I went to Prague Castle on the first day of my trip to Prague. Because I had already been travelling for nine days around Europe, I was exhausted after the first day. So the next day I took it easy. After having a delicious breakfast I decided to explore the city centre.
As I mentioned in a previous blog about Prague, one of the most notable features of this timeless city on the Vltava River is its architecture. Although the lodging was not in the heart of the city, there was no shortage of interesting architecture on the outskirts. A good example is the building directly in front of my apartment.
I felt like I was walking through centuries and different periods as I walked the streets because the city has the hallmarks of romance, gothic, cubism, baroque, and renaissance. It's truly one of Europe's most impressive cities, teeming with life, culture, smiling faces, and everything a tourist could wish for.
Although my original plan was to take the tram to the city centre, the unusual beauty of the building overwhelmed me, and because it was a warm and sunny day, I decided to take a light walk instead. The Czech Theater and Opera House was the first thing I saw in the old part of town after crossing the bridge.
The Gothic-style Powder Castle, which dates from the 11th century, was one of the city's 13 entrances and served as a barrier between the Old and New parts of the city.
There is a long pedestrian zone leading from this entrance to the old town square. A pedestrian zone teeming with tourists, as well as street musicians whose music makes many people happy. There are also many souvenir shops, restaurants, museums, and chocolate shops in the centre.
With its murals of Saint Wenceslas painted by L. Novak from a design by M. Ales, the Storch House on the Old Town Square represents Neo-Renaissance architecture which was built in 1897.
The Old Town Square is located in the southern part of the city and it used to be a meeting place for merchants who came from various directions to selling their goods. The square is quite large surrounded by interesting buildings.
One of the prominent features of the Old Town Square is the Church of Our Lady before Tyn. Since the 14th century, it has served as the city's main church.
I think this is one of the most common views in almost every European city 😄
The astronomical clock on the 6th-century old town hall building is one of Prague's most famous sights. When the clock is full, 12 apostle figures above the clock change and all of this is accompanied by sound effects. At noon, all 12 figures are visible. The figure of Death is the one who keeps track of time.
This is something that draws swarms of tourists who eagerly await the event at noon with their cameras. In addition to showing the hours, the astronomical clock also shows the calendar, the zodiac constellation, the relative positions of the Sun and Moon, and the main planet.
It did not leave a lasting impression on me, and I believe that spending too much time in front of it is a waste of time in such a beautiful city with so much more to offer.
I became hungry as a result of the long walk, and because I couldn't risk going hungry if I didn't like traditional food, I chose Asian cuisine.
I kept exploring the city after lunch and arrived at the National Museum, but I did not enter because it was already late and I had intended to visit a few more places before the end of the day.
National Museum of Prague
Statue of Saint Wenceslas
After neo-baroque, neo-gothic, and secessionist structures, I come across "Tancici dum," or "dancing house," a completely avant-garde architectural work. This controversial building, designed by Czech architect Vlado Milunic and completed in 1997, now houses several multinational corporations.
Petrin Park is located just across the river from the city centre. The Memorial to the Victims of Communism, a collection of one-of-a-kind sculptures commemorating the victims of the communist period between 1948 and 1989, can be found on the way to Petrin Hill.
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With panoramic views of Prague, Petrin Park is the city's largest and most beautiful park. A garden, a maze, and an Eiffel Tower-style lookout tower are among the attractions. One can enjoy the spectacular view of Prague by climbing the 299 steps to the top of the tower.
As the day drew to a close, I took a stroll back to the apartment, where I was able to capture a magnificent sunset over the Vltava River while a street musician performed the most beautiful melodies. All great cities must have musicians as part of their décor. I don't think the day could have ended any better, and the thought of leaving this lovely city tomorrow made me long for it, so I promised myself that I would return soon, and I'm sending you, who haven't yet visited it, a visual invitation in the hopes of piqueing your interest. Until next time..
