We had breakfast downstairs and then went to take pictures of the House of the Black Madonna – a little architectural gem in the Cubist style so they say. This was followed by a visit to the castle. While we waited for the changing of the guard ceremony, we were entertained by the Prague Funtime Orchestra – a 3-piece ensemble with clarinet, bass, and accordion. We watched the guard ceremony from a spot next to the stature of TGM – the first president of Czechoslavakia. Watch my video of the Prague Changing of the Guard Ceremony Finale. The ceremony was well choreographed, but we were a little far away and the crowd pressed in so it was a bit hard to see.
We then walked past the shops of Nerudova street and past the painted house signs to catch a tram to Wenceslas Square where we ate again at Pizza Colosseum. Becky got the same pizza as the first time, while I tried something called “Bufala” on the menu – mozzarella, mushrooms, and basil. Trying to pronounce it as “boo-fa-la,” the waiter corrected me and said it was pronounced “buffalo” for the buffalo mozzarella cheese they use…. Go figure. 🙂
We then shopped for a few souvenirs and surfed the new while sitting at Old Town Square. We then visited Tyn Church – breathtaking and huge. Over the alter, maybe 30 feet up is a statue of an angel in armor with a flaming sword. Its hand is outreached as it to smite you. Before television, movies, or even magazines, I can imagine the effect this realistically colored statue had on church goers. It does look as if it is ready to come to life.
We ended our day at Charles Bridge with one last stroll. We saw our first metro cop checking tickets on the way back. We again dined at KFC and had gelato (banana and marzipan) before heading to bed.