Lennon Wall

We really hit the ground running after arriving in Prague, and have been walking 5 to 10 miles a day for the most part, taking in the neighborhoods, architectural gems, art, music and cuisine.  The Lennon Wall above was and continues to be a symbol of peace and freedom for Prague and beyond.  While we were visiting it, there was someone singing "Imagine" accompanied by guitar. It was so very moving.   History of Lennon Wall via Wiki

St. Nicholas Church

St. Nicholas Church with Belltower (Wiki photo)

---

Chris and I ate a lovely meal at outdoor restaurant dating back to Roman Times across from St. Nicholas Church in the Mala Strana (Lesser Town) area of Prague.  We were looking forward to what we thought was going to be an evening concert there.  We crossed the street, bought tickets and started up some steps that we assumed led to the entrance to the church.  As it turned out, we had purchased tickets to climb up to the top of the Bell Tower there which is extremely high and looks over Prague.  After huffing and puffing in what felt like an endless spiral, we managed to make our way to the top and the views were well worth the workout.  We were able to walk around an observation deck and take in 360 degree views.   St. Nicholas Church   As it turned out, there was a concert that night in another St. Nicholas Church in another part of the city.   

After our climb up to the Bell Tower, we found the front of the Church just as Mass was commencing, so we headed in and sat down on an original but uncomfortable pew seat and gazed at the art and took in the incantations in Czech.  It was really something and between the Bell Tower and Church we walked around Lesser Town feeling quite inspired.   

Evening Concert inside St. Giles Church & Black Madonna Sighting

Prague hosts concerts inside their opulent churches in the evenings.  This one was held at the St. Giles Church and featured the Czech String Chamber Ensemble and & Great Organ: 3 Manuals 3500 Pipes.  It was truly inspiring to sit in such a huge baroque church with 100 foot ceilings, marble, carvings and devotional images of Christ and saints while taking in the concert.   They were all excellent musicians.  I adored The Swan by C. Saint-Saens which highlighted a bass violin and also Bolero by Ravel.  The Bach Toccata and Fugue in D Minor was amazing to take in live there on the grand organ, as well as the Fugue in C Minor (Mozart).   At the end of the concert, Chris discovered a small Black Madonna.  It was dark so my photo doesn't show the detail.  That night, I had a dream about this same Black Madonna and she came to me in a beautiful, silvery-gold light-filled raiment, which left me in awe.