環球之旅:浪漫的"百塔之城"布拉格
導讀：尼采說：“當我想以一個詞來表達音樂時，我找到了維也納；而當我想以一個詞來表達神祕時，我只想到了布拉格。”布拉格，是中歐內陸國家捷克的首都，連名字聽起來都似乎有些神祕，有些令人神往。布拉格不僅是著名的音樂之都，也是米蘭·昆德拉的名作《生命不能承受之輕》的背景地，它因其古老而恢弘的建築聞名於世。
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.
布拉格是歐洲首都中的一顆至寶，有“金色布拉格”和“百塔之城”的美譽，它曾是歐洲的文化之都，莫扎特和卡夫卡等衆多名人曾旅居此地，布拉格是歐洲一座充滿活力的浪漫之都和必遊之地。
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.
布拉格市內的大部分景點都可從市中心步行抵達，它爲你準備了一餐視覺上的建築盛宴：中世紀、巴洛克、文藝復興以及新藝術等衆多不同歷史時期的建築都得以完好保存，盡顯其光彩。在迂迴狹窄的街道上，每次轉彎，都會有新的驚奇等着你。
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
查理大橋是一座連接老城區和小城區的哥特式大石橋。該橋始建於1357年。據說爲了使橋體結構更加堅固，修築大橋的砂漿裏還摻進了雞蛋黃。老城區的橋塔常常被視爲世界上最壯觀的哥特式民用建築。
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世紀時，查理大橋的兩側共設有30尊巴洛克風格的雕像。現在很多雕像都是複製品，原件被保存在拉皮達瑞宮的國家博物館內。據說觸摸這些雕像可以帶來好運和保佑你回到布拉格。遊客們可以把手放在聖約翰的雕像上許願。觸摸索菲婭女王的雕像，你就可以將自己的選擇永遠保密。大橋上的飾板經過幾個世紀無數人的撫摸，已經被擦得發亮。
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.
查理大橋也是捷克畫家、音樂家和紀念品商販喜歡的地方，他們的攤位常年佔據着橋的兩側。一天之中參觀這座大橋的上佳時段當屬日落時分，你可以欣賞到夜幕下燈火通明的布拉格城堡，那是一番讓人屏息的美景。大橋如今成了步行區，幾乎時時刻刻人影攢動。如果你想將美景盡歸個人所享，那就夜裏或是一大清早就來參觀吧。
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.
根據《吉尼斯世界紀錄大全》，布拉格城堡是世界上規模最大的連貫城堡建築羣，這裏也是捷克共和國總統府的所在地。這片建築羣包括聖維塔大教堂（布拉格最明顯的地標）、瞭望塔、博物館、畫廊、修道院、黃金巷以及幾處宮殿，包括洛伯考維茲宮和聖喬治教堂；後者經常在傍晚時分舉行頗受歡迎的古典音樂會。
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.
建築羣裏最有趣的地方也許就屬黃金巷了，也叫做金匠街或煉金術士街，這裏的房屋挨着城堡的外牆，只有正常房屋一半的大小。著名作家卡夫卡曾經在這裏居住過一段時間，住在他妹妹的家裏。布拉格的每個紀念品商店都銷售印着卡夫卡圖像的T恤衫、海報和杯子。黃金巷裏的卡夫卡故居便是卡夫卡永遠和我們在一起的明證。
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.
在老城區廣場，也就是老城市政廳的所在地，布拉格天文鐘前總是聚集着大批的人羣，你一定要做好心理準備。每到整點時分，（天文鐘上）一個小小的活板門便會打開，基督走在他的門徒前面，一一現身。這座濃飾重彩的鐘是一座獨一無二的天文鐘傑作，具有顯示日月星辰旋轉方位的功能。
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.
古老的建築和宏偉的教堂使得老城區廣場成爲歐洲最美麗的歷史景觀之一。廣場中最顯眼的是提恩（國稅局）前的聖母瑪利亞教堂，或提恩教堂。教堂有兩個地標性的巴洛克式對稱尖塔，在布拉格的任何地方都能夠看到它，尤其是夜幕之中被燈光照亮的時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世紀起，老城區廣場就成爲了布拉格的中心市場，充滿人氣和生機。數個世紀以來，市場周圍豎起了羅馬、巴洛克和哥特等各種風格的建築物。若要全身心地欣賞老城區廣場的美，需得在路邊的咖啡館坐下來，廣場周邊的咖啡館一家挨着一家，點一杯咖啡或是冰啤，把自己融入這美景之中。或者爬上老城市政廳的塔樓眺望，將廣場美景盡收眼底。
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，布拉格並不是只有歷史性的建築。位於布拉格市區的國家－荷蘭公司的辦公大樓被稱爲“跳舞的房子”，這是一幢設計驚人的現代建築。它是出生於南斯拉夫的捷克籍建築師弗拉德·米盧尼克和加拿大建築師弗蘭克·蓋裏共同設計的，它矗立在河邊的一塊空地上。那裏原來的建築在1945年的布拉格轟炸中被摧毀。 “跳舞的房子”於1996年竣工。來屋頂上的法國餐廳享受一頓美味佳餚，可欣賞到布拉格的壯麗市景。
