Prague

September 12, 2020

Prague

First off, I am going to apologize for how many pictures are in this post. It was so difficult narrowing them down! I had to decide from around 600 pictures! Prague was so beautiful and I hope that I can somewhat capture that in this post.

We decided to visit Prague over the Labor Day weekend, and the city did not disappoint. We do not have our international driver's license yet, so we knew we couldn't cross the border. We instead took the train out of Stuttgart.

We were lucky to be the only ones on the top floor of the train, so I let the kids take a mask break. I loved that we had tables so that the kids could play cards and Embry could color. The boys were delighted with the free wifi as well.

Prague didn't require masks, which I had torn feelings about. We wore them when we were near people, and enjoyed the break when we were alone or a far distance away. I have to admit, it felt nice to feel somewhat normal again.

The views were beautiful.

After we arrived in Prague (it took about 7 hours), these were the first sights we had while we were walking to our airbnb.

The apartment was nice, even though random door handles kept falling off...

We were STARVING. Due to only having snacks that we packed for the last 7 hours, our first stop was something to eat.

There were several gothic towers as the city kept its gothic architecture from the 13th century.

We decided to check out the small Museum of the Senses that evening. The kids enjoyed it.

We then walked around town, mostly Wenseslas square the evening.

We then searched for the Lego museum, which was a highlight of the trip for the boys.

We found a candy shop and...

a very fun toy store! It had a slide, carousel, laser tag, etc. It was called Hamley's Toy Store. We went here twice over the weekend.

The next day, we headed to where the center of Old Town was. It was right around the corner from our airbnb. This is where the Old Town tower is that we wanted to climb up for the views. It also has an astronomical clock that dates back to 1410 and survived the fire during the Prague uprising during WWII.

The clock told the 24 hours time clock we are used to, where the sun and moon currently are, zodiacal constellations, and ancient Bohemian time. The 12 disciples also rotate behind the tiny windows above it when it goes off on the hour.

After climbing the tower, we had the privilege to experience these breathtaking views.

We also toured inside the tower and we could see the backside of the clock where the disciples rotate when the clock sounds on the hour.

We then took a tour underground to see where homes used to be. Houses were built over the top of them through the years, and these became their cellars.

Here is where 27 protestants were killed in 1618 during the Habsburg monarchy when they were being threatened to convert to catholicism.

Most of the tower was destroyed in the fire, and here is where the remaining portion ends.

We ate sitting next to the astronomical clock waiting for it to sound. I thought it was funny that Danny's bratwurst looked like it was trying to eat his fries.

This is the greatest picture of Eli yet!

We then went to check out the municipal library.

Here is the tower of books I wanted to see at the library. How cool is this?!

We found a candy shop and lucked out to be there when they did a presentation on how they make hard candy. Embry was spoiled and chosen to be inside where they were making it and got to try the first piece.

It was so crazy that what they did made a peach!

Our airbnb was right next to this beautiful church. It played organ music every morning.

We checked out a wax and chocolate museum nearby.

Embry decided to dance it up on stage with the wax figures.

I had to take a picture of Czech money.

They are known for this wonderful desert. It was like a thick churro with ice cream inside. We didn't mind trying one or two ;).

We found a ramen house and we were in heaven!

A store full of marionettes.

This is how family pictures go (watch Embry)...

On Sunday we headed off to see the Charles Bridge and the Prague Castle.

The bridge was so much fun. There were painters everywhere, musicians, vendors, etc.

Climbing up to Prague Castle.

We watched the changing of the guard.

The cathedral inside was spectacular!

While on the castle grounds, we also went and checked out Golden Lane.

The world's most narrow street is here in Prague. It even has a light on when you can walk through.

John Lennon is a huge icon in Prague and a symbol of peace. People began to paint on this wall after his death in 1980. An unknown artist drew Lennon on the wall and people began adding famous lyrics, anti-communist messages and more. The city would paint over it time and time again, but it didn't stop people from painting on it. They finally accepted it as a memorial in 2014 and even encouraged the graffiti.