Letná Park rises up above the north bank of the Vlatava River. We went there to listen. The park hummed around us, the city churned below, and we created soundscapes in our notebooks.

We strolled through the park, taking in the jaw-dropping view and approaching the castle from the north side. Prague Castle — a historical seat of power for kings of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperors — is the sort of place Hogwarts aspires to. It’s more magical because it was real and we stood there looking at it.