Prague - Day 2 Friday February 9

Join us for our included breakfast at the hotel. For me, a highlight was the freshly brewed tea. Utter heaven.

This morning, we explored Prague on the “Golden City of a Hundred Spires” tour. (Are there a hundred spires here? We are not planning to count them.) A bus took us to Prague Castle. Sitting high atop a hill, overlooking the Charles Bridge and Vltava River, Prague Castle (Pražský Hrad) is much more than a “castle” and includes churches, palaces, museums, and gardens that date from the ninth century. It is the largest castle complex in the world. Guards were stationed at the main gate.

We passed through the first courtyard...

...to reach St. Vitus Cathedral, the centerpiece of Prague Castle. Although the foundation stone was laid in 1344, construction did not begin until 1644. The church finally was consecrated in 1929.

The Cathdral's dark Gothic exterior is brightened by a !4th Century mosaic of the Last Supper, located over the South entrance to the church.

St. George is always a fan favorite in Europe.

Here is St. George Basilica, which was the first Czech monastery.

This balcony on the Royal Palace is a popular spot for "official" addresses.

Some additional views from Prague Castle:

We were fortunate to see the changing of the guards. This is no Buckingham Palace extravaganza, but was still nice to see. Sadly, the video I took will not post.

From Prague Castle and with the zoom lens, we were able to enjoy some panoramic views of the city.

Across the Charles Bridge is Prague's Malá Strana ("Lesser Town"), one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. Nestled underneath Prague Castle, it oozes with fairytale charm - the cobblestone streets are lined with picturesque medieval houses, palaces, churches, and all types of shops and restaurants. Here are some of the buildings that we passed.

I love the emblems that served to distinguish the businesses.

After a coffee stop, we crossed the river via the 14th-century pedestrian-only Charles Bridge. The bridge is one of a number that spans the Vltava River, but its iconic statues make it a very popular spot in Prague.

The most popular statue on the bridge is that of Saint John Nepomuk (known in the US as John Nepomucene). John served as the queen's confessor, and was martyred (thrown off the Charles Bridge) for his refusal to break the Seal of the Confessional to her husband, King Wenceslas IV. It is considered good luck to rub the plate below his statue. I will take all the good luck I can get.

The Old Town Bridge Tower is the gateway to the famous Charles Bridge from the east side of the Vltava. Completed before 1380, it is considered to be the most beautiful Gothic gate in Europe and the most impressive example of Gothic civil engineering style in the world. In 1621 the heads of some of the Czech lords convicted and executed for their involvement in the uprising against Hapsburg rule were displayed at this location to serve as a warning to others. Standing at the level of the first floor is St. Vitus, who is the patron of the bridge, flanked by statues of the seated Charles IV and Wenceslas IV. One level higher are statues of St Adalbert and St Sigismund.

The area around the Old Bridge Tower offers some lovely views of Prague Castle.

Here is the statue of King Charles.

Once across the bridge, we are back to the Old Town. Built into the walls of the Town Hall is the world-famous medieval astronomical clock. Installed in 1410, this is the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest clock still in operation. When the clock strikes the hour, it begins the procession of the twelve apostles along with Virtue and Death; the procession ends with the crow of the golden rooster. There is a legend that says that once the clock was completed, its creator was blinded by the order of the King and Prague Councillors so that he could never fashion another clock like Prague’s again. Nice people.

This fountain in the Square is a memorial to Jan Huss, a Catholic priest who spoke out against the financial and moral excesses of the many of his fellow clergy, and advocated for reforms in the Church. It will not surprise you that this did not end well for Jan, and he eventually was executed for heresy. The monument to Huss celebrates the spirit of nonconformity that is prized by the Czechs.

Also located in the Old Town is the Municipal Library of Prague.

Why is there a line of people outside the municipal library? They are here to see this artistic tower of 8000 stacked books, located at the top of the staircase in the foyer. It is known as the “Idiom” or Column of Knowledge or Infinity of Knowledge. Whatever the name, it is very cool.

Interior views:

We popped into one of the two St. Nicholas Churches in Prague. This one, on the old city square, is a Protestant Church.

Here is Charlie, the guardian of the handbag.

Back to Andaz Palace for a brief rest and some blog work before our second excursion.

We joined the group for a complimentary beer tasting at a beer hall in Prague's Municipal Hall. I took a photo of this beautiful building last evening, and here is one in the daylight.

We were each served a pilsner and a dark beer. Charlie enjoyed them.

He also enjoyed mine. (I did sample them.)

AMA offered an optional folklore show this evening, but we instead opted to go rogue, booking a "Taste of Prague" tour. We met at 4 PM and were a group of ten, three younger couples (from Italy, England, and Harrisburg, PA) and a couple from our AMA group from San Diego. Our tour guide, Peggy, had a great sense of humor and led us to five different venues.

The first (Lokal) is a very popular pub, where there was lots of beer (ordered according to the size of the head that you prefer)...

...and local treats, including ham, sausages, potato salad, fried cheese, and whatever that other thing was called.

Then it was on to a butcher shop that serves meatloaf sandwiches.

We took a tram to the next spot in "District 8" (Prague is divided into districts and every time that Peggy referred to the district, I was flashing back to the Hunger Games) where they served outstanding chicken and beef dishes in yummy sauces, accompanied by spaetzle, flatbread, and a house-made cider.

Then, on to dessert and coffee (the chocolate phallus filled with chocolate and eggnog creams was the best)

...before a final stop at a wine bar. It was a great evening, and thank goodness we had to walk back to the hotel.

Our closing photo is Wensceslas Square at night.

Photos are tagged Magna and Prague_2024