Kristina, the landlady, had recommended Vyšehrad as a location with spiritual energy. It's reputed to be the first settlement in the Prague area, but this is unsubstantiated. For sure the park within the fort is beloved by the Czechs as a peaceful location.
The cemetery there is the final resting place of many famous Czechs. I was there to look for the graves of Antonín Dvořák and Bedřich Smetana.
Dvořák is of course known for his symphony from the New World, the opera Rusalka, and various pieces such as Songs My Mother Taught Me, and Humoresques.
Smetana is not as well known as Dvořák, but earlier put Bohemia on the music map. The Vltava is celebrated in his symphonic cycle Má vlast.
When one reads their biographies. one notes that lives were shorter then. Both Dvořák and Smetana did not live long past 60, and they were exhausted toward the end. Life was more dangerous then with diseases. And of course labourers were often killed by accidents.
But it's not all gloomy in the fort. Outside the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul, a photoshoot was in progress.
Possibly a fashion shoot from the elegant garments of the models.
And the basilica that was the backdrop.
Looking towards the rail bridge I crossed on the evening of my arrival.
Looking towards the south before the straight stretch of the Vltava past central Prague.
A wider view taken from outside the walls accessed through a pedestrian gate.
A southward view again. As you can see the hour was getting late.
All that walking had made me thirsty so I stopped at a kiosk within the grounds to have a fruit drink. This is made with real fruit, forest berries in my case, and very refreshing.
One last look at the entry gate before leaving.
I returned to my lodgings via the Metro C line, one that served the Prague Congress Centre. From some of the oldest buildings to a modern one within minutes, that's Prague for you.
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