Praguexplorer

22/07/2024

Praguexplorer is in the Krkonose Mountains and the Jizera Mountains. We started our hike from the Polish side of the Krkonose Mountains, where we took the cable car to the Szrenica mountain, we walked passing the Snowy Pits, Labska Hut, Vrbatova hut, which tells the story of two Czech cross-country skiers who tragically died here during a cross-country race in 1913. Then the spring Elbe - that's the hole in the ground, unfortunately a very big drought. And the descent back to the Polish side - the whole trip 19km.

28/06/2024

We spent a few days in the Moravian Karst area, which is located about 3 hours from Prague in the northern part of the South Moravian region. This area has over 1500 registered caves and 5 are open to the public. We visited the caves in the Sloup area and the Bull cave, which is only open 3 weekends a year.

15/06/2024

House signs - we have more than 260 of them in Prague. They are mostly symbols, pictures above the door. The history of these signs goes back to the 14th century. The images mostly represented the owner's profession or name. We must remember that at this time most people could not read and write, so pictures were very practical.

10/04/2024

A Moravian take on "Less internet, more Cabernet"
(Not my creation, seen on the internet, if you know the author, please let me know so I can give credit!)

30/03/2024

Easter in Prague.

16/03/2024

The beauty of Prague from above.

Views of Prague during the tour of Hradcany, Petrin hill and Strahov monastery.

10/03/2024

No. 10 - Vysehrad castle and fortress.
It is located in Prague on a rock above the right bank of the Vltava River. In the 10th and 11th centuries it was a mint for minting coins. Later rebuilt as the main residence of the monarch. From the 17th century a fortress surrounded by walls.
Nowadays, Vysehrad is a complex of buildings and churches and we must not forget the cemetery where famous Czechs are buried.

09/03/2024

No. 9 - the ruins of the Okor Castle
Originally built in the 13th century as a residence of Prague nobles. Later, the castle was owned by the Jesuits who rebuilt it into their summer residence.
Surrounded by many legends and rumors, the most famous is the one about the white lady and the treasure.
Folk music concerts are held in front of the castle every summer.

08/03/2024

No. 8 - Lednice Chateau
Another UNESCO monument. Lednice (in English it means fridge:-)).
The history of this castle begins in the 16th century when this entire area was owned by the noble family of Liechtenstein. They also built a complex of gardens and water canals around the castle. In the 19th century the castle was rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style.
During the tour, you can visit not only private rooms but also children's rooms, the puppet museum and the underground. You can also take a boat ride through the water canals.
This castle is located 3 hours by car southeast of Prague.

07/03/2024

No. 7 - Krivoklat Castle
This castle was built in the 13th century as a hunting lodge. It is set in the middle of beautiful nature and surrounded by deep forests full of wildlife. The most prominent Czech king, Karel IV spent his childhood here.
The prison and the dangeon are also worth mentioning. One of the most famous prisoners was the English alchemist Edward Kelley who promised to invent the elixir of life and the transformation of ordinary metal into gold. However, this did not happen and Kelley ended up in Krivoklat prison.
Medieval festivals and markets are held here every year. This castle is located 1 hour 15 minutes west of Prague.

06/03/2024

No. 6 Prague Castle
We definitely can't miss this castle, even though it's not really a castle at all. It is a complex of buildings, palaces and churches. Seat of Czech princes and kings since the 9th century. With an area of ​​over 7.3 hectares it is one of the largest castle complexes in the world. Since 1918 it has also been the seat of Czech presidents.
Among the most famous buildings of the Prague Castle is the Cathedral of St. Vithus, the Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica and the Golden Lane.

05/03/2024

No. 5 Cervena Lhota chateau
Originally built in the 15th century as a knight's castle, later rebuilt into a Renaissance chateau. It stands on a rock and is accessible by a stone bridge. The name was changed in the 17th century from Nova Lhota to Cervena (red) Lhota. And why red? Legend says that an evil noblewoman lived here who was taken away by the devil one day and traces of her blood remained on the walls of the castle which could not be removed. And that's why the whole castle was painted red.
Inside the castle you will find 16 rooms where you can see how the nobility lived in the 19th century. It is also possible to rent a boat and take a ride on the lake.
It is about 1.5 hours by car from Prague.

04/03/2024

No 4 - Bouzov Castle.
Another romantic castle and location for the filming of many films and fairy tales - Bouzov Castle. Originally built in the 13th century. During the 30-year war it was used as a prison for Swedish soldiers who tried to conquer it. During World War II Hi**er donated Bouzov Castle to Himmler who used it for N**i rallies.
Bouzov is located about 3 hours east of Prague. This whole area is beautiful, you should definitely visit the nearby city of Olomouc.

