Ariella

History of Prague Castle dates back to the 9th century and has always been the seat of the Czech rulers. Nowadays it is the seat of the president Vaclav Havel. The castle has three courtyards. There are St Vitus Cathedral (Gothic landmark), beautiful gardens Na valech and Rajska zahrada (go down the stairs from the third courtyard), Golden Lane (also visit the second floor). 
居高臨下的布拉格古堡從9世紀開始，一直是布拉格王室的所在地，幾世紀以來經過多次擴建，不僅保留許多雄偉建築和歷史文物，現在仍是捷克總統的居所。布拉格古堡內的幾個景點如聖維塔大教堂、舊皇宮、聖喬治教堂和黃金巷都採一票到底制，可以好好參觀。

My first impression of Schwarzenbersky Palace was "Wow! A Big Piece of White Chocolate!" Claire, Morag and I were having a stroll to the Castle on my first night. We were chatting happily when I spotted this'delicious' piece of art. Morag replied "Well, I do not really know what this building is but I will know it sooner or later." Then we continued until we realised that we missed the path to the Castle. Well, this is the path to the Castle, Morag!!
我對Schwarzenbersky 皇宮的第一印象是『哇！好大一塊的牛奶巧克力！』在我抵達的第一夜，Clarie、Morag和我散步前往城堡，我們正聊得愉快，我指著這一塊『美食』問Morag這是哪哩，Morag回答她不知道但是以後會知道。然後我們就漫步下坡走直到我們發現我們忘了走向城堡的小徑。Morag小姐，這塊巧克力旁就是通往城堡的小徑！

Like many places in Prague (or in Czech in general), this palace is undergoing a major renovation. I believe it will shine once it is completed. 
就像布拉格﹝或是捷克大小地方﹞眾多古蹟ㄧ樣，這座皇宮還在裝修中。我相信一旦完工，它ㄧ定是城堡的ㄧ寶。

Another Baroque-Rococo style Palace. 另一個巴洛克洛可可式建築

OK. I got to admit I do not know what this building is for but it is beautiful.
好吧，我必須承認我不知道這一棟建築物是什麼，但是她很美麗。

Ferdinand Brokoff (1726) commemorating Prague's struggle against the plague. Lots of columns for plagues here!
Ferdinand Brokoff (1726) 紀念布拉克和瘟疫抗戰。這裡類型的紀念碑還不少呢！

Initially I saw a Taiwanese tour group with a Mainland Chinese tour guide at about 9am. I could see that some members were inpatient but they were probably tired for such an early rise. Suddenly, music sprang up. Am I day dreaming in the castle? These three musicians were from the Prague Orchestra, acclaimed to be the smallest orchestra in the world. They sang Czech folk songs which sounds cute.
ㄧ大清早九點我看到ㄧ群台灣遊客和他們的大陸導遊。他們大概舟車勞累又太早起了，有些團員顯得有一些不耐煩。突然間響起了音樂，我在做城堡裡的白日夢嗎？這三個音樂家是布拉格交響樂團團員，據他們所說是世界上最小的交響樂團。他們唱著捷克民謠，聽起來蠻好玩的。

This is the entrace to one of the gardens. Unfortunately winter is not a good season to visit gardens.
這是其中一個花園的入口，不過冬天不是賞花的好季節....

By using a green filter, the Czech flags stand out. 用綠色濾鏡突顯捷克國旗

Second Courtyard where the President works. 第二庭院是總理的辦公室。

St George's Basilica was founded by Prince Vratislav (915-921) and is both the best-preserved Romanesque church in Prague, and the oldest church building in the castle complex. It is now served as a concert hall. 聖喬治教堂是Vratislav王子所蓋，是捷克保存最好的羅馬時代教堂，也是城堡裡最古老的教堂。現在的功用是音樂廳。

Daliborka Prison was quite eerie. 陰森森的監獄。

Loreta is one of the places that I am yet to visit. Apparently it has collections of treasures and chapels around.
Loreta是我必須探訪之處，據說藏有許多珍寶，還有許多美麗的禮拜堂。

Night beauty.晚上ㄧ樣的美

Just a corridor next to Loreta. 在Loreta旁的走廊也很美。


We both wondered what this building is for with Czech and EU flags. I could not even fit this huge building with my 17mm lens. This is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
我們都不知道這一棟有捷克國旗和歐盟旗的建築物是什麼。連我17mm鏡頭都無法完全把這一棟巨大建築完全收藏在底片。原來這是外交部。

Pohorelec Old Street 古街

As I said, I did not go to several gardens at this time of the year. But I certainly can take a snapshot of this wall near the wall garden.
如我所說，我沒有探訪花園。不過我還是拍的這美麗的牆，靠近城牆花園。 

Ticket Price and information: http://www.hrad.cz/en/prazsky_hrad/vstupenky.shtml

2007 Ticket Price: http://www.hrad.cz/file/en/prague_castle/Hrad-price_list.pdf