Thursday, 5 October 2017

Not alone in Prague!


We set off this morning to take the tram to visit Prague Castle. As seniors, we can ride all public transit for free!

Got off the tram with dozens of others, only to find many more dozens already in line to enter the facility. This was a security check - first we have encountered since our arrival in Europe. It was quick and rudimentary, conducted by police who gave instructions in Czech, and then the masses were admitted to Prague Castle - which is a walled complex on a hill with several historic buildings inside. It has been the seat of power for emperors, Kings, Nazis, communists and presidents for over a thousand years! 
Within the grounds our first stop was St. Vitus Cathedral, the Czech national church. It's a fantastic Gothic structure whose construction began in the 1400's, but it was not completed until 1929.  The beautiful tympanum over the main door is elaborate and detailed. Just above it are 4 guys in modern suits who were the architects who completed it. 

The interior nave is very tall and long with ribbed vaulting on the ceiling, and some amazing stained glass windows. 
We loved the carvings on the organ loft. 

For Czechs the highly decorated side chapel of St. Wenceslas is the heart of the Cathedral. It contains the tomb of their patron saint, as well as a statue of him. Former Bohemian Kings were crowned in this chapel. 

The exterior view of the rear of the building is a mass of copper rooves and flying buttresses - very impressive. Reminds us of our favourite view of Notre Dame in Paris. 

The other interesting part of the complex was the Vladislav Hall inside the Royal Palace. Dating from the 12th century, it's another vaulted ceiling and a wonderful wooden floor. It was used for meetings of the nobility, or sometimes for jousts (stairs leading in are sloped to allow for horses) or even to set up market stalls so that the nobles didn't have to go into town to shop!

We've avoided - sometimes with difficulty - showing you the masses of visitors throughout. There are some nationalities who insist on taking multiple "selfies" at every possible location, sometimes a dozen or more of them cycling through prime photo locations. At times we felt we were in "selfie-stick hell" as the place was bristling with them. We've noted others who find this offensive but it is lost on the perpetrators. 

Every niche filled with selfie- addicts!

We made our way down the lane ways, through a small vineyard, to town below. 

Stopped for lunch where Wendy tried an item that has been on several menus - fried cheese, which turned out to be quite good (although maybe not for my cholesterol levels!)






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