Folklore Study: History of Vampires

Before my trip to Prague I read a book set in the city to help me better understand it's mystique. The book was entitled The Lights of Prague, set in the 1850s pertaining to a war against vampires and their hunters. I started reading this book shortly after finishing The Witcher video game, which was also fittingly so about monster hunting. The book had an original semi-dark style to it, as it glorified the city of Prague while telling a suspenseful story. This story pertaining to vampires was already an impression I already had about Prague and really set the stage for my visit. However the book also got me into a vampire phase, a more gothic area that I usually stay away from. 

This recent fascination with vampires is really just an academic curiosity for me, no different then when I made my deep dive into the history of witchcraft a couple years ago. What's so interesting however is how much content and culture there is regarding to this paranormal creature. The first vampire that always comes to mind of course is Count Dracula. I'll later dive deeper into the history and literature regarding this figure, but shockingly it wasn't Dracula that started this vampire craze. Folkloric beliefs of blood-sucking monsters went much further back to medieval and ancient times. I'd like to study the evolution of this folkloric belief regarding vampires.

I'm going to break this study into three parts. First is the historical evolution of the vampire, pertaining to it's history in society. I'd like to understand where this fear of vampires came from and what inspired so much fictional content. I'd then like to break down the common traits and attributes of a vampire (such as their blood-sucking ways). Finally I'd like to highlight the many forms of media pertaining to vampires such as novels, art, movies, and television shows. It's no doubt quite a sub-culture, that has it's undeniable lure to the more macabre, horror, and gothic crowd. 

History of Vampire Folklore

The term "vampire" was born out of eastern Europe in the 1730s, and it's no question that most of it's source material takes place in that central-eastern European Slavic region (such as Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Romania). However this embodiment of the blood-sucking monster referred to as the vampire goes back into ancient times. Many ancient civilizations and religions believed in bloodsucking demons and devils. The Indian Hindus introduced dark spirits to their mythological beliefs such as the "vetalas" or the "pisacas" who would feed on the flesh of live creatures. 

The ancient Persians were one of the first civilizations to have tales regarding blood sucking demons, and created the iconic Lilitu (later known as Lilith by ancient Hebrew text). According to the Persians and the Jews, she was a blood-sucking demon who fed on humans and spawned a species of beautiful yet savage vampires known as "estries". The Greeks and Romans also added vampire-like demons to their mythological beliefs such as the shape-shifting "Empusae, the child-eating Lamia, and the nocturnal birdlike striges. 

During the medieval period, there was some minimal accounts of folkloric vampire creatures written by British and Old Norse poets, often pertaining to undead zombies such as revenants. By the mid 1300s however this fear became a reality when there were various accounts in the Czech region of buried corpses seen committing murders. There was also an account in Croatia in 1672 about a young man named Jure Grando who came back to life to commit murder. Certain historic figures such as Vlad the Impaler of Wallachia and Elizabeth Bathory of Hungary were later accused of having vampire tendencies with no hard evidence. It's no question that the vampire hysteria we know of as today was first rooted in eastern Europe during the 1600 and 1700s. From here came the legends and folklore pertaining to the villainous vampires and their common attributes, which later spread to western Europe. 

During the European Witchcraft frenzy of the 1600-1700s, there were also many real cases of vampire sightings and trials. This hysteria unfolded particularly in the 1720s in East Prussia there were many accounts of vampire attacks. There were also real accounts in Serbia of people returning from the dead to murder others by sucking out their blood. These two Serbian cases specifically led to an uproar of vampire fear, hysteria, and controversy throughout Eastern Europe. These legends later spread throughout Asia, Africa, and the Americas who incorporated their own variations on the vampire. In 1897 Irish author Bram Stoker wrote the iconic novel of Dracula, which made the vampire a common monster in folklore. 

Vampire Attributes

The physical features and traits of the vampire have changed much throughout history, but really began to take shape into a structure by the 19-20th century. The vampire we know of as today, best demonstrated by the iconic Count Dracula consists of the following common attributes:

• 
  Undead Creatures: Vampires are former human beings, who have died and yet their corpse lives on. In this regard they are immortal, unless they are beheaded or staked in the heart. It is commonly understood that to become a vampire one must be bitten by another vampire.
• Blood-sucking savages: Vampires have predator sharp fangs to feed on the blood of others. They constantly have a thirst for blood which will often turn their civil behavior into animal behavior. 
• Supernatural Strength: Aside from their predator fangs, vampires are often depicted with supernatural strength, speed, and other paranormal powers. For this reason it is very difficult to kill a vampire.
  
• Immortality: Since they are already technically dead, vampires are immortal creatures. They do not age, yet rather are depicted with youthful beauty and classy style. 
• Hallucination: Vampires often have the power to hallucinate or manipulate other people's minds.
• Transformation: On various accounts vampires have the ability to shape-shift or transform into smoke or a bat. 
• Sexuality: Vampires are often depicted with a heightened libido, or a more hungry sexual appetite. 
• Enemy of Werewolves: In many stories, shows, and movies they are often depicted as having extreme prejudice, hate, and violent conflicts with the werewolf race
• Fear of the Light: It's commonly understood that vampires must dwell in the darkness and cannot survive in the daylight. They will often sleep in coffins during the daytime. For this reason they have very pale skin. 
• Methods of Vampire Protection: Vampires have various weakness which humans will often use to protect themselves. This can range from magical symbols, to mirrors, garlic, wild rose, hawthorn, or mustard seed. It is also commonly accepted that the vampires have a weakness towards religious symbols such as a crucifix, rosary, holy water, or bible. 
• Methods of Vampire Hunting: Most vampires are immortal and do not age. However they do have weaknesses. The most common way to murder a vampire is to stake it through the heart. Beheading the vampire is also an affective way to bring it's life to an end. 

Literature on Vampires

Of course the first book that comes to mind is the classic Dracula by Bram Stoker. This book more-or-less established the iconic image of the vampire. However long before Bram Stoker's book there were various poems and books about vampires or consisting of vampire creatures as the villains. In more modern times there has been a reawakening of vampire novels, most notably the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. Her books essentially modernized the outdated notions of vampires in a way that JK Rowling modernized witchcraft. I for one never read the Twilight books and still do not intend to, however I am going to watch the movies now just out of cultural curiosity.    

• 
  Lenore (1773): This poem is often regarded as one of the first popular works of literature pertaining to vampires. Written by German author Gottfried August Burger, it is considered a Gothic ballad. The premise is a grieving woman who confronts a mysterious person who at first appears to be her husband but is later revealed as death. This macabre story demonstrates the darker side of undead vampires. 
  
