Prague–June 19, 2026

Today we visited the Pražský hrad (Prague Castle) complex. We wanted to see the St. Vitus Cathedral, and we went in what appeared to be an entrance—without reading the sign. It turns out we paid to take a winding spiral staircase of 287 steps to the top of a tower overlooking Prague. Which was nice, but was not the interior of the cathedral. That, it turns out, was at a different door and a different price (again, a package price), but live and learn. The weird part is when I asked the guy at the door in English where to buy the tickets, he answered me in German. How he knew I spoke German I got no clue.

St. Vitus cathedral, showing flying buttresses.

Statuary of angel holding body of Christ.

Fish-shaped gargoyle attached to building

Front of church with religious-themed mosaics.

Clock mechanism at top of St Vitus cathedral tower

View from top of tower. The river and a bridge are in center of photo.

View of city; a bronze rooster attached to the church is in foreground. River and bridge are in midground.

View of city showing river with two bridges in center of photo. To left, tree-covered area. To right, buildings.

360° map showing what you can see from the tower

Then, the interior of the cathedral. The place is just enormous.

Stained glass window inside St. Vitus church

Large wooden area with carvings of various religious figures

Altar piece with red wood columns and gold decoration

Drapery, with an angel statue attached to the wall holding one end of the drape so it does not hang loose.

Silver burial casket; atop it, a man holding a cross.

A column with a wood carving of a man in red pants and gray shirt. he is holding a tray with a candle holder on it.

Relief carving of man with sheathed sword at his side. He is on his knees praying to a crucifix

Gold coat of arms with three lions, two at right and left, one at top. in center, three towers above a wall.

...and some pictures outside the cathedral.

Gate with 2 by 2 array of sculptures showing various workers.