Dobry Den! (Good day!)
It was June 2013 when I got a chance to visit the City of Prague and we were blessed with a good weather considering that it rained a few days before. The city was jam-packed. We can't barely walk fast on the Charles Bridge because of the crowd. There's a tourists everywhere and the city was so alive. No wonder Prague is always part of the top list of the most visited city in Europe. There was even a time when it landed on Top 1 as most visited city in Europe.
When you are in Czech Republic, greet the people Ahoj (read as ahoy!). It means hello to their local language. Or Dobre den (in a more formal way)!
We spent two nights and 3 days at Prague. Lucky us that my sister once lived in the city so roaming around became easier. I'll try to show you as many photos as I can during those visits.
Prague or Praha is the Capital City of Czech Republic. It was the last city that we visited from Vienna and Budapest and I can say that in between the three cities, Prague became an instant favorite. Don't get me wrong, those cities were all amazing and unique but since I had a chance to stay longer in Prague, I had appreciated the City more.
We left Kyjov (the town where my sister and her family lives) early in the morning. The drive was 3 hours. It was long but I didn't mind because I am more excited to see the City and the view on our way didn't bore me either.
When we arrived, we parked the car somewhere and walk a little going to the Metro (train station) for our first destination.
T h e W e n c e s l a s S q u a r e | Our point of entry
This is the Wenceslas Square of the Newtown Quarter of Prague. Wenceslas Square is the business and cultural center of Prague. The long stretch of the square is surrounded by hotels, restaurants, shops and museums with a park on the center aisle. The obvious landmark is the Prague National Museum which is located at the center end of the Square. The location of the Square is very accessible to all as the busiest Metro line of Prague (line A) that has a direct entrance on its street. Then a walk from the exit of the Metro was a tram station which is another transportation around the City.
Prague National Museum
Some of the nice structures in the center.
We entered one of the cinema building and came across this floating statue. There was a story behind this inverted horse and a man riding it and it happened in a real life. But I was a lousy listener that day and didn't absorbed it. :D
Photo on the right was like a sari-sari store in a petite and more organize version. They have magazines and local maps. This kind of store was mostly placed near a tram stations as they also sell tram tickets. So convenient!
People waiting for the tram just beside the Wenceslas Square. I didn't have descent photo inside the tram because it was full at that time.
Our view inside the tram going to our next destination.
P r a g u e C a s t l e
Prague Castle is the Malacañang Palace version of Czech Republic, the resident of the country’s President. It is recorded as the largest ancient castle in the world. So large that I was thankful we didn’t got lost inside. The Castle has a lot of establishments like heritage Buildings, Halls, Palaces, Gardens/Vineyards, Souvenir Shop and Churches but among of those, I think the most popular is the St. Vitus Cathedral.
Here are some photos of what was happening outside the gate of the Castle.
Crazy how many visitors were waiting to go inside.
Inside Prague Castle..
St. Vitus Cathedral
St. Vitus Cathedral, the Gothic style church is the biggest and the most important church in the country. Actually, I think it is the face of the Prague Castle. It is the one that comes in my mind every time I speak about it though it was not the only one that you can see inside. You can see it from afar, standing so tall and proud. The Gothic architecture was so beautiful and you’ll be more amazed when you see it face to face as the details were unbelievable.
Amazing details of the Cathedral
We skipped the tour inside the castle because the line was too long.
Back of the Cathedral
Basilica of St. George
The Prague Castle was quite big. We needed to rest for a while before moving to our next destination.
Since the Castle is in elevated place, there was a spot with an overlooking view of the City.
P e t r i n H i l l
Petrin Hill was like a big park on a hill open for public. There were gardens, restaurant, a church and a mirror maze. To be able to reach the hill, you need to ride the Funicular Railway for a certain fee. There was an alternative way to reach the hill without using the Railway but it was a longer course. The hill is known for its observatory Tower or the Petrin Tower.
This shot was taken while we were inside the Funicular Train while going up to the Petrin Hill. It has 3 doors that can accommodate 20-30 persons at a time.
Petrin Tower is a mini version of the Eiffel Tower of Paris. You need to pay a certain amount if you wished to do the 299 steps to the top. The stairs was narrow that run around the structure so don’t go fast as it might make your head spin afterwards. And I will tell you, it was worth of every step. The view on top was magnificent. Those uniformed color roofs, and the luscious greens of trees and gardens are so perfectly paired together. The city was all over our eyes.
It was tiring but the view will make you go on.
View from the top. Worth it right?!
Our obligatory shot with the Petrin Tower. :)
M i r r o r M a z e
Mirror maze is also part of the Petrin Hill where a room was filled with a life size mirrors that have different effect on the reflections. The mirrors will make you either smaller, shorter, wider, taller, etc.
And we got crazy in the Mirror Maze. So fun seeing ourselves in different shapes. :)
From the maze, we walked going to other station of Funicular railway. The road going down was in slope so I envied those boys on the photo riding some kind of two wheel thing.
Waiting for the tram going to our next destination.
C h a r l e s B r i d g e
On the way to the Old Town, we passed by at the famous and historical Charles Bridge. Charles bridge connects the two towns, the Lesser Town Quarter and the Old Town Quarter and crosses the Vltava River. It has also towers standing in each end, the Lesser Town Tower and the Old Town Tower which are also famous for its Gothic style. The two Towers at each end served as a guarding Tower before. Now you can climb the Towers for a better view of the surrounding. We didn't try it so I have no idea if it was free or not. Charles Bridge is a pedestrian bridge so the only thing that you need to worry is to get hit by the crowd.
Entering Charles bridge from Lesser Town Quarter
The crowd was everywhere and it was such joy to be walking around with a lot of tourists. Though it was difficult to take a photos alone. The bridge was so busy. There were souvenir shops around, and the bridge is known as a popular spot for the country's artists and painters offering to do your caricature or portrait, musicians and vendors. A lot of people were taking photos and talking on a different languages. The bridge's alleys are decorated with different Baroque style statues and replicas of Saints and Apostles and other people who had became part of the City's history. There was a lot to do, to look, to buy, and to enjoy while passing the bridge. And it was fun. The bridge was full and alive.
Some of the relics design of the bridge.
If we had longer time, I might be the one sitting here. It would be nice to have a caricature souvenir of my face. :D
The Vltava River crossing the Charles Bridge
Entering the Old Town from Charles Bridge
Different point of view of the Old Town Tower
We exited the Charles bridge to enter the Old Town. Made separate blog about it since I also got a lot of photos and stories of it. You can check about it here.
Heading back to our car after the whole day of sight seeing and walking.
And these are some of our memories of Prague. What a tiring but productive day for all of us. Prague was one of the highlights of our Europe trip. The City was pretty and the culture was visible all over the place. Though we spent 3 days here, it felt like there are still a lot that we missed to explore. Going around was also easy by either using their transportation or by foot since all of the tourist spots are almost from end to end of each site. Definitely the memories I will never forget.
Dekuji Praha! Until next time. ;)
You can also check these other blogs about the other cities we visited in Europe:
x o x o
Faith
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