PRAGUE

Charles Bridge-statue lined bridge that connects Old Town to the Little Quarter and Prague Castle. Filled with tourists and people selling jewelry and paintings. The bridge was named after Charles IV, a Holy Roman Emperor (also on the 100 Kc bill) who ruled in the 14th century. Previous bridges were built on the same spot but washed away by floods. In 1342, Emperor Charles IV decided against repairing the old bridge and had a new bridge built (foundation laid in 1357). St. Vitus Cathedral is visible on the hill.













Statue in front of St. Vitus Cathedral.












Bridge Tower-Gothic gate from Charles Bridge into Little Quarter.


















Czech leaders have ruled from Prague Castle for over a 1,000 years. Four main parts make up the Prague Castle (St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, Basilica of St. George and the Golden Lane).
This picture is of the castle (guards standing under "fighting giant" statues)where the Czech President has his office.













St. Vitus Cathedral-the best part of the Prague Castle if you ask me. It contains the tombs and relics of the most important local saints and kings, including the first 3 Habsburg Kings. The cathedral was started in 1344 but due to plagues and war wasn't finished until 1929.


















Wenceslas Chapel-to the right is St. Wenceslas tomb and a locked door that contains the crown jewels. Czech kings used to be crowned in front of the coffin. The entire chapel is roped off because the wall paper is encrusted with precious and semi-precious jewels.


















First view inside St. Vitus Cathedral.



















Stained glass inside St. Vitus Cathedral.


















More views of St. Vitus Cathedral.






























Basilica and Convent of St. George-Prague's Romanesque Church. We didn't tour inside but the outside definitely had a simple look. I don't know how old it is but St. Wenceslas' grandmother was reburied there in 973. After seeing St. Vitus the Basilica of St. George was a little too simple. :)


















I love the doors in Prague. This picture was taken after passing the Basilica of St. George and heading into the Golden Lane (which we didn't pay to walk down but it was a street lined with old buildings that used to house goldsmiths that now contains tourist shops).













View from top of Prague Castle













Another view from the top of Prague Castle. Especially handy when you are shooting arrows at the enemy.



















Before we walked over Charles Bridge and roamed around Prague Castle we found a vegetarian restaurant, Lehka Hlava (Clear Head) that was tucked away on a cul-de-sac. Here is Randy posing for another door picture (this one is one of my favorite Prague pictures. It brings me back to that exact moment and the feeling...which was all good)


















The ceiling was filled with little, sparkling lights.



















Local artists designed the tables and decor.



















This was the alley to get to the resturant. Not only do I love the doors but the tiny streets lined with neat, old buildings.

















If you can believe it this was only 1 day of our vacation! More to follow at a later time!