Two-Nannies On The Road Again: Picturesque Prague

Prague has a beautiful old town centre which can be partly attributed to the fact that they avoided any bombing during WW2. Occupied in the very early stages of the war, once it was over, most of the German inhabitants were expelled. Their period of freedom was brief, and within a short time, they had been absorbed into the Russian territories and under a communist regime. This continued with periods of revolt through until 1989.

The medieval city is a real picture with narrow cobbled streets, historic old buildings, and enjoyed all the more as we sipped on copious cups of hot spiced wine. We had been looking forward to wrapping up warm, but it was a bit of a shock, and at times sent us digging into backpacks for yet another layer to brace against the chill. Temperatures ranged between 6-12 deg.

The first day we just trolled through the old town, locating significant sights, and the plaque to Jan Palach who had set himself alight in protest of the continued communist regime in 1969.

Day 2 we walked up the hill behind our hotel to the old castle, the largest in Europe, and still functioning as state offices. Here we joined an hours tour and located the burial place of King Wencelas (yes of the Christmas carol), who was murdered by his brother on the steps of the cathedral on his way to mass. In the adjoining palace we viewed the stateroom where long ago horses were ridden into for indoor jousting tournaments, and today the great hall is still used for public ceremonies. In a smaller side room traditionally used for the royal parliament up until the time of Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor and Empress Maria Theresa. The country at this time was under the Austrian empire. Their youngest child of 15, Marie Antoinette later became the queen of France and a central figure in the French Revolution when she was put under the guillotine. The room also held a portrait of another family member, who later defeated Napolean.

Experienced some fabulous street musicians all over the old city. These guys performed most afternoons just outside our window, and so on our last day decided we had benefited so much from their charming swing numbers that we ought to support them and bought another busking CD.