Dan had heard that the best way to see Prague was to do an all day inclusive tour. Consequently we signed up for one and an hour later we were picked up and transported to the start We alighted in front of a very large building, which had once been a palace, but was now an official government building.
The rest of the group arrived along with our guide and we set off down the hill towards the square in front of the palace. Our guide pointed out a wall, which was a painted imitation of one built with three dimensional stones.
There were many beautiful buildings, formerly palaces, but now mostly government buildings. The spires of the church inside the palace dominated the immediate skyline. Our guide pointed out the statues over the golden gate, which were symbolic of Marie Theresa’s great power and kingdom.
Once inside you are overwhelmed by the buildings and the front of the church, which was built over a number of centuries. You can see gothic architecture and similarities to to Notre Dame. I particularly like the big rose window.
As with all tourist hot spots the inside was thronging with people and it was hard to take photos. The Nave was very beautiful with a similar high Vaulted ceiling to others built in that style
Our guide pointed out some twentieth century stained glass windows, which had the most beautiful colours and told some historical events,
Emerging from the church we made our way around the other side of the cathedral. From this angle you can see the gradual development and changing styles of the building, the oldest to the right as you face it. The oldest part is much darker in colour, which was due to a fire.
Opposite the cathedral is the official residence of the president and further along a big banqueting hall. The whole area is immense.
We exited the palace under the golden gate, which is ceremonially garden by two soldiers who change every four hours.
From the wall outside the castle there is a good view across Prague and we stopped there briefly while our guide explained how there had been a fire in the district below, and the houses were now of a different material from wood. Their red roofs reminded me of those in Florence.
The town on the castle side of the river was the old town and that on the opposite bank of the Vltava was the new. They were joined in the reign of Charles IV who also became a Holy Roman Emperor. He founded the Charles University. We descended a big flight of steps into an area we there were many embassies.
We gradually made our way down to the river passing John Lennon’s wall on the way. This was a passive protest by the young against the communist regime’s denial of Western Pop music and after Lennon’s death in 1980 they kept coming to the wall to sing songs of freedom.
From here we made our way to the River Vltava where a cruise. boat was awaiting us. Once on board we were offered a choice between an ice cream and a ginger cake; I chose the latter, Dan the former. We were also offered a glass of beer, which we willingly accepted. It was incredibly hot and sitting on the boat while it cruised gently along the river was a wonderful respite from the intense sun. Various buildings were pointed out as we progressed along the river.
All too soon the cruise was over and we were shown the various statues on Charles bridge many of whom were saints. The bridge was full of tourists and local artists and performers trying to part the tourists from their money. We made our way up Charles street until we eventually arrived at the Astronomical Clock, one of the striking features of Prague. I had seen one before in the palace in Venice, but this was on a much larger scale.
The main square to the right of the clock contains many fine buildings, which we would revisit.
By now it was mid afternoon and we made our way down into the cellar of an old building where we were given a medieval style meal. It was very dark, but the relative coolness was very refreshing along with the food.
After the meal our guide took us to the old Jewish quarter of Prague and spoke of the many thousands who lost their lives in the Holocaust.
The tour ended here, but I felt I had gained a real insight into both the history and geography of Prague. Dan and I caught the number 17 tram back to our hotel to return the same way later in the evening for a meal. We didn’t get the same tram back into Prague so were negotiating some streets back towards where we’d eaten the previous day when we came across a very nice looking French restaurant. Dan could tell I was very keen so in we went. Inside was like Aladdin’s cave to a lover of wine, shelves piled high with bottles, which on closer inspection proved to be fine Burgundian wines, well at least in the room where we were directed to a table. I had noticed the menu was from the region with some of my favourite dishes. We were offered Champagne while we studied the menu.
I chose a wine from Santenay near Mersault, a village that Brian and I had stayed in on a number of occasions to buy wine from the region. Everything was delicious, the food, the wine and the ambiance. I particularly enjoyed the Guinea Fowl.
We caught the tram back again and reflected on what had been a long, but rather wonderful day.