Sanders Go Sightseeing: Prague, Czech Republic (Castle District)

Once we got back "into" Prague from a fun morning of exploration on Petrin Hill, we headed to Hradcany (the Castle District) to see the Prague Castle, visit St. Vitus Cathedral, and shoot a crossbow down Golden Lane!

Getting to the Castle District might have been easier had we had an English map or used public transportation (and for the life of me I don't remember why we didn't but we didn't). But, we eventually found it...you just go UP!

Getting ready for the Ceremonial Changing of the Guard

View of Prague from Hradcany

The entire castle complex in the Hradcany is almost 17 acres (the largest coherent castle complex in the world) and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is full of palaces, Roman and Gothic-style buildings, churches, museums, and restaurants and serves as the seat of Czech rulers and the official residence of their president.

Prague Castle

St. George's Church

The Hradcany is also home to the St. Vitus Cathedral, the largest and most important church in Prague. It is the burial place of former Czech kings and home to the Czech crown jewels.

It is said that behind the south door in the Chapel of Saint Vaclav inside the cathedral, that there is a huge studded, wooden door ornamented with a lion's head door ring and locked with seven locks (seven different people, including the president, have the keys) and that, although there may be safer places to house the Bohemian crown jewels, here it is guarded by the spirit of the saint.

(back view of St. Vitus Cathedral)

(front view of St. Vitus Cathedral)

There are several tours you can take of the cathedral but we didn't have time. You can also look for the 3,700 lb silver tomb of St. John of Nepomuk which is housed inside or climb the 287 steps to the top of the south tour for what I am sure are amazing views of Prague and the Vltava River! We had our sights on "Golden Lane" though...

Golden Lane dates from the 15th Century and has a beautiful, olden world quaintess about it. It comprises 11 historic houses, inside which period scenes have been created to show the life of the artisans who worked, ate, drank, and slept in them.

Snacks (a hot dog with mustard inside a croissant) on the way

On top of these houses is another "level" that displays medieval armory and exhibits. You can even shoot a crossbow at the top! (You have to pay an entrance fee to go into Golden Lane in conjunction with one of the Prague Castle self-guided tour tickets, we purchased two short visit tickets for around 18 EUR).

View from the top of Golden Lane

After Golden Lane we were definitely done for the day! But, as luck would have it, we passed by the Prague Castle one more time on the way back down just in time for the changing of the guard ceremony and a special presidential presentation where they showcased certain parade rituals. The kids thought it was the coolest thing ever!