Royalty and aristocracy are effectively artifacts of the past. Holders of the title today are in most cases considered to be cultural figureheads without real power or political authority. Yet, for all the horrendous decisions they’ve made throughout the centuries of their reign, it can’t be denied that they’ve left us with wonderful castles and palaces we continue to marvel at to this day.
Next on the Prague excursion is a close-up look at the country’s royalty and aristocracy. Here’s everything I did during my second day at the “city of a hundred spires.”
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Prague Castle
Prague Castle is the largest castle complex in the world—its array of palaces, churches, and gardens covers around 110 acres (45 hectares) of land. It was historically the home of Bohemian kings but it is currently the official residence of the president of the Czech Republic.
Several key landmarks are located inside the extensive castle complex—an adventure in and out of itself that can take a day’s worth of your time: St. Vitus Cathedral, a gothic masterpiece; Golden Lane street, a time-machine to the way of life during the 16th century; Old Royal Palace, where coronations and banquets were once held; and Saint George’s Basilica, the city’s second oldest church.
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The Lobkowicz Palace Museum
This 16th-century palace is the only privately owned property in the Prague Castle premises. The Lobkowicz Palace Museum was built in the mid-16th century and since then, has been passed down to each ruling prince within the Lobkowicz family.
Inside, visit the museum and peruse through a collection owned by the Lobkowicz family—medieval and Renaissance works of art and many more. Classical music concerts are also held every day from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Baroque concert hall.
The Lobkowicz Palace Museum is regarded as a historical and cultural artifact that has witnessed some of the most important events in Bohemian and European history. It was confiscated by the Nazis in 1939 during the Second World War. It was also taken during the Communist takeover and was only officially returned to the family in 2002.
Prague by old-timer
There’s nothing quite like soaking in the beauty and grandeur of old Europe than riding around the streets of Prague in a vintage car. There are a number of tours to choose from—it’s your choice, from the route you’ll take to the very car to ride on. It was like a movie—just be wary of any accessories or pieces of clothing that could be blown away by the wind. We wouldn’t want anything getting in the way of your main character moment.
