This was part of Central Europe - Day 1 🇨🇿 🔗.
I joined the Charles Bridge & Prague Castle Free Tour at 5:30 PM. We started from Křižovnické Square and headed over the medieval Charles Bridge. Crossing the Vltava River on this 14th-century stone bridge is a quintessential Prague experience, especially in the evening light.
There are about 30 statues mounted to the balustrade of Charles Bridge, forming two impressive rows of Baroque figures on either side. Most of these saints were installed between 1683 and 1714, turning the bridge into a literal open-air gallery of religious art.
Next, we visited Kampa Island. The northern part of the island is often called the “Venice of Prague” because of the narrow Čertovka canal and the historic water mills that still line the banks. We also saw the Lennon Wall, a vibrant symbol of peace and freedom that has been covered in John Lennon-inspired graffiti and lyrics since the 1980s.
We then walked by the Church of the Virgin Mary under the Chain, which belongs to the Knights of Malta and is one of the oldest churches in the Lesser Town. Onward to St. Nicholas Church, we admired its massive green dome and saw the St. Nicholas Bell Tower, which once served as a watchtower for the city’s fire guards.
Our next stop was Prague Castle. As we climbed the steps to the main gate, we saw the dramatic Clash of the Titans statues and walked through the 17th-century Matthias Gate to enter the second courtyard. Here, we saw the ornate Kohl’s Fountain and the Chapel of the Holy Cross, which once housed the Saint Vitus Treasure.
We walked further to the Obelisk at Prague Castle, a monolith erected to commemorate the victims of World War I, and the bronze Statue of Saint George slaying the dragon. Nearby, we saw the Old Royal Palace, the historic seat of Bohemian kings dating back to the 12th century.
Next was the St. Vitus Cathedral, the spiritual heart of the nation. This Gothic masterpiece took nearly 600 years to complete and features the magnificent Great South Tower, which houses the largest bell in the Czech Republic.
We walked past the Empress Maria Theresa Entrance to St. George’s Basilica, the oldest surviving church building within Prague Castle with its striking red Baroque facade. Finally, we headed to the Vyhlídka Na Opyši viewpoint, which offered breathtaking views of the Prague skyline as the city lights began to twinkle.
