Prague

July 25, 2024

Sunday and Monday - Prague

Early morning to the airport, all went well, ended up at Heathrow, with an hour or so st spare, so purchased a trashy novel to keep me amused. I got to Prague without a hitch - but where was my luggage?

Yes it was still at Heathrow airport, along with about 100 other suitcases that had not been put on the plane. I had to line up with everyone else to make a claim. It seemed pretty run of the mill to the agents, I was getting a bit teary after the last couple of days and getting up so early, the agent said everything would be alright, she promised!

It had arrived at Prague Airport by about 5pm, but it was much later that it was on it’s way, travelling around the city towards me - finally arrived at 10.30pm - what a relief!

In the meantime I went to the shopping mall almost next door to my hotel and bought some trousers a couple of tops, knickers, and socks just in case, or maybe I just needed some retail therapy?

Then a little wander around, it was very hot about 30 degrees and seemed to be reflecting right off the pavements too, at the corner of the street my hotel was on they had a pipe constantly spraying a fine mist of water for people to get a little coolness - what a great idea.

This beautiful Smetana Hall building, it had cafe and restaurant as well, next door to a black Tower called the Powder Gate tower, Completred in 1475, formerly used to store gunpowder, is also the entrance where Czech Kings entered the Old Town, you can climb up it , but I thought I had done enough climbing for a while

Through the arch way towards the Old Town

A nice doorway and a view from the tower towards where my hotel is, the pink building is the shopping centre

Monday 22nd of July - Prague

Thought I would take a look at the Prague Castle, so walked through the old town square, just amazing, considered taking hop on hop off but was thinking of only doing a couple of things today, I love the pointy hat rooves they have here!

Looking back towards one of the interesting churches

.Halfway towards the castle I hit the river, realised that I was still very tired, but slogged on was now my only day there

Looking towards Charles Bridge, there are pointy hat towers at each end. Found some lovely gardens when I made a wrong turn, The Wallenstein Palace, white peacocks they had there, good place to rest and drink some water,

That’s the castle up on the hill, it was warming up fast. Onward I went up a humongous amount of steps in the heat, it was a feat of endurance. It’s a big complex with different palaces and St Vitus Cathedral, I was just pleased to find a seat in the shade to have a look around. I wasn’t very organised for this visit so decided not to wait in line for tickets. Too hot!

I wish I had had the energy and forethought to go in, as there are tombs of Wenceslaus, Charles IV (he of the bridge) Construction was begun by Charles in 1344, construction stopped in 1419, Begun again in the late 1800’s and consecrated in 1929. When you see these different cathedrals around you see where Gaudi got his inspiration , they all have knobbly bits!

Spectacular viewpoints of Prague from around the castle

My taxi driver from the airport told me that as I only had one day, I had to do castle, Charles bridge and the old town square, so I decided to walk back via the Bridge,

A different set of steps, but much easier going down than up! Went into McDonalds, paid 20 cents to have a pee, so decided I didn’t need to buy anything, as I had already paid for the privilege. Found something a little interesting on my way down

A water wheel, a wheel that goes round, just before the bridge some of the river has been diverted ?

View from the bridge , on the bridge and the sort of statutory that lines the bridge, all very dark so hard to see features in photos, plus it was crowded. Began building the bridge in 1357

Charles IV himself! The bridge tower on the town side.

Starting to fade so back to the hotel for a couple of tonics and lots of ice, and a nap before venturing out to the Mucha Museum. That was interesting enjoyed the posters and seeing some of his pastel and oil paintings, it was pretty warm in there so didn’t stay over long.

Followed by Chai Latte and cake, at the shopping centre Chocolate and raspberry cake with jelly bits, was very nice, not too sweet

On my way to the Mucha Museum I had purchased a ticket to a Gala musical at the concert hall, as seen at the start of this post, it was only about 200 metres from my hotel, so thought it would be okay venturing back in the dark if need be. The concert hall was lovely inside, The music, the dancing the opera, were just wonderful, only about an hours worth but acoustics were amazing so really enjoyed the evening.