• Varney the Vampire (1845): One of the first popular novels pertaining to the vampire character this horror book was written by British authors James Malcolm Rymer and Thomas Peckett Prest. This book was a major influence on Bram Stoker and established some of the classical attributes of a vampire such as their sharp fangs. 
• Carmilla (1872): This Gothic novel written by Irish author Sheridan Le Fanu was another major inspiration to Bram Stoker. The novel deals with a female protagonist who is a countess that happens to be a vampire. It deals with lesbian romance as the countess/vampire has controversial desires for other women. This book was way ahead of it's time and also captures the sexual drive and lustfulness often portrayed among vampires. 
• Dracula (1897): It is the popular Horror gothic novel written by Irish author Bram Stoker that created to this day one of the most famous vampire characters. The character of Count Dracula is described to live in the Transylvania region in a castle in the mountains (which is modern day Romania). He is later hunted by the doctor and scientist Van Helsing who also established the common attributes for vampire hunting. The character of Count Dracula was a reference to the Wallachian prince Vlad the Impaler who ruled from 1448-1476. While he is considered a hero of Romania, he is coined with the term impaler in reference to Saxon enemies that he had impaled. It's no doubt that this cruel nature of Vlad the Impaler as well as other Transylvanian folklore inspired Bram Stoker's iconic novel. 
• 
  Interview with a Vampire (1976): Written by American author Anne Rice, this book portrays the vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac who tells his story to a reporter. The vampire is based out of New Orleans, LA and travels the world in search of other vampires. The book inspired the popular 1994 film adaptation starring Brad Pitt in the lead role. 
  
• Twilight (2008-2020): American author Stephanie Meyer revamped the vampire culture with this very popular romance series. Just as with Harry Potter, the book was targeted to the teenage crowd and noted for it's darker elements. The author originally published four books from 2005-2008 (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn) and recently released two more in 2015 and 2020 (Life and Death and Midnight Sun). The book was adapted into a popular movie series starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.
• Lights of Prague (2021): Probably not so much of a popular book but I actually enjoyed this and it's the root of my inspiration with vampires. Written by American author Nicole Jarvis it is an action romance between a vampire hunter and a vampire. I especially enjoyed the setting of 1850s Prague, where the vampire hunter was a lamplighter. The story dives deep into vampire culture and uses the term "pijavica" to describe their monstrous nature.   

Television Shows about Vampires

• 
  Dark Shadows (1966-1971): This was a popular Gothic soap opera about a wealthy family in Maine who happened to be vampires. The show depicted all manners of horror creatures from werewolves, ghosts, zombies, and witches. A movie adaptation was later released about the family starring Johnny Depp. 
  
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003): I remember this show as a kid starring the attractive blonde, Sarah Michelle Gellar as the vampire hunter. I maybe caught a few scenes here and there and would consider it more of a teenage soap opera than a proper gothic horror drama. 
• The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017): Although I have not seen this show, I have heard of it and understand it to be a popular teenage drama about vampires. The show ran for 8 seasons and produced 171 episodes which is certainly saying something about it's popularity. 
• Castlevania (2017-2021) Based on the popular video game, it pertains to the family of Dracula as they seek vengeance for the murder of Count Dracula's wife. 
• True Blood (2008-2014) A comedy/drama produced by HBO, based off the popular book series by Charlaine Harris. It stars the attractive Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse. The show is set in modern day Louisiana and pertains to vampires and many other wicked monsters. I'm actually currently watching this show and can say after nearly 3 seasons I really do enjoy it. It is yet another well written show by HBO and has a unique blend of dark comedy and drama.  

Movies about Vampires

• Dracula (1931): There are many many film adaptations of Bram Stoker's famous novel but it appears this is considered the most classic. The title character was famously portrayed by Hungarian actor Bela Lugosi. 
• Interview with the Vampire (1994): Based off the popular book by Anne Rice it tells a modern day biography of a vampire living among society. It stars top A-listers such as Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas, Christian Slater, and Kirsten Dunst. 
• 
  Van Helsing (2004): Based on the heroic scientist Dr. Van Helsing, it stars Hugh Jackman in the title role. It is an action film, where Van Helsing is hunting monsters all across Transylvania, along with his attractive sidekick played by the Gothic queen herself, Kate Beckinsale. The film had a clever setting, but received negative reviews, and I for one did not care much for it. 
• The Blade Trilogy (1998-2004): It is a Marvel superhero trilogy, with Wesley Snipes portraying the the title character. Blade is considered a dhampir (a creature that has vampire superpowers, but is not immortal). I never watched a single one of these movies, but understand they were quite popular during my teenage years. 
  
• I am Legend (2007): Based off the 1954 novel by Richard Matheson it is a post-apocalyptic action movie starring Will Smith. Due to a deadly virus the majority of society has transformed into blood sucking vampire demons. Will Smith must isolate, defend, and survive against these horrific monsters.   
• Hotel Transylvania (2012-2020): An animated comedy about Count Dracula welcoming other monsters in Transylvania to his castle. The film series starred Adam Sandler in the title role and produced 5 films as well as a TV series. I may have caught the first film but don't remember anything noteworthy from it. I enjoyed Steve's Carrell's portrayal of Gru much more in Despicable Me, even though he is not considered a vampire.  
• Underworld (2003-2016): Starring the very sexy Kate Beckinsale it is a vampire action movie about an underground system of monsters living in modern day. The premise is essentially a modern day war between vampires and werewolves (a common theme in vampire content). It has all the modern day vampire attributes with the very pale skin and the tight black leather. 
• Dark Shadows (2012): Directed by the king of the Gothic genre, Tim Burton and starring his prodigy Johnny Depp this pertains to the popular 1960s comedy. It has a slew of big name actors such as Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, and Jackie Earle Haley. 
• Twlight Saga (2008-2012): This very popular teenage drama pertains to vampire romance and conflicts with other vampires and werewolves. I never cared much for the series but am giving it another try this time around. Two movies in, I'm still not very impressed. 

Top 50 Dave Matthews Songs

In preparation for my upcoming Dave Matthews Band concert next weekend I've been diving deep into his music lately. I've been a huge fan of DMB, since my good friend Lauren got me hooked in college. He is one of my all time favorite musicians (right after the Beatles). There's really not a song of his I don't like and for this reason would like to give a well thought out top 50 list (just like I did for my Christmas Songs). I'm going to include music from the band, his solo albums, and live cover versions. 

I won't get too much into detail here about my love of DMB but perhaps might due that after next weekends concert. His music is a unique blend of darkness yet also an uplifting celebration of life. His lyrics are poetic, his voice is passionate, and his backed up by a unique array of musicians. The DMB sound is unlike any other music, quite worldly with it's infusion of keyboard, drums, bass, guitar, and the fiddle. I would consider his music a fusion of rock, jazz, folk, indie, jam, and even a bit of swamp rock. I really can't compare any other musician to his style and for that reason he stands as one of my favorites. So here is my well thought out list of my top 50 favorite DMB songs. 

Top 50 Favorite Dave Matthews Songs

50. Pantala Naga Pampa

• Album: Before these Crowded Streets (1998)
• Significance: It's one of DMB's shortest songs at only 41 seconds but has such a blissful melody. It's mostly instrumental but Dave does deliver an orgasmic line where he welcomes everyone to relax and set aside their troubles. I could see this song used as opening welcome to any live show. 

49. #41

• 
  Album: Crash
  
• Notable Live Performances:
• United Center 1998
• Red Rocks 2005
• Wrigley Field 2010
• Significance: It is more of an instrumental song, carried by Leroy Moore's saxophone and some good percussion by Carter Beauford. However Dave does provide a lyrical message pertaining to a lover. He describes how perhaps he was a bit too shy around her, and wishes he could have a 2nd chance with her saying that he will be waiting for her. 

