The House at the Stone Virgin Mary, Prague

Historic Building in Prague

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Another Believer

The House at the Stone Virgin Mary (Storch House) is one of those Old Town Square details that stops you mid-walk: a richly painted façade, a dramatic Saint Wenceslas on horseback, and layers of symbolism that feel like a storybook page set into plaster and stone. Even if you're only passing through Prague's centre for an hour, it's one of the things to see in Prague because it rewards a closer look without requiring tickets, queues, or planning.

What makes it special is how it blends Prague's medieval bones with a confident late-19th-century artistic makeover, topped off by the small Virgin Mary figure above the entrance that gives the house its popular nickname. It's also a highlight of any walking tour of Prague, since it sits right where most Old Town routes naturally pause-perfect for a quick “look up” moment before you move on.

History and Significance of the Storch House
Things to See and Do in the Storch House
How to Get to the Storch House
Practical Tips on Visiting the Storch House
Where to Stay close to the Storch House
Is the Storch House Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Storch House
For Different Travelers
Nearby Attractions to the Storch House

This table of contents helps you jump to the sections you need most for planning your visit.

History and Significance of the Storch House

Storch House stands on a plot with medieval roots, but its current fame comes from a major late-19th-century renovation that reshaped it into a showpiece of Neo-Renaissance (with Neo-Gothic touches). The transformation is closely linked to bookseller and publisher Alexandr Štorch, who helped turn the building into a cultural landmark in a practical way: by making it a place for ideas, publishing, and the literary life of the city.

The façade paintings are the headline attraction, with the Saint Wenceslas scene acting as both an artistic statement and a nod to Czech identity. Look closely and you’ll see how the decoration mixes national symbolism (like heraldic motifs) with personal signatures of ownership and pride, creating a visual “poster” of Prague’s civic spirit at the turn of the 20th century. The building’s survival through Prague’s turbulent 20th century-followed by careful restoration-adds an extra layer of meaning: it’s not just pretty, it’s resilient.

Things to See and Do in the Storch House

Start by stepping back far enough to take in the full composition of the façade, then move closer to read it like a mural: the central Saint Wenceslas figure, surrounding decorative panels, and smaller details tucked around windows and architectural edges. This is one of those Prague sights where the first glance is impressive, but the second glance is more rewarding-especially when you notice how the symbolism and ornamentation are arranged to guide your eyes upward.

Pay attention to the small Virgin Mary figure above the entrance, which quietly anchors the house’s nickname and gives the whole façade a focal “blessing” at street level. If you enjoy architecture, scan for older-looking stonework and Gothic-style elements that hint at the building’s earlier phases; even if you can’t go inside freely, you can still sense the layered history from the street. The best “activity” here is simple: slow down, photograph details, and compare it with neighbouring façades to see how deliberately it stands out.

How to Get to the Storch House

The Storch House sits directly on Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí), making it easiest to reach on foot from anywhere in central Prague-especially from the Astronomical Clock area, where you can simply cross the square and look for the vividly painted frontage on the eastern side.

If you're arriving by plane, your main gateway is Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG), with straightforward transfers into the city centre by public transport or taxi/ride-hail. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Prague on Booking.com. If you’re arriving by train, Praha hlavní nádraží (Prague Main Station) is the most convenient hub, and from there you can connect by metro/tram and finish with a short walk into the Old Town. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. Long-distance and regional buses typically arrive at major terminals such as Florenc, from where metro connections make the Old Town easy to reach with minimal walking.

Driving into the centre is rarely the easiest option because Old Town traffic is restricted and parking is limited and expensive; if you do come by car, plan to park outside the core and continue by public transport or on foot.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Storch House

Suggested tips: Visit early in the morning or near sunset so you can linger without crowds and catch the façade at its most vivid in softer light.
Best time to visit: Spring and early autumn for comfortable walking-tour weather, or winter for a festive Old Town atmosphere (just expect heavier foot traffic).
Entrance fee: Free to view from Old Town Square
Opening hours: Exterior view: anytime; interior access is not generally open to visitors and depends on current occupants/businesses.
How long to spend: 10-20 minutes for photos and detail-spotting; longer if you're pairing it with a slow circuit of Old Town Square.
Accessibility: Viewing is step-free from the square, but the surrounding cobbles can be uneven; interior access is not a standard visitor experience.
Facilities: None specifically for the house itself; use cafés, public toilets, and services around Old Town Square.
Photography tip: Use a slight upward angle from across the square to reduce distortion, then switch to a zoom lens/portrait mode for detail panels.
Guided tours: If you want the symbolism decoded, choose an Old Town walking tour that pauses on Old Town Square façades (many guides point out the Saint Wenceslas scene).
Nearby food options: You’ll find plenty of options steps away-aim for side streets just off the square for better value and a calmer atmosphere.

Where to Stay close to the Storch House

If you want to stay within easy walking distance of Old Town Square, choose a hotel that lets you start mornings early and return between sightseeing stops without relying on transport. For a classic, historic-feeling stay with strong city-centre access, consider Hotel Paris Prague, which sits close enough to the Old Town to feel effortless while still offering a grand, traditional Prague atmosphere.

