Cathedrals, Castles and Clocks, and ... Crocodiles?

In which, we visit Brno! Nice that my dad is here so that I can get out and see the town.

Which is not entirely fair; Brno is tiny. Tiny, tiny, tiny! So, I've seen it. I've walked around it on sunny days, rainy days, snowy days, at least a couple of times a week over the past few months. Being a small town, it is easy enough to get around and visit the main sites around town in a long afternoon, particularly if you are the sort who finds museums a snooze. Although, for the serious student of history, there are close to a thousand years of action to sort through, so you can also spend a lifetime being enthralled by it.

I would guess we'll ramble through the main sights here in about three "blog days," which depending on my mood may translate into three real life days, or three months. Only time will tell.

The two key highlights in Brno are Petrov Cathedral (also known as the Cathedral of Peter and Paul) and the Spielberk Castle. Both are ancient, gorgeous and ripe with history. Also, a ten minute walk from each other. Actually, all of the major sites in Brno are withing a ten minute walk of each other. This includes the Brno Dragon, an interesting historical tidbit, of which we will speak, albeit briefly, and the Brno Clock, a brand spanking new thing that has created a firestorm of controversy. Yes, a clock.

But let's start with the cathedral. This is a professional photo. The cathedral is on a high point of the city and is visible as you drive around the outskirts. It is striking, spectacular, gorgeous and ancient. It was built from the basilica of an older castle in the 13th century. Like I said, ancient.

Here's a view of it from the Speilberk castle, to give you a bit more perspective:

I confess that I love seeing the cathedral; it fills me with great happiness to see such a beautiful work of art high on the hill. I did visit it once, with Jeff, on a Sunday, so we did not go in as there were services going on at the time.

But my dad and I visited during the week, so we toured the inside and climbed to the top of the tower. The view is quite nice, as you can see all of Brno from the top.

*Pause* I just realized I am boring myself to death with this post. I am just not a Cathedrals, Castles and Clocks kind of girl.

Let's go to the Dragon, shall we, before I fall asleep on my keyboard and lose this post because my nose accidentally presses "delete."

A friend of mine mentioned to me a couple of months ago that she had taken her father-in-law to see the very famous "Brno Dragon." Since I had never heard of it, I asked for details. She explained that it was a stuffed dragon that hung in an alleyway. It was quite well known in Brno, and, well, there was more, but while she and I are are both native English speakers, I can sometimes be a bit dim. I couldn't seem to get my brain past "stuffed dragon." Anyway, here's what my mind's eye conjured up:

 

Once I knew of the existence of the Brno Dragon, I saw evidence of it everywhere in small dragon symbols on tourist literature, on the internet and in shops selling tourist tchatchkes (to whom, I ask myself, who comes here as a tourist??). But I had still not seen the thing in the flesh ... or the fun fur fabric, as it were. I confess to also be really confused as to why on earth a city would desire to hang up a stuffed dragon and use it as its symbol.

The day came when I was in town with some who is quite familiar with the area, and I begged him to please take us to the Dragon so I could see it with my own eyes and, maybe, work out what on earth the deal was with this thing.

And so he did. Do you see it? It's up there, hanging from the ceiling.

 

Here's a close up:

It's a crocodile. A taxidermized crocodile.

You might wonder what I have discovered about why this stuffed crocodile is hanging in the town center. The straight answer is "nobody knows." There are interesting tales and stories that range from the thing was living in the river terrorizing people and some clever fellow overcame it using trickery,  the townfolk hung it up in triumph, to it was brought here in the early 10th century as a gift. That seems unlikely as the old fellow seems in too good shape to be near a thousand years old.

But whatever his origins, he is one of the highlights of our wee town. Do stop by and we will bring you on a tour.

Comments

[Debbie Hanson]

Please tell me you did not have to PAY to see this dragon.

[Ellen]

Ha! The croc is free. I promise. ;-)

[Monica]

Breathtakingly beautiful city!