Today’s Friday Travel Photo takes you to the Czech Republic’s capital city of Prague.
Prague is the geographical center of Europe and one of continent’s most beautiful cities. Praha is filled with friendly people, world-renowned Czech Pilsner beer, and a stunning range of architecture – Renaissance, Gothic, cubist and neoclassical all sit side-by-side. Did I mention the world-famous Czech beer?
This statue is found outside of the Kafka Museum in the Mala Strana neighborhood of Prague. It’s called Piss and was designed and created by Czech sculptor David Cerny. Two sculptures stand in an enclosure filled with water. These moving sculptures pee streams of water that write quotes from famous Prague residents. A sign next to the statue gives you a number that you can text messages to. After sending the text, the statues stop and ‘write’ your message.
David Cerny - piss
Some unique artwork to say the least.
Prague is quickly becoming one of Europe’s most popular cities and swells with tourists during the hot summer months. Don’t miss Prague’s famous Charles Bridge – but take a stroll across it at night to avoid the crowds.
Have you been to Prague? Share your experiences in the comments section below.
Do you have a photo and brief write-up you’d like featured here? Email it to matt [at] backpackingmatt [dot] com
27 August 2010 at 6:37 pm
That is my kind of art… love it! I’d have that in my back garden any day of the week.
27 August 2010 at 8:40 pm
That statue was classic, I came across it randomly and was pretty surprised! I quite like the way they’re pissing on the Czech Republic too, obviously some subliminal message there.
However, I can’t say I was the biggest fan of Prague. OK it was the last stop in my trip so maybe I was a bit tired and also it was August so there were horrendous crowds, but I just didn’t get it. I found other places in the Czech Rep, e.g. Cesky Krumlov, much more pleasant and beautiful. Also three people I knew got robbed (separately) in two days, which left a bad taste.
I kind of wish I’d gone 10 years ago when it was still a bit off the radar. Maybe I should give it a chance in winter sometime. But I just can’t help but feel its a bit of an overrated travel destination.
28 August 2010 at 3:23 am
Dude… this has got to be the coolest statue ever!
29 August 2010 at 10:26 am
That is awesome! I want to text a quote for them to write. We haven’t made it to Prague yet, but it is hight on our list.
30 August 2010 at 9:50 am
@Ant Glad you enjoyed it!
@Kristian Prague would have been great 10 years ago, however I still think it’s a lovely city today – it’s just a mater of avoiding the crowds. Ironically I was traveling with my ex girlfriend in Prague and her purse was pickpocketed from her as well.
30 August 2010 at 9:50 am
@Amanda Cool eh?!
@Dave and Deb You’ll love it, and I look forward to your pictures!
3 September 2010 at 3:04 am
I would love to see these statues in person. I went to Prague in ’98. I’m going back this year because I want to take better pictures. We went with a Sony Mavica, one of the first digital cameras that recorded pictures on a floppy disk LOL. Needless to say the quality isn’t that great.
3 September 2010 at 10:55 am
@PTB Will be interested to see the changes that 12 years brought about in Prague. Good luck recapturing the photos!
4 September 2010 at 12:55 pm
Haha… I love this statue! So funny. I have some pretty great photos of friends looking bemused with it.
21 September 2010 at 1:40 am
Don’t know what to say. Other than — there are 84 reasons it’s better to be a guy…. here is an artistic representation of on that is in the top 5 — ability to pee anywhere.
25 September 2010 at 3:24 pm
@Michael Well said!