ambivalent about visiting what we thought might be an uninteresting city, Prague proved to be an energetic and relatively prosperous city with numerous sites to ogle. In common with every other ex-Eastern bloc city that we visited, the campsite, and suburbia generally, are apparently still struggling with their transition from a command economy to a market based economy. Nearly twenty years after the "Velvet Revolution", that peacefully severed the country from
Soviet control in 1989, and almost nine years in the European Common Market, the Republic has yet to be invited to join the Euro currency system. Prague, located in the Bohemia region of the Czech Republic, is the Capital - a large city with a population close to two million when the entire metro area is considered.Prague Castle, with the massive St Vitus Cathedral sprouting up from its interior, was founded in 870 CE and has been around in one guise or another ever since. For additional information on the long and tortuous history of the city, click here.
Looking west across the Vltava River to the castle
This guy was a really big cheese, not only in Prague,but throughout Europe. Born Wenceslas of Luxembourg
he chose the name Charles, inherited Luxembourg and
Bohemia and became King Charles IV. Apparently, he
liked Kinging so much that he went on to become
King of Germany and then the King of Italy and later
the King of Burgundy as well, not to mention being
the Holy Roman Emperor for 20 odd years.
Pretty good resume material, don't you think?
The Charles Bridge crosses the river fromthe Lesser Town to the Old Town
The bridge is about 600 yards long and is lined by numerousstatues. The statues on display are, for the most part,
replicas, the original having been stored in a museum
for preservation and security
The gate at the Lesser Town end of the bridge
St Nicholas' Church
The square behind St Nicholas
Steps up to the castle
A total of 208 steps gets much of the "upping" done
At the top is the first part of the castle complex -the largest ancient castle in the world
These poor fellas must have been on some kind ofpunishment routine wherein colorful and torpid
tourists took turns draping themselves all about
their sentry boxes and mugging for the camera. Yikes!
Castle courtyard
More courtyard
St Vitus Cathedral, built inside the castlewalls, is clearly visible for miles around
Another view of St Vitus
An intricate elevation
Detail of the clock tower
Ornate downspouts
Detail of flying buttresses
St Georges Basilica
Loreto Sanctuary
Strahov Monastery
Looking east across Lesser Town to Old Town
Panorama from Strahov Monastery
No way a person could get lost
This comely wench was busy fixin' up a bit of history
Sign outside of Marionette Theater
Help at a local restaurant
A Prague Tram
"Our" Prague Tram
Great confidence booster for public transport
Local youths commit their free time to community works
Their tireless efforts are to be seen everywhere outside of the UNESCO protected areas
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Prague continues to be one of the most popular cities in Europe, coming behind only London, Paris, Rome, Madrid and Berlin in terms of the number of foreign visitors last year. And what's more that number is increasing, says Czech Tourism in a new report. Prague has become more visited since The Velvet Revolution of 1989. Because of such a big amount of tourists visiting Prague, the range of Prague hotels is provided for all budgets from comfortable, low-cost hostels, to the most luxurious hotels. You can find fast efficient services and the largest choice of accommodation in exciting Czech Capital - Prague. You should really see this city, centuries of construction gave rise to an exceptional integrated architectural complex, unique in the world as regards its size and concentration of cultural heritage. Different architectural styles mingle and intertwine here, and their symbiosis creates the city’s unique atmosphere. The most valuable part of the city’s centre was declared the Prague Heritage Reserve in 1981, which was included in UNESCO’s world cultural heritage list in 1992.
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