Prague Castle

(You can see the compound with the cathedral at the top of the picture above)
The Prague Castle compound contains  the largest ancient castle in the world!  Constructed in the 9th century by Prince Bořivoj, the castle transformed itself from a wooden fortress surrounded by earthen bulwarks to the imposing form it has today. Rulers made their own additions so there is a mixture of styles. Prague castle has had four major reconstructions, but it keeps its classical face lift it took on in the 18 century during the reign of Maria Theresa. The castle has three courtyards and it has always been the seat of Czech rulers as well as the official residence.
When we left for our trip, the only thing Mitchell asked for was a map of a castle, and this compound was the perfect place to get one! (and he loved it!)

(all historical text was taken from www.prague.cz) 

St Vitus Cathedral (Katedrála Sv. Víta)

The Castle compound also contains St. Vitus Cathedral.  The cathedral's foundation stone was laid in 1344 by Emperor Charles IV. The first architect was Matthias of Arras, after his death Petr Parler took over and completed much of the structure in late-Gothic style. Over the following centuries renaissance and baroque details were added and the job was completed in 1929. The most beautiful of numerous side chapels, Parler's Chapel of St Wenceslas, houses the crown jewels and the tomb of “Good King” Wenceslas. 

There are many superb examples of 20th century Czech stained glass and marvellous pieces of art, for example a wooden relief by Caspar Bechterle that shows the escape of Frederik of the Palatinate from Prague in 1621, and wooden Crucifixion by František Bílek 

The Royal Crypt contains the remains of Charles IV, Wenceslas IV, George of Poděbrady and Rudolf II. 

Golden Lane (Zlatá ulička)

Named after the goldsmiths who lived here in the 17th century, Golden Lane is popular with its tiny colourful houses built right into the arches of the Castle walls. In the 18th and 19th centuries they were occupied by squatters, later it was the home of the writer France Kafka (house 22) and the Nobel-laureate poet Jaroslaf Seifert. Most of them are souvenir shops today. 

Dallan and I loved browsing each of the little houses and getting a feel for what life on the castle grounds was like.  Our boys would have loved the long hallways of armor and weapons! At one of the little shops we purchased a little knight figures for each of them!