Do you know where you can find the oldest traffic light in Prague, where you can find the "golden fly" aka luck or where you can meet Pepi III? We will take you to the most interesting places in the centre of the city in this episode of the Live Prague series.
Prague hides many interesting things and secrets. And while some are popular tourist attractions, others are rather hidden from the public. Which ones are definitely worth seeing?
The Golden Fly
We know that happiness is "only a golden fly", mainly thanks to the film School Is the Foundation of Life (although the original excerpt comes from a poem by Adolf Heyduk). But even Prague has its golden fly! You can find it in Na Zbořenci Street, on the facade of the apartment building on which this 110-kilogram fly climbs. It is the work of sculptor Michal Trpák and belongs to a permanent street exhibition called The Search for Happiness.
Vilímek Publishing House
Today, the building is unfortunately dilapidated and hides a fascinating courtyard with an unmistakable atmosphere and a tangle of various corners in Opatovická Street. The publishing house is no longer there, but you can find the Higher School of Journalism or mini golf. If you want to make your walk more pleasant with a good coffee, go to the local Super Tramp Coffee. If you have a sense of adventure, try the 1960s elevator. Just watch out, it gets stuck a lot.
Pepi III.
The passage from Vilímek's publishing house leads to Spálená Street, where you will find the Art Nouveau building of the Czech Insurance Company. Even if you don't need to run an errand right now, come and have a look - there is a live eel swimming in the mosaic decorated fountain with a statue of a boy by Ladislav Šaloun! His name is Pepík III. and he likes earthworms from Podolí the best. And as the number in his name suggests, he is not the first eel here...
The oldest traffic light
Not far from Pepík's residence, on Národní třída in Platýz Palace, you will find another unique feature - the first traffic light in Prague. But don't look for a traditional one! It is a statue of an owl, which signalled in a local inn whether there was still room for a horse in the stables. If it was hanging upside down, the guests were out of luck. And why an owl? Originally, there was a doorman who had a live owl that he had tamed.
The petrified boy
The Church of St Martin in the Wall got its name because it shared one of its walls with the walls of Prague. But that's not the only interesting thing about it - legend has it that a boy used to climb to its roof to pick out pigeon nests and stick his tongue out at passers-by. When his mother saw him, she cursed him and the boy was petrified. You can still see them today...
So what do you think of our tips for a walk? And do you have a favourite little-known spot worth seeing? Let us know in the comments!
0:00 Prague's secret nooks and crannies
0:38 Only golden fly
1:24 Vilímek's Publishing House Courtyard
2:20 Pepi III at the post office in Spalena
3:18 Owl as the oldest traffic light
4:20 The petrified boy at the church
Prague is full of places worth discovering. Not when there are new ones every day! When you go to admire the new Masarycka project, stop by one of the local establishments. Where do they make the biggest pizzas or the best cakes? We'll tell you in the video: • Nové podniky na Masary...
Who doesn't know at least a few of Prague's passages. But did you know that you can shorten your journey through the city centre thanks to them? See for yourself: • Odhalte tajemství praž...
Similarly, Prague's little-known alleys will guide you through the city without the crowds of tourists. Which ones to use? Watch the video: • Skryté průchody a ulič...
By the way, do you know which is the narrowest alley in Prague? We set out to find out that and many other records in a previous episode: • 10 pražských rekordů, ...
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Daniel, Lukáš, Honza, Martina, Květa, Ruda