classical architecture on the roof is skeletal and open, with arches
extending up towards the spires, which appear as if shooting up
to touch heaven. This was architectural education up close, but
then, ever watchful, are the gargoyles at the roof edges. Spires
you can see best from afar, but gargoyles need to be spoken to.
Walking on such a narrow rooftop pathway meant keeping an
eye on the gargoyles. Getting up close and personal, you can
see there are others that care for them. Along the inside of the
water runoff trough is a modern heating element to keep the
ice cleared out. It is frightening to think that in earlier times, a
person had to go up there and clear the ice to avoid damage
are monuments to the dead. We are connected to these people
to the roof. Can you trust a gargoyle that much, reaching out
not only through family DNA, but also in reverence displayed with
from the relative safety of a roof edge, to brush its back?
the Vietnam Memorial, and the more recent 9/11 Memorial.
Italian Court in Kunta Hora includes the Royal Mint of the late
Wine tastin g in the region Moravia is next in this three-part
Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, when the Bohemian
written tour of Czech Republic. Gateway to the region is the city
silver coin was currency throughout Europe. Exhibits of
of Brno, second only to Prague in population. A wonderful hotel in
coins and actual coin stamping causes one to imagine a life
Brno is the Hotel Barcelo Palace. It is located at the base of the
spent swinging a hammer, every day and all day – and we
Petrov Hill, where the Gothic-styled Cathedral of Saints Peter and
complain about repetitive stress due to computer typing!
Paul is located. This historic ground is at the center of the city and
In the chapel at Italian Court is a beautiful statue of
important in the battles saving the region during Thirty Years War
Christ. Interesting is the “vault” cut into the back of the
of the 1600’s. Several days can be dedicated to visit Brno, which
statue where jewels could be hidden from invaders or
boasts a UNESCO listed must-see Functionalist Villa Tugendhat.
thieves, none of whom would violate the sanctity of the
Finally, ever wonder: Where do they get all this wild boar?
holy image. Certainly, everything else in the building was
Wild boar and dumplings was served everywhere as the
fair game and the hiding place apparently worked.
representative of Czech cultural dining. The answer is in the
Recommended is a meal at Restaurant Dacický in Kutna
forests and wooded areas of central Czech, right next to the
Hora at the Italian Chapel. Served daily are old Bohemian
wine tasting we do in the next article. Hunters and shooters,
recipes and six types of draught beer or local wine.
lured into tours that actually lead to shopping malls, take heart.
Nearby in Sedlec is the bone chapel, a real ossuary, displaying
We show you how to arrange for a personal wild boar hunt
bones of people who died from the plagues sweeping through
experience. These animals are big, so take a breath, exhale
Europe. This is somewhat creepy, but it remembers the
slowly, and squeeze the trigger while its tusks turn towards you.
monumental numbers of deaths and in public squares, as in Brno,
If you miss, then perhaps shopping wasn't so bad, after all.