Prague never lets you go…this dear little mother has sharp claws. – Franz Kafka

I visited Prague for the first time in 1999.  Its beauty and spirit captured me and I knew for sure that I was coming back.  I was excited to return with Keith and to show him this city that captivated me.  I wanted to step back in time with him on its timeless cobbled streets flanked by colorful buildings with fairytale architectures, as well as to savor the romance of the city. We spent four delightful days meandering around both banks of Vltava river. On this post, join us as we explore the stunning Stare Mesto (“Old Town”) and surrounding areas in the right bank of Vltava River.

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This is the breathtaking Old Town Square, it’s the heart of the Prague’s historic district and a good place to start your exploration of the city.

 

The gothic spires of the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn tower over the Old Town Square.  Founded in 14th century, it was an important church for the Hussites who fought against the Roman Catholic Church for religious reform. Catholic Jesuits eventually took over the church and removed any Hussite symbols.

 

The Astronomical Clock from the 15th century is one of the prominent features in Old Town Square. Its hourly chime, accompanied by movements of different figures,  attracts huge crowd.

 

Crowds gathered in front of the Old Town Hall Tower to witness the Astornomical Clock’s hourly show.

 

We climbed to the top of the Old Town Hall Tower to enjoy the spectacular view of  the city.

 

The view of the crowds in front of Astronomical Clock from the top of Old Town Hall Tower.

 

 A pageman sounds a horn from the top of the Old Town Hall Tower after the Astronomical Clock’s hourly chime.

 

View of the colorful roofs and rooftop bars from Old Town Hall Tower.

 

 Old Town rooftops.

 

Some of the buildings and outdoor cafes that surround Old Town Square.

 

The ubiquitous logo of Prague’s famous beer. Yes, we’re in the land of beer!
Trivia: Czech Republic developed the world’s first lager and has the highest per capital consumption of beer in the entire planet.

 

Having our first pint at one of the bar/cafe that surrounds Old Town Square.

 

Watching people passing by and some women on a fun ride from an Old Town Square cafe.

 

 The classic cobbled street that Prague is famous for.

 

Prague is a great walking city.  You can meander around without a map and discover something beautiful at every turn.

 

We kept stumbling upon one lovely street into another.  We found ourselves heading to Powder Tower, the dark gothic building which is one of the old city gates and one of the symbols of Prague.

 

One of the sausage carts in Wenceslao Square. Sausage is one of the popular street foods in Prague.

 

Marionettes for sale at one of the souvenir stalls in Wenceslao Square. They are Prague’s popular souvenir.

 

Give Your Name To a Brick – a fundraising  activity taking place on several streets of Prague to aid people with mental impairment.

 

 One of Prague’s quirky museums.

 

Another quirky museum.

 

One of the shopping streets in Old Town.

 

We found ourselves back in Old Town Square in early evening  when the spires of Týn  Church basked in golden glow.

 

The beauties of Old Town Square enveloped with warm sunset glow.

 

Weary travelers taking a break at one of the classic bar/cafe at Old Town Square at the end of the day.

 

Prague’s delightful metro stations are very colorful with stunning contemporary design.

 

People crossing Charles Bridge, the historic bridge that spans Vltava River and one of Prague’s iconic landmark.

 

One of the 30 statues standing guard on Charles Bridge seems to be pointing at Prague Castle on the left bank of Vltava River. (More of the castle on our next post).

 

Prague boasts of many grand old world cafes. One of them is Cafe Lourve, where we enjoyed a lovely brunch while delighting with the fact that Kafka and Einstein dined here, too.

 

The museum in the Jewish Quarter known as Josefov. The Jewish Quarter dates back from 13th century when the Jewish community in Prague were forced to live in this one area.

 

Some of the 12,000 leaning tombstones in the Old Jewish Cemetery. Dating from the 15th century, it is said to be one of the oldest Jewish burial grounds in Europe.

 

The promenade along Vltava River.

 

Located in Nove Mesto (“New Town”) is The Dancing Building (nicknamed “Fred and Ginger”) designed  by Bilbao Guggenheim architect Frank Gehry.

 

Dining at Plezanka Restaurant, a traditional Czech restaurant at the grand Municipal House.

 

At Plazenka Restaurant – me with dark beer and Keith with a pilsen. I ate at this same restaurant in 1999. Being a non-meat eater, the only choice in the menu for me was a vegetable which came swimming in butter. This time, the menu has changed with variety of healthy options.  Same is true for most restaurants in Prague.

 

Walking around Old Town at night.

 

The spectacular night view of the Prague Castle from Old Town.

For more of the Prague Castle and other areas in the left bank of Vltava River, please see our next post: Magical Prague Revisited – Part 2.

 

Feel free to leave your comments below.

 

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