The World Stamp Exhibition PRAGA 2008- Charles Bridge - 650 years

This stamp designed by Czech Post for promote the World Stamp Exhibition PRAGA 2008 which is to be held on September 12-14, 2008 at the Prague-Holešovice Exhibition Grounds.The miniature sheet and the postage stamp commemorate the 650th anniversary of the beginning of construction of this gothic jewel.The sheet issued on June 20, 2007.

Charles Bridge is the oldest bridge in Prague. It belongs to the most beautiful bridges in the world. Originally it was called the Stone Bridge, later Prague Bridge. In 1870 it was renamed Charles Bridge. It is located in the place of the original Romanesque Juditin Bridge, destroyed by the 1342 floods. The base stone of the new bridge was laid by the Emperor Charles IV on 9.7.1357 at 5:31 a.m., which was the best time according to astrologers. The construction was committed to Petr Parlér and his works. The bridge, almost 520 m long, up to 10 m wide and based on 16 arches, was finished in 1402. At that time it belonged to the largest ones in Europe. It is made of sandstone blocks and protected by towers erected on both its ends.

The Old Town Bridge Tower is considered as one of the most beautiful gothic buildings. The bridge is the gallery of 30 mostly baroque sculptures made, inter alia, by M. B. Braun and F. M. Brokoff. The sandstone original sculptures have gradually been replaced with replicas. Until the 20th century Charles Bridge was used as a major way of communication. From 1965 it has been used by pedestrians only and is one of the most attractive Prague sights.

Blogger Tags: Charles Bridge, Praga 2008, Czech

The World Stamp Exhibition PRAGA 2008- Lesser Town - 750 years

This stamp was issued on March 2007 for promoting the World Stamp Exhibition PRAGA 2008 which is to be held on September 12-14, 2008 at the Prague-Holešovice Exhibition Grounds.The postage stamp commemorating the 750th anniversary of foundation of the Lesser Town features a detail of Langweil's model of Prague, a unique work of art, document and rarity. The model was created in 1826-1837 by Antonín Langweil .

The model detailed with a maximum accuracy the colours of face walls, house signs, inscriptions and numbers as well as different types of roofs. One can see piles of wood, small walls and ladders on the back yards. The model sized 5.76 m by 3.24 m is displayed in the Museum of the City of Prague.

The detail on the postage stamp features the Lesser Town Square with the former town hall, Smirický Palace and Sternberg Houses on the northern side of the square, St Nicholas' Church, the former Jesuit college and the neighbouring blocks of houses.

The Prague preservation area of Lesser Town is one of the most attractive highlights of Prague. The King Premysl Otakar II founded the so-called New Town below Prague Castle, called from the early 14th century the Lesser Town of Prague, in the outer castle settlement in the area of today's Lesser Town Square. The Emperor Charles IV substantially extended the settlement by including the neighbouring settlements and erecting new walls (the so-called Hungry Wall).

The today's shape of the Lesser Town comes mainly from the 17th and 18th century, the time of construction of pompous baroque palaces, churches and monasteries. In 1784 the Lesser Town lost its status of an independent town and became one of the districts of the united Prague.

Blogger Tags: Lesser Town, Praga 2008, Czech

The World Exhibition of Postage Stamps PRAGA 2008 - Giovanni Castrucci: A View of Prague Castle

This stamp was issued on September 13, 2006 to promote the World Exhibition of Postage Stamps PRAGA 2008 which held in September 2008 at the Exhibition Grounds in Prague - Holešovice.

The Florentine mosaic featured on the postage stamp is the property of the Museum of Applied Arts in Prague.The Florentine mosaic is composed of precisely cut gems so that no or almost no gaps can be seen between the gems. The colour and drawing of the stone is used to achieve the artistic effect. This technique was invented in Florence and was always considered as an exclusively Italian matter. In the 17th and 18th centuries it was much popular as a decoration of cabinets, boxes and furniture in general. The great collector and patron of arts Rudolf II invited to Prague the mosaic makers and gem cutters Cosim and Giovanni Castrucci who founded a prosperous workshop in Prague. Their work represents an interesting, independent version of the Florentine mosaic.

.