Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle complex in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records, and is the seat of the President of the Czech Republic. The complex consists of Saint Vitus Cathedral (the most recognisable landmark in the city), viewing towers, museums and art galleries, a monastery, The Golden Lane, several palaces, including Lobkowicz Palace, and St. George's Basilica; the latter being a popular venue for early evening classical concerts.
根據《吉尼斯世界紀錄大全》,布拉格城堡是世界上規模最大的連貫城堡建筑群,這里也是捷克共和國總統府的所在地。這片建筑群包括圣維塔大教堂(布拉格最明顯的地標)、瞭望塔、博物館、畫廊、修道院、黃金巷以及幾處宮殿,包括洛伯考維茲宮和圣喬治教堂;后者經常在傍晚時分舉行頗受歡迎的古典音樂會。
Perhaps the most interesting part is the Golden Lane, also known as the Goldsmiths or Alchemists Lane, with its "half" small houses attached to the outer wall of the castle. The famous author Kafka once lived here for a while in his sister's house. T-shirts, posters and mugs carrying the writer's image are available at every souvenir shop across Prague. Kafka House at Golden Lane is the never-dying presence of Franz Kafka.
建筑群里最有趣的地方也許就屬黃金巷了,也叫做金匠街或煉金術士街,這里的房屋挨著城堡的外墻,只有正常房屋一半的大小。著名作家卡夫卡曾經在這里居住過一段時間,住在他妹妹的家里。布拉格的每個紀念品商店都銷售印著卡夫卡圖像的T恤衫、海報和杯子。黃金巷里的卡夫卡故居便是卡夫卡永遠和我們在一起的明證。
Be prepared for a big crowd in front of the Orloj in the old town square, old town city hall. Every hour, a small trap door opens and Christ marches out ahead of his disciples. Richly ornamented this is a unique masterpiece of an astronomical clock with functions for the revolutions of the sun, moon and stars amongst others.
在老城區廣場,也就是老城市政廳的所在地,布拉格天文鐘前總是聚集著大批的人群,你一定要做好心理準備。每到整點時分,(天文鐘上)一個小小的活板門便會打開,基督走在他的門徒前面,一一現身。這座濃飾重彩的鐘是一座獨一無二的天文鐘杰作,具有顯示日月星辰旋轉方位的功能。
With its ancient buildings and magnificent churches the old town square is one of the most beautiful historical sights in Europe. Domineering the old square is The Church of Our Lady Before Tyn, or Tyn Church. With its two asymmetrical baroque towers, this is a landmark to be seen from all over Prague, specially striking lit up at night time.
古老的建筑和宏偉的教堂使得老城區廣場成為歐洲最美麗的歷史景觀之一。廣場中最顯眼的是提恩(國稅局)前的圣母瑪利亞教堂,或提恩教堂。教堂有兩個地標性的巴洛克式對稱尖塔,在布拉格的任何地方都能夠看到它,尤其是夜幕之中被燈光照亮的時候更是格外惹人注目。
Dating from the 12th century, the Old Town Square started life as the central marketplace for Prague. Over the centuries buildings of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles were erected around the market. To fully appreciate the beauty of the Old Town Square, sit back and soak up the atmosphere over a coffee or a cool beer at one of the pavement cafés lining the square. Or climb the Old Town Hall Tower for a stunning view over the square.
自12世紀起,老城區廣場就成為了布拉格的中心市場,充滿人氣和生機。數個世紀以來,市場周圍豎起了羅馬、巴洛克和哥特等各種風格的建筑物。若要全身心地欣賞老城區廣場的美,需得在路邊的咖啡館坐下來,廣場周邊的咖啡館一家挨著一家,點一杯咖啡或是冰啤,把自己融入這美景之中。或者爬上老城市政廳的塔樓眺望,將廣場美景盡收眼底。
Yet, Prague is not all about historical architecture. An astounding and contemporary building is the Dancing House, Nationale-Nederlanden building in downtown Prague. It was designed by Yugoslavian-born Czech architect Vlado Milunic in co-operation with Canadian architect Frank Gehry on a vacant riverfront plot, where the previous building had been destroyed during the Bombing of Prague in 1945. The building was completed in 1996. Have a meal on the roof of the building in the French restaurant with magnificent views of the city.
然而,布拉格并不是只有歷史性的建筑。位于布拉格市區的國家-荷蘭公司的辦公大樓被稱為“跳舞的房子”,這是一幢設計驚人的現代建筑。它是出生于南斯拉夫的捷克籍建筑師弗拉德·米盧尼克和加拿大建筑師弗蘭克·蓋里共同設計的,它矗立在河邊的一塊空地上。那里原來的建筑在1945年的布拉格轟炸中被摧毀。 “跳舞的房子”于1996年竣工。來屋頂上的法國餐廳享受一頓美味佳肴,可欣賞到布拉格的壯麗市景。