Dark Clouds

Despite the sunny morning, we set off on the KGB tour of Prague, when the country was under the Soviet and Communist control.

We learned that after the Second World War, elections held in 1948 saw Czech people elect the communists, who formed Government with 4 minor parties.  Our tour guide said the Soviets had liberated Prague from Nazi control, so there was some gratitude there.  But after a while, the population suspected they had made a mistake and when a group of Ministers resigned, they wanted fresh elections.  But of course the Communists just took full control and so began the crushing of any political opposition.

Below is the former Head Quarters of the Secret Police.  Down the side street there was a further building with cellars used to interrogate prisoners. Our guide said if anyone mentioned   BARTOLOMEJSKA   you knew it was serious, serious trouble from ....

a nasty sort of fellow like shown below, perhaps???  Part of the tour was to an underground bunker, sixteen metres below.  Many were built all over Prague, to be used as nuclear safe spots for several days in the event of nuclear attack during the Cold War.  The plan was then to evacuate citizens to the country-side.  

Despite dark periods like German occupation and Soviet terror, this stunning city remains a beautiful and fascinating place to visit.