CZECH REPUBLIC: Storybook Scene out of a Fairytale

Every time I stepped out of my hotel into Old Town Prague I felt like I was walking into a storybook fairytale.

Prague’s Old Town (Staré Město) is the historic heart of Prague, centered around the famous Old Town Square.

Many of the buildings date from the Middle Ages through the 18th century.

 The square has been the scene of markets, celebrations, political events and, at times, executions.

The Old Town Square is surrounded by colorful historic buildings. 

St. Nicholas Church is a large Baroque church with the green domes. The present church was built between 1732 and 1737 on the site of an older medieval church.

The Church of Our Lady before Týn was built mainly in the 14th and early 15th centuries with twin towers. It looks a bit hidden on the square because it was built behind the existing medieval houses that already lined the square, so the impressive façade is difficult to see.

The Prague Astronomical Clock, on the Old Town Hall, was installed in 1410, making it one of the world’s oldest astronomical clocks still operating. Every hour its moving figures, including the 12 Apostles, appear in the windows above the clock.

Just beyond the square are narrow, winding streets filled with shops, cafés and restaurants.

Rounding each corner exposed another pretty setting.

At night it is stunning with dramatic lighting.

Looking across the river to the Castle.

While I was in Prague feeling like a Princess in a fairytale, John was hiking the Tour de Mont Blanc. He felt like he was in the Sound of Music. Rumour has it that while slogging it out he could be heard belting out the song "Edelweiss".

Rumour also has it that he was never heard singing "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"!