Prague, Part 8: Pražský orloj (Astronomical Clock)
Our last stop in Old Town is the intricate Astrological Clock (Pražský orloj), according to the BBC, one of “the oldest and most elaborate clocks ever built,” as well as one of Prague’s most popular tourist attractions. Attached to the bottom of the Old Town Hall tower, large crowds gather here  on the hour, from 9am to 9pm (NOT adjusted for daylight savings time, which would have made no sense at all to the clock’s makers), to hear the clock chime and watch the procession of saints

Prague, Part 7: Staroměstské náměstí (Old Town Square)
At the heart of Prague’s Old Town district is Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí), bustling, hustling, and very heavily touristy.  At nighttime, it is much more mellow and charming, and that was our preferred time to see it of the 4 or 5 times we passed through the square. Old Town Square at night Tempted by covered tables, and wanting to rest our feet and have a pivo (half liter of beer), we once foolishly sat, and wound up spending ~800Kc (nearly US$40) for a crappy lunch, and two short pours of beer

Prague, Part 6: Staré Město (Old Town)
Adjoining New Town is Prague’s highly touristy, but also very interesting, Old Town (Staré Město).  At the border between the two is the ancient Powder Tower, built in 1475 and long a part of the coronation route of Czech kings, which wound from Vyšehrad, through this tower, past the Town Hall in Old Town Square, across the Charles Bridge, through Mala Strana, and finally up the hill to Prague Castle.

Prague, Part 5: Letecké Muzeum Kbely (Czech Air Force Museum)
One of the few day trips we did outside of Prague was to visit the Czech Air Force museum in Letecké, just outside of Prague.  Particularly interesting to me was their displays of MiG aircraft, built to intercept the USAF’s fighters, the very planes “our side” fought against in such silly Cold War movies as “Top Gun.”  It was a nice enough museum, if a bit sterile, with all of the craft lined up behind roped-off pathways, and stern-looking employees eyeing visitors suspiciously. Since I am out of town this week, and have little else to say about this particular museum, the rest of this post will serve as a Wordless Wednesday:

Prague, Part 4: Václavské náměsti (Wenceslas Square)
Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměsti) is the heart of Nove Město (New Town), and is a vibrant and interesting place to take a stroll.  Its upper end is capped by the large edifice of the Czech National Museum and a large statue of St. Wenceslas, the latter a popular meeting spot. Czech National Museum