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prague water wheel on the certovka inlet with vodnik kabourek water demon

The Water Wheel and the Demon

The Water Wheel and the Demon If you are heading to the John Lennon Wall then you’ll likely come across a little bridge with a railing and its here that you’ll find the Water Wheel. If you look carefully you’ll find a character sitting on the far corner that Czechs call a “Vodník” and he’s … Read More

prague spanish synagogue view across the balcony level

Spanish Synagogue

Spanish Synagogue There was a Jewish community recorded as resident in what is now the Lesser Town in the mid-12th Century but following a devastating fire in that area in 1142 it’s thought that this community relocated to what would become the Old Town and they built a synagogue where the Spanish Synagogue stands today. … Read More

121 cobbled steps leading to the east side of prague castle

Old Castle Steps

Prague Attractions – Old Castle Steps When Prague Castle first began construction on the Opyš hill in the 9th Century it was always envisaged that there would be two entries. One from the west via what became known as the White Tower. The other was from the east which became known as the Black Tower. … Read More

The Traffic Light Alley in Prague Lesser Town. A narrow alleyway with steps leading down to the river vltava

Traffic Light Alley and Restaurant Certovka

The Traffic Light Alley and Restaurant Čertovka Over the years without doubt the most common question I get stopped in a street for is “which way is the Charles Bridge?”. Another popular question has different forms like “where is the little street with traffic lights?” or “where is the traffic light alley?” or “where is … Read More

prague st vitus cathedral centre-left door showing a scene of the foundation of the ST vitus basilica.

Secrets of the ST Vitus Cathedral Doors

Secrets of the ST Vitus Cathedral Doors Literally thousands of people every year will go to Prague Castle and find that ST Vitus Cathedral is closed for some reason. They’ll take some pictures of the facade and move on without having taken a closer look at the doors. This is a pity because those doors … Read More

prague castle golden land with cobble stone street and small houses

Prague Castle Golden Lane

Golden Lane at Prague Castle Golden Lane was home to the “little people” i.e. servants, smiths and soldiers and one Franz Kafka for a while (only visiting). It’s a neat little cobble stoned street with houses on one side built into the wall. Quaint windows, antique furnishings, restored interiors and earth colours make it an … Read More

Prague Old Royal Palace external main entry from the 3rd courtyard up the steps to the left

Prague Old Royal Palace

Prague Old Royal Palace If you want to visit here then it means a trip to Prague Castle and you will need to buy a “Historic Buildings Ticket”. There are several parts to the building which I’ll explain below. At the time of writing you need special permission to take photographs inside. Parts of the … Read More

prague st vitus cathedral viewed from the presidential office in the third courtyard of prague castle

Prague ST Vitus Cathedral

Prague ST Vitus Cathedral If you’ve read the post about Legend of ST Vitus then we arrive at the year 925 and Wenceslas, Duke of Bohemia (later to be known as Good King Wenceslas) is gifted a relic (bones) of ST Vitus by Henry the First, King of Germany (if you thought that was nice … Read More

the neo-renaissance sophies palace building on slavonic island in prague

Slavonic Island and Sophies Palace

Slavonic Island and Sophies Palace If you visit the Dancing House then when you look down into this part of the river you’ll see a weir. You may think that this is a fairly recent thing to control the river but actually there has been a weir here for at least 600 years. It’s a … Read More

prague tourism sign posts in the new town

Prague Tourism Sign Posts

Prague Tourism Sign Posts In the age of Google Maps you’d be forgiven for thinking that physical sign posts planted in the ground is all a bit 1990s. But once you get used to what they show you they are a useful aid to exploring the city especially if your data connection breaks. So you’re … Read More