Lucerna Passage by Chipka
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
Two cities lie here: one of open streets and winding alleyways, crammed with traffic and pedestrians. Another lies, superimposed on this rakish, rambling grid, and it is a domain of hidden passages and unexpected courtyards. Both cities comprise the body of a single, Gordian maze. As you walk, you may sense a quiet, mechanical accommodation: as if the structure of the city itself collaborates with you, adjusting to your footsteps as smoothly as a watchmaker's handicraft. Doorways appear where you remember nothing. Dead end streets open into cobbled enclosures ringed by balconies and terraces.
Shadows whisper.
Phantoms play.
A random step (here, there, or there) may take you in unexpected directions that didn't exist yesterday, and at night, strange music may lure you into places you'd scarcely seen by day.
Prague is—among many other things—a musician's city.
Mannered string quartets draw tourists, while more local (and for the most part, younger) crowds seek out the seductive undulations of trace, or the loud, sweat-tinged jangle of rock. Jazz creeps out of underground cellars, usually with the telltale waft of tobacco smoke. And somewhere...over there maybe, a lone 21st century minstrel will play the recorder, unseen.
History thrives in Prague, as does art.
It is a writer's city...
...a city for photographers.
Sculptors live here.
It was once the domain of alchemists, and though that strange discipline may no longer influence human life in exactly the same way, one may sense strange, elemental forces—some darker than others, and all, intriguing.
There is more to Prague than this...
...but like every other city, there is also less.
***
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting. It is always greatly appreciated.

Comments (21)
Marvelous islands of light on the shiny parquet floor; it looks like a shopping arcade? I like the semi-indistinct figures of people in the distance, and I can almost hear the sound of heels tapping... Beautiful image, full of possibilities.
COOL SHOT!
As usual, your night photography is second to none. Your words resonate, and send a chill up my spine. Not from fear or trepidation, but because you are so damned good.
Wonderful shot.
One's imagination can become quite vivid perusing this photo; especially after reading your narrative.
This brings a get mood out and the softness lets the imagination do the work.
The light, the mood, and your words---just so GOOD!!! I can hear the music, smell the smoke and feel the whole vibe--wow!!
EXCELLENT CAPTURE ,COLORS & BEAUTIFUL !!!!!
Wonderful words that echo through the passage ways you describe with so much passion. I love the slight blurriness that gives a sense of movement! :)
Ah! You did it again! You gave us a brilliant and enigmatic photo and then you carfully direct our thoughts to the secrets, the riddles, and the history unknown! Brilliant!
Super night shot and excellent narrative, Chip. Dave
Awesome and moody shot Chip....your intro makes me feel like I'm right there ~
De superbes lumières qui donnent de la profondeur au dallage par leur reflet
A superb combo of narrative and visual. I am learning much about Prague through your artist's eye and writer's mind. CC
great work 10+
The moment I laid eyes on this photo I new it was Prague. Prague appears to be a city of two simultaneous histories, one east, one west.
Another great image Chip, bravo!
Wonderfully!
a wonderful night shot and the words goings with it are special...smile
Lovely image. What you can't see is so much more important than what you can. It's true, you can almost hear the echoing sound of footsteps on that floor.
An atmosphere really fantastic Chip... I adore my friend!