Roaming around the city of a hundred spires

The Church of Our Lady before Týn towers over other buildings in Prague with its two,
side-by-side towers adorned with spires. Lauren J. Mapp

Multiple friends over the years told me Prague was their favorite European city, but I couldn't imagine this city being more amazing than Paris or London until I finally visited in January 2019. Once there, I was blown away by how true their assessments had been.

I was taken aback by the vibrant craft cocktail scene, the amazing flavors of my first-ever Michelin star experience at Field Restaurant and the beautiful architecture framing every view as we walked along the cobblestone streets. 

Among my favorite moments in the City of a Hundred Spires was our tour of the beautiful baroque library and Meridian Hall of the Klementinum, which included a climb up to its Astronomical Tower. 

From that vantage point, we could see — and photograph — many of the spire-adorned rooftops that give Prague its nickname.

 

St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle, as seen from the Astronomical Tower at the Klementinum.

Everywhere you look, spires pierce the skies.

Prague's skyline was in many ways shielded from the impacts of World War II, a conflict that decimated historic architectural structures in many other areas of Europe.

Red tiles, black towers, gold adornments, white stone work and copper roofs altered by green
patina make up the color palette of Prague's cityscape.  

The Church of Our Lady before Týn towers over Prague's cobblestone streets as the sun sets.

All photos by Lauren J. Mapp