48. Dancing Nancies

• Album: Under the Table Dreaming (1994)
• Notable Live Performances:
• Red Rocks 1995
• Central Park 2003
• Citi Field 2010
• Significance: The song is one of the more popular playful songs by the band, where Dave is describing alternate realities. He also describes the ups and downs of life, and despite the dark clouds that often appear he will get thru it. It's a very playful song with great jam sessions, and Dave will often add his current location to the opening of the song at live performances.  

47. You Never Know

• Album: Busted Stuff (2002)
• Significance: It's an uplifting song about dreaming and hoping for the best. Rather than wasting away we should have a positive outlook of life and make the most of every moment. It's a catchy melody by Dave and the band.   

46. Dreamgirl

• Album: Stand Up (2005)
• Significance: It's probably one of the more main stream overplayed songs but I still like it. The song is fairly simple to comprehend about a person so deep in love it feels like he is in a dream. It's one of his many very romantic and sexual songs about love. It also has a very nice dreamlike melody to it. I can't help but remember the music video for this song with Julia Roberts. 

45. Angel

• Album: Everyday (2001)
  
• Significance: One of the bands more mainstream songs I think it has a nice slow rhythm and harmony to it. I think the song is about an up-and-down relationship and the mind games that often happen. Despite all this drama however, the person accepts that he needs her more than anything because she is his angel. 

 44. Crush

• Album: Before These Crowded Streets (1998)
• Significance: This is one of Dave's more popular overplayed songs but still has to make it on this list. It has a very soothing romantic quality to it, where just as the title suggests Dave is reflecting on a lover. It has a very summer quality to it, about dancing, drinking, sleeping all day, and driving all night. The song also has some great instrumental pieces throughout it. 

43. All Along the Watchtower

• Cover Song by Bob Dylan/Jimi Hendrix(1968)
• Notable Live Performances:
• Central Park 2003
• Piedmont Park 2007
• Red Rocks 1995
• Citi Field 2010
• Significance: It is a great cover by the band of the iconic Bob Dylan/Jimi Hendrix song. It begins quite slow as Dave describes the confusion and lack of relief perhaps in reference to the Vietnam War. Half way into the song, Dave delivers a long sustained note about the hour being late. At this point the real jamming and rock and roll get going. The song is loaded with shouts and cries from Dave, ideal for an outdoor concert venue.    

42. Old Dirt HIll

• Album: Stand Up (2005)
• Significance: Dave explains at the Radio City Hall session that this song is about wanting to return to the nostalgia of being a young boy again. It has a catchy upbeat tune in which he explains his childhood and wishing he could return to it. 

41. Pay for What you Get

• Album: Under the Table Dreaming (1994)
• Significance: It is a slower song by DMB where he contemplates a lost lover. Everyone asks him how she's doing since she went away, and Dave says he doesn't know. At that he utters the main line "You Pay for what you get". I suppose this could be in reference to his lack of judgement or action in the relationship. It has such a nice melody to it. 

40. Granny

• 
  Album: Under the Table Dreaming (1994)
• Live Performances: 
• Central Park 2003
• Gorge Amphitheatre 2002
• Significance: It is a feel good song by the band pertaining to unconditional love. While the title mentions granny it really has nothing to do with a grandmother, yet rather about the love that keeps us going. It's an iconic fun song by the band with a very uplifting message.

39. Say Goodbye

• Album: Crash
• Notable Live Performances:
• Red Rocks 2005
• Comerica Park Detroit 2000
• Significance: It's a very beautiful song with great instrumental arrangements by the flute and percussion. The song is about having a one time fling, maybe even an affair with someone, but then parting ways and saying goodbye. The lovers agree to make the most of the night and tomorrow they can go back to being friends. Another poetic song by Dave pertaining to living in the moment. 

38. Ants Marching

• Album: Under the Table Dreaming
• Notable Liver Performances:
• Red Rocks 1995
• Central Park 2003
• Piedmont Park 2007
• Significance: It is one of the band's more iconic songs with it's fiery fiddling from Boyd Tinsley. The song is a reference to humanity working and living everyday like little ants marching together. I think Dave is urging us to wake up from our daily chores and routines and celebrate life more. It's yet another fun and playful song performed by the full band arrangement.    

37. Grace is Gone

• 
  Album: Busted Stuff (2002)
• Notable Live Performances:
• Fenway Park 2006
• Radio City Hall 2007
• Significance: One of Dave's more melancholic songs he is reflecting on yet another heartbreak. He is talking to the bartender, asking for another drink to help take the emotional pain away. He hopes that in drinking it will wash away his misery and memories of his past love. It's a slow acoustic song, with great vocals from Dave. 

36. #34

• Album: Under the Table Dreaming (1994)
• Significance: The song is mostly instrumental carried by a very nice saxophone melody by LeRoy Moore. The lyrics come later in the song where Dave is just peacefully laying back with someone else and reflecting on a good day. Once again another very positive and soothing song about enjoying life.   

35. Gravedigger

• Album: Some Devil (2003)
• Significance: Another dark song by Dave pertaining to death and mortality. The message is quite simple to live life to the fullest because it can end at any moment. He gives various examples of people whose life ended too soon, and appeals to the gravedigger. 

34. So Right

• Album: Everyday (2002)
• Significance: A song that is fairly simple to comprehend about friendship and love. A love that makes you feel so alive you want to dance. It is one of Dave's many uplifting happy songs. It also has a catchy upbeat melody and ideal for the full band jam arrangement. 

33. Typical Situation

• Album: Under the Table Dreaming (1994)
• Significance: It's a slower reflective song, with great instrumental and vocals. The song is about society's standards and how everyone shares a common ideal of happiness. I think Dave is criticizing this conformist structure that lacks individuality. It has a unique style and was probably one of my earlier favorite songs of Dave. 

32. Jimi Thing

• 
  Album: Under the Table and Dreaming (1994)
• Notable Live Performances:
• Central Park 2003
• Wrigley Field 2010
• Significance: This is one of Dave's feel good songs about getting high and enjoying life. He explains his desire to float and chill thru the good days and the bad days. It's a fun song performed by the band and also opens up for some great jamming at the live performances. 

31. One Sweet World

• Album: Remember Two Things (1993)
• Notable Live Performances:
• Central Park 2003
• Fenway Park 2006
• Piedmont Park 2007
• Citi Field 2010
• Significance: It is a great live song by Dave with it's opening intro. The song is a simple celebration of the beauty and happiness of life and the world we live on. However what really makes the song special is the full band arrangement that often opens up for some great jamming. It's a feel good summertime song. 

30. Big Eyed Fish

• Album: Busted Stuff (2002)
• Significance: This is a unique song by Dave with a message that the grass is not always greener on the other side. He gives various examples and stories about a fish wanting to live out of the sea, a man not wanting to breath, and a monkey wanting to escape from his tree. It's a rather simple yet quite melodic song and as per usual he finishes with some great sustained notes. 

