A fabulous first day enjoying Prague! Many beautiful old romanesque, baroque and gothic buildings of all kinds – churches, commerce, housing. Detailed designs in their steeples, bell towers, plasterwork, intricate line work and are of different colours with characteristic rooflines – see photos. The city is very picturesque, colourful, vibrant and like all these cities full of fascinating history. Many streets & roads are cobbled and all manner of transport can be seen.
The banner picture above is of Prague Castle (from 9th century) which is vast – 52 hectares!! and includes palaces, cathedrals, several courtyards, the Presidential offices, shops and cafes and also has a surrounding vineyard. The views over Prague city from the castle are very beautiful and panoramic.
The Old Town Square has the impressive Astronomical Clock in the Town Hall, Tyn Cathedral & other memorable buildings as well as lovely wee stalls and numerous food stations with all sorts of delicacies – I’m saving up for the local sweet treat tomorrow! For lunch we had a typical Czech meal of pork, dumplings, sweet cabbage and a beer – all very nice and in the shade of a garden bar – once again trying to keep cool!
Enjoyed a river cruise going under the Charles Bridge -had previously walked across and admired the architecture from the Vltava River which flows for miles joining many countries and changing its name along the way.
A late evening stroll along the river and back through the Jewish quarter – lovely lighting at the Castle and various buildings – still very warm!
Day 2- wandering the meandering streets again admiring the buildings! I also visited some cathedrals- pretty amazing and some impressive organs! All seem to offer concerts of every kind but we will wait til Russia. Enjoyed yummy salads in the Old Market Square. Tried Trdeknik- a local sweet treat- made with a pastry wound onto a skewer by a special machine and then roasted over hot coals- rolled in lemon, nuts, cinnamon and sugar & served warm- yum!
Staying in a 13th century gothic style hotel – modernised but still retaining character. Was once part of a former convent & used as a private aristocratic residence. Part of the convent is now houses a museum- the other cavernous rooms are empty but show the architecture of the time and are blissfully cool on a hot afternoon.
