Discover the grand castle of Prague!
There was no way I could only do one post on Prague. (Check out Day 1.) There is going to be three, because there was no way I was going to fit Day 2 and Day 3 into one post.
The first goal of the day was Prague Castle (Pražský hrad). Given the numerous renovations it has undergone, it isn’t exactly a classic castle anymore. Even though it was a bit expensive (for Eastern Europe) to visit most of the attractions, it was worthwhile.
Jana Irving Crossing the Manes Bridge (Mánesův most) towards Prague Castle. The ring of pastel building surrounding a giant church is the modern castle. If you are wondering why Prague streets are so clean, the street sweeper in orange is your answer. He might be better described as a street vacuumer.
Jana Irving The famous Charles Bridge.
Jana Irving It was a bit of a climb to get up there.
Jana Irving Lovely view from up here.
Jana Irving Double gateway.
Jana Irving So cute.
Jana Irving Love it.
Jana Irving The backside of the cathedral.
Jana Irving St. George’s Basilica (Bazilika svatého Jiří). I went to the cathedral first, but since my best photos of the exteriors are from first thing in the morning, I’m going out of order for somethings.
Jana Irving It was originally constructed in the 9th century and then redone in the 12th century after a fire.
Jana Irving The Chapel of St. Ludmilla, who is entombed inside.
Jana Irving Found this gem in the crypt chapel.
Jana Irving There are very few medieval buildings up here other than the churches.
Jana Irving Inside is the Vladislav Hall, part of what remains of the medieval Old Royal Palace (Starý královský palác).
Jana Irving The Diet Hall (16th century) was used for the sessions of the highest bodies of the Bohemian Kingdom, the Diet and the Court of the Estates. So in short, it was where rich guys governed.
Jana Irving The Window of Defenestration (great word) where three government men were thrown out of the window and somehow survived. This event ended up starting the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648).
Jana Irving A hall with a bunch of family crests painted all over it.
Jana Irving I had a wide-angle lens, and I still couldn’t fit all of St. Vitus Cathedral in one photo.
Jana Irving It’s not surprising that St. Vitus is the largest church in Czechia.
Jana Irving Not the largest cathedral I have ever been in but this one is still large.
Jana Irving I was not surprised to find an Art Nouveau window here considering all the Art Nouveau buildings there are in Prague.
Jana Irving Gorgeous giant window.
Jana Irving Very, very Gothic.
Jana Irving There is some Neo-Gothic going on in the back.
Jana Irving I think this was someone’s tomb.
Jana Irving St. Wencelas Chapel.
Jana Irving Success. I found a way to get the entire cathedral in one photo.
Jana Irving Lovely buildings surround St. Vitus Cathedral.
Jana Irving I love the color scheme.
Jana Irving Part of Golden Lane (Zlatá ulička), a row of buildings smushed up against the old castle walls.
Jana Irving Several of these tiny buildings were homes and now are decorated to different periods. Others are now shops.
Jana Irving An alchemist’s lair. I question the historical accuracy of all this.
Jana Irving More of Golden Lane.
Jana Irving Very, very tiny homes.
Jana Irving This tower was used as a prison; hence the guy being gibbetted. That is where they stick a dead body (hopefully) in a cage to hang it in public places to scare people into submission, while they watch the body decompose.
Jana Irving Passing through a courtyard on my way out of the main entrance of the castle.
Jana Irving You technically pass through a side entrance to get to the castle area, because the main entrance is used by the President of Czechia for official meetings.
Jana Irving It does empty out on this very lovely square, Hradcany Square (Hradčanské náměstí).
Jana Irving The Schwarzenberský palác, a very wierd looking building, is now an art gallery.
Jana Irving Really trying to imitate Renaissance Italian architecture here.
And I am going to leave it off here for this post. I paid to see most of Prague Castle. I don’t know what I was expecting to find but my day was definitely made when I found that Window of Defenestration. Why am I so amused by a word that specifically means dead by falling/being pushed out of a window? More Prague to come.
Check out my next update where I will wrap up my visit to Prague!
or
Start at the beginning of this adventure in Zurich!
