From across the river, Prague Castle looks to be a foreboding structure. Perched atop a hillside overlooking the city, the sharp spires within the castle wall of St. Vitus Cathedral can be seen from any spot along the river. To reach the gates, Girlawhirl and Pals took on the stairmaster-like option of taking the Old Castle Stairs. Huffing and puffing their way to the top, they were happy to find a stand where they could grab a little refreshment. Bottles of water, wine, beer and snacks were available and they were able to sit at a picnic table overlooking the city.

They reached the first courtyard gates just in time to catch the changing of the guard – which happens every hour on the hour. But since this is the largest medieval castle complex in Europe, they had to get moving. First stop inside the castle walls was St. Vitus Cathedral. The cathedral is an amazing example of traditional Gothic architecture. Construction began in 1344, and ended in 1929. Girlawhirl spotted the modern parts right away, and challenged her Super Pals to do the same.

The history of Prague Castle goes back much farther than even the construction of St. Vitus. In fact the first building on the site is thought to have been erected as early as the 9^th century. After centuries of war, many buildings have been decimated and rebuilt, causing an interesting mishmash of architectural styles. But with so much history, and so many sightseeing options within its walls and surrounding grounds, Girlawhirl made sure to get a map. They didn't want to miss a thing – including The Prague Castle Gallery, Old Royal Palace and Golden lane, behind St. George's Convent, to name a few.

Click here to learn more about Prague Castle

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