Central-Eastern Europe Trip, Day 4, June 22nd, 2010

We took tram #22 with the group to get to the Prague Castle area. There we met our tour guide, Sharka. She led us into Prague Castle. The castle was spectacular. On the grounds was Saint Vitus Church, probably the most impressive church I’ve ever seen. It was majestic- the attention to detail everywhere, especially with the stained glass was a marvel.

St. Vitus.	Inside St. Vitus.	Stained Glass St. Vitus.	Inside front side St. Vitus.
Prague Castle.	Communist leader gave speeches here.	Prague Castle.	Prague Castle.

Defenstration Palace Hall. Defenestration actually happened here. This one’s for you, DM.

We also had a chance to see the Palace Hall. I wish I could remember more about it, but my single track mind got carried away with the concept of defenestration that happened out of one of the palace windows there. Ever since mid high school, my buddy DM and I have been talking about defenestrating each other from the CS room windows.

St. George’s Church.

St. George’s Church.

Following the Palace Hall we went into Saint George’s Church. It had real frescos and is famous for the lady in the scarf- Wenceslas’ grandmother who was murdered there, in a way that would have prevented here from being a saint.

At noon we saw the changing of the guard.

Tobia and I.

Archbishop’s palace.

You will speak when I say you can speak.

Changing of the Guard.

Czerny.

Monastery.

Continuing up the hill, afterwards, we reached Saint Norbert Monastery. We followed this with lunch with the group; at the restaurant they served “holy beer”.

Loretta.

Bearded Female Saint.

Most of the folks split off after lunch. Tobia and I headed to Loretta Church. I believe it is most famous for the bearded lady saint. I think the story goes along the lines of the lady not wanting to marry the a pagan king she was forced to be with, and overnight she grew a beard to seem less attractive. Needless to say, the king didn’t want to marry her with her beard. The sad ending to this story is that her father ultimately crucified her.

St. Nicholas.

St. Nicholas.

Jesus the infant.

Afterwards we continued on to Saint Nicholas Church. The old church is famous for its ornateness. Finally, to cap off our church visits, we went to Jesus the infant Church.

At the end of this, Tobia and I decided to walk through Petrin Park, uphill to the base of the Petrin Tower, and we ultimately climbed all the way to the top. The views of Prague from the top of this tower were magnificent. This was my favorite experience in Prague.

Petrin Tower.

Petrin Tower.

Petrin Tower.

Petrin Tower.

Entrance to Charles Bridge.

We rewarded ourselves with dessert and coffee after our tough climb up the hill and stairs. We then had dinner and turned in for the night.