All I knew of Prague was that there is a famous bridge lined with statues - the Charles Bridge. And something about a "Prague Spring" and a Russian invasion. We travelled here in a very nice bus, yellow with big mirrors so it resembled a wasp. However it was very comfortable and had little entertainment screens, a toilet, and coffee making facilities on board! Perfect.
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| Leaving Cesky Krumlov |
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| They like painting each building a different pastel shade. |
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| An ornate synagogue near to our hotel. |
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| Inside was quite interesting. We had never been in a synagogue. |
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| The synagogue again. |
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| One of a couple of remaining watch towers from the city wall. |
The old watch towers which remain look very black and dirty. They are of sandstone which absorbs air pollution and is very difficult (expensive) to clean without damaging the stone. Apparently much of the city looked like this after years of neglect under communism, but most of them have since been cleaned and restored. |
| The oldest operating astronomical clock in the universe? |
The historic astronomical clock is on the tower of the old town hall in the square, and sports a number of dials and hands to tell the time, the date, the phases of the moon, and the signs of the zodiac. Every hour it chimes and a mechanised parade of saints appears along with other mechanical wonders. Large crowds gather to witness and film the spectacle, which lasts about 15 seconds and has been described as totally "underwhelming". We can only agree. We did however buy tickets which allowed us to climb the tower, which provides a great view over the square.
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| The famous Charles Bridge. |
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| On the Charles Bridge, crowded with pesky tourists! It is still woolly-hat cold. |
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| Johanna pointing out the marker for the height of the 2002 floods. |
In this photo (above) the marker for the 2002 floods is the top one, right up on the yellow part of the wall. Those floods caused tremendous damage along the river (and also in Cesky Krumlov).
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| A school group posing in front of the John Lennon wall. |
The John Lennon wall started as a protest against the communist authorities in then 1980s, with graffiti criticising the government painted over each day, only to reappear over night. It has continued to be used as a canvas for protest messages as well as for more serious street art.
Next morning we assembled early to beat the queues at Prague Castle. We rode there on a tram and arrived there as it opened, and, sure enough, ahead of the crowds. The castle originated back in the 9th century, and now incudes the residence of the Czech president. We believe he was in one of the three black limousines which glided past us as we collected our tickets. The castle is the largest ancient castle in the world, occupying 70,000 square metres. It includes the huge St Vitus cathedral.
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| Some of the beautiful stained glass in St Vitus church. |
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| The ornate sarcophagus of Saint John of Nepomuk in St Vitus cathedral. |
St John of Nepomuk is a sort of patron saint of bridges in Czeckia, and his statue appears on the Charles Bridge as well as on numerous lesser bridges including the new one at Cesky Krumlov. He is recognisable by the five star halo adorning his head. The story is that he was a priest who was ordered drowned by King Wencelas because he refused to pass on the queen's confessions to the king.
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| Sue and St John on the Charles Bridge. |
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| The scene of some famous "defenestrations" (throwing of people out windows). |
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| One of the great halls within the palace. |
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| The crown jewels are stored here. This is a replica for display. |
At 10 am we saw the 100 metre South Tower of the cathedral had opened, so bought tickets and climbed the 280 steps to the top. There are great views from up there in all directions - both over the old city and in other directions over the newer suburbs on the surrounding hills.
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| A rooster high on the castle church roof, seen from the tower. |
Inside the castle walls is a narrow strip called the "
Golden Lane", which is a line of tiny historic houses, shops and studios which started out as habitations in recesses along the inside of the castle wall, and which over the centuries were developed into the dwellings there today.