For a comfortable base with a refined feel and a location that makes Old Town and the river equally convenient, Grand Hotel Bohemia is a solid pick. If you prefer a more contemporary luxury option that still keeps you near the Old Town’s core sights, Hotel Kings Court is well placed for a short walk to the square and easy public transport connections.

Is the Storch House Worth Visiting?

Yes-because it's a high-impact Prague moment that costs nothing and fits into any Old Town plan. The façade is genuinely distinctive, and it's the kind of stop that elevates a walk through the centre from “nice buildings” to “I understand why people fall for this city.”

It’s especially worth it if you enjoy street-level art, symbolic details, or architecture with visible layers of history. Even if you’re not an art-history person, the scale, colour, and central Saint Wenceslas scene make it easy to appreciate in a few minutes.

FAQs for Visiting Storch House

Its richly painted Neo-Renaissance façade, especially the large Saint Wenceslas fresco that dominates the front.

It’s on Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) in Prague’s historic centre, easy to spot from the square.

Typically no, not as a standard visitor attraction; it’s a privately used building, so most visitors experience it from the outside.

No-viewing the façade from the square is free.

Plan 10-20 minutes if you want photos and time to pick out details; longer if you’re doing a slow Old Town Square circuit.

Early morning for fewer people, or late afternoon for warmer light that brings out the colours and relief details.

Yes-kids often enjoy the big “storybook” painting and the idea of spotting symbols and figures on the façade.

The square is generally accessible, but the cobblestones can be uneven; viewing from multiple angles helps find smoother paths.

Many Old Town walking tours point it out briefly, especially those focused on Old Town Square architecture and stories.

Look for heraldic motifs and decorative panels, plus the small Virgin Mary figure above the entrance that gives the house its nickname.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.8 (58)

The House at the Stone Virgin Mary (Storch's House) at Staroměstské nám. 16 in Prague's Old Town is celebrated for its richly painted façade and distinctive architectural details; visitors praise the impressive murals—arranged in sections depicting scientific and astronomical study, civic emblems and Saint Wenceslas on horseback, and the Three Wise Men—and note a unique wooden window frame projecting from the building, making it a standout among the square's historic buildings that can be viewed any time as it is open 24 hours.

Ronald Werner

4 years ago

"I visited Prague in 1993 and was very impressed by its beauty. So many beautiful old buildings."

Nikos Gkekas

3 years ago

"At number 16 on the south side of the Old Town Square is the ever-popular Storch House (Štorchův dům) aka the House of the Stone Mado a, which boastsarguably the most beautifully painted facade of Prague’s medieval buildings. The medieval house probably originates from the 15th century and was reconstructed in Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Gothic style in 1896-1897 when bookseller and publisher Alexander Storch took over the house. Storch had it adorned with a series of figurative murals. The murals are divided into 4 sections. The bottom part shows scientific and astronomical study, the middle parts contain the seal of the City of Prague squeezed between four windows, and Saint Wenceslas on horseback while the top part shows the Three Wise Men...."

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Benedict Uy

5 years ago

"Amazing Building Facade. We didn't see it during the night when we arrive but was one of the first things that stood out during the day. The paintingon the house was really impressive...."

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For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

Turn it into a quick “spot the details” game: look for the main rider on horseback, then challenge kids to find smaller symbols and patterns around the windows. Because it’s an outdoor stop, it’s low-stress and easy to combine with snacks or a short rest on the square.

Keep expectations simple: this is a look-and-move-on attraction rather than an indoor visit. Pair it with the Astronomical Clock or a short walk to the river so the day keeps flowing.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

Storch House is ideal for a slow, shared moment in the middle of busy Old Town-step back, take in the artwork, then wander into a quieter side street for coffee. It’s one of those small pauses that makes a city break feel personal rather than rushed.

For an especially romantic feel, visit in the evening when the square begins to calm down and the lights make the painted façade feel theatrical. It's a great lead-in to a sunset walk toward Charles Bridge.

Budget Travelers

This is a perfect “big payoff, zero cost” stop: you get a standout Prague sight without paying a fee or committing time to a timed entry. Use it as part of a free self-guided Old Town walk, spending your budget on a museum or concert later.

For better value food and drink, treat the square as your sightseeing zone and eat on nearby side streets. You’ll still be steps from the action, but prices tend to be more reasonable.

Nearby Attractions to the Storch House

Old Town Hall and the Astronomical Clock: Prague's most famous clock display and a natural next stop while you're on the square.
Church of Our Lady before Týn: A dramatic Gothic church with twin spires that dominates Old Town Square's skyline.
Celetná Street: A historic lane lined with handsome buildings that's ideal for strolling toward the Powder Tower area.
Klementinum: A grand historic complex known for its library spaces and views, a short walk from the Old Town.
Charles Bridge: Prague's iconic river crossing, best approached on foot from the Old Town for classic city views.

The The House at the Stone Virgin Mary 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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