Prague: The charm of old architecture

9/1/2005

One week in scenic Prague makes one realize that this place could very well be one of the most romantic places on earth.  Prague is one of the few European cities that have been spared from the ravages of war.  Its masterpieces remain intact and may be appreciated to this day, the patina of age never taking away from the wonder of its structures and buildings.  What is more memorable is the emotions they evoke in the viewer, rather than the intellectual appreciation of their manifest architectural styles, be it renaissance, gothic or baroque.

The past inhabitants of Prague had a passion for beauty.  Architecture for them did not focus merely on function but more on the grandeur of form.  This is evident in the structures you see around the city and not limited to buildings, but even in their parks, gardens, plazas, waterways, bridges, sculptures, cafes, cobble-stoned streets, and fountains.

But how can inanimate objects like these stir one’s emotions?  I’m certain that most of those who visit and reside in this city have felt the quiver of soft and fuzzy feelings when seeing such places.  I would say that the passion of the builders, artists, and architects who created these masterpieces is so contagious that one catches it by merely being around them.  Soaking in a place like this for a week was exhilarating for me! 

Downside

Today, however, European designs are changing, gearing more towards function and the streamlining of buildings.  Form is no longer dictated by craftsmanship, but by the availability of new materials and cutting edge technology.  In this case, can it still induce one’s passion?  Would it be as romantic as it used to be?

Sadly, maybe not.  Surely the newer constructions will serve the purpose they are built for; the practical aspects will be addressed. However, the warmth and involvement of their builders now may not be the same as in those quieter, more trusting times.  More of them are busier, more distracted making money, complicating their lives with modern-day inventions.  The nuances of individual personality are harder to find.

Prague was once under communist rule, where the practice of religion was restricted.  The population of Catholics and Christians declined and many church buildings were abandoned and re-deployed.  It is sad to see that many are being used merely as concert halls and theatres, or for even less noble purposes. 

Sto Nino de Praha

A description of Prague is never complete without mentioning that one site most loved by Catholics in the Philippines.  Despite the misuse of other religious places, there is still one church that retains its renown and continues to attract pilgrims from all over the world, the Shrine of the Infant Jesus.  Fortunately, the old structure has been preserved and still houses the original statue of the Sto. Nino. 

The essence of preservation

The craftsmanship and passion for the arts of the past era have either ceased or been replaced with heartless practicality.  This is why the next generation may lose the chance to experience the same soft and fuzzy feelings that old structures stimulate.  And this is what makes preservation of the old city vital.  There are treasures from the past which must not be lost.  Sometimes, we feel a certain attachment to things, although we may not know why.  An old house, an old train station, an old bridge, even from across the world.  It must be the call of the creators and artists of the past to the creator and artist latent in some of us.  It is a call to immortality and beauty, to legacy and inheritance.