Prague is a living museum of Baroque architecture, the embodiment of Central Europe. Trams trundle through centuries old cobbled streets, the skyline is dominated by church spires and the domes of grand buildings. Outside the city fairy tale castles look out over forests and grassy fields. It is a stunningly beautiful city on the Volta river.
The Czech Republic felt quite different to Germany. For one they don't use the Euro here and the Slavic derived language is hard to grasp. Food and transport is cheap and the city easily accessible on foot or by tram. With every street being so beautiful, it's a pleasure to wander.
First stop on my sightseeing list was Prague Castle. On closer inspection it's less a castle, more a cathedral encircled by a palace. Still a beautiful and impressive cathedral, the first of many churches I'm sure I will see in Europe. From the "Castle" the tourists spill down to the river, across the Charles Bridge and swarm into the historic centre of town. Yes, Prague is a city of tourists. Drawn here in the thousands for the history, the culture, the cheap trinkets.
I took a short train ride one day into the country. It was warm and sunny and a pleasant walk through the countryside. It was not far to Castle, up on a hilltop, looking the very picture of what a castle should be. This beautiful 13th century castle was built and lived in by Charles |V, King of Bohemia and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. My favourite object in it's halls was a crudely constructed little chair historians believe was carves by the emperor himself, woodwork as therapy for his arthritis.
The past few days have been hot in Central Europe. 35C, humid, and I thought I had left the tropics behind. Time to do as the locals and head to the pool.
The Czech Republic felt quite different to Germany. For one they don't use the Euro here and the Slavic derived language is hard to grasp. Food and transport is cheap and the city easily accessible on foot or by tram. With every street being so beautiful, it's a pleasure to wander.
First stop on my sightseeing list was Prague Castle. On closer inspection it's less a castle, more a cathedral encircled by a palace. Still a beautiful and impressive cathedral, the first of many churches I'm sure I will see in Europe. From the "Castle" the tourists spill down to the river, across the Charles Bridge and swarm into the historic centre of town. Yes, Prague is a city of tourists. Drawn here in the thousands for the history, the culture, the cheap trinkets.
I took a short train ride one day into the country. It was warm and sunny and a pleasant walk through the countryside. It was not far to Castle, up on a hilltop, looking the very picture of what a castle should be. This beautiful 13th century castle was built and lived in by Charles |V, King of Bohemia and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. My favourite object in it's halls was a crudely constructed little chair historians believe was carves by the emperor himself, woodwork as therapy for his arthritis.
The past few days have been hot in Central Europe. 35C, humid, and I thought I had left the tropics behind. Time to do as the locals and head to the pool.
Some beautiful buildings by the sound of it and the river looks nice. What is it about European cities on the river? They do them so well.
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