Prague

We woke to sunshine and chilly weather. The temperature was about 44 degrees which for us is very cold. Breakfast is included in our hotel stay so we went to the restaurant. It had a winter garden so we could feel like we were outside but protected from the cold.

We headed over to Prague Castle where we met up with a tour guide. Actually he wasn’t a guide but gave us a 20-minute intro to the Prague Castle complex.

We arrived just in time to catch the changing of the guards.

The St. Vitus Cathedral appeared to be under renovation. The seating areas were all roped off so we just walked around it. After seeing so many churches and cathedrals in Vienna this was disappointing. However the outside was beautiful.

The stained glass inside the cathedral was beautiful.

We stopped for coffee and hot cocoa. And another apple strudel.

Then forged ahead into the Old Royal Palace. It was very stark. It is the oldest castle complex still being used and dates back to the 9th century. At that time it was mostly made of wood and in the 12th century it was rebuilt using stone.

The Basilica of St. George was built around 920 ad making it one of the oldest buildings in Prague.

The side of the building has a sculpture of St. George and the dragon.

Our final stop was called Golden Lane. This was built in the 16th century now consisting of colorful buildings housing mini museums and shops. They had a display of suits of armor from the 14th and 15th centuries.

By the time we reached Golden Lane we were quite tired so I didn’t give it the time it deserved.

There was a great view of the river and Prague from the top.

We walked down from the castle for

quite some time.

At the bottom we found a taxi to take us to our hotel.

Back at the hotel we used the hydro pool and the sauna. It was much needed.

For dinner, we are eating Thai at Fame, a restaurant around the corner from the Grand a mark Hotel.

My Pad Thai was good and Bruce had soup again. He’s missing out on the cuisine because of his teeth.

After dinner, we walked around the neighborhood. This is Smetana Hall, where the Prague Philharmonic performs and people are formally attired.

I also caught a glimpse of the crescent moon.

And some large lion sculpture on top of a building.

We are both exhausted and ready to call it a night. Tomorrow more of Prague.

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