Still Magic Prague

When Greg and I first began to come to Prague in the early 1990s, we read a book called Magic Prague by Angelo Ripellino that helped to direct us toward some of the sights and experiences that we came to value and enjoy here. (This review at Guardian Books gives some idea of why the book influenced us so much.)

Prague in the 1990s had many more mysterious corners and compellingly odd viewpoints than the city does today. In fact, the city center has been renovated almost to the point of what I sometimes call "Disneyfication," with brightly painted walls where there was once worn stone. But Mala Strana, where we have spent the past three months, is still a place of mystery and beauty where much of magic Prague lingers. Here are a couple of pictures of Mala Strana that Greg took the other evening:

Mala Strana by lamplight

Kafka Museum poster

Of course Petrin Park is a central feature of the Mala Strana landscape, lending a cool green aspect to this part of the city even on the hottest summer day. Last Tuesday we walked up to the Magic Cave gallery because we'd been there four years ago and enjoyed the ambiance. The work of artist Reon, which includes paintings and sculptures, is always on display, and for a small admission price you can look at the art and listen to the relaxing music for as long as you want.

Sculpture in the Magic Cave

In the Magic Cave

When we left the Magic Cave, we walked to the top of the hill, then took the funicular back down, enjoying the pleasant little train ride with its great views of Prague.

The funicular on Petrin

These are simple pleasures, but the walkways of Mala Strana and the leafy paths on Petrin give more than a hint of the Magic Prague that has attracted us back again and again since our first visit here in 1993.