Europe 2010 Day 8 - Prague - Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

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3 Oct 2010

After returning from Pilsen, we immediately took the metro from Zličín to Anděl and switched to the tram. We are headed to Prague Castle (Pražský hrad), the largest contiguous castle complex in the world. One of the reasons that is so is because it is a 'castle', not a palace. The castle was started some time in the 9th century with buildings added throughout the centuries. Now, the Head of State of the Czech Republic seats here. Getting to the castle entrance on the hill required walking up the sloping streets and stairs.

Back in Prague for a visit to the Prague Castle. We had to ask for directions as there weren't many sign posts.


Medieval price of beer!


Below the medieval price of beer


Finally, we have reached the top; a shot opposite the main castle entrance where tourists have started to crowd around... hmm...


The change of guard


Bird's eye view of the largest castle complex in the world.


Entrance to Prague Castle


The Saint Vitus' Cathedral (Katedrála svatého Víta). This Gothic cathedral is the biggest and most important church in the country.


Door of Saint Vitus' Cathedral (Katedrála svatého Víta)


The Golden Gate


Inside St. Vitus' Cathedral, the rear is the oldest part. Coronations of some of the Bohemian kings took place here.


Statue


The Pulpit


We are walking on graves, probably of some Holy Roman Emperor or Bohemian King


Lots of stained glass in this gothic church, the church was enlarged over the years since its foundation in year 1344 CE


The back of the rose window


Tomb of John of Nepomuk, National Saint of Czech Republic. Drowned in 1393 CE by the Bohemian King for refusing to divulge the Queen's confession.


The last thing we saw in St. Vitus before moving on to the Vladislav Hall.


These are supposed to be the Bohemian crown jewels in the Vladislav Hall (Vladislavský sál), the crown, made in 1347 CE is supposed to be the fourth oldest in Europe.


Land titles of Bohemian nobility


Left, St. George's Basilica (Czech: Bazilika Sv. Jiří), the oldest church building in Prague Castle since 920 CE where princes are buried.


Inside St. George's Basilica, there is a crypt with a creepy statue down in the basement.


Holy Cross Chapel (Kaple svatého Kříže)


Looking out at Charles Bridge from Prague Castle


Castle Gardens, we left the castle after this.


Passing the Church of St Nicolas (Svatý Mikuláš) as we make our way back to Anděl


Home cooked dinner!

Feeling very poor for some reason, we bought ingredients from Tesco (hypermarket) at Anděl near the apartment we stayed in. Our friends proceed to whip up a nice meal for us. Then, it was time for our last round of drinks at the thirsty deer before sleeping. Tomorrow we will rise early and bid our friends goodbye before heading to Vienna by bus.

Check back for the next post soon.

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Europe 2010 Day 8 - Pilsen - The Pilsner Urquell Brewery

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3 Oct 2010

This morning, we embarked on a short day trip to the nearby city of Pilsen (Plzeň). The city is famous for being the home of the Pilsner, the most prevalent lager style beer in the world today. At the heart of this is the legendary Pilsner Urquell brewery, home of the original pilsner beer since 1839. To get there the four us took the metro from Anděl to Zličín.

Czech coins: The Czech Koruna


Zličín Station. The bus tickets were bought from the Student Agency office here, it was about CZK 95 per person in one direction.


Bus bays at Zličín


Boarding the bus, it takes about slightly over an hour to get there.


The trip from Prague to Pilsen takes us back a third of the journey towards Nuremberg.


Drinks machine in the bus. They serve cappucino, hot chocolate etc. We missed the closer stop to the brewery and had to stop at the main bus terminal in Pilsen. We should have asked for the number of stops at the ticket counter. Unlike in Prague, taking the trams in Pilsen can be a difficult experience if you do not speak Czech.


Finally at the gate of the Pilsner Urquell brewery


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The view of the Pilsner Urquell brewery from the top


The brewery compound


The visitor center where you purchase tickets to visit the brewery. To our horror, there were no public tours in the morning unlike what was stated in their website! With luck we managed to join a private tour group thanks to their accommodating tour guide. The guide tour was in Czech, translated to Mandarin by the tour guide and finally to English between our group of four. The tour cost us CZK 150 per person and an additional CZK 100 per camera in use.


They claim that they could maintain the quality of the beer because they grow their own crops.


Different type of hops that contribute to the bitter taste in beer. Also as a preservative


The unique strain of yeast that they use, a sample of which is stored in a yeast bank in the UK for safe-keeping



Some of the old equipment that they no longer use


Josef Groll (1813-1887), First Chief Brewer, recruited from ... Bavaria!


Down into the tunnels where the beer is brewed and lagered


Entering the cellar which is kept at 8 degree celcius


Lifts used to haul barrels of beer


There are lots of tunnels here (about 9km), I wouldn't want to be lost in the cold!


Large fermentation barrels with beer inside and temperature markings. We were told that the temperature is used to check the extent of the fermentation process


End product barrels


Yummy fresh beer!


He was trying to entertain the crowd, it was nice. The wall is covered with (possibly) white chalk. Next, the tour ended and I grabbed some beers and a Pilsner Urquell mug at the brewery souvenir stall


Back to the city centre, a Czech brand in Czech


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Aerial view of the Pilsen city centre, I was enjoying the Gambrinus beer bought at the souvenir stall earlier


The Gothic St. Bartholomew's Cathedral, founded in the late 13th century, the tower of which (102.26 m / 335 ft) is the highest in the Czech Republic


Renaissance Town Hall


A statue at the square, Pilsen is a much cleaner and neater city than Prague


Tram stop just around the corner


Tram in Pilsen, there are about 2-3 tram lines


Multilayered Russian honey cake. A Russian specialy. Nice! tastes like oat cookies.


Lunch for 2.

After the rush to get to Pilsen and almost missing out on the tour, we were glad we still managed to see the brewery in the morning. By about 2pm we were back in Prague and headed next to the Prague castle, the largest contiguous castle complex in the world.

Check back for the next post soon.

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