Beautiful Prague

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Well it doesn't seem very long ago that we were sunning ourselves and cooling off with dips in the Adriatic. Now, just a couple of months later it's getting dark at 4pm and a whole lot colder. Not too cold. As we have just found out, Prague makes London seem positively balmy. Forewarned about the drop in temperature we all packed thermals, stockings, hats, gloves, scarves and even our tramping boots (for the snow). Even so, on a cold, sleet / snow filled Sunday morning I saw Brendon's, Paloma's & finally (Paloma's boyfriend) Colin's faces go progressively white, red nosed, dripping nosed & then their whole bodies trembling (at least Brendon & Paloma) as we shivered our way around a 4 hour walking tour of Prague Old Town, Wenceslas Square & the Prague Castle. Hmm, well we perhaps didn’t take in as much as we usually do - of either information or photos - but the good news is that we did acclimatise and really enjoyed our stay in the beautiful, fairytale city that is Czech Republic’s capital.

While many of you have been to Prague, for those of you who have not, it is one place I recommend you put on your ‘to see before I die’ lists - as it is beautiful, magnificent and, incredibly evocative. While the Prague we saw was a lot more touristy than the Communist city Mum & Dad visited in the early 70’s, the beauty of it’s 12th & 13th Century palaces, castles, university (the oldest in central Europe) and town hall, juxtaposed with positively modern buildings like the Neoclassical Stavovske Theatre - completed in 1787 and location of the premiere of Don Giovanni, conducted by Mozart himself - is timeless. Ever wondered where they got the inspiration for those castles in Disneyland? Not just Mad King Ludwig’s castle Neuschwanstein, but Prague as well.

Oh and don't forget all those treats that keep you warm on a cold winter's night - mulled wine, warm cinnamon bread rolls, and the hearty goulash with dumplings. Hmmmmm.

Hope you enjoy these photos and feel inspired to visit.

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Photos

Views from the castle
Looking back over Prague from the castle.

Tourists admiring Tyn Church
Brendon, Colin and Paloma checking out the gothic Tyn Church built in 1365. It's so eerie at night you wouldn't be surprised to see Vampires flying out of the twin steeples.

Our lovely hotel
The massage jets in the spa bath were a welcome relief after a hard day's wandering, and the phone I'm holding actually works!

Smiles of anticipation
Look at the grins on paloma's & my faces as we stand in line for a local delicacy - dough rolled in cinnamon & other spices, wrapped around a pole and cooked over a fire (like a spit) to create, warm, sweet bread. Mmm just perfect for a cold winter's night - as is...

Mulled wine
The best way to keep warm at a winter's market.

Mulled wine by the Christmas tree
Paloma Vivanco (a friend from Telecom NZ who lives over in the UK), me and Brendon.

Prague waterfront
Taken from an island in the Vltava River - one of the many sights we saw on an evening stroll.

Capitalism gone mad!
This building in Wenceslas Square (known locally as Vaclavske nam) is one of the most famous buildings in the Czech Republic. Not only are there many images of the Czech civilians facing up to Communist tanks in front of this building in the square - with just candles and flowers between them and the tanks - and further images of and memorials to the two students who set fire to themselves n the 1960s to protest communism - - the balcony you see is where Vaclav Havel stood and announced the downfall of Communism to cheering crowds shortly before he became the inaugral President of the Czech Repubilic. And now it's a Marks and Spencer Store!

St Nicholas church
Another of the beautiful buildings in the old town (Stare Mesto).

Astronmical Clock
THis clock has to be seen to be believed - watch out for the nodding skeleton and moving features as the clock strikes the hour.

St Vitus Cathedral
The cathedral was started in 1344 but these windows were only completed in 1929. That's why they look magnificent.

The chapel of the tomb of St Wenceslas
The walls of this chapel are lined with precious stones and gold. Funnily enough this is as close as we're able to get. Wenceslas from the Christmas Carol 'Good King Wenceslas' is buried here. Behind the small door you see are the crown jewels.

Views from St Vitus Cathedral
The crow and the gothic spires of the cathedral in the foreground - as seen from the top of the bell tower in the cathedral - peering over the castle and Prague.

Colin, Brendon & Paloma enjoying the views down Golden Lane
These 16th Century tradesman's quarters are built into the castle wall and house tiny shops full of knick knacks and traditional Czech artifacts.

A giant in Lilliput Land
Paloma peering out of the window of one of the old Doll's house-sized homes in Golden Lane.

Comments

[SJ]

testing
love your photos