Lesser Town Square, Prague
Ever since the 10th century, this arcaded square has been an important marketplace and epicenter of activity on the left bank of the river. Today, it remains lively with restaurants, pubs, and shops, inviting visitors to linger and admire its array of remarkable buildings.
One notable structure is the 14th-century Old Town Hall (now transformed into the Malostransk谩 Beseda nightclub and bar), where non-Catholic nobles penned the Czech Confession ("膶esk茅 Konfese") in 1575, a pioneering plea for religious tolerance directed at the Habsburg emperor, later enshrined into Czech law. However, the true gem of the square is the magnificent 18th-century Baroque Saint Nicholas Church. Erected atop the remnants of a Gothic chapel, it showcases truly wonderful frescoes, including a sprawling 1,500-square meter masterpiece on its ceiling, alongside a collection of exquisite statues.
If you happen to relax over a Starbucks coffee here, take note that you're seated in the former Gr枚mling Palace, a prime example of Prague Rococo architecture. Across the square at No. 18, distinguished by its twin turrets and striking pistachio and vanilla-colored facade, stands the Smi艡ick媒ch Palace. In 1618, this palace witnessed the gathering of Protestant leaders who deliberated over plans to confront Emperor Ferdinand鈥檚 Catholic governors, sparking the Thirty Years' War with the infamous Defenestration of Prague. Nearby, the High Baroque Sternberg Palace now houses masterpieces of the National Gallery.
Presently, the Czech Parliament stands as the foremost edifice in this vicinity, commanding a significant portion of the square's northern side. Hence, it's not uncommon to encounter smartly attired officials traversing the area from time to time.
Why You Should Visit:
To immerse yourself in the heart of historic Prague, replete with an array of historical palaces, monuments, charming shops, and opportunities to savor traditional Czech cuisine. There are weekend markets, too.
One notable structure is the 14th-century Old Town Hall (now transformed into the Malostransk谩 Beseda nightclub and bar), where non-Catholic nobles penned the Czech Confession ("膶esk茅 Konfese") in 1575, a pioneering plea for religious tolerance directed at the Habsburg emperor, later enshrined into Czech law. However, the true gem of the square is the magnificent 18th-century Baroque Saint Nicholas Church. Erected atop the remnants of a Gothic chapel, it showcases truly wonderful frescoes, including a sprawling 1,500-square meter masterpiece on its ceiling, alongside a collection of exquisite statues.
If you happen to relax over a Starbucks coffee here, take note that you're seated in the former Gr枚mling Palace, a prime example of Prague Rococo architecture. Across the square at No. 18, distinguished by its twin turrets and striking pistachio and vanilla-colored facade, stands the Smi艡ick媒ch Palace. In 1618, this palace witnessed the gathering of Protestant leaders who deliberated over plans to confront Emperor Ferdinand鈥檚 Catholic governors, sparking the Thirty Years' War with the infamous Defenestration of Prague. Nearby, the High Baroque Sternberg Palace now houses masterpieces of the National Gallery.
Presently, the Czech Parliament stands as the foremost edifice in this vicinity, commanding a significant portion of the square's northern side. Hence, it's not uncommon to encounter smartly attired officials traversing the area from time to time.
Why You Should Visit:
To immerse yourself in the heart of historic Prague, replete with an array of historical palaces, monuments, charming shops, and opportunities to savor traditional Czech cuisine. There are weekend markets, too.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Prague. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Lesser Town Square on Map
Sight Name: Lesser Town Square
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Prague, Czech Republic
Create Your Own Walk in Prague
Creating your own self-guided walk in Prague is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
New Town Walking Tour
The youngest (founded in 1348) and the largest (three times the size of the Old Town), the New Town (or Nove Mesto) of Prague is one of the five originally independent townships that today form the historic center of the Czech capital. This vibrant district offers a mix of historical charm and modern amenities and is traditionally dense with tourists.
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
At its heart lies Wenceslas Square, a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Prague Introduction Walking Tour
Nicknamed 鈥渢he City of a Hundred Spires,鈥� Prague is home to a wealth of attractions, including more than ten major museums, numerous theatres, galleries, and plethora of historic sights.
The Czech name Praha derives from an old Slavic word pr谩h, which means "ford" or "rapid", referring to the city's origin at a crossing point of the Vltava river. The legendary... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The Czech name Praha derives from an old Slavic word pr谩h, which means "ford" or "rapid", referring to the city's origin at a crossing point of the Vltava river. The legendary... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Old Town Souvenir Shopping
Strolling through the Old Town of Prague, souvenir shopping becomes a delightful adventure. Indeed, it would be a pity to leave Prague without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original and unique to the city.
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
One of the prime spots for such endeavors is the Municipal House, a majestic Art Nouveau building that houses various shops and boutiques. Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Lesser Town Walking Tour
Mala Strana (or "Lesser Town") is a district in Prague situated on the left bank of the Vltava River. Renowned for its architectural beauty, this is one of the capital's most historically significant neighborhoods. Back in the Middle Ages, it was predominantly populated by ethnic Germans and, in later years, despite the prevalence of Baroque in its architecture, largely retained its... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
The Jewish Quarter, also known as Josefov, is a part of the Old Town (Star茅 M臎sto) of Prague.
The area breathes history and is a captivating blend of ancient synagogues and other monuments that collectively reflect centuries of Jewish life in the city. Some synagogues are still acting, and others have been converted into art galleries and museums.
One such is the Spanish Synagogue, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
The area breathes history and is a captivating blend of ancient synagogues and other monuments that collectively reflect centuries of Jewish life in the city. Some synagogues are still acting, and others have been converted into art galleries and museums.
One such is the Spanish Synagogue, a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Hradcany (Castle District) Walking Tour
Hradcany, or the Castle District, is a historical neighborhood in Prague brimming with cultural landmarks and architectural marvels.
The area is centered around Prague Castle, reportedly the biggest castle complex in the world. Dating back as far as the 9th century, the castle has been the residence of Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, leaders of socialist Czechoslovakia, and currently the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
The area is centered around Prague Castle, reportedly the biggest castle complex in the world. Dating back as far as the 9th century, the castle has been the residence of Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, leaders of socialist Czechoslovakia, and currently the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Prague Shopping: 15 Distinctively Czech Products to Bring Home
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