Praha - Day 2

Had to set the alarm again so we would be in time for the morning walking tour. Breakfast at the hotel is really well catered for - fortunately we have forgone the lunches and dinners now we are on shore. Another beautiful sunny, cold day - only 3 degrees when we set out.
The tour began with a bus trip up to the castle.

Inside 2nd courtyard

A most interesting set of buildings - first begun in 870 with a stone church then added to throughout the centuries. It is still the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic. We had an extra treat of being able to watch the changing of the guard.

Changing of the guard

St Vitas Cathedral

It was fascinating to see areas of Roman ruins then the different additions onto St Vitas Cathedral - beginning in 930 and the latest being in 1929. Services are still held there every Sunday. The whole area grew from the 900s and developed into a town on it's own. We were very grateful that we began our tour so early as there were hundreds of people coming in as we were leaving.

Roman ruins

We moved from there back into the Old Town and walked up to the centre where there is the astronomical clock and many old buildings. Standing in the centre of the square, around the Christmas Markets, you could see, amongst other things, an old tower built in the 900s, a Gothic church, the old town hall from the 1300s, a 19th century church and a 15th century church, a palace and various Renaissance buildings.

Astronomical clock

Building in the Old Town

We walked past the Jewish centre on our way from to the hotel. Prague has always had a large Jewish community dating back a thousand years. The old synagogue is standing next to a new one and down the side streets is the old Jewish cemetery where the people have been buried in layers as they were so short on space. Somewhere to explore later.

Challenging wine pouring

This evening we had an excursion to a restaurant that served traditional Czech food and performed traditional dances. It was a short bus ride that allowed us to see Prague by night, the monuments were all lit up and looked very grand. The show was really entertaining and they encouraged audience participation - thankfully only Alan got picked on! The food was a lot heavier than we are used to - I guess they have to try and insulate against the cold. Entree was a potato, vegetable, ham mound; main course chicken skewers with different spices on the chicken served with beans, mushrooms and some kind of baked potato pie; dessert was pancakes. All served up with red or white wine, soft drink or beer. The wine pourers were really unusual - I can't imagine being able to handle them myself.