Old Town Square, Prague
While in Prague, you are bound to visit the Old Town Square, nestled right in the heart of the city. Its unexpectedly vast expanse gives it a grandiose presence as it unfolds from narrow alleyways. Once a thriving marketplace, this square has now transformed into a pedestrian haven bustling with shops, hotels, eateries, and bars鈥攁 perfect spot to mingle with fellow travelers, behold some of the city's most breathtaking sights, and experience its vibrant nightlife, with musicians competing for the attention of passersby.
Here, you will also encounter some of the city's most remarkable medieval structures, starting with the Old Town City Hall, erected in 1364 and renowned for its iconic Astronomical Clock. Towards the northern end of the square stands the 18th-century Saint Nicholas Church, now a venue for classical music concerts, adorned with a radiant white fa莽ade that glistens in the sunlight.
Dominating the square's skyline is the 14th-century T媒n Church, arguably the most photographed religious site in the city, adorned with Gothic spires (access to the interior is through the T媒n School, another remarkable Gothic edifice with numerous arcades). Nearby, you can explore the Stone Bell House, home to a prominent art gallery displaying contemporary and modern artworks; adjacent stands the charming Kinsky Palace, now a part of the National Gallery Art Museum, boasting a Rococo fa莽ade.
On the southern side, you'll encounter splendid Baroque and Renaissance buildings, distinguished by their house signs: At the Golden Unicorn, At the Blue Star, At the Red Fox... In Prague's past, buildings were not numbered but identified by their unique names.
At the heart of the square stands the monumental Jan Hus Memorial, erected to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the religious reformer's death. Revered as a martyr by the Czechs, Hus was branded a heretic and met his fate at the stake on July 6, 1415.
Tip:
Ascend or take an elevator to the top of the clock tower for a panoramic 360-degree view of the city.
Here, you will also encounter some of the city's most remarkable medieval structures, starting with the Old Town City Hall, erected in 1364 and renowned for its iconic Astronomical Clock. Towards the northern end of the square stands the 18th-century Saint Nicholas Church, now a venue for classical music concerts, adorned with a radiant white fa莽ade that glistens in the sunlight.
Dominating the square's skyline is the 14th-century T媒n Church, arguably the most photographed religious site in the city, adorned with Gothic spires (access to the interior is through the T媒n School, another remarkable Gothic edifice with numerous arcades). Nearby, you can explore the Stone Bell House, home to a prominent art gallery displaying contemporary and modern artworks; adjacent stands the charming Kinsky Palace, now a part of the National Gallery Art Museum, boasting a Rococo fa莽ade.
On the southern side, you'll encounter splendid Baroque and Renaissance buildings, distinguished by their house signs: At the Golden Unicorn, At the Blue Star, At the Red Fox... In Prague's past, buildings were not numbered but identified by their unique names.
At the heart of the square stands the monumental Jan Hus Memorial, erected to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the religious reformer's death. Revered as a martyr by the Czechs, Hus was branded a heretic and met his fate at the stake on July 6, 1415.
Tip:
Ascend or take an elevator to the top of the clock tower for a panoramic 360-degree view of the city.
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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Old Town Square on Map
Sight Name: Old 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.
Old Town Walking Tour
The Star茅 M臎sto (Old Town) of Prague is a former medieval settlement that is now a lively cobblestoned hub with landmark attractions.
The area was once separated from the outside world by a semi-circular moat and a wall, hugged by the Vltava river. The moat is now covered up by streets, which form the official boundary of the Old Town. One of them, called Na P艡铆kop臎 (literally 鈥淥n the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
The area was once separated from the outside world by a semi-circular moat and a wall, hugged by the Vltava river. The moat is now covered up by streets, which form the official boundary of the Old Town. One of them, called Na P艡铆kop臎 (literally 鈥淥n the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 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
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
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
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
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
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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