I love Prague. Seriously. I fell in love with this city. Maybe it was the Art Nouveau styled architecture, or maybe it was that every person I interacted with was friendly, maybe it was the Cannabis infused Vodka, or the Hot Wine, maybe it was all those things. I just know I left with nothing but good feelings about this city, and I promised myself that I would return.
Art Nouveau is richly represented in Prague’s architecture.
Art Nouveau is the predominant style of entire streets in the Old Town. [Národní Galerie – Pragues National Gallery]
Cannabis Infused Vodka. This is surprisingly smooth with a nice taste. I recommend chilling it and sipping without mixing it with anything else.
Prague is one of those cities that I’ve been wanting to visit from the first time I saw photos of its snow covered spires in the winter, and the gorgeous photos of its Christmas markets. I was there in October, too early for the Christmas markets, but not too early to enjoy this wonderful old city.
Our hotel, King’s Court, was located right in the city center. So we walked everywhere. Which means my feet were killing me!! Almost all of the streets in the city center are cobblestoned, and this wrecks havoc on your feet. It’s no joke, however, that didn’t stop me from enjoying Prague. At the end of the day, I went back to the hotel, soaked my body and feet in a nice hot tub while I sipped on some Hot Wine. 🙂
Kings Court Hotel
Kings Court Hotel. The View From Our Room
I fell in love with the Hot Wine. It goes by many names pending on the country, but basically it’s a wine that is spiced up, and heated up. After walking to the top (and the hill is huge, or maybe it’s just that I was slightly out of shape 😀 ) to Prague Castle, and then walking around the compound, my feet (yes, I’m moaning about my feet again) were killing me. As we left, there was a kiosk type stand near the Vineyard, and I grabbed a cup of Hot Wine to go. As I slowly sipped on the wine, it was amazing how I didn’t care that my feet were killing me.
I took this glass of hot wine back to my room and I got in the tub. 🙂
We were only in Prague for 2.5 days, and we spent one day on a day trip to Kutná Hora to check out The Bone Church. When you have such a short time in a location, I recommend just hanging out, walking around, and getting lost while seeing what you see versus checking out too many interiors (i.e. museums, etc). So we spent a lot of time walking around and enjoying the sites.
This is what we saw:
This square is located directly outside of the King’s Court Hotel
The procession of the apostles at the Astronomical Clock.
Tyn Church in Prague Old Town Square
Czech National Museum in Wenceslas Square. Wenceslas Square is one of the main city squares and the centre of the business and cultural communities in the New Town of Prague, Czech Republic. Many historical events occurred there, and it is a traditional setting for demonstrations, celebrations, and other public gatherings. The square is named after Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia. It is part of the historic centre of Prague, a World Heritage Site.
The top of Powder Gate. Powder Gate Dates back to the 11th century, when the original gate was one of 13 entrances to the Old Town of Prague. Construction began in 1475.
Prague’s Astronomical Clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still working. The present-day calendar dial below the clock was added in 1870. You can go to the top of the tower, which offers incredible views of the city of Prague.
The Old Town Square in the shadow of the Astro Clock Tower
View from the Astronomical Clock Tower
The crowds waiting for the astronomical clock to put on it’s show at the top-of-the-hour.
The rooftops of Prague
Prague Castle from top of the Astronomical Clock Tower. The Prague Castle, an ancient symbol of the Czech lands, is the most significant Czech monument and one of the most important cultural institutions in the Czech Republic.
The South Gardens: The green building is the palace of Rožmberks. It was rebuilt in the 18th century and converted into the Institute of Gentle Women for poor noble ladies. Recently, the palace was reconstructed and it can be visited during exhibitions and concerts.
Fall Foliage in The South Garden
The Palace Guards
The Vltava River from St. Wenceslas Vineyard at The Prague Castle
Square of St George at Prague Castle
The top of the Cathedral of St Vitus at Prague Castle in Black and White.
III Courtyard. The entrance to Cathedral of St Vitus at Prague Castle
Inside the Cathedral of St Vitus at Prague Castle
Leaving via the East Gate at Prague Castle. This is the best gate to leave through because you walk through the vineyard, and past the food stand that sells hot wine. 🙂
St. Wenceslas Vineyard at Prague Castle
St. Wenceslas Vineyard at Prague Castle. This path leads to a restaurant with incredible views of the city
Wine stand at St. Wenceslas Vineyard at Prague Castle
Sausage Treat at East Gate at Prague Castle. I typically never eat sausage. I’m not down with mystery meat. I mean it’s been years, but I felt it was my journalistic duty to try one. It was good.
The Streets of Prague. Do you see what I’m telling you regarding the cobblestoned streets? They’re everywhere. Wear comfortable shoes, but that probably still won’t stop your poor feet from killing you at the end of the day.
St Charles Bridge
Walking across St. Charles Bridge. The word on the streets is that in the summer time when this bridge is packed, keep an eye out for pickpockets.
The view From St Charles Bridge
St Charles Bridge Gate
St Charles Bridge statue: Madonna and St. Bernard. Made by Matěj Václav Jäckel in 1709. In the middle, there is Virgin Mary with baby Jesus, looking up to her on the right there is St. Bernard kneeling in friar clothes, the little angel in front of him is holding the abbots’ hat. On the left, apart from the angels, there are attributes of Christ’s suffering – crucifix, nails, hammer and tongs, figure of a rooster and veraicon – a reminder of the legend of Veronique, who offers the suffering Christ a scarf to wipe his face, and the face miraculously imprints on the scarf.
St Ivo on St Charles Bridge St. Ivo was made by Matyáš Bernard Braun upon the order of the Faculty of Law in 1711. On the bridge, there is a copy made in 1908 by Frantisek Hergesel jr.; the original is stored in the National Museum’s Lapidary. St. Ivo is the patron of lawyers; a widow with children looks up to a saint who took up their defence against court. To his right, there is Justice with a sword and blindfolded.
Sun Setting Over Old Town Square
Prague Meridian in Old Town Square. It was 1652 when it was embedded into the paving in the Old Town Square. The shadow which was cast by the Marian column (no longer standing) over the meridian, determined when it was high noon. The meridian is located close to Jan Hus Memorial.
I hope that you’ve enjoyed my photo tour of Prague. It’s a wonderful city, one that is not to be missed.
About Terri Lundberg
This is a beautiful city
Yes it is!! I could spent a day just touring and checking out the architecture.
Loved your photos! Just spoke with two friends who did a three day tour of Prague plus another three in Budapest. They loved Prague. Guess it has to go onto my list, thanks for the photos and safe traveling out there–
suzy
Thanks SuzyQ. 🙂 YES, you must put Prague on your list of places to go. If the only thing I could complain about is my tired feet (LOL), that means there was much to see, and that I really loved my time there.
As you’ve found, Praha is a beautiful city : she’s also been described as an “open-air museum”, I’ve been back over a dozen times over all four seasons, and I never tire of the place. I can always find a quiet street or alley to wander down and find myself entirely new. I hope you go back, especially if you can go during spring or fall. Thanks for your post, Terri!
Thanks Henry. That’s the perfect way to describe this city, an “open-air museum.” This past year I was there in the fall. Prague is on my must return list, I’m hoping to check out it’s Christmas markets, and spring should be gorgeous. However, I will avoid the summer like the plague. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I cannot wait to visit Prague this summer. Great photos!
Thank you! And, you will love Prague! 🙂