环球之旅:浪漫的"百塔之城"布拉格

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.

根据《吉尼斯世界纪录大全》，布拉格城堡是世界上规模最大的连贯城堡建筑群，这里也是捷克共和国总统府的所在地。这片建筑群包括圣维塔大教堂（布拉格最明显的地标）、瞭望塔、博物馆、画廊、修道院、黄金巷以及几处宫殿，包括洛伯考维兹宫和圣乔治教堂；后者经常在傍晚时分举行颇受欢迎的古典音乐会。

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许就属黄金巷了，也叫做金匠街或炼金术士街，这里的房屋挨着城堡的外墙，只有正常房屋一半的大小。著名作家卡夫卡曾经在这里居住过一段时间，住在他妹妹的家里。布拉格的每个纪念品商店都销售印着卡夫卡图像的T恤衫、海报和杯子。黄金巷里的卡夫卡故居便是卡夫卡永远和我们在一起的明证。

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.

在老城区广场，也就是老城市政厅的所在地，布拉格天文钟前总是聚集着大批的人群，你一定要做好心理准备。每到整点时分，（天文钟上）一个小小的活板门便会打开，基督走在他的门徒前面，一一现身。这座浓饰重彩的钟是一座独一无二的天文钟杰作，具有显示日月星辰旋转方位的功能。

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.

古老的建筑和宏伟的教堂使得老城区广场成为欧洲最美丽的历史景观之一。广场中最显眼的是提恩（国税局）前的圣母玛利亚教堂，或提恩教堂。教堂有两个地标性的巴洛克式对称尖塔，在布拉格的任何地方都能够看到它，尤其是夜幕之中被灯光照亮的时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世纪起，老城区广场就成为了布拉格的中心市场，充满人气和生机。数个世纪以来，市场周围竖起了罗马、巴洛克和哥特等各种风格的建筑物。若要全身心地欣赏老城区广场的美，需得在路边的咖啡馆坐下来，广场周边的咖啡馆一家挨着一家，点一杯咖啡或是冰啤，把自己融入这美景之中。或者爬上老城市政厅的塔楼眺望，将广场美景尽收眼底。

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，布拉格并不是只有历史性的建筑。位于布拉格市区的GJ－荷兰公司的办公大楼被称为“跳舞的房子”，这是一幢设计惊人的现代建筑。它是出生于南斯拉夫的捷克籍建筑师弗拉德·米卢尼克和加拿大建筑师弗兰克·盖里共同设计的，它矗立在河边的一块空地上。那里原来的建筑在1945年的布拉格轰炸中被摧毁。 “跳舞的房子”于1996年竣工。来屋顶上的法国餐厅享受一顿美味佳肴，可欣赏到布拉格的壮丽市景。

《环球之旅:浪漫的"百塔之城"布拉格》永久阅读地址: http://91kudian.com/yingyu/4178/