Tag Archives: Czech Republic

the struggle of memory

Posted on July 12, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

 

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Magic Lantern

Posted on September 22, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

These days Prague is another victim of European over-tourism, but 30 years ago it still was a place of history and mystery. I recently saw the marvelous 1993 documentary below that has had me waxing nostalgic for the Prague that … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Books, Europe, Film, History, Libraries, Museums, Theater, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Mystery of the Big Book

Posted on December 30, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Over the years, the photograph above has appeared on numerous blogs and websites, usually captioned as “man with large book at Prague Castle, 1940s” or “c. 1940s: Man with books.” However, bibliophiles and antiquarians have long questioned the image’s description … Continue reading →

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Building Bridges

Posted on October 20, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

I’ve crossed the historic Charles Bridge in Prague dozens of times and never stopped to consider what an amazing feat of engineering it took to build this beautiful structure.The animation below details how the  famous 14th-century Charles Bridge was built … Continue reading →

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Don’t be that tourist

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

In many cities in Europe it’s become an asinine tourist tradition for couples to purchase overpriced padlocks, scratch their initials in them, and then attach them to bridges. Not only does this annoying habit visually blight historic architecture,but many of … Continue reading →

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Autumn in Prague

Posted on November 29, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

If you’ve ever been to Prague and wondered what it looked like from above without climbing the 299 steps up the Petrin Hill Tower, this wonderful short film will answer all of your questions. But if you’ve never visited the … Continue reading →

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Tourist Hero of the Week

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

If you have ever been gouged by a shady currency exchange, you will applaud the “Honest Prague Guide”. Along with producing helpful short videos on visiting the Czech capital, this tourism Robin Hood actively confronts Prague’s tourist parasites and tourist … Continue reading →

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Without Libraries What Are We

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

Montreal-based Instagramer Olivier Martel Savoie has been traveling the world for the last two years visiting libraries and taking terrific photos with just his trusty iPhone. His series #olive_libraries covers beautiful institutions from Budapest to Boston. “Without libraries what have … Continue reading →

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Prague’s Other Library

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

Founded in 1722, the glorious Baroque Klementinum Library is often overlooked by bibliophiles visiting Prague. Every one heads for the magnificent Strahov Monastery Library—sometimes even walking right by the Klementinum on the way. Once you view the video below, you … Continue reading →

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A Moment Abroad

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

I love this stunning time-lapse video of the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany, and I think that you will love it too. Moment Abroad was shot and edited by Los Angeles-based cinematographer Andrew Walker.

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