Prague Castle is considered to be the largest castle in the world and covers approximately 110 acres (45 hectares). It dates back to the year 880 when established by Prince Bořivoj. At that time, the compound had a moat, ramparts and the Church of the Virgin Mary.
Basilica St. George and Basilica St. Vitus were added in the 10th century. During this time, a Benedictine convent was also built on the grounds.
The castle garden is a tranquil place to wander.
The 12th – 14th centuries lead to more rebuilding and expansion including Romanesque and Gothic structures. Even more expansion and reconstruction occurred over the centuries including modern architectural developments, and today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the most visited historical site in the Czech Republic. For a detailed history, click here. Tickets start at €18, depending on what you want to include in your tour. We spent thee hours there and saw just a few locations. Be sure to arrive early, as the crowds are intense by early afternoon.
The medieval, stone arch Charles Bridge was also on our itinerary. King Charles IV commissioned the construction of the bridge in 1357 which spans the Vltava river. It was the only bridge across the river until 1841.
The bridge is 1693 feet (516 meters) long, and 33 feet (10 meters) wide and is flanked with statues.
Today, it is a place for buskers, venders, wedding photographers and throngs of tourists. We arrived around 9am while it was still quite empty.
However, less than an hour later, it was packed with tourists. So get an early start if you plan on visiting.
Views from the bridge.
We of course, had some delicious meals in Prague. TheTravelsketcher enjoyed some meaty dishes.
In Prague, pork is King. Welcome to Porkopolis, the land that vegetables forgot. Anthony Bourdain
I’m not a fan of pork, or meat in general, but I was easily able to find some vegetarian and pescatarian options.
The ancient splendor and beauty of Prague, a city beyond compare, left an impression on my imagination that will never fade. Richard Wagner
As a side note, public transport is free in Prague for senior citizens! There was a checkpoint at one of the tram stops, and the very friendly officers simply asked to see our passports, and waved us on after chatting a bit.
I hope you enjoyed this post about a few of Prague’s famous places. As always, I would love to hear from you, so leave a message if you’d like.
Wishing you grand adventures,
Tricia
Travels Through My Lens 
Thanks for the revisit..I was there several years ago and remember that the castle was large, but not that large, wow. We may be there again in the next month as we’re in Poland now. Public transit is free for seniors in Krakow, Poland too, but I think it starts at 70. Maggie
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