Prague - Part 1

Steve had the opportunity to go to Prague for a week for business and asked me to go along! I hesitated for half a minute (after all, it is December - busy time).....and with his offer to help on other things (decorating for Christmas!) I am so glad I decided to go along for this incredible trip.
Although a working trip for Steve it was all pleasure for me and we did have time together when his schedule permitted.

I knew a little about Prague and the Czech Republic and that it was the heart of Central Europe and a beautiful and historic city. The city is spread on both sides of the beautiful Vltava River in the middle of Bohemia. It was under communist rule until a little over 20 years ago.....it is one of the few cities not destroyed in WWII.


We arrived on a Sunday a.m. with a great tailwind that got us in an hour early so we had all day Sunday together....we took a cab to the hotel which was very close to the metro and headed out....

We walked to the incredible St. Charles Bridge a 14th century stone bridge linking the two sides of Prague. This pedestrian route connecting Old Town and Lesser Town and Prague Castle. There are 75 statues on Charles Bridge and the most interesting, as well as the oldest, is that of John of Nepomuk. Many of the statues have areas where the tourists rub them for good fortune and since they are covered with years of patina the rubbed areas are smooth and shiny. A lot of artists are on the bridge - marionettes, water colors, musicians - very enjoyable.

A view from Old Town near the River.....

We walked more into Old Town and saw the famous Christmas Markets - wow - I knew I would be coming back here!



More Christmas Markets - Old Town is more Gothic architecture.....

We also stopped at the The Prague Astronomical Clock or Prague Orloj. The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still working. We watched on the hour as the Apostles circled through the two open windows above the dial and the gold rooster crowed sounding the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Ghost) and the trumpeter blew from the roof - very entertaining! They sell warm wine (yuk) and you can buy it anywhere in any square....it was cold - like 40 degrees.

More Gothic buildings in Old Town.....

A splash of color in Old Town......

The Christmas Market was busy!

Then we walked to the famous Wenceslas Square in New Town. This area is mostly the business and cultural communities and many historical events occurred there, and it is a traditional setting for demonstrations (we saw some), celebrations, and other public gatherings. The square is named after Saint Wenceslas of of Bohemia. It was mostly large shopping stores and I am more of a Folk Art kinda girl.

After we walked and walked we ate at a traditional restaurant (no pics) and headed back to our hotel. We got Steve all settled in for his work week and I planned for hours my next few days!