After 7 weeks away (yes it has been that long!) we managed our first English mass today! The church containing the Infant Jesus of Prague - chrám P. Maria Vitênzé - holds mass each Sunday at 12pm in English and they get a good turn out - especially when Prague, according to their census, is the largest atheist population in Europe. There was also a steady stream of tourists wandering in and out during mass to view the small doll in fancy dress!
The Infant Jesus of Prague
Following mass we cheated and caught the tram to the top of the hill to visit Prague Castle. According to the Guiness Book of Records it is the largest ancient castle in the world! The castle includes St Vitus Cathedral, Basilica of St George, a monastery, the office of the Czech President and many palaces. The Kings and Queens of Bohemia (yes we have seen lots of Bohemian glass), Holy Roman Emperors and Czech royalty lived within the walls of the castle.
The front of St Vitus Cathedral - where the good King Wenceslas is buried!
We had time to visit the History of Prague Castle exhibition today - our pass is for two days - which gave us the timeline of the castle buildings, they had a few fires! as well as the rundown of the rulers of the kingdom.
We learnt more about Wenceslas who was a young and popular King but sibling hatred saw his brother have him murdered! Wenceslas' grandmother was a strong influence on him but her daughter-in-law had her henchmen strangle her! Another local who was an advisor to one of the early Bishops was too helpful so once the Bishop was gone they tortured him and threw him off Charles Bridge!!! All three were canonised!
Charles Bridge - not as attractive in the daylight. They suggest a visit to the bridge at dawn - think we'll give that one a miss!
Seven weeks! In case you are wondering we are surviving very well thanks! There are a few things we can't wait to get home for but on the whole we are travelling well. Our feet and legs are a bit sore, especially after the shaky climb to the top of the dome of a church in Vienna the other day, but we keep walking. Col says we are getting the tram to the Castle again tomorrow! We both need a trip to the hairdresser and Col's glasses have a problem (so the lady at the optic shop said today!) but first world problems won't hurt us!!!
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Andrew, FOA, Andrew, FOA, Andrew, FOA! We have to bug those two about photos of themselves again. They have slipped back into their old habits! It's been days and days! Your fridge will be almost bare! Come on Jo and Colette, smarten up your photos!
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