Fabulous favorites in Prague

Editor’s note: Henrico resident and VCU adjunct professor of business Sam Seeley is spending three weeks in Prague, Czech Republic – a frequent and favorite destination of hers – and writing about her visit for the Citizen. This is the second installment of her brief series.

A relatively small city of 1.3 million inhabitants, Prague has a great many things to see and do. If you only have a few days, there are what some call the “greatest hits” – sites that you definitely want to make time for.

On the first day a Hop On, Hop Off bus tour is a good idea. It will give you a real sense about the scope of the city and some of the interesting areas. Then you can circle back and investigate the ones you think are most important.

I would start with a visit to Prague Castle. It has a commanding position above the town with fabulous views across “Lesser Town” which is on the west side of the river. I have heard that Prague has a nickname as the “City of 100 Spires” and if you take a few minutes to look out, you will understand why.

The castle has records dating back to 880. There are four courtyards complete with government offices, the palace, fountains, statues and overlooks. Then there is a restaurant across the yard from the main gate where I have enjoyed watching the tourists line up for the changing of the guard, which happens at the west gate at 12:00 daily. Yet sometimes there is more activity. On one visit there was a citizen with a large sign who apparently had a huge grievance and was shouting out his displeasure for the world to hear. (One of the waiters said, “Oh yes he is here all the time. He’s mad at the government.”) This is significant because there was a time, not too very long ago and under Communist rule, when a protest would not have been tolerated.

Within the walls of the castle is St. Vitas Cathedral, an impressive Gothic structure and the largest church in the Czech Republic. In the 11th century the Chapel of St. Wenceslas was erected. It served as a cathedral and was a site for coronations and the burial place for Bohemian rulers. It has the most beautiful stained glass windows and a breath taking vaulted ceiling. It’s worth taking a tour to appreciate that the work on the building continued over the centuries with additions well into the 20th century.

Also, if one is not in a hurry, there are amazing gardens in which visitors can stroll or relax with a coffee and a pastry and enjoy the day.