Exploring Old Town Prague & Its Famous Square
Old Town Prague is one of the best parts of the city for sightseeing, with Old Town Square at its centre. This historic part of Prague has cobbled streets, Gothic churches, colourful facades, the Astronomical Clock, Old Town Hall, the Powder Tower and plenty of side streets to explore on foot.
Old Town, or Staré Město, grew from a medieval settlement that was once separated from the outside by a semicircular moat and wall connected to the River Vltava. Josefov, the Jewish Quarter, sits northwest of Old Town Square towards the River Vltava.
We enjoyed many dog walks and saw the decorative buildings, such as the West House and the House at Golden Well. The Gothic architecture looks even better after dark.
Old Town Square Prague: What’s There?
Old Town Square, or Staroměstské náměstí, is one of the city’s most popular areas.
- The Astronomical Clock.
- Church of Our Lady before Týn.
- Kinsky Palace.
- Stone Bell House.
- The House at the White Unicorn.
- Storch’s House and the neighbouring buildings.
- St Nicholas’ Church.
- Jan Hus monument.
The square is the city’s focal point, which is why it often gets very busy during the day and in the evening. However, it is quite tranquil around sunrise until 10 am. The early morning is perfect for photographing all the unique buildings.
Map
Old Town is part of Prague 1 and runs roughly from the River Vltava in the west to the Powder Tower in the east.
Best Time to Visit Old Town Square
Old Town Square is busiest during the day and evening, especially around the Astronomical Clock show. My favourite time to visit was early morning, when the square was much quieter and better for photos. After dark, the Gothic buildings and side streets also have a completely different atmosphere.
Things to See in Prague Old Town
Prague Astronomical Clock
The Astronomical Clock, or medieval tower clock, is on the southern side of the Old Town Hall Tower. The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest still operating. Early in the morning, it was quiet, making it ideal for seeing its details.
The clock mechanism has three principal components. The first is the astronomical dial, which represents the positions of the Sun and Moon in the sky. Statues of Catholic saints stand on either side of the clock. When the clock strikes the hour between 9 am and 11 pm, the procession of the Twelve Apostles begins.
The Old Town Hall & Tower
The Old Town Hall is home to the tourist information centre and the astronomical clock, and its tower is climbable. The tower offers some splendid views of the historic square.
The Old Town Hall was established in 1338 as a single house. They then added the tower, which was completed in 1364. Later, neighbouring houses were incorporated into the building, creating what you see today. The Tourist Information Centre also serves as the entrance to the tower.
Church of Our Lady before Týn
The Church of Our Lady before Týn has a pair of spires that dominate the area’s skyline. These are some of my favourite spires in the city. This Gothic church has been the main church in this part of the city since the 14th century. Its two towers are both 80 m high, and eight smaller spires top each tower in two layers of four.
St Nicholas’ Church
Prague has two St Nicholas churches: one in the Lesser Town area and one at the corner of Old Town Square. The Church of Saint Nicholas is also known as Kostel svatého Mikuláše. The church is Late Gothic and Baroque, and was built between 1732 and 1737. It was built on the site of a 13th-century Gothic church that was also dedicated to Saint Nicholas.
Jan Hus monument
The Jan Hus Monument is a rather special part of the square and is a great place to hang out on a sunny day. I enjoyed sitting here, taking in the sights and the beautiful flowerbeds.
The vast monument depicts victorious Hussite warriors and Protestants who were sent into exile 200 years after Hus, in the wake of the lost Battle of the White Mountain during the Thirty Years’ War. This monument also shows a young mother who symbolises national rebirth. The city unveiled the monument in 1915 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Jan Hus’ martyrdom.
Mariánský Sloup
In a central position of the main square is Mariánský sloup (the Marian Column). The Marian column is a religious monument topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary. They built the original column in 1650.
National Gallery in Kinsky Palace
The Golz-Kinsky Palace is a stunning building at the edge of the old town square. Nowadays, the palace is an art museum. They originally built the Golz-Kinsky Palace between 1755 and 1765. They designed it in the Rococo architectural style, with the exterior painted in pink-and-white stucco.
It is home to the National Gallery, which houses a wide range of artworks. The collection includes modern 21st-century art, as well as some Renaissance masterpieces.
The House at the Minute
The House at the Minute is part of the Old Town Hall complex. Its outer walls feature designs that exemplify Czech Renaissance architecture. The House at the Minute’s facade depicts scenes drawn from biblical and mythological sources.
Explore the Side Streets
Many narrow side streets have nice buildings and colourful decor. I found the bars and restaurants on the side streets are better value for money than those in the main square. These are wonderful for an early-morning walk or for a late-night walk after everything has closed.
The House at the Golden Well
The House at the Golden Well dates to the early 18th century, and its Baroque facade is a must-see. Details include a gilded palladium medallion of the Czech Republic. Legends say treasure is hidden in the house’s well.
The Gothic Powder Tower
The Gothic Powder Tower is a splendid building, and you can even visit the inside to take in the views. If you want to photograph the tower, the best time is first thing in the morning.
The tower once served as a monumental entrance for coronation processions entering the Old Town. The Powder Tower dates from 1475, and its primary function was as a gunpowder store; thus, that’s how it got its name.
Ovocný Square, a Former Medieval Marketplace
Ovocný Square has some interesting buildings and a few great traditional places to eat. The square has had a market since the 13th century and was the centre of the greengrocery trade until the 20th century.
The square has some rather famous buildings, including the Estates Theatre, the Karolinum, Kolowrat Palace, the House of the Black Madonna, and the back of the Myslbek Palace.
Church of St Martin in the Wall
The Church of St Martin in the Wall is a Gothic church which was built between 1178 and 1187 and joined to the wall of the old town. As a bonus, it’s free to enter but has limited opening times. We also visited the church at night after reading articles on the Ghosts (A Headless Templar) and legends of Prague.
Church of St Salvator
At the end of Charles Bridge, you can find the Church of St Salvator, a Renaissance church dating to the 17th century. Inside the church are Rococo altars and various ornate statues. The best way to visit the inside is to attend a service or classical concert. However, you can see inside through a gate at any time, but you cannot explore the details.
Kostel sv. Havla
Kostel sv. Havla has a history dating back to the 11th century. Also known as the Church of St Havel, it is in the historic Havla quarter. King Wenceslaus I founded the church in 1232, and it is one of the city’s 4 key churches. The church was added to and renovated over the years and is now Baroque. Jan of Nepomuk was pastor of the church between 1380 and 1390 and subsequently was declared a saint.
Old Town Market Hall
Old Town Market Hall at Rytířská 406 is a beautiful neo-baroque building that opened in 1897. The building’s facade features beautiful statues and decor. The market was famous for selling a range of international foods.
Horse & Carriage Tours
Horse & carriage tours depart from Old Town Square. A cheaper option is to ride one of the tour trains departing from the square. These are also rather informative and cover most of the city’s sights.
Is Old Town Prague Worth Visiting?
Old Town Prague is one of my favourite places in the city and is one of the first places I head to when in the Czech capital. It is an area steeped in history and has some fantastic architecture. I advise visitors to visit the square at various times of the day, including at sunrise, when it’s quiet except for a few dog walkers and street cleaners.