Prague Castle (with St. Vitus Cathedral soaring within it) and everything in Prague was initially built in its shadow. It is the most complete and coherent castle complex in the world and still houses the Czech government. Dissident writer Vaclav Havel was inaugurated as president of Czechoslovakia here in 1990.
It was likely built in 880 by Prince Borivoj of the Premyslid Dynasty (Premyslovci) and has been restored and renovated since.
The castle grounds are still guarded and there is a changing of the guard ceremony periodically throughout the day. I never managed to see one, though.
St. Vitus Cathedral:
Rose window from outside
Rose window from inside
The whole cathedral is just overflowing with beautiful stained glass...
And it is just massive in scale.
I believe this is dedicated to "Good" King Wenceslas of Christmas Carol fame.
Pipe Organ
The sun was shining threw these windows and it looked like the whole thing was on fire. It was a pretty cool effect.
Old Royal Palace
No pictures are allowed inside this building, but it houses the Crown Jewels. You can walk out onto a terrace that overlooks all of Prague. It is pretty spectacular.
There were people looking out the windows across the way.
St. George Basilica
They were having a concert in here that night.
From the alter looking toward the entrance.
The Crypt
Cryptkeeper?
This guy was just comically tall. The woman he was with was a few inches taller than I am - so that should put it in perspective. (Taller, even, than John Rosswog, for those in know.)
Golden Lane
The Golden Lane is documented from the 16th century and was inhabited initially by castle servants and marksman. It is built into the northern wall of the castle complex, with the ramparts above it.
For Macky...DRESSES!
Arrow slit...these actually revolved so you could open or close the slit.
Torture chamber
The walls outside the torture chamber were covered in writing and carving.
The tiny houses were occupied until World War II.
The appearance of a 16th century dwelling with a frame upper door.
Franz Kafka lived in house No. 22 from 1916 to 1917:
Garden on the Ramparts:
Who knew there was a roomba lawnmower?!
Stag Moat
Royal Garden
