Prague: Lesser Town, the Castle, and Old Town

Prague is not just one city. Like New York City with its diverse five boroughs, each with its own flavor, Prague is similar. The Zizkov neighborhood, where our hotel was located, is one place worthy of a day or two's visit (click here for my updated post about Zizkov).

Another neighborhood is the "Lesser Town"; it sits down the hill from the Castle and citizens there had noble privileges. Vicki and I were "accidental tourists" in Lesser Town; we were looking for the alley that led to the Castle. Little did we realize that Lesser Town is worthy of a day's adventures.

 

We got lost on our way to the Castle, but what a wonderful place to get lost. This neighborhood has plenty of restaurants; see their menu's posted at the entrance door (photo below)? Most restaurants post their menu's outside because people want to know before they come inside and sit down at a table.

Not certain, but I think this was the Opera House (below) in the plaza area . . .

 

The details are everywhere.

Beethoven slept here February 1796 (photo below).

Known as the Beethoven Palace today, this place was frequented by artists and musicians back in the 1700s.

Many cute cafe's and restaurants with outdoor patio's on the cobblestone sidewalks.

Beautifully decorated shops galore in wonderful old buildings, selling chocolate and soap and coffee and ice cream . . .

It rained a bit so we dashed into a café for coffee and tea (below photo). That's Vicki sitting at the table. Funny thing about this place, while we were sipping our hot drinks, a group of about 30 tourists with umbrellas and a guide stopped in front of the entrance; while the guide talked, everyone was gawking at us and this restaurant. Vicki and I turned to each other quizzically like "is this place famous for something?" We still don't know!

We eventually find the alley up the hill to the Castle's gate.

Before we get to the Castle, we tour "Golden Lane" where palace guards and goldsmiths lived in small houses. In the early 1900s, many artists and writers lived here (photo below). One house is a museum of medieval armory. But today, the little houses are mostly souvenir shops.

Where shall I begin in describing the "Prague Castle" - it's a huge complex of four palaces, five churches, four towers, several gardens and much more. One day isn't enough to explore it all.

Another wedding (photo above)!

Dining hall (photo below) and also the place where a king was coronated.

Prague is known as "City of 1,000 Spirals".

Saint Vitus Cathedral below . . .

 This was another palace (below); we didn't go inside.

Photo below is St. George's Basilica which is the oldest surviving church building in the Palace's complex; today it houses Bohemian artwork and serves as a concert hall. 

As we walk down the hill, there's a gate entrance to the famous "Charles Bridge" finished in the 15th Century that crosses the Vltava River.

The view of this 16-arched bridge is more impressive far away than up close (photo below). See all the pedestrian tourists on the Charles Bridge? I wonder what percentage of them know the bridge's 30 Baroque-style statues are replicas of the original ones erected in the 1700s?

The eastern gate of the bridge . . . far left on photo above, and another view in photo below at a wharf-side restaurant.

Detail on the gate . . .

We were surprised while standing near this gate, a wedding was about to begin . . .

Eventually we made our way to Old Town. It's a favorite place in Europe for tourists, but oddly the crowds didn't bother me at all. Old Town and the nearby Jewish Quarter are great places to get lost.

Many details to gawk at . . . .

The only requirements to enjoy Prague, good walking shoes and a tolerance for smokers. Inside a restaurant is no-smoking, but outside was much more interesting. We'd try to sit upwind from smokers and remove ashtrays on empty tables next to us. Enjoyed a long meal at Fat Cat. Merlin (stout beer) is the best!

On our last morning at Prague, we boarded a bus for Vienna, Austria. When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?  You can get what you want or you can just get old . . . I've been wishfully singing Billy Joel's song for years!

Vienna is a four and one-half hour bus ride which leaves Prague's bus station fairly frequently.

And again, I don't recall a border check between The Czech Republic and Austria. Busses (Flix and RegioJet) are great and cheap ways to get around Europe. Bus stations are usually centrally located in cities and most busses include Wi-Fi and a bathroom onboard.