A Different City on a Hill

While we were in Frýdek-Místek house-sitting for my Teta Lenka while she and her family were on vacation, we took a day trip to Štramberk.

For those of you not quick with the math, this place is 652 years old!

 

My parents will eventually make their way to the very top of this tower, Trúba Tower, which is part of Hrad Štramberk (Castle Štramberk).

Czech mesto MapQuest.

As we made our way through the town's climbing, narrow streets that lacked sidewalks, we saw ornate bee keeping devices.

And a vodnik!

My parents left me here in the town square with Babi because the road to Trúba was too steep and was still made of cobblestones.

My parents went to Trúmba on the route to the right, and returned via the one on the left.

The entrance to Trúba via an ancient castle gate.


(The date inscribed on the gate beneath the Latin reads 1111 and is from the Templars.  Yes, those Templars.  Thanks Dan Brown.)

A quick view from the base of the lookout tower.

 And then it was time to climb!

When they finally made it to the very top, here is the view they were rewarded with:

Babi and me as seen from Trúba.  

We're the two figures at the fountain!

Mom barely braved a glance out the window...

...but Dad took the rest of the rickety wooden staircase to the very tippy-top!

I was still playing in the fountain when my parents came back down the mountain and into the town square.

And then it was time for a specialty beer brewed right in this building.

I was bored.

So Babi bought me a toy from a nearby kiosk.

Once Dad finished his beer (and bought one to take back to the house) we were on our way.

Fortunately, we had Mom to navigate for us.

It was up the hill and through the forest.

We were at Šipka Cave.  

It's a cave that's famous for having been the site of an archeological dig that resulted in the findings of Neanderthal remains.

Dad was willing to explore with me.

But it was dark and I wasn't too keen on the idea.

So I took a little time to cuddle with Mom to make myself feel better.

Then it was back to Frýdek and the puppies!