A day trip to Prague's Lesser Town

Prague's Lesser Town (Malá Strana) awakens in the mist along the Vltava River, and I begin my day of exploration. The Lesser Town is famous for its Baroque buildings and winding cobblestone streets, full of romance and history. I started from Charles Bridge, a 14th-century Gothic stone bridge connecting the Old Town and the Lesser Town. There were no crowds of people on the bridge in the early morning, and 30 statues of saints were watching quietly. I strolled along the bridge, feeling the traces of time on the stone. The outline of Prague Castle in the distance was looming in the morning light. After crossing the Charles Bridge, I stepped into the Lesser Town. The colorful houses on both sides of the narrow alleys looked like a fairy tale world. The first stop is St. Nicholas Church, a Baroque building with a dome covered with gorgeous frescoes. Sunlight pours in from the high windows, illuminating the magnificent interior. I quietly appreciate and feel the shock of this religious art. Afterwards, I strolled to Wallenstein Gardens, a quiet and elegant oasis hidden in the alleys. The flower beds and fountains complement each other, and there are several peacocks strolling leisurely, making people forget the hustle and bustle of the city. At noon, I enjoyed traditional Czech beef stew (guláš) and roasted pork knee in a small restaurant. The rich soup and crispy bread were satisfying. After the meal, I climbed up the steep stone steps to Prague Castle. This thousand-year-old castle is the soul of the Lesser Town. The St. Vitus Cathedral in the castle is magnificent, and its stained glass windows sparkle in the sun like gems inlaid in the stone walls. I also visited the Golden Lane, where the colorful cottages were once home to artisans and are now home to charming souvenir shops and museums. In the afternoon, I walked slowly down the ramp in the inner city to the John Lennon Wall. This graffiti wall is full of colors and messages of freedom. Tourists stop to take pictures and street performers sing softly, making this wall a living work of art. Afterwards, I took a break in a riverside cafe, ordered a Czech beer, and looked out at the sparkling waves of the Vltava River, with the reflection of the Charles Bridge swaying on the water. At dusk, the Lesser Town was dyed golden by the setting sun. I walked onto the Charles Bridge again and looked back at the red-tiled roofs and spires of the Lesser Town, feeling filled with satisfaction. This day's journey seemed like traveling through the history and culture of Prague. Every street and every building in the Lesser Town told the romantic story of this city.