Round The World and other travels
A frequent flyer's collection of trip diaries
August 2005 : Prague
It had been fully a decade since my
previous, highly enjoyable visit to the Czech capital and I was
anxious to return in order to reacquaint myself with the city. I had
heard that it had gone downhill somewhat, the combination of budget
airlines and cheap and plentiful local beer making it a prime
destination for stag weekends and the like. While an element of that
was present, it really didn't even begin to detract from the charms
of such a beautiful and increasingly thriving city. Of course, being
based at the InterContinental did offer a certain immunity from any
of the less desirable innovations
The city centre is divided into four main districts : the Castle District and so-called Lesser Quarter on one side of the Vltava, and the Old and New Town areas on the other riverbank. I only had time to visit three of the districts on this trip.
Old Town
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The old Jewish town hall, complete with conventional and backward-running clocks, is a short distance from the InterContinental Hotel. |
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The Tyn Church's twin spires rise, seemingly from an uncertain origin, to dominate the square. |
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The St Nicholas Church provides another ecclesiastical highlight in the old Town Square |
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Old Town Hall Tower |
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The famous Astronomical Clock is located on the wall of the Old Town Hall. |
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St Nicholas Church, as seen from the tower of the Old Town Hall |
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Powder Tower |
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As I started to head for Charles Bridge, I couldn't resist this view of both the Tyn Church and the Old Town Hall. |
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Just wandering through the back streets of the Old Town is an experience in itself. |
Lesser Quarter
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St Nicholas Church - yes, another one - in this case, the Lesser Quarter version. Er ... what's that in the lower left corner? |
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St Thomas Church - tucked into a quiet, narrow lane. I nearly missed it. |
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Is this another city wth a Bridge of Sighs? |
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St Nicholas Church again, this time with a touring vintage tram |
Castle District
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Castle District skyline, from just in front of the IC Hotel |
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A historic place of pilgrimage, the Loreta is probably most famous for its Treasury. The buildings themselves are fabulous, but sadly no photos are allowed once inside the complex. |
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Castle entrance, in the immediate aftermath of the 12 noon Changing of the Guard ceremony. |
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Just a detail of St Vitus Cathedral. The building is huge and closely hemmed in by the other castle buildings, making photography very difficult. |
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St George's Basilica is situated behind the cathedral |
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St Vitus Cathedral - a rather scary detail! |
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Castle courtyard |
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The castle at nightfall from the Charles Bridge, the most famous crossing over the Vltava. |