Tuesday February 9, 2010
Prague Castle is one of Prague's top attractions and a Prague must-see sight. How long you spend at Prague Castle depends upon a number of factors - the weather, your energy level, and crowd size and time of year - but if you already have a general idea about the layout of Prague Castle and the attractions you'd like to see within the castle complex, and if you follow some tips for visiting Prague Castle, you can ensure a more enjoyable visit.
You'll get a map of of Prague Castle when you purchase your tickets - information desks are easily located within the Second Courtyard. You won't be able to get a guided tour, but you can rent the audio tour of Prague Castle. However, the castle complex is so large, it helps to be able to identify certain aspects of the grounds right away, which you can do through photos.
First Courtyard and Matthias Gate photo credit: iStockphoto/thehague
Monday February 8, 2010
The Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg upholds a long-standing tradition of hosting Russian and international masterpieces of ballet, opera, and orchestra. The theater's origins can be traced to the time of Catherine the Great, but the structure still in use today opened in 1860. World premieres of such famous operas as Boris Godunov by Mussorgsky and Queen of Spades by Tchaikovsky opened at the Mariinsky, and these, among other important operas as well as ballets, are still produced and performed at the theater today. The nearby Mariinsky Concert Hall, built only a few years ago, hosts concerts and acts as a complementary venue for the Mariinsky's productions and annual festivals.
More Russian Culture Monday
Ballerinas photo credit: iStockphoto/andyross
Saturday February 6, 2010
While some countries celebrate Shrovetide with week-long festivals, other times Carnival in Eastern Europe is recognized to a more limited degree. Carnival in Lithuania, Usgavenes, is held on Shrove Tuesday in Old Town Vilnius and elsewhere in Lithuania. Vastlapaev, Estonia's Carnival is marked with a day of sledding and games. Paczki Day is Poland's most popular Shrove holiday when delicious Polish donuts fill bakery shelves for pre-Lenten gorging.
Paczki photo credit: CC by Istellainad
Tuesday February 2, 2010
A major attraction at Prague Castle, Golden Lane, is set to close for a year while renovations are underway. Radio Praha has reported that the closure will start at the end of April, 2010 and continue for at least 12 months from that date.
Golden Lane, a strip of tiny, colorful houses at the back of Prague Castle, currently contains shops and an armory exhibit, as well as a famous blue house at Number 22 that is associated with the Czech author Kafka. If you take a tour of Prague Castle, Golden Lane leads to Daliborka Tower, where torture instruments are on display. It is possible to see all other sights of Prague Castle without visiting Golden Lane, though its miniature cottages add an element of contrast to the grand scale of other Prague Castle attractions, like St. Vitus Cathedral and the Old Royal Palace.
After Golden Lane's renovation, the function of some of its structures will change. Historical exhibits will replace shops to better illustrate how life used to be lived there.
Golden Lane photo credit: Kerry Kubilius, licensed to About.com