29. Lie in Our Graves

• Album: Crash
• Notable Live Performances
• Red Rocks 1995
• Gorge Amphitheatre 2002
• Radio City Hall 2007
• Significance: It's yet another morbid song where Dave questions how we can lie in our graves thinking about lost opportunities. It is yet another example of the many Dave songs that encourage people to live a life to the fullest without any regrets. What's especially great about this song is the long jam session in the middle. The version with Tim Reynolds fast picking guitar work is quite sublime. 

28. Sister

• Notable Performances: 
• 
  Radio City Hall 2007
• Significance: This is obviously a song about his sister (not the one that was murdered but the younger one). Dave has explained before that when they were kids they joked about swapping hearts. The song explains how Dave and his sister can feel one another's emotions. It's a powerful connection and special song to his sister. It has a very soft and peaceful melody to it. 

27. When the World Ends

• Album: Everyday (2001)
• Notable Live Performances:
• Central Park 2003
• Folsom Field 2001
• Significance: Another of Dave's morbid songs he is stating that he is not afraid of death since he has found love. He states he will be laying in bed with his lover, smoking a joint, and not to worry about a thing. It's a great vocal song with a very hopeful message and several references to getting high . This seems to be a common theme by Dave, not fearing his mortality but living every day to the fullest. 

26. Seek Up

• Album: Remember Two Things (1993)
• Notable Live Performances: 
• Red Rocks 1995
• Citi Field 2010
• Significance: It's one of Dave's more somber songs that despite all the events and feelings we go thru we all will eventually die. We seek up emotions to distract us from this harsh reality. We also turn to material possessions to make us happy. It's no doubt a melancholic song, but still has such a powerful delivery. It's a great band arrangement and brings out some great sustained cries from Dave. 

25. Crash into Me

• Album: Crash (1996)
• Notable Live Performances:
• Radio City Hall 2007
• Citi Field 2010
• Wrigley Field 2010
• Significance: It is Dave's most popular song and played the most frequently but I still find it to be a very beautiful song. It refers to someone so madly in love that he feels like a kid again. Despite it's theme of feeling like a young innocent boy, the song is actually laced with some heavy sexuality. I think the term crash into me, is about the two having sex. Aside from it's romantic lyrics Dave also sings this one with great melody. 

24. Samurai Cop (Oh Joy Begin)

• Album: Come Tomorrow (2018)
• 
  Significance: It's actually one of the newest songs of Dave that I enjoy. It has such a powerful melody welcoming joy. Dave annunciates every word in the song with such heartfelt passion. I think its about a new birth or perhaps a new happy chapter in one's life, maybe a marriage. Dave is also reminding us to never forget these new moments of heightened happiness. It's such a positive jubilant song. 

23. The Song that Jane Likes

• Album: Remember Two Things (1993)
• Significance: The song is named after Dave's younger sister Jane. It is a very upbeat happy song about playing and having a good time with friends. This song hit a special place for me when I saw it performed live in 2012. I remember having such an incredible time with my friends dancing and singing in the lawn while this song was playing. 

22. Stay or Leave

• Album: Some Devil (2003)
• Significance: It's a very deep and mysterious song on Dave's solo album where he is reflecting on a relationship that is at an end. He remembers the good times but also comes to terms that they must go their separate ways. The song demonstrates the perplexity of bringing an end to a powerful relationship. It has a very nice melody to it. 

21. Satellite

• Album: Under the Table and Dreaming (1994)
• 
  Significance: The song has one of the most recognizable guitar rifts and is one of the more popular of the DMB songs. The meaning is quite vague and I've always taking it a song about an all watching eye in sky that sees everything. I think Dave is pointing out how we live in an age of technology, communication, weather forecasts, and no more privacy. I've also seen theories that the song is just a playful take on the some, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". Aside from it's abstract lyrics the song is very well done. 

20. Sweet Melissa

• Cover of song by Allman Brothers (1972)
• Performed by Dave and Greg Allman at the Piedmont Park concert 2007
• Significance: The song is a beautiful melody written by the Allman Brothers with a folksy country rock style. Greg Allman opens with the first verse, but Dave comes in with a beautiful 2nd verse. As usual with Dave cover songs he stills the spotlight with his heartfelt voice. 

19. Dodo

• Album: Some Devil (2003)
• Significance: This is one of Dave's solo songs I really enjoy for it's tune and great vocals. Dave is once again in a perplexing and reflective state thinking about life in general. He gives several examples of what we think we know is often wrong. Such as the world being flat. I believe his final message is that we really don't know anything and that life is a total mystery. It's one of many engimatics song with a very nice melody. 

18. Stay (Wasting Time)

• Album: Before these Crowded Streets (1998)
• Notable Live Performances:
• Central Park 2003
• Piedmont Park 2007
• Citi Field 2010
• Significance: It's another staple for live shows, with it's upbeat celebratory rhythm. It's another song about love, not wanting to leave your partner because every moment is so enjoyable. The band usually gets into some good jamming and it's a fun summer song that just makes you want to cut loose. 

17. Grey Street

• 
  Album: Busted Stuff (2002)
• Notable Live Performances:
• Central Park 2003
• Fenway Park 2006
• Wrigley Field 2010
• Significance: The song is about a woman dealing with depression and loneliness, looking for a way to get out of it. Everything to her is the color grey and it breaks her heart. Its another powerful song with Dave's driving deep voice and the full ensemble of the band. It's an ideal song for live performances carried by Leroy's saxophone. 

16. Don't Drink the Water

• Album: Before these Crowded Streets (1998)
• Notable Live Performances:
• Folsom Field 2001
• Central Park 2003
• Piedmont Park 2007
• Significance: It's a jamming powerful song with great sustained notes from Dave that echo throughout the concert venues. The line of there being blood in the water, is a reference to the violent purge of Native Americans. Aside from it's somber lyrics Dave drives this song with great passion and loud cries. The band often opens with this song as was the case for the Central Park concert in 2003. 

15. Digging a Ditch

• Album: Busted Stuff (2002)
• Notable Live Performances:
• Folsom Field 2001
• Madison Square Garden 2002
• Wrigley Field 2010
• Significance: It is one of Dave's slower songs with a very nice guitar rift to it. Dave is once again in a reflective state here enjoying his peaceful dreamlike thoughts. He explains how he can bury his worries and troubles away into this ditch. There's some theories that it might be a reference to getting high and just passing the time. It certainly has the mellow feel of someone in a peaceful trance. It is one of my early favorite songs of Dave. 

14. If Only

• Album: Away from the World (2012)
• Significance: I remember first hearing this song when I saw Dave live with my friends and it was one of my favorite songs of the show. Maybe it was the lighting or just good times with the friends but I found it to be jamming. The song is about lost love, a person reflecting on someone who got away. I think it has a very catchy melody and ideal for some great jamming.  

13. Cortez the Killer

• 
  Cover Song of Neil Young (1975)
• Live Performance: Dave Matthews Band and Warren Haynes (2003)
• Significance: This live cover version was performed at the Central Park concert in 2003, with the guest appearance from Warren Haynes. The song is about the Spanish conqueror Cortez and how he ruined the beautiful and peaceful life of the Incas. This performance has great vocals by Dave Matthews with incredible guitar jamming by Warren Hayes.

