Wed – An unusual castle and a little Eiffel Tower

This was a particularly busy day after the previous one. There was also a bit of welcome cloud around first thing after the extreme heat of the previous day.

My first port of call for the day was the castle. The tram service in Prague is excellent and great for getting around the city. They run frequently, so no need to worry if you miss the one you want as another will be sure to arrive shortly after. So, I walked in the opposite direction of my hotel this time and went up the road to where the trams stop to catch the number 22 tram. I did have to get my map out and ask one of the locals for a bit of help to ensure that I was standing on the right side of the road. Tickets for the trams can be purchased from newsagents or you can use contactless payments when you get on the tram – although finding the contactless machine on the trams can be tricky, as some of them get extremely busy!

Prague Castle is a complex that was built in the 9^th century. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic. This amazing castle complex is actually the largest coherent castle complex in the world and covers an area of around 70,000 m2. The complex consists of ecclesiastical buildings and palaces that each have their own architectural designs.

I had heard that every day they do a changing of the guard at the castle at 12 midday, so I tried to rush there in time for it and just made it. Unfortunately, though, my view was a little marred due to the fact that I am not very tall.

I then bought a ticket at the castle that incorporated four of the main buildings: St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, and Golden Lane. You could pay separately to enter the Story of Prague Castle, the Picture Gallery, and the South Tower of St. Vitus Cathedral. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience, as it was quite unique, and everything was interesting and well presented. I particularly liked Golden Lane with its quaint and brightly coloured houses which gave you a glimpse of days gone by. This charming little street was built in the 16^th century to house Rudolf II’s castle guards and takes its name from the goldsmiths that used to live there. The street was also once home to Franz Kafka who was a Jewish novelist based in Prague.

The street is also a great place to buy a few authentic souvenirs of Prague, and if you want some refreshments there are some delicious cakes, meals, snacks, and drinks available. I sat outside at a lovely café that was in a courtyard setting, which was relaxing with good service, food, and drink.

After a nice break, I set off for the river and famous Charles bridge which is the oldest stone bridge in Europe. Up until 1841, this bridge was the only way of crossing the river and was the most important connection between the castle, the Old Town, and the surrounding areas. I loved this bridge, as it was really photogenic and had so much character – I think I took too many photos of it, to be honest! This was a truly memorable experience with the Gothic style architecture and numerous statues that line the length of the bridge.

After my fill of Charles Bridge, I set of in search of the funicular stop that would take me up Petrin hill to the tower. The 50m high tower offers splendid views of the city from the top and is the highest point in Prague. I eventually reached Ujezd Street where the funicular starts. You can walk up a wooden path to the tower, if you wish, but I love funiculars so just had to hop on one!

Petrin Hill was originally one of King Charles’ vineyards, and the gardens up here are lovely and include a rose garden. There are a number of seats in the gardens, too, so that you can take a break and enjoy the scenery. Refreshments were also available here, but only cash seemed to be accepted - so be sure to carry some with you if you come here. If you do go up on the funicular, you may want to walk back down so that you can see the statue of Karel Hynek Macha, who is a romantic poet and apparently a place where lovers meet every year on 1 May.

Petrin tower is a miniature version of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and you can climb the many steps to the top or take the lift – the lift is only small, though, and will only accommodate three people at a time, and comes at an additional charge. The views from the top are amazing and are not restricted by glass because there are open windows all around the top of the tower. So, this is perfect for taking lots of photos and videos.

My final stop of the day before heading back to the welcomed aircon of my hotel room was the John Lennon Wall. The wall is quite a moving and unusual experience, and of course another one for many photo opportunities. It is located in the Lesser Town of Prague near to Charles Bridge and the French Embassy. The wall became a place of mourning after the death of John Lennon in 1980, but then became a silent protest against the communist government. It is now considered to be a symbol of peace, love, and freedom.