Sunday - Wednesday 7 - 10 Prague trip

Sunday, Sept. 7 we flew to Prague for 3 days.  Anne Marie told us Prague was the most beautiful city in Europe.  Hitler must have thought the same because he didn't destroy it during WWII.  Here we are leaving the airport.

We stayed at Archibalds on the Charles Bridge.  It was quaint, comfortable, and clean.  The hotel was on a cobble stone street with sidewalk cafes, street musicians, and a lot of charm.  The breakfast was included in the hotel.

 

In front of our hotel

 



The street was charming.

 



This is a memorial to John Lennon of Beatle fame.  It underwent a transformation in the 1980's when John Lennon and his music became a symbol of protest by young people against the Communists in what was then Czechoslovakia.
 

Locks adorned this sidewalk as a token of couples unbroken love.

 

Our first full day there, Monday, we went on a 4-hour walking tour of the city.  It was a good overview of the whole city.

The Charles Bridge is one of several bridges along the Vltava River.  This is the only one that is a  pedestrian bridge.  There are street vendors and statues along the bridge. 

 

The astronomical clock is a landmark in the Old Town Square. It dates back to medieval times and is an example of ornate and intricate craftsmanship.



On the Old Town Square vendors entertain with bubbles, music, etc.



 The tower is the entrance to the Old Town section of Prague. It is considered to be the most beautiful bridge tower in Europe due to its sculptural decoration.



The Vltava River runs through Prague.



During a flood in 2002, the white little building to the right of center was covered with water.



The Old City section of Prague



The red tiled roofs add a lot of charm to this medieval city.

 

The Saint Vitus Cathedral  was constructed by Good King Wenceslas and is located at the Prague Castle.

 

Inside the cathedral.

 

The president's residence



There is a changing of the guard every hour in front of the President's palace.

 



View of Prague from the Castle.

 



Beautiful vineyards grew along the side of the castle hill.



Gardens on the castle complex.



The Charles Bridge dates back to the 1400's.  This connection made Prague important as a trade route between east and west Europe.  It was originally built for jousting tournaments.  There are 75 statues that line the bridge. Notice the rainbow.



Street musicians were plentiful.



 

After our walking tour we went to an organ concert in one of the cathedrals just inside Old Town.  The concerts are nightly.  The tour guide told us that 70-80% of Prague is not religious so they have concerts in the churches to generate income.

The concert was classical organ music with a man and woman soloists.

 

Walking along the Charles Bridge at night was beautiful with its view of the castle and the Vtlava River.

 

Tues. morning we caught a local bus to Cesky Krumlov, a medieval town south of Prague.  The Hluboka Castle is there along with the Vtlava River, and many beautiful views. 

Beautiful formal gardens were part of the castle grounds.

  



More beautiful formal gardens.



Church at Cesky Krumlov

 



The town square has lots of restaurants and shops,  They made a pastry that was like a cinnamon roll wrapped around a wooden spindle and then baked.  It cooked in a circle and separated as you ate it.



Going back to Prague

 

It was about 9:00 p.m. when we got back to Prague.  The bridge is beautiful at night.

As is the city of Prague

 



We had dinner outside our hotel that night.



The next day, Wed. we went exploring Prague on our own.



On the Charles Bridge is a statue of St. John of Nepomuk.  The story claims he died for refusing to divulge the queen's confession, and that when he was thrown from Charles Bridge, five stars appeared where he drowned.  Legend says that if you rub the bronze plaque you will have good luck.



The old section of Prague.  Notice all the cobblestone roads.

 

The open markets are always a favorite for Blaine and me. They had beautiful produce and are a great part of the city.
 

The Dancing House is a creation of Frank Gehry, a Canadian architect.



The Old New Synagogue has been active since 1270, a feat that makes it exceptional in Europe and the world.  It's gothic design is very austere and was not harmed during WWII.



View from the Letna gardens overlooking the Vltava River.

 

Overlooking the Vlata River into Prague.

 

The courtyard of Hradcany Prague Castle with lots of walking trails.

 

Our last night in Prague before heading out to the airport for the "red-eye" special