Plot

This entry in James A. FitzPatrick's Traveltalks series looks at Czechoslovakia, before World War II, including images of bridges, churches, and castles in Prague, with a non-military parade through the city.

Following WWI, the old Austro-Hungarian Empire was divided into several independent nations, including Czechoslovakia, which itself is composed of the two branches of the Slavic nation. Prague, its largest city, sits on the banks of the Vltava River. It has been the center of arts and culture for a millennium, largely due to Charles IV, after who many landmarks in the city are named. The Charles Bridge, the Prague Castle, the Tyne Church, a backward moving Jewish clock, and a mechanical astronomical clock (the latter three which are situated in the main town square) are some of the city's main sights. A parade through the city, representing the provinces of the republic, features locally elected boys to act as king for their area. The parade also has a noticeable absence of militarism, as it is the culture and agrarian spirit of the country that is featured.—Huggo

After a brief narrative history of the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, we visit Prague, Czechoslovakia for a look at churches, monuments, a castle, its guards, and a harvest parade. We cross the Charles Bridge, a marvel of Medieval architecture, and look at St. Nicholas Church, then on to Tyn Church on Old Town Square. Two nearby clocks, one in Hebrew and one with elaborate mobile statues, entertain us. We see the castle, guarded by three legions, where the nation's president lives. Gold Street, with its history of imprisoned Jewish alchemists, is nearby. Then we watch a harvest parade of colorfully dressed provincial people.—<jhailey@hotmail.com>