Prague - CZECH REPUBLIC!

Prague, known as "the City of a Hundred Spires," boasts its Old Town Square as the pulsating heart of its historic core. Here, vibrant baroque buildings, Gothic churches, and the medieval Astronomical Clock, which entertains with an animated hourly show, captivate visitors. The Old Town Square, serving as a picturesque backdrop, beautifully complemented the enchanting atmosphere of the Christmas Markets held there.

We visited Prague Castle that mixes Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture. The Castle district comprises several buildings most notably the awe-inspiring St. Vitus Cathedral. This twin-towered marvel was begun in 1644 and only completed in 1929. It houses the tomb of St. Wenceslas, the crown jewels, a multitude of gargoyles and kaleidoscopic stained-glass windows. 

While walking through the streets we came across a ghostly piece of street art which is hovering above Dlouhá Street. It was created by a local artist Veronika Psotková and it is dedicated to all mothers who suffer consequences of the war for Ukraine. Very thought provoking! The traditional Ukrainian headdress which it bears, was created out of galvanized chin-link wire mesh. I very much enjoyed photographing this floating artwork. 

Another sight that caught my attention was drawn to a makeshift shrine honoring the 14 individuals who tragically lost their lives in the university shooting in Prague. A profoundly saddening sight.

On our final day in Prague we taught the tram to nearby Vyšehrad which is a historic fort built on a steep hill above the Vltava river in the 10th century and is one of the first settlements in the area. The ascent to the hilltop was a breathtaking 20-minute walk. Once there, we enjoyed a delightful picnic lunch in the park.

We came upon a gate which was the entrance to a beautiful cemetery. Vyšehrad Cemetery is located adjacent to the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul. The cemetery is one of Prague’s most significant sites, with over 600 famous people buried here – from writers, doctors, and scientists, to poets, artists, actors, composers, and politicians. Among the many imminent personalities buried here, some famed names are the poet Jan Neruda, composer Antonin Dvorak, and the writer Božena Němcová. The tombs and headstones were amazing!

As the sun was setting, we reached the lookout just in time to see the magnificent view of the city and the river below.  

While returning to our hotel, we encountered a street musician captivating passersby with a mesmerising performance on glasses filled with water. Petr Spatina, a glass harpist, has been creating enchanting melodies for two decades. Absolutely amazing!

Sadly this marked the conclusion of our son's travels with us. Having him accompany us on this incredible European adventure was such a joyous time, one we will never forget. The following day, he flew to Amsterdam to meet his friend while we boarded a coach heading to Nuremberg.