The Prague Blog

During it’s 1,100 year history Prague served as the capital for two Holy Roman Emperors and briefly as the seat the of power for the Hapsburg’s and the Austro Hungarian empire (mentioned those guys it the last post) as well as playing an important role in the Protestant reformation. With a long list of historical moments from medieval empires to the cold war and famous residents, including Mozart, Einstein and Kafka, It’s long been considered as one of Europe’s original cultural, economic and political centers.

For all those reasons plus some stunning architecture and one very large castle, Prague has become a must see on nearly every European vacation tour….which was made abundantly obvious by the mob of tourists swarming over every inch of town. We’re not sure we saw one local resident of Prague the entire time we were down town.   Fortunately being the cheap asses we are, we stayed a little ways out of town , giving us an escape from the tourist hordes and a chance to enjoy a couple of really nice (but still cheap) meals in a more “real” setting.        

Staroměstské Nám (old town square) with the steeples of Tyn Church in the background

An astronomical clock from 1410, making it the second oldest still functioning and the oldest on public display.

Charles Bridge, built in 1357, across the Vltava River

Tower of Charles Bridge

The ceiling of St Nichlas Church, built in the 1730

The Prague Castle, the largest castle in the world according to Guinness. Though once you get up to it, it’s more like a walled city on a hill than a stereotypical “castle”

The ominous looking gate to the castle

St. Vitus Cathedral, located within the castle grounds

The Cathedral had spectacular and intricate stained glass designs.

One of the several views over the Prague skyline from the castle

Wenceslas Square located in Nové Město, or new town founded in 1348. 

The Old-New Synagogue. Dating back to 1270 it’s Europe’s oldest active Synagogue. The name’s a bit confusing but basically there was an older one until it was torn down in 1867, and this one became the oldest.

Powder Tower where Prague’s arms where once stored.