I have only one word to describe Prague - Gorgeous. It certainly does hold up to my expectation. The real pity is how we only had about 2 hours of daylight after checking-in to the very pleasant Caesar's Palace Hotel and will be leaving the following morning.
It was a race against the sun the minute I burst out of the hotel doors. I made straight for the castle and strode along River Vltava. I had to squint my eyes like a vampire out in the day, having not seen such brilliant sun for 6 days straight under gloomy English skies.
Walking by River Vltava, it felt similar to Paris, only nicer, less busy and cleaner. It was rather warm as we passed by several bridges to reach the famous Charles Bridge. All the buildings were so full of characters and intricacies.
I also like these wooden structures on the river a lot as water birds perched and weaved around them.
Parts of Charles Bridge was under maintenance work. It funneled the tourists to the northern side and it was there that I realized the truth of Prague being the most visited city in Europe.
Many baroque-style sculptures adorn Charles Bridge (30 according to wiki). My favorite was
The Crucifix and Calvary, it has a long and interesting history of its own.
Behind the cross, you can see the castle and downstream of Vltava.
Facing the cross is upstream as well as a weir.
A number of street performers, painters and souvenier peddlers lined the bridge near the The bridge tower on the side of Malá Strana, or
Lesser Quarter.
Malá Strana held a treasure trove of delights including these,
Mind the golden cow, moo...
Petrin Hill cast a long and deep shadow upon the landscape, effectively dividing the land with a tangerine line. Minutes later, light waned. The cozy vermilion roofs took on a more burgundy hue.
A pair of guards stood watch as we pass into one of the biggest castles in the world.
St. Vitus Cathedral dominated the skyline of the castle. As far as I was aware, the exalted building rose higher than all others within the vicinity. With the sun already well behind the hill on which it stood. I can only add this magnificent Gothic architecture to my future to do list, the next time around.
Having recently read John Ruskin's lecture in the Penguin series:
On Art and Life regarding
Gothic had
brought me new appreciation for it.
Tailing a group of tourists and unsure about if some portions of the complex require tickets, we wandered into the Golden Lane, where I found this pig.
The Golden Lane led us out of the ancient castle and to a porch overlooking the cityscape. The Lesser Quarter stood in front while the city spread beyond the river's further bank.
Svatováclavská vinice (St. Wenceslas´ Vineyard) crested gently downward on the castle's east and a sign beckoned tourists with a promise of the best view over Prague. We trotted through the barren winter vineyard and I saw the moon. It was barely four o'clock in the afternoon.
A white and wide stairway flanked the southern side of the vineyard. Orange streetlight made it homely as we descended.
We crossed Mánesův Most (Mánes Bridge) back to the city's side. As light in the sky faded, artificial lights took over. The castle took on very different colors. In fact, I found it more opulent by night.
This is Charles Bridge from downstream.
I crossed over it again, to take more pictures of the castle in the light after it was completely dark.
Meanwhile a Pinocchio dance on the doorstep of a puppet shop adjacent to this beautiful building.
After visiting a number of the near countless specialty souvenir shops and having a Chinese meal in the also abundant Oriental restaurants, I went and greeted the Astronomical Clock. Then, satisfied and worn, we dragged ourselves along the Vltava back to the hotel.
The already awe-inspiring architectures appeared even more glorious when lit.
Near our hotel, a few Bambies sat waiting in the window display of a shop.
It was a very pleasant albeit short day. It was time for bed for tomorrow a long journey across the country awaits.
It was a race against the sun the minute I burst out of the hotel doors. I made straight for the castle and strode along River Vltava. I had to squint my eyes like a vampire out in the day, having not seen such brilliant sun for 6 days straight under gloomy English skies.
Walking by River Vltava, it felt similar to Paris, only nicer, less busy and cleaner. It was rather warm as we passed by several bridges to reach the famous Charles Bridge. All the buildings were so full of characters and intricacies.
I also like these wooden structures on the river a lot as water birds perched and weaved around them.
Parts of Charles Bridge was under maintenance work. It funneled the tourists to the northern side and it was there that I realized the truth of Prague being the most visited city in Europe.
Many baroque-style sculptures adorn Charles Bridge (30 according to wiki). My favorite was The Crucifix and Calvary, it has a long and interesting history of its own.
Behind the cross, you can see the castle and downstream of Vltava.
Facing the cross is upstream as well as a weir.
A number of street performers, painters and souvenier peddlers lined the bridge near the The bridge tower on the side of Malá Strana, or Lesser Quarter.
Malá Strana held a treasure trove of delights including these,
Mind the golden cow, moo...
Petrin Hill cast a long and deep shadow upon the landscape, effectively dividing the land with a tangerine line. Minutes later, light waned. The cozy vermilion roofs took on a more burgundy hue.
A pair of guards stood watch as we pass into one of the biggest castles in the world.
St. Vitus Cathedral dominated the skyline of the castle. As far as I was aware, the exalted building rose higher than all others within the vicinity. With the sun already well behind the hill on which it stood. I can only add this magnificent Gothic architecture to my future to do list, the next time around.
Having recently read John Ruskin's lecture in the Penguin series: On Art and Life regarding Gothic had brought me new appreciation for it.
Tailing a group of tourists and unsure about if some portions of the complex require tickets, we wandered into the Golden Lane, where I found this pig.
The Golden Lane led us out of the ancient castle and to a porch overlooking the cityscape. The Lesser Quarter stood in front while the city spread beyond the river's further bank.
Svatováclavská vinice (St. Wenceslas´ Vineyard) crested gently downward on the castle's east and a sign beckoned tourists with a promise of the best view over Prague. We trotted through the barren winter vineyard and I saw the moon. It was barely four o'clock in the afternoon.
A white and wide stairway flanked the southern side of the vineyard. Orange streetlight made it homely as we descended.
We crossed Mánesův Most (Mánes Bridge) back to the city's side. As light in the sky faded, artificial lights took over. The castle took on very different colors. In fact, I found it more opulent by night.
This is Charles Bridge from downstream.
I crossed over it again, to take more pictures of the castle in the light after it was completely dark.
Meanwhile a Pinocchio dance on the doorstep of a puppet shop adjacent to this beautiful building.
After visiting a number of the near countless specialty souvenir shops and having a Chinese meal in the also abundant Oriental restaurants, I went and greeted the Astronomical Clock. Then, satisfied and worn, we dragged ourselves along the Vltava back to the hotel.
The already awe-inspiring architectures appeared even more glorious when lit.
Near our hotel, a few Bambies sat waiting in the window display of a shop.
It was a very pleasant albeit short day. It was time for bed for tomorrow a long journey across the country awaits.
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