环球之旅:浪漫的"百塔之城"布拉格
导读：尼采说：“当我想以一个词来表达音乐时，我找到了维也纳；而当我想以一个词来表达神秘时，我只想到了布拉格。”布拉格，是中欧内陆国家捷克的首都，连名字听起来都似乎有些神秘，有些令人神往。布拉格不仅是著名的音乐之都，也是米兰·昆德拉的名作《生命不能承受之轻》的背景地，它因其古老而恢弘的建筑闻名于世。
A true crown jewel among the European capitals, known as the "Golden Prague" or "City of 100 Spires", once the capital of European culture, with Mozart and Kafka among its many famous residents, Prague is one of Europe's vibrant, romantic must-see capitals.
布拉格是欧洲首都中的一颗至宝，有“金色布拉格”和“百塔之城”的美誉，它曾是欧洲的文化之都，莫扎特和卡夫卡等众多名人曾旅居此地，布拉格是欧洲一座充满活力的浪漫之都和必游之地。
With most of it's attractions within walking distance from the city centre, Prague offers an architectonic feast for the eye, with all its well preserved splendour from different historical epochs like Medieval, Baroque, Renaissance and Art Nouveau amongst others. Every corner you turn in the dwindling streets hides a new surprise.
布拉格市内的大部分景点都可从市中心步行抵达，它为你准备了一餐视觉上的建筑盛宴：中世纪、巴洛克、文艺复兴以及新艺术等众多不同历史时期的建筑都得以完好保存，尽显其光彩。在迂回狭窄的街道上，每次转弯，都会有新的惊奇等着你。
Charles Bridge is a stone Gothic bridge that connects the Old Town and Lesser Town. The construction began in 1357. It is said that egg yolks were mixed into the mortar to strengthen the construction of the bridge. The Old Town bridge tower is often considered to be one of the most astonishing civil gothic-style buildings in the world
查理大桥是一座连接老城区和小城区的哥特式大石桥。该桥始建于1357年。据说为了使桥体结构更加坚固，修筑大桥的砂浆里还掺进了鸡蛋黄。老城区的桥塔常常被视为世界上最壮观的哥特式民用建筑。
A total of 30 Baroque statues began to be placed on either side of Charles Bridge in the 17th century. Now many of them are copies and the originals can be seen in the Lapidarium. Touching the statue is supposed to bring good luck and ensure your return to Prague. Visitors can place their hand on the statue of St. Jan to make a wish. Choose Queen Sofia, and keep a secret of your choice untold forever. The plaque on the Charles Bridge has been polished to a shine by countless people having touched it over the centuries.
17世纪时，查理大桥的两侧共设有30尊巴洛克风格的雕像。现在很多雕像都是复制品，原件被保存在拉皮达瑞宫的国家博物馆内。据说触摸这些雕像可以带来好运和保佑你回到布拉格。游客们可以把手放在圣约翰的雕像上许愿。触摸索菲娅女王的雕像，你就可以将自己的选择永远保密。大桥上的饰板经过几个世纪无数人的抚摸，已经被擦得发亮。
Charles Bridge is also popular with Czech artists, musicians and souvenir vendors whose stands line both sides of the bridge year-round. A great time of day to come to the bridge is at sunset when one can enjoy a breathtaking view of the fully lit Prague Castle against the evening sky. The bridge is now a pedestrian zone and is almost constantly filled with people. If you want to have it all to yourself, go there at night or very early in the morning.
查理大桥也是捷克画家、音乐家和纪念品商贩喜欢的地方，他们的摊位常年占据着桥的两侧。一天之中参观这座大桥的上佳时段当属日落时分，你可以欣赏到夜幕下灯火通明的布拉格城堡，那是一番让人屏息的美景。大桥如今成了步行区，几乎时时刻刻人影攒动。如果你想将美景尽归个人所享，那就夜里或是一大清早就来参观吧。
Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle complex in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records, and is the seat of the President of the Czech Republic. The complex consists of Saint Vitus Cathedral (the most recognisable landmark in the city), viewing towers, museums and art galleries, a monastery, The Golden Lane, several palaces, including Lobkowicz Palace, and St. George's Basilica; the latter being a popular venue for early evening classical concerts.
