. It however suffered a considerable amount of damage during