Prague Castle

Prague's medieval castle, the venue for the signing the Nuclear Treaty a few weeks ago, is a special chateau even on a continent studded with them.

The castle, the most treasured Czech symbol and the seat of the president's office, was founded in the ninth century. It is among the treasures on UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites.

Perched on a hill overlooking the capital and the Vltava River that slices through it, the castle is actually a sprawling combination of palaces and ecclesiastical buildings of various architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Its most visible monument, St. Vitus Cathedral — where five saints are buried alongside Czech kings — dates to the 10th century.

The Spanish hall, where the two presidents signed the treaty, is a crown jewel of the castle complex. Built in the 17th century for Emperor Rudolph II, the huge hall is decorated with gilt and stucco, 19th century statues and huge crystal chandeliers.

1st pix: taken this past Sunday, the others taken around the 1st of April.