The Prague Castle, the Petrin Hill & the Kampa Island
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A view of the Lesser Quarter (Mala Strana) from outside the Prague Castle.
The Petrin Hill and the Petrin Lookout Tower as viewed from outside the Prague Castle.
The Prague Castle and its main gate, the Matthias Gate.
The Prague Castle was built in the 9th century by Prince Borivoj of the Premyslid Dynasty. According to the Guinness World Records, the Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle complex in the world.
SOURCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague_Castle
http://www.hrad.cz/en/prazsky_hrad/navsteva_hradu.shtml
http://www.prague.cz/prague-castle.asp
A building with Sgraffito facade in Hradcany (Castle Neighborhood).
Sgraffito is a technique that is produced by first applying layers of plaster which are tinted in contrasting colors to a moistened surface, and then followed by scratching in order to produce an outline drawing.
SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgraffito
The Schwarzenberg Palace with Sgraffito decorations, at the Castle Square.
The Schwarzenberg Palace, originally known as Lobkowicz Palace, was built in 1567 by Jan Popel of Lobkowicz. The palace that was designed by Agostino Galli is an artifact of Czech Renaissance where the architecture of the building has a mixture of Czech traditions and Italian influences.
SOURCES:
http://www.prague.net/schwarzenberg-palace
http://www.prague.cz/schwarzenberg-palace/
The Prague Castle from far.
An antique car parked at the Castle Square.
A castle guard on duty at the Matthias Gate.
The State Rooms in the New Royal Palace.
In the past, the palace was used as the dwelling place for the monarchs but today it serves as the office of the President of the Czech Republic and for holding state receptions.
SOURCE: http://www.prague.net/new-royal-palace
Gothic architectural style.
Gothic architectural style.
Gothic architectural style.
The Vladislav Hall in the Old Royal Palace.
The hall was ordered to be built by the Emperor Vladislav Jagiello. Since the 16th century, the hall has been used for various events. In the past, Vladislav Hall was used for many purposes including coronation celebrations and knights' tournaments. Today, the hall is used for holding state events and the elections of the President of the Czech Republic.
SOURCES:
http://www.prague.net/old-royal-palace
http://www.prague.cz/vladislav-hall/
Ambling around in the castle's grounds.
Exiting the Prague Castle from another entrance.
The Petrin Lookout Tower (Petrinska Rozhledna) on the Petrin Hill, built in 1891.
SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrin_Lookout_Tower
A nostalgic Weeping Willow on the Petrin Hill.
The Devil's Stream that separates the artificial Kampa Island from the Lesser Quarter (Mala Strana).
The Devil's Stream is sometimes referred to as "The Venice of Prague".
SOURCE: http://www.prague.net/kampa-island
A lovely scenery of the Devil's Stream.
The stream was created in the 12th century as a mill race. The famous Grand Priory's Mill is still standing but its wheels have been totally restored.
SOURCE: http://www.prague.net/kampa-island