12. So Damn Lucky

• Album: Some Devil (2003)
• Significance: This is my favorite song from Dave's solo album "Some Devil". He explains it's meaning at the Radio City show with Tim Reynolds. It's about that flashing moment when you realize you are about to take on some pain, and then afterwards feel so grateful to still be alive. It's one of those songs where you count your blessings and give thanks for everything. Dave is poetically celebrating this rush of blood and how amazing it is to feel alive. 

11. Dreaming Tree

• Album: Before These Crowded Streets (1998)
• Significance: This is a beautiful yet another of Dave's more somber songs. The dreaming tree represents desire and happiness, and how we long to possess and grow this tree throughout our lives. But eventually the tree dies and we must move on. I think the song represents the harsh reality of life, in which we all must deal with hardships, loss, and grief. The song has great instrumental pieces, sustained echoes, and heavenly flutes towards it's close. 

10. Spoon

• Album: Before These Crowded Streets (1998)
• Significance: It is yet another peaceful, powerful, and very poetic songs. It has a great banjo arrangement and features Alanis Morrissette providing backup vocals and great harmony with Dave. The song is yet another Christian interpretation of Jesus reflecting on his death with his father while he's stirring his coffee. He asks God why he was hung out to dry for the sins of all humanity. He comes to terms with it all by laughing out loud. The closing outro of the song features a very uplifting response from God, welcoming his son from the cold and telling him everything will be alright. This is truly a powerful and inspirational song by Dave.   

9. Cry Freedom

• Album: Crash (1996)
• Notable Live Versions: Virginia Beach 2010
• Significance: One of the many songs by Dave pertaining to race and discrimination. It is a reference to the apartheid of South Africa, but also pertains to the desired equality of all humanity. I think the lyrics are so poetic, and challenge us to not be naïve and ignorant. This is another great passionate melody by Dave. 

8. A Pirate Looks at Forty

• Cover Song of Jimmy Buffet (1974)
• Live Performance: Kouka Festival 2008
• Significance: This is a covered song in which Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds join Jack Johnson on stage(another favorite musician of mine). Jack Johnson has such an iconic mellow Hawaiian style, but it's Dave's singing that really takes the song to a whole new level. It's about a smuggling pirate who comes to terms with the fun and wild life he lived but as he approaches forty he has nothing or no one to show for it. Jack and Dave harmonize great in this song, and Dave's sustainment of the word "weed" is great stuff. 

7. The Stone

• 
  Album: Before These Crowded Streets (1998)
• Notable Live Versions: 
• Red Rocks (2005)
• Citi Field (2010)
• Significance: This is another of Dave's darker songs that finds an uplifting light towards the end. There is someone who has done something wrong and is struggling with his consciousness but seeks the support of someone else. I think the positive message here is to not walk thru life alone but to find support. Once again Dave closes with great sustained notes and heart felt deep cries, ideal for a large audience. It's a powerful song. 

6. Lover Lay Down

• Album: Under the Dreaming Tree (1994)
• Significance: It's perhaps one of Dave's most romantic songs, a true embodiment of summer love. It poetically details two lovers kissing and laying together with each other. It's a softer song but so melodic and song beautifully by Dave especially at it's close where they are chasing each other around in circles. 

5. Bartender

• Album: Busted Stuff (2002)
• Notable Live Versions: 
• Folsom Field 2001
• Red Rocks 2005
• Fenway Park 2006
• Radio City 2007
• Significance: Another of many Christian spiritual songs by Dave, this is a reference to someone who is trying to find peace with God. He longs for a glass of wine that will set him free of all his sins. Aside from it's powerful lyrics it also has incredible sustained noted by Dave at the backend of the song. He truly displays an angelic quality towards the end with a mixture of passionate shouting yet melodic pleas. 

4. Two Step

• Album: Crash (1996)
• Notable Live Versions
• Central Park 2003
• Piedmont Park 2007
• Red Rocks 1995
• Significance: Another one of the heavy rocking songs by the band and a must for the live shows. The songs is about two lovers coming together to celebrate life despite it being short. The reference of two step may be to Noah's Ark, where the animals climb onboard two by two. This could refer to the short life of the lovers, but the hopeful future of life. I think the song is a very joyful one and puts great hope in the sweetness of life as well as it's future.  

3. Warehouse

• Album: Under the Table Dreaming (1994)
• Notable Live Versions:
• Central Park 2003
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre 1995
• Significance: This is usually a must for every DMB live concert and is probably one of their most rocking songs. The buildup is quite incredible with it's powerful strings provided by Boyd Tinsley. The lyrics are quite dark however as it is a reference of someone slipping away from life and into death. The warehouse represents the person's life perhaps mundane and overworked. Dave is explaining how death might not be so bad, but later comes to realize the warehouse isn't so bad after all. While it's a morbid topic, its a very fun and celebratory song. 

2. Proudest Monkey

• Album: Crash (1996)
• Notable Live Versions: 
• Red Rocks 1995
• Gorge Amphitheatre 2002
• Citi Field 2010
• Significance: Another great live song by DMB, it tells the story of a monkey who decides to escape from his jungle and take on the big city. He later realizes that the big city isn't all it's made out to be, and that his life was quite good in the jungle. This is a reference to enjoying the more simple things in life. The song has a building melody with great sustained notes from Dave. I find it to be a very fun and happy song with a great saxophone segment by Leroy. 

1. The Maker

• Cover Song written by Daniel Lanois (1989)
• Notable Live Versions:
• United Center Chicago: Dec 1998
• Radio City Music Hall: April 2007
• Significance: It has a very powerful spiritual theme to it, where the singer is searching for the divine creator. It is no doubt a reference to Christianity as it mentions John Baptist, the fields of Abraham, and the lands east of Eden. I believe it to be a song of praise and finding peace with the afterlife. Dave performs it on various live occasions with such beautiful passion.   

Study of Czech Culture

It's been a couple weeks now since my memorable Euro Trip and I want to make one more post, regarding Czech Culture. I actually got to experience four days in the Czech Republic, in two different cities (Brno and Prague). As I previously wrote, the city of Prague is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen right there with Paris or Rome. The architecture is truly sublime with it's castles, churches, bridges, and spires it is liking walking into a time machine into the medieval age. In this post however I'll try to advert away from the city and rather give a larger perspective of the Czech culture. 

From my perspective it was a very different feel stepping into Central Europe for the first time. My first experience in Vienna was exactly what I expected, a city overrun with beautiful architecture and tourists. However taking the train to Brno was quite unique, like stepping into an entirely different world. A world of the former Soviet Union, in a territory that was once overrun by communism. The train station was quite dirty and poorly managed. It reminded me of the chaos I briefly experienced in Nicaragua. I was glad to have left the train station but even walking thru the streets was quite different then most European cities. It was more authentic and less tourism, with locals drinking in the streets. The architecture was also quite impressive in Brno I must say. 

