August 13 Prague, Czech Republic

Last day in Prague! I walked through the park to the metronome. This sits on the site where there was a large statute of Stalin. There is just a cobble stone area now with lots of graffiti. Nice views of the city and down the street that runs from the river to the old town hall. Walked through the rest of the park and into the city. Just walked today around the outskirts of the old town. Very nice. Lots of small little streets. Stopping for coffee at a small bakery - resisted all the goodies! Just kept walking. Not sure how far but a long ways. Nice to get away from the crowded old town.


August 12 Prague, Czech Republic

I spent the day at Prague Castle. I arrived about 9 am and there were already a lot of people around. This is such a busy place. At least there was not a large line up moment. There certainly was later in the day. There is a lot to see. Went to the old palace, the first palace to be built in about 1000 AD. t palace was wood and burned down and the currently stone is from about 1300. The main hall had very nice wood floors and vaulted ceilings.

Then to the Golden Lane. This areas was originally little shacks built along the wall for housing for the guards. Later became

The place to live and the houses became very expensive. The houses are very small, the bed looked about 4 feet long and the rooms not much bigger. Many had 3 rooms - bedroom, kitchen and sitting rooms.

Visited St George's basilica and St Vitus Cathedral. The cathedral is huge and completed over 500 years starting in about 1400. The oldest part if very Gothic in style. On my way to the Powder Tower the Castle Guard band was playing. The Powder Tower had an exhibition of Guard uniforms and weapons.

In one palace they had an exhibition of the History of Prague showing each 100 years from about 1000. Although they did a a little on the 3800 to 2800 BC. There is not much know. The best part was the
building itself and the scale models of the castle grounds for each 100 years. Very interesting to see how it had changed over the years. Unfortunately I could not take pictures.



August 11 Prague, Czech Republic

Vysehrad Castle/fortress is believed to have started about 3800BC as they have found some pottery and tools. Most of the history started about 1000AD. Very nice as it is really quiet compared to the old town section of Prague. Lots of gardens and buildings but unfortunately you can not go inside.

Stopped for lunch at a little restaurant below the complex on way to tram stop. Food was excellent, service great and so much cheaper than anything in town. They have a great little hotel as well.

Then to King Charles botanical gardens started in about 1300. The gardens are part of the university now and are very well kept. One greenhouse has carnivorous plants.

Caught the tram along the river back to the old town. Got a coffee and waited and watched people until the night tour of Prague castle. This was a hour walking tour from the old town square to the castle. This is the largest castle complex in world and was started in 600 AD.

Although we did catch the tram up the hill we walked down the stairs. Stopped for a break at a monastery that has been producing beer for hundreds of years! More blessed beer.

They has several kinds. I had the wheat beer and it was quite good. This was the start of the craft brewing, we thought it was new! Continued on through the the small town surrounding the castle and then across the bridge. The bridge crosses the Stag moat as apparently lots of deer lived there. Through one of the squares an to the edge of a garden. Here if you stand on the circle in the middle and speak it comes back at you like an echo, but only to you no one else. We walked by many palaces, churches and fountains.. We had some great views at night of the city. Then a walk down some long steps to catch tram/train back to hotel. It was a long day, back at 11 pm.