1621 Memorial Crosses, Prague

Memorial in Prague

Public Domain / Julie Otten

You can stand in the heart of Old Town Square, surrounded by spires, façades, and the constant pull of the Astronomical Clock, and still miss the 27 Crosses entirely. That is exactly what makes them powerful. Set into the cobblestones in front of the Old Town Hall, they are one of the top sights in Prague for travelers who like details with real historical weight, not just grand buildings.

Because they sit directly on the main Old Town walking circuit, they are often visited on walking tours of Prague, but rarely explained in depth. If you pause for a minute, the square changes character: the noise fades into the background, and the crosses turn a busy tourist stage into a place of remembrance.

History and Significance of the 27 Crosses on Old Town Square
Things to See and Do in the 27 Crosses on Old Town Square
Practical Tips on Visiting the 27 Crosses on Old Town Square
Where to Stay close to the 27 Crosses on Old Town Square
Is the 27 Crosses on Old Town Square Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting 27 Crosses on Old Town Square
For Different Travelers
Nearby Attractions to the 27 Crosses on Old Town Square

History and Significance of the 27 Crosses on Old Town Square

The 27 Crosses commemorate the public execution of 27 Bohemian leaders on June 21, 1621, staged here as a deliberate display of Habsburg authority after the Bohemian Revolt and the Battle of White Mountain. The event was meant to intimidate the city and signal that resistance would be crushed publicly and permanently, not negotiated behind closed doors.

What makes this memorial distinctive is its understatement. There is no towering monument demanding attention, only small white crosses embedded in the paving stones, aligned in a way that forces you to look down. It is a memorial that works through restraint, turning the act of noticing into an act of respect.

The crosses also mark a turning point in Czech religious and political life. After 1621, the consequences rippled outward through forced exile, re-Catholicization, and the long eclipse of Czech political autonomy. Standing here, the story feels less like a chapter in a book and more like a physical trace left on the exact ground where the message was delivered.

Things to See and Do in the 27 Crosses on Old Town Square

First, find them deliberately. The best approach is to stand facing the Old Town Hall tower, then scan the cobblestones directly in front of the building until the white crosses stand out against the darker stones. Once you spot one, the rest appear quickly.

Take a moment to read the memorial context nearby and reflect on the contrast between the setting and the story. Old Town Square is usually all movement and spectacle, yet this memorial is designed to interrupt that rhythm. It is one of those places where slowing down is the entire point.

If you are doing the square at peak times, consider returning early or later in the day for a quieter moment. The crosses are always there, and they can feel far more intimate when the crowd noise drops and you can stand without being jostled.

Practical Tips on Visiting the 27 Crosses on Old Town Square

Suggested tips: Visit twice if you can, once in the busy daytime to see how easily it is overlooked, and once early or late when the square feels calmer.
Best time to visit: Early morning for a quieter, more reflective moment in front of the Old Town Hall.
Entrance fee: Free.
Opening hours: Always accessible (public square).
How long to spend: 5-15 minutes, longer if you want to sit nearby and absorb the atmosphere of the square.
Accessibility: Flat paving but uneven cobblestones; easy for most visitors, slower for wheelchairs and strollers.
Facilities: Old Town Square has abundant cafés and restrooms nearby, but they are typically busiest in the middle of the day.
Photography tip: Photograph at a low angle with the Old Town Hall in the background to show scale and location without losing the subtlety of the memorial.
Guided tours: A guided Old Town walk adds the historical context that the memorial itself does not fully provide.
Nearby food options: Step one or two streets off the square for better value, then return for the atmosphere.

Where to Stay close to the 27 Crosses on Old Town Square

For a central base that makes it easy to visit Old Town Square early before the crowds build, Maximilian Hotel is a strong option with excellent walkability. If you want a classic upscale stay with easy access to Old Town and transport links, Hotel Kings Court is convenient for the wider center while still being close on foot. For a quieter, refined stay that remains highly central, The Grand Mark Prague offers a comfortable retreat after busy sightseeing days.

Is the 27 Crosses on Old Town Square Worth Visiting?

Yes, because it changes how you experience Old Town Square. Most visitors remember the square for its beauty and energy, but the crosses reveal the square's harsher historical role as a place where power was performed publicly.

It is also worth visiting because it costs nothing but attention. In a city full of ticketed attractions, this is a meaningful stop that rewards a traveler who is willing to look down, pause, and let the city’s history feel personal.

FAQs for Visiting 27 Crosses on Old Town Square

They are embedded in the cobblestones in front of the Old Town Hall on Old Town Square.

They commemorate the execution of 27 Bohemian leaders on June 21, 1621.

No, they are in a public square and free to visit.

No, but a guided Old Town tour can provide deeper historical context.

Most people spend 5-15 minutes once they locate the crosses and read the nearby context.

Yes, especially when the square is crowded, because they are subtle and set into the ground.

Yes, though it helps to explain in simple terms what the crosses represent and why people pause here.

Yes, but cobblestones can be uneven, so it may be slower and less comfortable than smoother streets.

Early morning or later evening, when Old Town Square is less crowded.

Pair it with Old Town Hall, the Astronomical Clock, and a short walk into the surrounding Old Town lanes.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

For families, the crosses work best as a short, respectful stop rather than a long history lesson. Treat it as a quick moment to show that Old Town Square is not only pretty, but also important, and then continue to more visually engaging nearby sights like the clock or church towers.

If you want the stop to feel meaningful without being heavy, focus on the idea of remembrance and why cities mark events in small, permanent ways. Keeping it simple tends to work better than going into graphic details.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, this is a powerful “quiet counterpoint” stop in the middle of a busy square. Taking a minute together here can make Old Town feel more real and layered, not just scenic.

Visit early or late, when you can stand without feeling rushed, then follow it with a slow walk through smaller Old Town streets where Prague’s atmosphere feels more intimate.

Budget Travelers

For budget travelers, the 27 Crosses are a high-value stop because they add depth to Old Town Square without costing anything. They are also a good reminder that some of Prague's most meaningful experiences are woven into public space rather than behind ticket barriers.

Use this as a starting point for a self-guided Old Town history walk, then decide which paid attractions you want to prioritize based on your interests, not pressure from crowds.

Nearby Attractions to the 27 Crosses on Old Town Square

Old Town Hall Tower: Climb for one of the best panoramic views over Old Town rooftops and the square below.
Astronomical Clock: Catch the hourly display and admire a medieval masterpiece of timekeeping and symbolism.
Church of Our Lady before Týn: A defining Gothic landmark with dramatic twin spires and a powerful Old Town presence.
Jan Hus Memorial: A major monument in the center of the square tied to Czech religious reform and national memory.
Jewish Quarter (Josefov): A short walk away, offering layered history through synagogues, museums, and the Old Jewish Cemetery.

The 1621 Memorial Crosses appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Prague!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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