Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/41

31 a projecting cornice with tapering turrets high octagonal saddle-roof, which is so typically characteristic of the Bohemian gothic style.

In the frame of the second arch on the opposite side we behold a picture of rare beauty: the Small town-Bridge-street (Malostranská ulice k mostu), full of narrow interesting houses of a dark Prague tint with contrasting red tile roofs of the most bizarre shapes studded with fantastic dormer-windows, mansards, gables and balustrades, adorned with blackish vases, moss-covered statuettes of the most excentric baroque formation.

And beyond these dark masses of masonery, red roofs, projecting eaves, gargoyles, and whitish chimneys, looms in lively green, the gigantic cupola of St. Nicolas’ church, so grand and majestic; that the first sight, almost takes our breath away. And higher still above the summit of this majestic dome reaches the clock-tower of the church, a structure of fine design. The whole edifice, dome and tower, is a very embodiment of the proud and ostentatious order of the Jesuits, who knew how to make even art subservient to their further aims. This dome and tower will ever be to us a visible symbol of the victorious Roman Catholic anti-Reformation, which tried to compensate, at least by outward splendour, and by the promotion of art which had always been cultivated in our country, for the heavy sacrifices and losses endured by our nation during the bloody strife that had to be fought for the final victory of the Roman Catholic views over those of the Protestant faith.

The history of this Bridge-street lying before us, is not at all uninteresting. The very first house on the left side built in the renaissance stvle and adorned with picturesque gables, now called „u Steiniců“, formerly the „Saxon“ house, is worth notice. In the time of Charles IV., Rudolfus, duke of Saxony resided here, and latterly it was the refuge of William I., elector of Hessen. The opposite house „At the three bells“ has to this day, the remains of a tower, which is the last remnant of the „Bishop’s court“ which used to be fortified by moats, walls and towers.

And the row of further houses is not less remarkable. The corner house of Bath street, opposite the „Steinic“,