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Exploring Prague Castle

10/28/15 | Castles, Czech Republic, Eastern Europe, Europe, Eurotrip, Prague, Solo Travel, Travel

Charles Bridge Prague

Last month I spent ten days in Europe and the last country I visited was the Czech Republic. After the beer tour I slept in on my second day in Prague. I had booked off the entire day for the city’s most famous attraction, the castle. To get there you do not need Google Maps to locate Prague Castle, although I did have great WiFi the entire trip based on my TepWireless, you simply locate it on the hill and walk towards it.  On the two mile journey I stopped at every spot there were bright blue telescopes because if the city charges a Euro for two minutes of gazing there must be something worth taking a photo of.

Once I crossed the bridge to the castle side of the city I had to make a detour. I am proud to say I made it to day eight of my Eurotrip until I frequented a U.S. establishment, and only then only because I was in desperate need of coffee and my European friends don’t do to-go-cups, they want you to sit down and enjoy it. So thank you McD’s. 

Prague Castle through ArchPrague Castle from the BridgeCharles Bridge Telescope PragueCastle District PragueMcCafe in Prague

Once I found my way into the castle it was 20 minutes before the noon changing of the guards and tons of people were already lined up.  While waiting for the event to begin people just kept coming – at ten of noon there were hundreds of people who had queued for more than hour and were four deep leaning against red ropes holding them back.

I did not want to shoot my photos straight into the sun so I went around the ropes and stood flush to the building.  I did not think the very serious guards would let me stand there but I figured I might as well try. And the guards said nothing. Okay then, one point for the good guys. I am glad I got in place early, as the event actually began at 11:55am and the main actions were timed perfectly to the noon Church bells.  The whole changing of the guards was a bit difficult to understand but the church bells and orchestra perfectly complement the Czech commands barked by the officers.

Prague Castle Front GatesPrague Castle GuardPrague Castle ArchwayPrague Castle ArchitectureSt. Vitus Cathedral PragueGold Triangle Prague CastlePrague Castle Changing of the GuardPrague Castle Changing of the GuardsPrague Castle Changing of the GuardSide of St. Vitus Cathedral

After the procession was over I purchased the audio guide from the ticket office and scanned my premiere ticket and went to see all of the sites including the cathedral and the old palace.  After an hour and a half of touring I took a break in the castle courtyard and got a traditional sausage for lunch and ate it by a beautiful fountain.  Then the audio guide tour continued with a small church, the Golden Lane, a cool armor collection (one of my favorite parts of The Met), and the deer moat.

St. Vitus Cathedral Prague, Czech RepublicSt. Vitus Cathedral Door St. Vitus Cathedral Stain Glass Main Vestibule of St. Vitus CathedralVladislav Hall - Old Royal Palace - Prague CastleThe Back of St. Vitus CathedralLunch at Prague CastleGuards at St. Vitus CathedralDeer Moat Prague CastlePrague Castle Lookout PointPrague Castle Armory Suits of ArmorPrague Castle Armory Suits of ArmorPrague Castle ArmoryPrague Castle Cannon

There were two things at Prague Castle that weren’t included in the my premiere ticket, the Crown Jewels and the Tower Tour, so I paid extra to do those. Did I spend extra money? Yes. But my motto on this trip was go see all of the things and pay extra if necessary. I am not sure the next time I be back in Prague and I was there in the castle so let’s do it! #WhenInRome I am so glad I paid extra for both of the special attractions as the Crown Jewels were beautiful and the view from the top of the tallest tower was amazing. 

Bell Tower of St. Vitus CathedralSt. Vitus Cathedral StainglassView from the Tower of St. Vitus Cathedral View from the Top of St. Vitus Cathedral Courtyard from the Top of St. Vitus Cathedral Rooster from the Top of St. Vitus CathedralTower of St. Vitus CathedralSpire of St. Vitus CathedralPrague Castle Chapel of the Holy CrossDiamonds at the Chapel of the Holy Cross at Prague CastleDiamond Cross at the Chapel of the Holy Cross at Prague CastleChapel of the Holy Cross at Prague Castle

 The entire complex of Prague Castle was beautiful and I am glad I listened to the guide book and planned on a full day to explore, it is needed! Right outside of the castle were a dozen stalls set up selling local Czech cuisine and I decided it was time to try two local specialties, delicious, bramborove platky se syrem, potato slices with cheese, and bramborak, traditional potato pancakes, which I ordered with pickled cabbage on top because that is what everyone was ordering cabbage. 

Guard Post at Prague CastleFood Booths Outside Prague CastleBramborove Platky Se Syrem - Potato Slices with CheeseCzech Republic Potato Pancakes (Zemiakové Placky) Czech Republic Potato Pancakes (Zemiakové Placky) with Cabbage

As I made my way down from the castle I passed many famous sites including churches and shops and then took a detour to see the John Lennon Wall. I was surprised this massive graffitied wall in memory to the late Beatle had two people spray painting it – I thought it was a fixed attraction, not something that was constantly evolving. And as a fun tid-bit the woman who took the photo below of me and the wall saw the Beatles all three times they came to the US in the 1960’s, talk about a throwback. 
St. Nicholas Church PragueAbsinthshop PraguePrague HousesThe John Lennon Wall in PragueJohn Lennon Wall PragueJohn Lennon Wall in PragueLove Locks Bridge Prague Gremlin Through the Love Locks Bridge in Prague

After the Lennon Wall I headed back to the main part of the city and while I had seen the Charles Bridge the day before on my walking tour but I made sure to walk over it. I saw all of the statues you are supposed to see and rubbed bronze plaque on the statue of John of Nepomuk for good luck.  

Statuary of St. Barbara, St. Margaret and St. Elizabeth PragueCharles Bridge PragueCharles Bridge Prague DetailsStatue of St John Nepomuk PragueStatue of St John Nepomuk

Afterwards I took a long stroll around, dropped off some thing at the hotel, and went in search of dinner.  It was one of the very few meals I did not have planned out and instead wandered through a new part of the city, exploring and looking places up on TripAdivsor as I passed.  I ended up at Fish & Chips and went totally off the mark and ordered octopus which was quite good. After dinner I took a long leisurely stroll around the city covering a new two mile loop and admiring some of the most famous sites at night. 

Fish and Chips PragueSquid in Czech RepublicCoca Cola Truck in PraguePrague Castle at NightRudolfinum at NightPrague Nová Radnice Night

A very full and very wonderful day in the Czech capital!

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Comments

  1. Justina | Just In A City says

    October 30, 2015 at 12:55 am

    Reading your post has given me the case of the travel-itis! Can’t wait to make my first over-the-sea trip!

    xoxo Justina | Just In A City
    http://www.justinacity.com

  2. Trang Do says

    October 29, 2015 at 12:16 am

    Wow, Amazing pictures!! Love to visit that places!!
    Hugs,
    Love from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}

  3. Kate at Green Fashionista says

    October 28, 2015 at 11:57 am

    So many incredible pictures, Prague is definitely up there on my list! And can we talk about how much I’m loving that blue dress?! <3

    Green Fashionista

  4. TAMMY says

    October 28, 2015 at 10:57 am

    Wow. The Prague Castle is beautiful and the surrounding area too. As for McDonalds to me that is a total avoid. At least you went for the local food too which is probably much better. Finally I love your blue dress. It looks very nice on you.

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog.  I am a New York City girl at heart but I moved to London in the Spring of 2018!

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