Old Town Square, Prague
Square in Prague
While exploring Prague, a visit to the Old Town Square is almost inevitable—this expansive public space lies at the very core of the city’s historic quarter. Emerging dramatically from the surrounding network of narrow streets, the square impresses with its unexpected breadth and vibrant atmosphere. Once a bustling medieval marketplace, it has evolved into a lively pedestrian zone, brimming with cafés, shops, hotels, and street performers. It’s an ideal place to soak up the city’s energy, admire some of its most iconic architecture, and enjoy an evening buzz as musicians entertain passersby.
The square is home to several of Prague’s most iconic historical landmarks. Chief among them is the Old Town Hall, dating to 1364 and famed for its Astronomical Clock, which draws crowds every hour. At the northern end of the square, the striking white façade of Saint Nicholas Church gleams in the sunlight, now serving as a popular venue for classical concerts. The Gothic spires of the Church of Our Lady before Týn dominate the skyline, making it one of the most photographed buildings in Prague; its entrance is discreetly tucked away through the historic Týn School.
Around the square, richly adorned buildings reflect centuries of architectural evolution—from the Rococo façade of the Kinský Palace, now part of the National Gallery, to the medieval charm of the Stone Bell House, home to rotating art exhibitions. On the southern side, Baroque and Renaissance townhouses are still marked by traditional signs such as At the Golden Unicorn and At the Red Fox—a reminder of the time before numbered addresses. At the center of it all rises the Jan Hus Memorial, an imposing statue commemorating the 15th-century religious reformer who was executed for his beliefs and later embraced as a national hero.
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Visiting Old Town Square, Prague
Nearby Attractions
- The Prague Meridian (0.0) km
in Prague - Jan Hus Memorial (0.0) km
Statue in Prague - Marian Colum (0.0) km
Monument in Prague - Kinský Palace (0.0) km
Gallery and Palace in Prague - 1621 Memorial Crosses (0.0) km
Monument in Prague - House at the Stone Bell (Dům U Kamenného zvonu) (0.1) km
Historic Building in Prague - Old Town Hall in Prague (0.1) km
Town Hall in Prague - Astronomical Clock, Prague (0.1) km
Tower in Prague - The House at the Stone Virgin Mary (Storch's House) (0.1) km
Historic Building in Prague - Church of St. Nicholas (Old Town) (0.1) km
Church in Prague