It was that night I quickly understood how Czech was regarded as the world's number one nation of beer consumption. Everyone was drinking, the beer was extremely cheap, and the glass mugs were quite abundant. I think that night I began to feel a new sense of awe with this Czech culture that embraced beautiful architecture and having fun times. The next day I was even more amazed by the city of Prague. This time it was overrun by tourists, as the European cities I've seen before, but that did not take away from it's beauty. Walking thru Old Town was one of the most surreal couple twos I have experienced, and I truly felt something quite new in this country. 

It's fair to say that Czech culture is perhaps not as worldly renown as many other cultures. They've never really been a political power, won the world cup, or have any recognizable cuisine. Part of this is because the nation is still rather young, having first established its sovereignty as Czechoslovakia in 1918. Before this the nation was known as the region of Bohemia and answered to the Holy Roman Empire. From the 1600s the region came under the influence of the Austrian Empire, up until it's dissolution after WWI. However even after establishing it's independence the Czech nation didn't have much time to establish as it was once again influenced by Nazi Germany and the Communist Russia. It was not until the 1990s with the fall of the Soviet Union and the split of Czech and Slovakia that this new Czech Republic was established.

I'm going to bypass the history of Bohemia having already written about the history of Austria and Prague. Instead in this post I want to focus on the Czech identity, which although is still new it pertains to a territory that has been inhabited for thousands of years. When I think Czech I first think of their best soccer player Pavel Nedved. But then I think of their great classical musicians Bedriech Smetana and Anton Dvorak. I also think vampires for some reason (perhaps this is more Transylvania but still close). But there can be no question that the ultimate gem of Czech pride has to be the city of Prague which is a true testament to time. 

Czech Architecture

I already wrote quite a lot about the architecture of the city of Prague, but it must appear in this overall study of it's culture. The country's architecture is what makes it so very unique from other nations. It has a very mysterious allure to it, much ado to it's gothic style of buildings. This includes the Prague Castle, the Tyn Church, the St. Vitus Cathedral, the Charles Bridge, and many other towers and buildings in the city. Even the city of Brno had various cathedrals of Gothic structure. The country is also renown for having the most castles in the world, a mesmerizing region with hundreds of spires. 

Czech Religion

One thing I came to understand in my studies of Prague, was that the region was a center place for the birth of the Counter Reformation. The theologian, Jan Hus began one of the earlier reformation movements against the Catholic Church during the early 1400s. He was later killed as a heretic but inspired an entire Bohemian Reformation movement led by his impassioned Hussite followers. One could make the case that Martin Luther was later inspired by these events that shaped Germany and swept across all of Europe. The conflict of Protestant vs Catholics was fierce in Prague, and the Thirty Years War was initiated by a mob murder (The Defenestration of Prague 1618).

Sadly despite it's numerous Catholic cathedrals, Czech is not the religious nation it once was. Quite surprising however is that they have various saints such as Ludmila of Bohemia and Wenceslaus Duke of Bohemia. This is the same Wenceslaus who is referred to in one of my all time favorite Christmas Songs, "Good King Wenceslaus". Although he was not a king of Bohemia, he reigned as Duke from 921 to 935 AD and through his righteousness he posthumously acquired the reputation as a king. He was rich in faith and gave to the poor, so much so that he would endure pain for the sake of others (as implied in the song). 

Czech Music

Two of the most significant Czech composers of the classical era are Bedrich Smetana and Anton Dvorak. I think I first heard the classical piece of Ma Vlast in the film Tree of Life and was so moved by the unique piece of music. This masterwork by Smetana is so enigmatic with it's building melody that flows like the Vltava river that inspired him. The title Ma Vlast means "My Fatherland" which is a celebration of Czech legacy and culture (on par with Wagner's mythological celebration of Germany). It is is one of my all time favorite classical works and for that reason alone is worth giving great praise to Smetana. He lived from 1824-1884 mostly in Prague and was a passionate about the cause of Czech nationalism which began with the Prague Uprising of 1848. 

Its fair to say Smetana influenced the other great Czech composer Anton Dvorak whose work began to emerge in Prague during the 1870s. Dvorak's music was different from Smetana's in that it incorporated more folk traditional elements of the Bohemian countryside. His greatest work was the Humoresques which he actually wrote during a visit in the United States in 1894. The third great Czech musician worth mentioning here was Leos Janacek who was influenced by Dvorak. He emerged in the early 1900s, and incorporated folk themes as well as eastern Slavic music into his musical compositions. 

Czech Sports

As I mentioned above the first Czech athlete that comes to mind is Pavel Nedved, who captained the Czech soccer team in the 2006 World Cup. Other great Czech soccer stars are Petr Cech (with his iconic goalkeeping helmet) and Tomas Rosicky who played for Arsenal for 10 years. Although Czech Republic has hardly been a powerhouse in recent tournaments they were runner-ups twice in the 1934 and 1962 World Cup. They made it to the Quarter Finals in the last Euro Cup 2020 where Patrick Shick emerged as their new promising superstar.

The most popular sport in Czech Republic is not soccer but rather ice hockey. The team has collected a gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics and many other championships in the international hockey tournaments. The also have a very successful tennis tradition with superstars such as Martina Navratilova (winner of 18 grand slam titles), Ivan Lendl (winner of 8 titles), and the more recent female stars Petra Kvitova (two-time grand slam champion), Karolina Pliskova (two time grand slam finalist), and Barboa Krejcikova (champion of the 2021 French Open). 

Czech Cuisine

As I mentioned before, Czech is the leading nation in the world of beer consumed per capita. I would have thought this title would have belonged to Germany or Ireland, but it belongs to Czech Republic by a significant margin. The most popular beer in Czech is the pilsner (pale lager) and the brand Pilsner Urquell. 

While there I enjoyed two very tasty meals of ribs and the Bohemian country platter which included duck, pork roast, sausage, and sauerkraut. Another popular dish in Czech is the Svickova, which is steak with vegetables and heavy cream. Goulash stews are also common as they are in most of central Europe. Pastries are popular deserts in Czech and the strudel is the most common served in most coffeehouses. 

Movies set in Czech Republic

• 
  Anthropoid (2016): This is a great historical film pertaining to Czech nationalism. It is the true story about Operation Anthropoid, where two Czech rebel fighters during WWII  assassinated Hitler's right hand man Reinhard Heydrich in 1942. These two Czech fighters Jozef Gabcik and Jan Kubis are able to infilitrate their occupied nation and assassinate the Nazi commander. The response by Hitler was a cruel one in which 5000 Czech citizens were massacred. It remained however the most significant Nazi assassination and a proud national moment for the Czech Republic. 
  

• Mission Impossible (1996): The opening scene of the movie takes place at night in Prague. It is here that the villain played by Jon Voight has Tom Cruise's team assassinated. Jon Voight then stages a plunge off the Charles Bridge and into the Vltava River. The movie then goes all over the place, but this opening scene in Prague establishes the plot. 

• Casino Royal (2006): Just like with Mission Impossible, the opening scene of Casino Royal also takes place at an embassy in Prague. The new James Bond played by Daniel Craig assassinates a British traitor and then begins a hunt all across Europe. There aren't really any major exterior shots of Prague in this film, but it's one of my favorite actions films worth mentioning here. 