根据《吉尼斯世界纪录大全》，布拉格城堡是世界上规模最大的连贯城堡建筑群，这里也是捷克共和国总统府的所在地。这片建筑群包括圣维塔大教堂（布拉格最明显的地标）、瞭望塔、博物馆、画廊、修道院、黄金巷以及几处宫殿，包括洛伯考维兹宫和圣乔治教堂；后者经常在傍晚时分举行颇受欢迎的古典音乐会。
Perhaps the most interesting part is the Golden Lane, also known as the Goldsmiths or Alchemists Lane, with its "half" small houses attached to the outer wall of the castle. The famous author Kafka once lived here for a while in his sister's house. T-shirts, posters and mugs carrying the writer's image are available at every souvenir shop across Prague. Kafka House at Golden Lane is the never-dying presence of Franz Kafka.
建筑群里最有趣的地方也许就属黄金巷了，也叫做金匠街或炼金术士街，这里的房屋挨着城堡的外墙，只有正常房屋一半的大小。著名作家卡夫卡曾经在这里居住过一段时间，住在他妹妹的家里。布拉格的每个纪念品商店都销售印着卡夫卡图像的T恤衫、海报和杯子。黄金巷里的卡夫卡故居便是卡夫卡永远和我们在一起的明证。
Be prepared for a big crowd in front of the Orloj in the old town square, old town city hall. Every hour, a small trap door opens and Christ marches out ahead of his disciples. Richly ornamented this is a unique masterpiece of an astronomical clock with functions for the revolutions of the sun, moon and stars amongst others.
在老城区广场，也就是老城市政厅的所在地，布拉格天文钟前总是聚集着大批的人群，你一定要做好心理准备。每到整点时分，（天文钟上）一个小小的活板门便会打开，基督走在他的门徒前面，一一现身。这座浓饰重彩的钟是一座独一无二的天文钟杰作，具有显示日月星辰旋转方位的功能。
With its ancient buildings and magnificent churches the old town square is one of the most beautiful historical sights in Europe. Domineering the old square is The Church of Our Lady Before Tyn, or Tyn Church. With its two asymmetrical baroque towers, this is a landmark to be seen from all over Prague, specially striking lit up at night time.
古老的建筑和宏伟的教堂使得老城区广场成为欧洲最美丽的历史景观之一。广场中最显眼的是提恩（国税局）前的圣母玛利亚教堂，或提恩教堂。教堂有两个地标性的巴洛克式对称尖塔，在布拉格的任何地方都能够看到它，尤其是夜幕之中被灯光照亮的时候更是格外惹人注目。
Dating from the 12th century, the Old Town Square started life as the central marketplace for Prague. Over the centuries buildings of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles were erected around the market. To fully appreciate the beauty of the Old Town Square, sit back and soak up the atmosphere over a coffee or a cool beer at one of the pavement cafés lining the square. Or climb the Old Town Hall Tower for a stunning view over the square.
自12世纪起，老城区广场就成为了布拉格的中心市场，充满人气和生机。数个世纪以来，市场周围竖起了罗马、巴洛克和哥特等各种风格的建筑物。若要全身心地欣赏老城区广场的美，需得在路边的咖啡馆坐下来，广场周边的咖啡馆一家挨着一家，点一杯咖啡或是冰啤，把自己融入这美景之中。或者爬上老城市政厅的塔楼眺望，将广场美景尽收眼底。
Yet, Prague is not all about historical architecture. An astounding and contemporary building is the Dancing House, Nationale-Nederlanden building in downtown Prague. It was designed by Yugoslavian-born Czech architect Vlado Milunic in co-operation with Canadian architect Frank Gehry on a vacant riverfront plot, where the previous building had been destroyed during the Bombing of Prague in 1945. The building was completed in 1996. Have a meal on the roof of the building in the French restaurant with magnificent views of the city.
然而，布拉格并不是只有历史性的建筑。位于布拉格市区的国家－荷兰公司的办公大楼被称为“跳舞的房子”，这是一幢设计惊人的现代建筑。它是出生于南斯拉夫的捷克籍建筑师弗拉德·米卢尼克和加拿大建筑师弗兰克·盖里共同设计的，它矗立在河边的一块空地上。那里原来的建筑在1945年的布拉格轰炸中被摧毁。 “跳舞的房子”于1996年竣工。来屋顶上的法国餐厅享受一顿美味佳肴，可欣赏到布拉格的壮丽市景。
