Prague, Czech Republic (2013)

Charles bridge with the Prague Castle in the background.

My twelve day European trip started in Prague. I have been to Prague before but this time around was my first time visiting in early Spring, only to be welcomed with one of the coldest Spring in record! It was below freezing point when my plane landed around 10pm.

Prague is an amazing city to visit. The old town is small enough that you can walk quite easily to most tourist attractions. The route from the Old Town through Charles Bridge and up the hill towards Prague Castle is probably the best route to both experience and get a feel of what the city has to offer. The old town still has a medieval feel to it with winding and very narrow streets, and once you get to the Prague Castle, looking back towards the city offers spectacular views.

View of the city from Prague Castle. Note Charles Bridge and one of the gates to the old town.

Entrance to Prague Castle.

On day #2 I started my day with a tour of the Prague Castle, one of the top attractions in the city. The castle dates back from the 9th century and it has since been the residence to all Czech rulers including Kings and present day presidents. Note the guards at the entrance, there is a changing of the guards at noon everyday.

St Vitus Cathedral, with its pointy spires.

Inside the fortress is the massive St Vitus Cathedral, along with the Old Royal Palace, Royal Garden, and the Picture Gallery.

Inside St Vitus Cathedral.

Inside St Vitus Cathedral.

John Lennon Wall.

As I was making my way to the city from the castle I stumbled upon this wall filled with graffiti. It supposed to be a symbol of peace and love, inspired by John Lennon. The wall has been painted over several times only to be re-fill again with graffiti.

Charles bridge connects Prague Castle with the Old Town.

Charles Bridge.

The saintly statues that line Charles Bridge are copies of the originals (most of which are housed inside the National Museum).

Half way through Charles Bridge there's the statue of St John of Nepomuk. It's said that touching it will bring you good luck. This explains why it's so shinny!

Also in this bridge only steps away from the statue of St John you will find this. It's now filled with love-locks.

Old town bridge tower, one of the gates to the Charles Bridge.

Prague's Old Square.

Old Square with Tyn Church and the Astronomical Clock.

Astronomical clock.  

 The Astronomical Clock was built in 1490 and it still ticking! Huge crowds gather around it to see the chiming of the hour with the Twelve Apostles passing by the window above the astronomical dial. I have actually seen it playing and it's not that impressive...

Eastern market at the Old Town Square.

On day #3, I spent the morning visiting the Strahov Monastery. Apart from having excellent views over Prague, the monastery main draw is the baroque Strahov Library. Not far from the monastery is the Miniature Museum, which offers a collection of miniature artworks, who can only be enjoyed by looking through a microscope! In the afternoon I spent my time visiting the Stenberg Palace, which offers a collection of 14th - 18th century European art (Goya, Rubens, Rembrandt).

View of Prague from the Strahov monastery.

Strahov Library. Photo taken from[2].

Wenceslas Square.

In the evening I was meeting with my friend Kamila. Kamila and I met in Italy during a summer camp in Lovere, in the Lombardy region in northern Italy. Our point of meeting was Wenceslas Square (picture above). This massive square dates from the 14th century. Throughout the years it has been the place for big public announcements (such as the founding of the independent Republic of Czechoslakia, 1918) and or demonstrations. 

 On day #4, I spent all morning visiting the Jewish Quarter in Prague. This place used to be a Jewish ghetto. The site now has the very popular Jewish Museum, which is composed of the Jewish cemetery and several synagogues. In total there are 6 important Jewish sites. I read that this museum is the most visited in the city.

Jewish Museum

Jewish cemetery.

In the afternoon, I then made my way to yet another museum of art, this time the Swarzenberg Palace.

To conclude this photo essay, I will leave you with more photos of the city of Prague and the historic center taken from atop the Old Town Hall Tower.

References:

1. Pocket Prague. Lonely Planet, 2012.
2. Photo of the Strahov Library taken from here.