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 7 - Prague - Petrin Hill & Old Town

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2 Oct 2010

Today we will be leaving Bavaria for good and moving on to Bohemia. We are heading to Prague which was the imperial capital of the Holy Roman Empire in the 14th Century. Nuremberg is where most routes to Prague pass through from Germany. We hopped on to our bus in the morning at the train station and off we were to the Czech Republic. A nice group of middle-aged German ladies were already starting on drinks enroute to Prague for their vacation.

Coach to Prague from Nuremberg, a pit stop and security check. There were some heightened tensions amid reports of a possible terror attack somewhere. Upon arrival at the main train station at Wilsonova, we changed Euros to Czech koruna (CZK) at the main train station. A horrible mistake that cost us some 20 euros in bad exchange rates. It is far better to change cash elsewhere in the city or at Tesco, where you can pay in euros and get your change in koruna. Only change what you need to purchase your public transport ticket at the main train station. We then purchased a public transport 24 hour ticket at CZK 100 that is good for all modes of transport within Prague.

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At the main train station of Prague


Down to the Prague Subway station of Hlavní nádraží at the main train station.


Some of the stations are of Soviet era design


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Overview of the day's trip. Our service apartment, Aparthotel City 5, is near the Anděl subway station.


Our 4 person apartment, the room with kitchen


The other room, the toilet is shared. €94 a night for the whole place.


Our friends arrived earlier and were off somewhere so we decided to head to Petřín Hill.


Trams up Nádražní, always look out of pickpockets just in case.


The long queue for the Funicular to go up the lookout tower on Petřín Hill, fees are covered under the public transport ticket.


Church at the top of the hill and the tower on the left


Wow, but we had no time to feast


Some traditional cinnamon pastry


The really tight elevator that goes up the tower on the hill


Panorama from the tower on top of Petřín hill. Prague Castle on the left, Prague old town across the river on the right. The dark coloured bridge is Charles bridge.


Landmarks the can be seen from the tower


The Prague Castle. It is the largest contiguous castle complex in the world, because it's called a castle and not a palace.


Charles bridge


The Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí)


Strahov Abbey (Strahovský klášter) from the hill to the west of the Prague Castle. The Royal Canonry of Premonstratensians at Strahov is one of the oldest monasteries of the Premonstratensian Order in the world.


Ewok Doggie as we head down the hill and met our friends back at the hotel.


Back in the subway on the way to Můstek station. Lesbi Show?!


Really long escalators on our way out from Můstek, we were headed to the old town square of Prague.


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Our walking route (in red) for the afternoon to evening around the Old Town square, along the river and to the part of town near the castle.


Very decorated car


The Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) with the Astronomical Clock (Pražský orloj) on the left


Ariel view of the square, clock at the southwest


The building that houses the clock is the Old Town City Hall


The Prague Astronomical Clock (Pražský orloj) first installed in 1410 CE and the only working and third oldest clock of its kind in the world.


St. Nicolas Church (Svatý Mikuláš)


Inside the St Nicolas Church


Roof of St Nicolas Church


Buildings around the square


Horses here are smaller than those in Munich and Salzburg


The Powder Tower (Prašná brána) lies along a route leading to the St. Vitus Cathedral at the Prague Castle that Monarchs took for their coronation. It was built in 1475 CE.


"Guard" at the Powder Tower


The Municipal House (Obecní Dum) is at a former site of a palace that housed the Royal Court. It now houses a concert hall and restaurants. Being too hungry to walk further we had lunch here.


Inside


The musicians


Lunch and finally a taste of the famous Pilsner Urquell, the original lager! Food wasn't that great though. Next, we walked to the Vltava river bank.


Ministry of Industry and Trade


Along the Vltava River


Somewhere near the Jewish Quarters


A building at the Jewish Quarter area


The Rudolfinum, a music auditorium


Panorama of Charles Bridge (Karlův most) in the evening . The bridge was built in 1401 CE and is lined with statues. It servers as the most important connection between Prague Castle and the Old Town.


Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) with the St. Vitus Cathedral prominently featuring . Taken from across the river as the lights come on for the night. We will be visiting the castle complex tomorrow.


Walking down Charles bridge


Prague Castle by Night


The Tower on Petrin Hill


Another Church of St Nicolas (Svatý Mikuláš) near the castle


Going back to our apartment by tram


We managed to purchase some cinnamon sugar bread before the stall closed, its nice.


Then, we looked around our hotel for a pub to have some drinks. Staropramen Lager at one of them. We didn't like it so we left. Looking around, we encountered one of the German ladies we saw earlier on the bus leaving the Thirsty Deer Pub right next to our hotel. She said it's a good place so we went in.


Staropramen Dark at the Thirsty Deer Pub. Beer's nice, environment was okay as they had a non-smoking section on weekends. Food wasn't good though.

That ends a day of walking around Prague. Despite the CZK and the prices being cheaper than in Germany, we didn't feel like it was actually so. That is because it is hard to get a good exchange rate for the koruna in Prague and most prices are for tourists. It might be better to get your koruna somewhere else before going to Prague. That aside, tomorrow, we will embarking on a day trip to the town of Plzeň (Pilsen) where the Pilsner comes from. It is home to the famous Pilsner Urquell brewery which we will be touring.

Check back for the next post soon.

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