The weather gods were kind today. Except for a little light rain around midday and cool temperatures, we managed virtually nine hours’ uninterrupted sight-seeing. We have just arrived home weary but happy after a very interesting day in and around Prague Castle.
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| Prague castle buildings from below |
We headed off to the castle past a square where there had been jazz last night, then down to the river past the old and new theatres. The river offers superb views up and down, up to the Charles Bridge, and down to see rows of lovely buildings. The bridge was lovely – a long structure with excellent but very black sculptures punctuating the sides, and many sellers of arty objects such as earrings, pendants, paintings. The quality is a step up on the same thing anywhere else, indeed much of it is really good. I almost bought a lovely wooden chess set, but really don’t need it.
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| Replica mediaeval tavern in Golden Lane |
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| St Vitus stained glass |
We arrived at the castle not long before noon, to find crowds gathering to watch the changing of the guard. This duly took place, interesting but not such a spectacle as the Buckingham Palace equivalent. The Castle is a massive complex, full of many individual museums, but it wasn’t as “castley” as we expected because it had been heavily rebuilt in renaissance style, whereas we think of castles as gothic or mediaeval. The highlights for us were the mediaeval hall in the old palace, a room covered in painted shields in the same area, and the cathedral which was very airy. Unfortunately the main National gallery next door with its Breughel was closed, and the Lobkowicz Palace also with a Brueghel was quite pricey considering it was the only painting we particularly wanted to see (we have seen quite a few paintings this trip!). Maybe we will find time for the National Gallery tomorrow.
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| Land records from late 1600s |
By 5pm we were on our way home, rather footsore and more than a little weary. However it had been an entertaining day. We do so enjoy the walking around these attractive cities, and Prague is one of the best. The lovely architecture always provides interest.
