The end of the tour - and dinner

Perhaps the most fascinating part of the tour was descending into the labyrinth of Romanesque and Gothic rooms beneath the building. These weren't originally underground at all! They were once the ground floors and cellars of wealthy merchants' houses, some dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, but over time Prague's street levels were raised to help protect the city from flooding. Some of these ancient rooms were later used as prisons, and we saw evidence of the grim conditions in which prisoners were held. It was extraordinary to imagine the lives of the people who had occupied these spaces centuries ago.

Our tour finished in the beautifully decorated entrance vestibule. After exploring the rather gloomy medieval underground chambers, it was quite a contrast to emerge into this extraordinary space, with its colourful mosaics covering the walls and richly decorated vaulted ceiling. The artwork was designed by the celebrated Czech artist Mikoláš Aleš, whose signature and the date 1904 can still be seen on the wall. The decorations celebrate Prague's history, legends and civic identity, with a magnificent allegorical image of the city itself, represented by a crowned female figure seated before a historic Prague tower and surrounded by people paying homage to her. The ceiling is covered with elaborate foliage, heraldic shields, symbolic figures and references to Bohemian history. Although Aleš created the original designs in the early 20th century, the decorations were subsequently recreated in mosaic, helping preserve their wonderful colours and intricate details. It seems particularly appropriate that such a beautifully decorated room should form part of the entrance to a building that has been at the centre of Prague's civic life for centuries. I was absolutely fascinated by the artwork, and it was a wonderful way to finish an already memorable tour of the Old Town Hall.

After the tour, I wandered around the streets going off Old Town Square. I came across a colourful street market. The summer fruits were very tempting, but as you might expect, they were far too expensive!

When I had walked far enough, I went for dinner in Pork's, a restaurant specialising, you guessed it, in all forms of pork - the meat Prague is famous for. I had been past a few times and there was always a queue, so I assumed it must be good. I decided the signature dish - pork knuckle with bread and potatoes - would be too much, so I ordered ribs. They came in a barbecue sauce and were served with pickled cabbage, mustard mayonnaise, and garlic bread. They were tasty, but it was all a bit much! As I looked around the tables near me, I saw that all the portions were massive! I washed my ribs down with two bottles of Royal Crown, Czech sugar-free cola. It was actually pretty good.Read more