How sturdy he looks, this Saint George, wouldn’t you say? Yet this bronze knight, eternally locked in battle with the dragon, has a history almost as dramatic as the legend he depicts. Cast in 1373 by Martin and Georg of Cluj, the Saint George Statue is one of the most significant bronze sculptures from the late Middle Ages. These talented brothers, hailing from Transylvania, were renowned for their skill in the lost-wax casting technique, a complex process that breathed life into metal. Imagine them, laboring for years to create this masterpiece, the horse rearing back, Saint George’s spear forever poised for the kill. Originally, the statue was even more magnificent, adorned with gilding that would have shimmered in the sunlight. A far cry from its current static display, the statue has been a fountain, suffered damage from fire, and even endured the weight of overzealous coronation spectators! Today, safely housed within Prague Castle, the original Saint George Statue stands as a testament to artistry, resilience, and the enduring power of legends.
Dolní Břežany
Could this grand Renaissance castle have once been a humble medieval fortress? It’s true! This is Dolní Břežany, dominated by