• Kafka (1991) It is a semi auto-biography of the famed Bohemian author Franz Kafka who is famous for writing The Metamorphosis, The Castle, and the Trial. The film establishes a unique setting relating to Kafka's bizarre writings. Directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Jeremy Irons, the film was a bit of a disappointment however has now become a cult film. Most of the movie is shot in Prague with many of it's iconic building structures.

• Underworld (2003): The popular vampire series starring the beautiful Kate Beckinsale takes place all across central Europe including Budapest and Prague. Many of the car chases and fights were filmed in Prague. Although I was not a big fan of the gothic movie, I am a fan of Beckinsale. 

Urban Study: Prague

A week after my Euro Trip I am still left with lingering memories of the adventurous week that it was. Perhaps the most inspirational of the places I visited were Preikestolen, Norway and the beautiful city of Prague. I had always heard great things about the city of Prague, but really wasn't sure what to expect. Most of my cultural insight is derived from movies, and quite frankly I can't think of any big movies set in Prague. Before my visit the most iconic sights of Prague I could think of were the astronomical clock and the Tyn Church. Little did I expect it would be so much more than those two landmarks. It is a city on par with Paris or Rome in majestically quality and truly has it's own unique and mysterious allure. 

We spent two full days in the city, Saturday and Sunday (and I even made a Monday morning walk into Old Town before we left for the airport). The city was of course bustling with tourism both days and rightfully so. From the get-go as we walked into the district of Old Town it was like entering a whole different time period. Cars were removed from the equation and it was nothing but pedestrian traffic walking along cobblestone roads. The streets were aligned with restaurants, cafes, and stores catering to the tourists. And all around us was beautiful architecture, with countless spires shooting into the skies. 

The Gothic Powder Tower serves as the gates into the Old Town. From there it is not long to enter The Old Town Square which reminded me of the Brussels Grand Plaza. It has a large open plaza overlooked by the iconic Tyn Church. This Gothic cathedral is the Eiffel Tower of the city, towering over everything. It's spires are quite unique in that there are off-shoots of spires from the two main spires. The church is also unique in that it is nestled around buildings rather than it's own lot. This example of Gothic architecture is the norm in Prague, which has to be one of the most Gothic cities in the world. I think for this reason alone the city has somewhat of a dark and mysterious appeal to it. Like something out of a fantasy or vampire movie. 

However the Old Town Square was only the beginning. Just around the corner is the astronomical clock, one of the oldest of it's kind. It is a very complex yet aesthetically pleasing display of mechanics. Surrounded by demons and mythology it is another example of Prague's more gothic allure. From here it is not too long to walk to the Charles Bridge with it's iconic tower, streetlights, and sculptures. This is the most mesmerizing view of Prague to see the beautiful Vltava River and the Prague Castle perched on a hill in the distance. It is here that you get a scope of all the incredible buildings and spires from afar. For me it was the bridge that was my favorite aspect of the city. I only however spent two days in the city and would like to further understand it's history and perhaps visit someday again. 

History of Prague

The history of Central Europe is still rather new to me, and I learned quite a bit in my previous post on Austria. While Vienna was established as a city within the Bavarian region, the city of Prague was established within the Bohemian region. This began as a principality of the Holy Roman Empire that eventually established into it's own Bohemian kingdom. By the year 800 Prague had boomed into a bustling city in Central Europe with its location along the Vltava River. The Prague Castle was one of the first landmarks constructed in the year 870. It served as the royal court for the Kings of Bohemia and the Holy Roman Empire. 

The Vysehrad fortification was constructed in the 10th century along the Vltava River with it's iconic Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul. The Vysehrad cemetery contains some of the most famous Czechs such as musicians Anton Dvorak and Bedrich Smetana. The city became a booming center of merchant trade and brought settlers from all across Europe, including a high percentage of Jews. The first bridge in Prague was built in 1170 known as the Judith Bridge, commissioned by King Vladislaus. This bridge eventually was flooded and replaced by the more iconic Charles Bridge in 1357 which still stands to this day. 

Prague became a flourishing European city under the reign of King Charles IV of the Holy Roman Empire from 1346-1378. As a Bohemian himself he made Prague the new imperial capital of the mighty Holy Roman Empire and gave way to many new infrastructure developments. He commissioned the iconic St. Vitus Cathedral in 1344 which became the centerpiece of the Prague Castle. He also founded Charles University which remains one of the oldest universities in Central Europe. However with growing trade and craftsman guilds came also a new growth of poverty throughout the city.

When Charles died in 1378 his son King Wenceslaus IV oversaw growing religious tensions with the Jews and the rise of the theologian, Jan Hus. Hus was an early predecessor to the famed reformist Martin Luther and spoke against the corruptions of the Catholic Church. He was later murdered for heresy in 1415, however he established an impassioned following of Hussite reformists. In 1419 a Hussite mob murdered several government statesmen in the First Defenestration of Prague. Seven members of the city council were thrown out of the New Town Hall. This shock brought an end to King Wenceslaus IV and the beginning of the religious Hussite Wars throughout the Bohemian lands. 

During the Hussite Wars, Prague became the center for the Hussite radical movement against the Catholic Holy Roman Empire. This conflict lasted from 1419-1434 and the radicals were eventually subdued however a compromise was agreed upon between the Catholics and the moderate Hussites. This was however only the beginning of the religious Christian conflicts sweeping throughout Europe. In 1483 a second defenestration occurred by religious Hussite extremists seeking to maintain influence.  By the 1520s the powerful Habsburg dynasty took control of Bohemia and were quickly at odds with the popular Protestant majority within Prague. By 1576 King Rudolf II took on this reformist identity and brought about an artistic renaissance to the city. Prague became a center for cultural and scientific revolution, bringing about great scientists, artists, and astronomers such as Johannes Keppler. 

The third and most famous Defenestration of Prague occurred in 1618 and is believed to have caused the Thirty Years War. A Protestant mob once again attacked the city officials, this time a council of Catholics and threw them out the window of the Prague Castle. Miraculously however they survived the fall attesting it to the will of the angels. The aftermath of this event was an explosion of military alliances that began in Bohemia and quickly spread throughout all of Europe. The war lasted from 1618-1648 and was one of the most deadliest wars of its time. It escalated from a religious war to a balance of power, in which France took centerstage. The conflict between the Protestants and Catholics was unresolved, the city of Prague however was returned to a Catholic state. 

In 1744 Frederick the Great of Prussia invaded Bohemia and caused much damage to the city of Prague. His siege was eventually repelled by 1757 and despite much damage the city of Prague still stood. By the 1770s, following other European enlightenments Prague once again began to thrive as a cultural epicenter. The Industrial Revolution furthered the cities economy, and the Revolutions of 1848 were suppressed with a new growing fervor of Czech nationalism. By 1880 the Czech language became prevalent over the German language in Prague. After WWI, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was partitioned and a new state of Czechoslovakia was created. 

In 1938 the Czechoslovakia was annexed by Nazi Germany and Hitler had many of it's Jewish population deported and killed. However Prague did resist the occupation, and during the Operation Anthropoid one of Hitler's right hand men, Reinhard Heydrich was assisted by Czech rebels. Prague was able to lead a successful uprising in 1945 as the war was coming to a close. Most Germans were exiled from the country and Czech was quickly under the influence of Communist Russia. In 1955 the Soviet Union constructed the largest Stalin statue in the city of Prague along the Vltava River. It was later demolished in 1962. 

