We left our boat this morning and made our way to Prague. We hired a private car and were able to choose some stops along the way.

Countryside

Forests

Our first stop was the town of Pisek. This area has been inhabited since 900 BC and it was established as a city in the 1200s. Its claim to fame is its bridge. The Pisek Stone Bridge is the oldest bridge in the Czech Republic, likely built in the mid 13th century. It has a old town center. We went into the Church of the Nativity of Virgin Mary. This was originally built around 1240, with many later modifications, of course. This was one of those churches that does not allow pictures inside and they had a hall monitor (who took his job very seriously!!) making sure nobody took any…so you’re stuck with my sneaky iPhone pics. 🙂

Stone Bridge

Stone Bridge

Painted building (map said it was just a store, so no big history)

Flower shop

Produce shop

Town Hall

Church of the Nativity of Virgin Mary

Church of the Nativity of Virgin Mary

Ceiling in a chapel in the church

Old fresco in the church

Old fresco in the church

Our second stop was Konopiste. This is most famous for being the favorite home of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination was a precursor to WWI. The initial castle at this site was built in the late 1200s but it was later technically converted to a chateau. Just like in Cesky Krumlov, at Konopiste they kept bears in their moat. We walked around the castle/chateau grounds, but did not have time to tour inside. The current moat bear was, wisely, avoiding the heat and was inside.

Lake at Konopiste

Marker of some sort…wasn’t labeled

Castle

Statue. I’m guessing it’s good luck or something to touch the dog’s nose.

Pretty view

Courtyard

From there we headed on in to Prague, my favorite European city. We arrived in the late afternoon and had time to walk around the main square and to the Charles Bridge. We ate dinner on the square. Unfortunately, the astronomical clock is being repaired so we can’t see it. We knew that was a possibility before we came. We are happy to have the opportunity to be back here and hope to get a chance to see a couple of places we didn’t get to last time.

Powder Gate

Old Town Hall Tower

Castle Hill

Charles Bridge

Mama swan with her cygnets

Mala Strana

Pretty door on a church

Old Town Bridge Tower

There was someone dressed up in a huge panda suit in the Old Town Square charging money to have pictures taken with him. It was quite ridiculous as this suit was twice as tall as a normal person!

Church of Our Lady Before Tyn