Prague, Day 3

Prague Day 3, started off with a perfect breakfast – it will take 4 breakfasts before we have sampled all on offer. This room and hotel is extremely lovely and the best so far. Then we headed to the National Theatre to view some sculptures and installations and  catch the No. 22 tram up the hill to Prague Castle.

We arrived at the Strahov monastery which houses a winery and the St Norbert’s Brewery where enjoyed the spirit of the place with a very strong beer. This helped prepare us for the Loreto Church and which was once regarded as the holiest place in the Czech Republic (maybe not so any longer as at the last census 60% of Czech citizens declared themselves as atheists). On the ground floor were portraits of their favourite saints and on the second floor behind doors associated with a big bank fault was a priceless collection of jewels – one monstrance was embedded with 6,000 diamonds all of an amethyst hue. Not sure about holiest place but maybe the priciest per square metre.

The Prague Castle had nothing on Hampton Court but the big hall for entertaining the 4 noble families that have ruled over this area over the past 1400 years was impressive.

St Vitus Cathedral was beautiful with monuments and chapels dedicated to the Good King Wenceslas and his grandmother Saint Ludmilla. The stained glass windows were the best I have seen especially the one designed by Alphonse Mucha.

St George Basilica was a good example of Romanesque architecture. However, unfortunately there were no reliquaries worth mentioning.

Finally, we turned to go home through the Czech’s version of Sovereign Hill so-called Golden Lane. It was weird that there were so many trinket type shops selling stuff that nobody wanted but the old-fashioned brewery was all behind glass and only for looking – there was a long queue of thirsty people behind me all about to share my dismay.

Then we headed to the Charles Bridge just as packed in daylight as during night-time. We listened to the blues band, the classical violinists, the jazz-band and watched people get their portraits drawn at the many stalls along the way.

After a rest and change of clothes we had some good luck and found a traditional Czech restaurant in the Old Town where we really enjoyed the Prague ham and gherkins, Beer, Moravian Cab Sav. Pig knee with cabbage and gherkin and pork fillet with potatoes and beans. All to the tunes of regional (Silesian, Moravian, Slovakian and Bohemian) Folk dancing with costume changes, live music, singing and bagpipes. To the end the night, we walked around the markets on the old square.

Life is very easy and much fun in Prague. Prague may translate to paradise or perfect in some old long forgotten language.