Terry introduced us to Vysehrad Park.

Terry told us parishioners stand for service in this tiny church that dates back to the 11th century.

A number of  monuments were erected in thanks when the Black Plague ended. This is an example of one.

Chestnut trees were plentiful in the park with both white and pink blossoms.

 

Beautiful views of the Vitava River.

The park featured gorgeous roses, the scent heavenly. Apparently the lilacs had just finished.

 

 

 

 

Saint Peter and Paul Basilica and the national graveyard were our next stops in the park.

Very elaborate doors.

Exquisite detailed ceilings.

The National Cemetery: over 600 famous people are buried here – writers, scientists, poets, artists, composers, actors, doctors, politicians, and others.

 

 

Dates on the head stones were depicted this way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Prague we met Rosemary and Terry Burns. The Burns have maintained an apartment in the city for many years.  Terry came to teach ESL when he retired and fell in love with the city, a love he shared with us over two days.

Much of Prague, that was not demolished during the war, is very beautiful. An example is this hotel Terry took us in. From the elegant dining area,

to the stained glass partitions,

and windows

 

to the intricate mosaic floors,

and marble stairwells

as well as marble walls

tiled alcoves

mosaic pictures depicting old scenes,  it all gave an aura of opulence and beauty.               ,

 

Our next stop was this very unassuming church but only from the outside.

The inside was total gothic. Incredible in its detail.

 

 

 

Leaving the church yard

we headed to another building that had a

a paternoster.

 

 

Today we went to the Prague Castle complex, a collective of palaces, churches, offices, fortifications, courtyards, and gardens covering approximately 110 acres. It is the official residence of the president of the Czech Republic.  St. Vitus Cathedral, within the castle walls, was magnificent and of course the highlight.

Construction of this Gothic Cathedral began on 21 November 1344.

 

 

So over the top; really hard to take it all in.

We listened to a concert in this church also within the castle walls.  The music was magnificent as was the venue;  however the placement of the musicians left something to be desired.

The musicians were on the alter so sitting down below, as we were, we were unable to see them.

View of the city from the castle wall.

 

 

 

 

The National Museum at the top of Wenceslaus Square.

The splendour is almost incomprehensible.

The building was the real highlight, rather than the exhibits, which were rather overwhelmed by the edifice.                .

Looking down Wenceslaus Square from the steps of the National Museum.

That evening we headed to the Rudolfinum Concert Hall to enjoy the Prague                   Philharmonic. Walking across the river, we could see the famous Charles                           Bridge in the distance.

Heading in to the concert.

Heading home. Magnificent performance and theatre.

 

 

 

In the morning, when we came down from our flat, we saw these hay rolls on the street. They were gone when we got home in the evening so we never found out what they were for.  Not an animal in sight.

Prague city sights today.

The Industrial Revolution comes to Prague!

 

 

 

 

On our first full day in Prague we managed to take in a farmer’s market on the Vitava      River, the Charles University Botanical garden, a free outdoor concert in the park by our flat and a clown show.

The flowers in the botanical garden were plentiful and exquisite.

Lots of beer at the concert.

 

The clown acts were good family fun.

We discovered these are popular in all the tourist areas in Prague. Like a hollow donut they are eaten plain, or spread inside with Nutella and other fillings.

 

 

Another new one for us was the continuous potato chip.