Hradčany: the Loreta, Nový Svět, and Strahov
The quiet castle district — a carillon, a lane of tiny cottages, and two painted library halls. This is a Claude-drafted route awaiting the editor's walk.

1. Strahovský klášter (Strahov Monastery)
Start at the top, where the 22 drops you near *Pohořelec*. The two library halls — Theological and Philosophical — are the draw: ceiling frescoes, globes, and gilded shelves you view from the doorway rather than walk into. The monastery brewery in the courtyard pours its own beer if you've earned one early.

2. Strahov orchard view
Behind the monastery the hillside drops into an orchard, and the whole city lies out below — the same panorama as Petřín next door, with a tenth of the people. Cut down through the trees if the weather's with you; loop back to the lane if it isn't.

3. Nový Svět
A curving cobbled lane of low cottages — the 'New World', once the poorest corner of the castle district, now the quietest and prettiest. The astronomers Tycho Brahe and Kepler lived along here. Walk it slowly; there is nothing to do but look, and that's the recommendation.

4. Loreta
A baroque pilgrimage shrine built around a replica of the Holy House, fronted by a tower of bells. The carillon plays a Marian hymn on the hour — stand in the square and wait for it. Inside, the treasury holds a monstrance set with thousands of diamonds.

5. Hradčanské náměstí
The square that fronts the castle, ringed by palaces — the sgraffito-covered Schwarzenberg and the rococo Archbishop's Palace face each other across it. Stand at the railed eastern end for the drop down to the rooftops. This is also the castle's quiet entrance, if you're carrying on in.

Hradčany: the Loreta, Nový Svět, and Strahov