Daily Archives: 4 June 2023

Praha, day 2 – Prague Castle

4 Jun 2023 – this will be another long one – action packed day and then a late night…

Started out with a little sightseeing before a planned guided 3.5 hour walking tour. Perfect day – sunny and pleasant. Our walk through some of the narrow streets and lanes led us to the Staroměstské náměstí (Old Town Square) and the famous Orloj Astronomical Clock, which happened to be where were to meet our guide. Installed in 1410, it is the 3rd oldest in the world and oldest still in operation. We got to see it chime 2pm, which is quite a sight, with moving figures and opening doors.

Met tour guide near the clock – Honza (Jack) – this guy turned out to be awesome – college degrees in history and hospitality, and a certified (by government license board) tour guide.

The majority of this tour takes place well up a large hill overlooking downtown – but mercifully Jack did not make us walk up – we took the city tram system – first a walk to the Metro station to buy tickets then tram up the hill to Prague Castle (Pražsky Hrad). The castle was built in the 9th century and still serves as official offices of the President of Czechia.

The most prominent feature is Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adalbert. I will say – from here I took over 100 pictures – no way I will load them all. Maybe someday as a page instead of a post. So just a sampling, of some of the coolest or ones with the best stories.

The interior is unreal – massive and gothic and every view more amazing than the last

After the cathedral- toured several other parts of the castle – used as the seat of power for kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia down through the years.

  • Receiving Hall – even held tournaments in here
  • The “Defenestration Window”
  • Replicas of Czech Crown Jewels
  • Maria Teresia Hapsburg – Marie Antionette’s mother

Other sights from the castle heights

  • Charles Bridge from a distance
  • St Miklas Church a dome on right – Beethoven played organ there
  • Replica of the Eiffel Tower – smaller, but due to elevation, height of peak is identicalTo Paris

Walking down the hill toward the Charles Bridge and the end of the tour – a few more cool sights including the famous ‘John Lennon Wall’

  • Franz Kafka Museum
  • “the Piss” animated statue

Then the walk across the Charles Bridge and back toward the hotel for a well earned and excellent meal.

After dinner, and well over 20000 steps, we thought we’d find a familiar pint – a Guinness in an Irish Pub of course, and maybe make it an early one. Alas, the best laid plans … getting back to hotel, stopped into the Sad Man’s Tongue for ‘one more’ – and fell in with a rowdy crowd including the bartenders- and didn’t quite stop at one. (330am…?)

Good night…

Praha, Czechia

3 Jun 2023 – Breakfast at an excellent cafe before our last chance to ride the rails on this trip – easily the most comfortable. We had our whole first class cabin to ourselves for the 3.5 hour journey – and good views of the Czech countryside (through a dirty window).

Arrived in Prague and a short Bolt ride to our hotel – situated in the center of things not far from the Vltava River and the Old Town area. Once checked in, our first stop was not far – just across the street to the Sad Man’s Tongue Bar and Bistro to work on planning our first couple of days. It’s a cool American-themed bar, owned surprisingly by a Pittsburgh native! He wasn’t in but we’re told will be on Monday, so we plan to return, and to hold us he told the barman to get us a free shot. The Becherovka herbal liqueur was very tasty – need to find this at home!

Now getting late we went wandering to find something to eat and knees on the Pivovar Nardoni – local brewery with outdoor seating and excellent food.

After that, short walk back to call it a night. Tomorrow our first full day – and a guided tour of many key sites around the Old Town and historical areas.