Did I mention that Prague is a beautiful city?
One of the most famous landmarks is the Charles Bridge, which links the Old Town and the Lesser Town. The bridge was started in 1357 by King Charles IV (the Czechs most beloved King!) and took 45 years to build. It’s paved with cobblestones, lined with 30 statues of Saints and at each end are stunning gothic-style towers. For most of the day it’s packed with tourists, but Andrew was able to capture it at its best in the early morning fog. Eerie and beautiful.
We spent the day at Prague Castle – the largest castle complex in the world according to our guide. The complex houses the Royal Palace and St Vitus Cathedral. The cathedral took 600 years to complete, and houses the tomb of Charles IV and his four wives. Our tour took us throughout the cathedral and through the original foundations and crypt… an amazing piece of history.
The Royal Palace (below) is the home of the current President. It still has many original features, including the hall that was used for balls, feasts and jousting – it even has an entry for the horses! Today it’s used for major ceremonies in the Czech Republic. It has stunning views over Prague and it was probably one of the lovliest rooms we saw in Europe – nicely understated.
We were able to watch the guard house changeover as we arrived. These guys are definitely dressed for this climate!
One of the areas within the Castle complex was ‘Golden Lane’. These tiny houses are in the North wall of the castle and have housed a range of people over the centuries. Like many of the buildings in Prague, it has been lovingly restored since the end of Communism.
The Castle sits proudly on top of the hill overlooking Prague. Our clear day (yes, another!) made it a stunning opportunity for photographs across the whole city. Beautiful.
Our walk back to the Old Town took us over the Charles Bridge. At this time it was filled with tourists and little stalls selling Prague souvenirs. Somehow, despite being a major tourist destination, the city still manages to embrace tourists with a sense of style and simplicity.
At night the Castle is lit up, and it’s easy to see why its such an iconic landmark for the city.
Back to Old Town Square, and we were able to capture some final photos at dusk. The Christmas lights have been really pretty, and added great atmosphere throughout our trip. Regardless, many of the major buildings are beautifully lit at night, making it a very special city to wander.
So, another busy day ends. Such a great city!
Love M & theBunch xx
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