Early in the morning, the minute you get off the plane you find yourself in a miraculous dream called Prague…
“ Ahoy’ is the first word you hear when arriving in the Czech Republic. Whenever you hear “Ahoy” be sure that they are welcoming you and offering a closer acquaintance with their wonderful country. Thousands of people visit Czech to just stroll along the ancient the inimitable architecture.
The city, with a population of 1,21 million, is astounding with the fusion of Czech, German and Jewish cultures. The variety of architectural styles, the ancient monuments and the well-preserved Old town make Prague one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
An ancient legend goes that the legendary Princess Libuse, who had visionary powers, exclaimed in her dream: “I see an enormous city and its fame will reach the stars and its name will be Prague! Thus , in the seventh century the Princess predicted the future glory of the city.
Why is Prague so enthralling and what is the secret of its attraction? Maybe it’s the romantic evenings when the city turns into an illuminated scene, or maybe it’s the enchantment of the hundreds of cozy pubs inducing beer-lovers. Maybe it is the indescribable thrill to be in the homeland of Franz Kafka or the exhilarating moment of walking with someone close to your heart along the Carl’s Bridge. Maybe… By the way, about Carl’s Bridge or the Karlov Most as the citizens call it…
This structure is one of the most famous historic monuments of Prague. It was built according to the designs of Petr Parlor . The exact date and time the cornerstone was laid was July 9, 1357 at 15:31. If you regard this date closely, you will see that it consists of odd numbers in an increasing and decreasing order: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 5, 3, 1. The date was specifically chosen by mathematicians and astrologers as the most favorable time for construction.
Each of the 30 statues located along Carl’s Bridge has a peculiar history, but the most incredible is the story of Jan Nepomuck or St. John Nepomucene. In his fully developed legend he was the confessor of the Queen of Bohemia. Her husband, Wenceslas 4 King of Bohemia and emperor of Germany was very jealous and suspicious of the Empress, who used to spend hours in the Church praying. The king called St. John Nepomucene and ordered him to reveal what his wife had told him in confession, but the confessor refused to divulge the secrets of the confessional, for which he was tied up and thrown into the Vltava River from Carl’s Bridge. When peasants found his drowned body in the river, golden stars were shining above his head. Since then, sculptors have been depicting St. John Nepomucene with five stars circling his head.
People still believe that if they touch the bas-relief beneath the sculpture with a dream in their mind, it will certainly come true.
Strolling along the streets in Prague is sheer delight. It helps explore this wonderful city more thoroughly and intently. One of the most magnificent structures in the Old Town is the Casle, presently the Presidential Residence. The Prague Castle is the largest medieval castle complex in Europe and the ancient seat of Czech kings throughout the ages. A little charming passageway leads into the famous Golden Lane, yet another interesting part of the Prague Castle complex. The tiny colorful houses that were once inhabited by the castle servants, perhaps goldsmiths and castle marksmen, take you back to a childhood fairy tale. Dating from the 15th century, this small street is lined by 11 historic houses, which exhibit medieval armory and textiles, as well as selling tourist souvenirs. From 1916 to 1917 house No.22 was inhabited by the writer Franz Kafka.
Throughout centuries , one of Prague’s most notable and popular attractions was the
Prague Astronomical Clock or the Prague Orloj mounted on the southern wall of the Old Town City Hall in the old Town Square in 1338 and featuring the procession of the Twelve Apostles.
The nearby Jewish Quarter with its historic buildings and monuments is an important part of the history of Prague.
On the opposite bank of the Vltava River rises the world-class Dancing House (Tancini Dum), a masterpiece of contemporary architecture and a most daring experiment. Built between 1992-1996, by Yugoslav-born Vlado Milunic and the renowned American architect Frank Gehry, the Dancing House forms a strikingly modern contrast to Prague’s historic attractions. At first the citizens of Prague were too reluctant to accept the “gigantic Monster” covered in glass and iron in their beloved fairy-tale city. But in a short time span they reconciled themselves to its existence and even named it the “Ginger & Fred Building”, after the legendary dance duo. In fact, amidst the daring, curvy outlines of the building there is a fine love melody as if the famous dancers are giving their best performance in front of the audience. Dancing House is home to one of the city’s leading restaurants, La Perle de Prague Restaurant that offers magnificent views over Prague. Prague is the political and cultural center of the Czech Republic. More than 2000 cultural events take place every month in this wonderful city. Aside from aesthetic pleasure, Prague offers a large variety of entertainments.
Cafes have always been a favorite venue for artists and intelligentsia alike who can freely discuss various political and cultural issues inspired by the peaceful coziness. Café “Medusa” , for instance, hosts a diversity of exhibition sales by modern artists. This is a popular meeting point, as well as a place for round table discussions and, of course, drinking. You are sure to find something amazing here. Majority of pubs and cafes are open until 1 o’clock in the morning and even 04:00 or 05:00 a.m. on weekends. Night clubs are normally working until 05:00 a. m., but if you are not contented you can attend the so-called “ after-parties”, the clubs that are open 24 hours. After sunset, Prague divulges its night life. If you are a real party animal, then this is just the place for you to go. The city has numerous top-scale night clubs and you are sure to like at least one of them. Night life in Prague opens endless opportunities to meet interesting people and spend the night in a friendly environment.
During the entire trip I could not help but recall the saying that “Prague is like a woman: tender and persistent, impulsive and deep, like a well where you can recognize your real face.” Who knows, maybe Yaroslav Seyfert’s words reveal the whole truth about
Prague…
“Prague is like a woman: tender and hard, capricious and deep as a well in which you can recognize your real face.”
In reality Santa Claus has been a clergyman. He is one of the most beloved saints of the Universal Church-Pontiff Nikoghayos( Nicholas the bishop). In his time Greek pontiff Nikoghayos used to go from home to home and to put money or gifts on the windowsills of the houses of the poor. The image of Santa Claus derives just from that fact. The translation of Santa Claus means St. Nikoghayos ( Nicholas ) . That’s why children admit the gifts of Santa Claus as God-granted gifts. For the Armenian nation the New Year is an appeal, an invitation to celebrate a feast. 
The Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ ( Christmas) , which is the commemoration of the Birth and Baptism of Jesus Christ, is one of the most important and beloved feasts of Christians throughout the world. Both by its essence and sacrament Christmas is more important than the New year. The New Year is merely a change of calendar year and has no sacrament. Whereas Christmas itself is the sacrament of the Birth of the son of god which becomes a new and endless beginning for the mankind. That’s why it is already more than 2000 years that all calendar calculations are conditioned by the Birth of Christ and are divided into BC ( before the birth of Christ ) and AD ( Anno Domani in the year since the birth of Christ). 
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