Lesser Town Square
Square in Prague
Since the 10th century, this arcaded square in the heart of Malá Strana has served as a vital marketplace and bustling hub on the western side of the Vltava River. Today, it continues to exude energy and charm, alive with cafés, traditional restaurants, artisan shops, and a constant stream of locals and visitors enjoying its vibrant atmosphere and picturesque surroundings.
One of the square’s architectural highlights is the former Old Town Hall, built in the 14th century and now home to Malostranská Beseda, a cultural venue featuring a bar and music club. It was within this very building that Protestant nobles drafted the Czech Confession in 1575—a groundbreaking declaration of religious tolerance addressed to the Habsburg monarchy, which later became part of Czech legal tradition. Towering nearby is the breathtaking Saint Nicholas Church, a crown jewel of Baroque architecture, with its monumental fresco-covered dome, lavish stucco work, and powerful organ that once echoed under the fingers of Mozart himself.
Take a moment to enjoy a coffee at the local Starbucks and you’re actually seated within the former Grömling Palace—an ornate example of Rococo elegance. Across the square at No. 18, the pastel green and cream-colored Smiřických Palace rises with its twin towers. It was here, in 1618, that Protestant leaders plotted the dramatic events that led to the Second Defenestration of Prague and ignited the Thirty Years’ War. Just a short stroll away stands the Sternberg Palace, now part of the National Gallery, housing priceless works of European art.
Dominating the northern stretch of the square today is the Czech Parliament building, a significant presence in the area. Don’t be surprised to spot suited officials walking briskly through the cobblestones between sessions.
Why You Should Visit:
This square offers an unforgettable immersion into Prague’s layered history, where Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo coexist harmoniously. With its palaces, historic monuments, traditional pubs, and occasional weekend markets, it’s an ideal place to take in the city’s past and present over a plate of hearty Czech fare or a casual stroll through centuries-old streets.
The Lesser Town Square appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Prague!
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Visiting Lesser Town Square
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Cathedral in Prague
