Pražsky Hrad

Rose early, about 11am, having had 12 hours sleep. Felt good. Breakfast eaten with supplies from an exotic local store called Tesco ― the home of the 1.5Kč (3p) bread roll. Headed out to the Pražský Hrad (Prague Castle), a half day required according to Lonely Planet, and that's exactly what we've got left.

The Hrad is not a medieval castle but rather an enormous complex of Vienna-style buildings surrounding an attractive Gothic cathedral. (Though you know, one Gothic cathedral starts to look very like another, especially on the outside...) Here lies St Wenceslas (actually sv Václavá), favourite son of Czech history, hero of the 10th century, and the “Good King W...” of Christmas fame. (Though he was never in fact a King per se, better classified in our terms as a Duke or Prince.) The castle offers impressive views over the city (reminding us of the hill overlooking Florence) and dominates 570m of ridgeline. Saw the window from which a series of defenestrations (death by being thrown out a window) saw various regime changes ― an unforeseen disadvantage of the commanding location, perhaps.

Late in the day, wandered the old town. (We're staying just out of the old town, in the 14th century “new town”.) Bought tickets to a classical music concert tomorrow night that features Dvořák and Smetana, another Czech composer. Marionette (puppet) theatre is also a Czech tradition so Saturday we shall see Don Giovanni at the National Marionette Theatre ― Mozart wrote this piece specifically for Praha, though admittedly not for puppets.

Dinner at a restaurant that features live Jazz, goulash with potato dumplings for both. Bronwyn orders a Czech ale that is larger than Duncan's Pilsner ― the world stands still.