Thurs – An amazing clock and a cruise down the river

Today, it was time to explore the Old Town of Prague which is only a short walk from the lower end of St. Wenceslas Square. Blue sky was in place as I set off in search of the much talked about Astronomical clock.

I ambled down some quaint cobbled streets with small food outlets and an abundance of authentic little gift shops selling everything from Czech wooden crafts to fridge magnets. I eventually arrived at the Old Town Square which really is what I would call a square. Its cobblestoned plateau is rich in culture and littered with tourists. Horse and carriages and small tourist buses are here, and even a newlywed couple were having their photographs taken.

The square was founded in the 12^th century and is witness to many historical events. As well as the Gothic church of our lady before Tyn, the Baroque church of St. Nicholas, the Rococo Kinsky Palace, the Gothic House at the Stone Bell, and the monument of Jan Hus, stands the incredible and unforgettable Astronomical clock. The clock attracts many tourists who flock to see it on the hour, every hour, to see its unusual hourly display. The Walk of the Apostles, as it is known, lasts for just 13 seconds and is a magical experience. I arrived a little early for the hour, so I decided to position myself in one of the cafes opposite with a rather expensive drink to ensure that I got a good view, and I wasn’t disappointed.

The clock was installed in 1410 and is the oldest astronomical clock still in operation. The statues, however, were not added to the clock until a later date. The dial of the clock has a 24-hour analogue dial with a double-sided sundial showing the time in Prague time as well as local sidereal time. There is also a calendar dial showing a 12-hour clock with positions of the sun and the moon in the zodiac. I loved my time in the Old Town, as it is incredibly pretty with so much character. On my return back later in the day, I was lucky enough to get a second viewing of the clock’s display because I passed through the square a couple of minutes before the hour.

After leaving the Old Town, I walked back towards the river and walked along the riverbank for a little while. It was particularly hot, so I luckily managed to walk in the shade of the trees for much of the time. I then noticed that there were lots of river cruises being offered, so I continued to walk further along the riverside. I eventually managed to get a last minute 50-minute cruise at a much-reduced price to what the companies further up the river had been offering – so definitely worth checking out all the opposition before taking a river cruise here.

The Vltava River is commonly referred to as the Czech National River and it originates in the Bohemian Forest range near to the German border. It then runs all the way across the middle of Bohemia from the south to the north.

The cruise was restful, refreshing, and enjoyable, and it was a good-sized river boat. There were drinks available on board, too, and the scenery was stunning. Being on the river also gives you a different perspective of the city, so I would certainly recommend a river cruise if you come to Prague.