Hello, hello!
Today is another thrilling day, as I’ve been eager to see the Prague Castle. I’ve never seen a castle before. Plus, knowing it is Prague’s #1 tourist attraction makes it even more intriguing.
The journey was a bit longer, as we ventured into the other side of the city. The architecture was a blend of Gothic and Romanesque styles – all just so grand and breathtaking.
Petr shared a super interesting fact that the Rosette circle in the St. Vitus Cathedral, where during seasonal equinoxes, the sunlight shines through directly and causes rainbow light refractions all throughout. I wonder if this is a well-known phenomenon by tourists or if it is a lesser-known sight!
As for the Christmas markets that explored, we primarily explored a smaller market in Peace Square. It was wonderful!
There were so many niche items, from hand-carved soap flower bouquets to chocolate covered bananas to a very elaborate lavender themed shop with sample dispensers.
Finally, the Terezin memorial was definitely the most niche site we visited during the fifth day. There were hardly any other visitors, and it was far out of the city. The former concentration camp memorial, along with the ghetto’s memorials, presented some of the most extreme forms of dark tourism I’ve ever seen.
Unlike the Pilsner Urquell brewery, Terezin is not at all a pleasant experience where tourists can just come and go.
Part of it felt almost unethical, to be a tourist who has their own bathrooms and souvenir shop onsite, while walking on the same exact grounds around the same buildings where countless lives were tortured and lost.
Although, I am also very grateful to have had this in-person experience. The memorials were meant to educate as well as evoke heavy, thoughtful emotions. It’s a very in-depth experience and there is a very specific interest to seek out such an “attraction”.
I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how deeply history, especially very grim history, can resonate with tourists. I am glad that the camp and memorials have been preserved, rather than removed or drastically changed.
-Liv