By 1968 a political movement gave way in Prague against the Communist influence of the Soviet Union. The Prague Spring quickly gained traction all throughout Czechoslovakia yet was easily put down by a Soviet military invasion. The Soviets kept a military presence in Czechoslovakia until the Velvet Revolution of 1989. This new social movement expelled their Soviet occupiers by 1991 and reshaped the country of Czechoslovakia. The country was divided into two new sovereign nations, Czech Republic and Slovakia. From this point on Prague became more of a westernized global city of trade and tourism. 

 

Architecture: Key Landmarks

As with most of Europe, the architecture in Prague is quite breathtaking and offers a time portal rich with history. Their is an Old Town district with buildings dating back to the Middle Ages, and a new town district with very modern buildings. The Old Town is my favorite with it's cobblestone streets, the churches, the bridges by the Vltava River, the gothic towers, and the Prague Castle perched on it's hill. The architecture of Prague is a blend of gothic, Baroque, and modern designs. I'd like to highlight some of my favorite structures that I saw during my trip. 

Prague Castle- St. Vitus Cathedral

• Construction: 930, 1344 (current church)
  
• Purpose: Roman Catholic Cathedral
• Architecture Style: Gothic
• Significance: The Prague Castle was home to the Kings of Bohemia and the Holy Roman Empire for many centuries. The castle grounds had a array of buildings but it's true landmark was the glorious St. Vitus Cathedral first constructed in 930. The church was later expanded to it's present day cathedral in 1344 and stands as one of the iconic Gothic structures in Prague. I would argue that the Tyn Church is more distinctive but this cathedral perched on it's high hill serves as the beacon of Prague. 

Charles Bridge

• 
  Construction: 1357-1402
  
• Purpose: Main bridge across the Vltava River
• Architecture Style: Gothic and Baroque
• Significance: The bridge was commissioned by King Charles IV to replace the Judith Bridge that was destroyed by a flood. It has a very distinctive tower standing at 154 feet which we climbed to the top. The bridge also has many Baroque statues depicting religious saints and angels. For me it was my favorite spot in Prague, as well as the Old Town Square. I was glad we got the take a boat tour under and around the bridge on the Vltava River. 

Astronomical Clock

• Construction: 1410
• Purpose: Displays the astronomical position of the stars and planets
• Significance: It is one of the oldest astronomical clocks still in use and without question one of the most distinctive landmarks of Prague. Located near the Old Town square this unique display old mechanics has a very colorful and mythological quality to it. There are four mysterious  figures at the sides of the clock which represent vanity, greed, lust, and death. The bridge is a rather macabre design and adds to the mysterious appeal of Prague. 
  

Church of Our Lady before Tyn

• Construction: 1300s-1450s
• 
  Purpose: Roman Catholic church
• Architecture Style: Gothic
• Significance: It is the focal point of the Old Town square and arguably of the entire city of Prague. It's distinctive quality is it's very unique twin spires that have two layers of four spires branching off. The towers stand at an impressive 260 feet. It's gothic architectural style is at full display and the building is one of the most distinctive features of Prague. For me this was the most recognizable sites before I arrived, and serves as the city's Eiffel tower. The site did not disappoint and was my favorite landmark of Prague along with the Charles Bridge. 
  

Gothic Powder Tower

• Construction: 1475 (Renovated in 1876)
  
• Purpose: Serves as a city gate into Old Town
• Architecture Style: Gothic
• Significance: This is the real first major landmark upon entering the Old Town and serves as a gate. It stands at 213 feet and has a very similar structure to the Charles Bridge Tower. The gate was used to store gunpowder hence the name "Powder Tower". 

Petrin Lookout Tower

• Construction: 1891
• Purpose: Observation and Transmission Tower
• Significance: Built as a replica of the Eiffel Tower, it serves as an observation and transmission tower. The tower stands at 208 feet tall and served as the communications tower of Prague until the much larger Zikov Tower was built in 1992.  

Municipal House

• Construction: 1905-1912
• Purpose: Musical Concert Venue
• Significance: The site use to be home to the King of Bohemia from 1383 to 1485, but was later demolished. In 1905 a new modern building was constructed as a musical concert venue. Although it is not as grandiose as the national theatre, the Smetana Hall is quite a site to see. I say this mostly because we saw a classical concert here and I was very impressed by the outer façade and especially inside the hall.  

Dancing House

• 
  Construction: 1992-1996
• Purpose: Business of NN Investment Group
• Significance: Also referred to as Fred and Ginger as the building depicts two dancers. It was the site of a WWII bombing by the Americans trying to clear our Nazi pockets in 1945. The Dutch insurance company wanted to create something special and unique to commemorate this event. The building also represents Czechoslovakia's transition from Communist influence to it's own independent nation. Unfortunately I did not see this building, but still find it to be a very inspiring and unique display of modern architecture. 
  

Zizkov Television Tower

• Construction: 1985-1992
• Purpose: A communications transmitter
• Architecture Style: Structural Expressionism
  
• Significance: It is the tallest structure in Prague, a modern design of high tech architecture. It stands at 709 feet tall and offers an impressive observatory of the city of Prague. Unfortunately I did not see this structure in Prague, as we were mostly focused on Old town, but I find to be a very unique modern design. 

Church of St. Ludmila

• Construction: 1888-1892
• Purpose: Catholic Church
• Significance: It is one of many impressive Catholic gothic churches located in Prague. Built in the Peace Square it overlooks a very green pasture. The church is named after St. Ludmila of Bohemia, who was the grandmother of good King Wenceslaus. Aside from raising a devout family, she made great efforts to further convert Czech to Christianity during the 9th century. 

Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul

• 
  Construction: 1070-1080; 1887-1903
  
• Purpose: Catholic Church
• Architecture: Neo-Gothic
• Significance: Located at the historic Vysehard Fortification it is one of the oldest sites in the city of Prague. The church was originally built in 1070 however destroyed by fire in 1249. The structure that stands today was built in 1887 in the iconic gothic style popular throughout Prague. Many famous Czechs are buried in the cemetary of this church such as Anton Dvorak and Bedrich Smetana. 

National Monument of Vitkov

• Construction: Built in 1928-1938
• Purpose: A monument to glorify the Czech statehood 
• Significance: Located on the Zikov hill, this monument depicts Jan Zizka riding a horse. He was a general and follower of the Hussite movement who defeated the Catholic king Sigismund in the Battle of Zikov Hill 1420. Below the statue there is also a ceremonial hall and a tomb of the unknown soldier dedicated to the heroic soldiers of WWI and WWII.

National Theatre

• Construction: 1881-1883
  
• Purpose: Hall of Art and culture
• Significance: It is considered the national monument of Czech culture and history. It's main hall stages the finest quality of opera, ballet, and theatre drama. It's worth noting that the first opera performed at the theatre was Bedrich Smetana's Libuse. The large building sits alongside the Vltava River and it's rooftop Triga statues overlook the city.