03/03/2024

No. 3 - Cesky Krumlov Castle
One of the most beautiful places in the Czech Republic. Not only the castle, but the entire historical part of Cesky Krumlov is under UNESCO, so it is definitely worth seeing. The castle was built in the 13th century by one of the noble families. There were several owners who rebuilt the castle and the town in different architectural styles. Currently the castle is a complex of various buildings and courtyards which include private rooms, dungeons, a tower, gardens, a theatre and more and more.
After visiting the castle I definitely recommend lunch in one of the medieval restaurants along the Vltava river and don't forget the local Eggenberg beer (it's named after the aristocratic family that founded the brewery here).
Cesky Krumlov is located about 2.5 hours south of Prague. You can also use public transport, there are FlixBus and RegioJet buses from Prague.

02/03/2024

No. 2 - Hluboka Castle.
For us Czechs, it is definitely a fairytale castle so romance is everywhere.
Originally built in the 13th century as a guard castle and then rebuilt many times. The current appearance of the castle is from the 19th century. Below the castle you will find the village of the same name, Hluboka. You have to park your car here and then climb up the hill. In the summer months, you can take a small train from the parking lot, which will drop you off about 5 minutes from the castle. Hluboka is located approximately 2 hours from Prague by car, you can also combine it with a visit to Cesky Krumlov (we will talk about it in the next post), which is only 30 minutes from Hluboka.

01/03/2024

Today we start a series about Czech castles. We have selected the top 10 castles and chateaux for you and we will present one to you every day. Let's start with one of the most famous - Karlstejn Castle.
Karlstejn was originally built in 1348 by King Charles IV as a treasury to store the crown jewels.
This castle sits on a hill above a small village with the same name - Karlstejn. You can get there from Prague by car in 40 minutes or you can take the train from Prague Main Station. The castle is about 30 minutes uphill from the parking lot. In the summer season you can take a horse carriage that will drop you off just below the castle (about 10 minutes from the main gate). I recommend circuit number 2 Karlstejn Chapels - exclusive tour, only on this tour you can see the chapel of the Holy Cross which is the most valuable part of the castle with original decoration from the 13th century.

28/02/2024

Franz Kafka's spinning head is back. One of the most famous works of the sculptor David Cerny returned to its place after the reconstruction. Another reason to visit Prague - to see all the works of this shocking sculptor.

27/02/2024

Vltavín or moldavite (in German) is a natural green colored stone. The Vltavíns are the only European tektites, rocks formed as a result of a meteorite impact. The richest deposits are found in southern Bohemia in the areas around the Vltava River ("Moldau" in German). You can only buy jewelry with this rare stone in the Czech Republic. Another reason to visit Prague

14/02/2024

Happy Valentine's from Prague

12/02/2024

Today's Prague Castle tour. Great weather for this time of year, sunny, no crowds.

02/02/2024

What to do in Prague in bad weather? Visit the National Museum, which is located on the Wenceslas Square. The building itself from the end of the 19th century is beautiful. Inside you will find collections of precious stones, animals from all over the world, the skeleton of a blue whale and more and more.

17/01/2024

January is the best month to visit the Czech mountains. The Jizera Mountains are one of the most beautiful. If you like skiing, cross-country skiing or just walking through snowy nature, this is the right place.

11/01/2024

A couple of photos from yesterday's tour. Cold but sunny Prague, morning temperature -15C (5F). We started at the metronome, from where we have the most beautiful view of the Prague bridges and then Prague Castle, Nerudova Street and Malá Strana. 10,000 steps completed 😬

03/01/2024

One of the most mystical places in Prague is definitely the Vysehrad fortress. Originally a mint, once even a royal residence. Now it is mainly a complex of historical buildings and cemetery, where all famous Czechs are buried.

01/01/2024

Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, but also a great base for traveling to other European cities. For example, Dresden, just an hour and a half from Prague.

23/12/2023

15/11/2023

The romantic ruins of the Oybin castle and monastery are probably the biggest tourist attraction in the Zittau Mountains. It stands on the top of a massive sandstone table rock. The castle was built around the 13th century as a guard post at an important path connecting Bohemia with Lusatia, but the castle rock and the surrounding landscape were inhabited long before that. A great trip, only 1.5 hours from Prague.

17/09/2023

The mystical castle of Houska (the translation of the name is bun). No one knows when and by whom the castle was founded. People believe that the gate to hell is located here.
During Communism, there were protests against the regime, such as a concert of the underground band Plastic People.

03/07/2023

Church of st. George in Lukova has a unique decoration, 32 statues of believers made of fabrics impregnated with plaster. These sculptures were made by student Jan Hadrava in 2012. Each sculpture was created on real people.

16/05/2023

Now that’s some creative toast! 🍄
More fun toast ideas: https://helloyummy.co/puppy-dog-toast/