Discovering the Beautiful Old Town Square in Prague
The Prague Old Town Square, or Staroměstské Náměstí, is the heart of Prague’s historical centre. It's a place where the old fairytale version of the Czech Republic comes to life and medieval Europe shines like it once did hundreds of years ago. This little square captures the essence of Prague’s history and invites visitors from all over the world to experience it.
Prague Old Town Square
The old town square is bustling year-round, from the Czech Christmas markets in the winter to the traditional cafes with outdoor seating in the summer. In this post, we explore the Old Town Square and offer the best tips on when to visit and what there is to do in the area. Let's explore the Old Town Square!
Introducing the Old Town Square
The Old Town Square signifies the heart of Prague Old Town (Staré Město) and is one of two main squares in Prague, with Wenceslas Square being the other. Prague’s old town square, often referred to as the big square, was born in the 10th century as a market and has been the heart of trade and social life ever since.
Aerial view of the Old Town Square architecture in Prague
Surrounded by Gothic and Baroque buildings, including the Church of Our Lady before Týn and the Astronomical Clock, the significant square is full of history. It has seen the Hussite Wars, the Defenestration of Prague in 1618, and major protests during the Communist era, including the Velvet Revolution in 1989.
Today, the Old Town Square is a unique travel destination that introduces tourists from all over the world to Czech culture. It hosts many of the historic buildings from centuries ago and has an abundance of great cafes, shops and restaurants.
The Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock
The Old Town Hall is one of the main historic landmarks in Prague. This beautiful example of Gothic architecture was built in 1338 and features an incredible tower that rises 70 meters over the Old Town Square.
The hall is home to the world-famous Prague Astronomical Clock, a complexly designed clock that is considered by many to be a technical miracle from the 15th century. This medieval clock, known as the Orloj, was first installed in 1410, making it the world's third-oldest astronomical clock, it is also the oldest still in operation.
Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The clock is a masterpiece of Gothic engineering and artistry, featuring an intricate design that includes an astronomical dial representing the position of the Sun and Moon in the sky, a calendar dial, and "The Walk of the Apostles," a clockwork hourly show of figures of the Apostles and other moving sculptures.
Every hour, hundreds of tourists gather to witness the procession of the Twelve Apostles, a captivating spectacle that has been drawing crowds for centuries. The clock not only tells the time but also displays the astronomical details of the medieval world, such as the phases of the moon and the equinoxes.
The Prague Astronomical Clock
Visitors can see historical halls, the tower, and underground premises. The Old Town Hall Tower also offers stunning views of the Old Town Square, and I would definitely class it as a must-visit attraction in Prague. The views from the top of the clock tower are unmatched, and it is one of the only places in the old town where you can see such an expansive scene of the medieval architecture from above.
Prague's old town has very few tall buildings, and visiting the clock tower is the ultimate way to see the old town from above. It's especially great if you want to capture some beautiful photos of the old town square.
Historical Buildings and Landmarks
Prague’s old town square is more unique than it seems at first glance. Although the Old Town Hall with the astronomical clock and tower are the main event, the area is actually packed with many other historic buildings and landmarks. In this section, we'll introduce you to some of the historic landmarks and buildings in the Old Town Square.
The Church of Our Lady before Týn
The Church of Our Lady before Týn is the main Old Town church since the 14th century and still stands as one of the most incredible historic landmarks in the whole of Prague. This stunning example of Gothic architecture cannot be missed with its unique design and two 80-meter-high towers that dominate the Old Town’s skyline.
Night view of the Church of Our Lady before Týn
The façade is a mix of Gothic and Renaissance style with intricate sculptures and a beautiful entrance that invites you in. Its interior is calm and awe inspiring with Baroque altars, frescoes, and artworks by famous Czech artists like Karel Škréta.
The church has been a part of Prague’s history for centuries, from the Hussite Wars to being a meeting point for religious and cultural events. Around the church, the Old Town Square is buzzing with life, but inside the Church of Our Lady before Týn is a peaceful haven of history and spirituality that nobody should miss.
St. Nicholas Church
St. Nicholas Church in Prague is a beautiful Baroque church built in the 18th century. In the heart of Old Town, it has a facade full of sculpture and reliefs, featuring a main marble altar and sculptural decoration. showing off the Baroque style.
lienyuan lee, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Inside the church, it has a beautiful dome covered in frescoes, making it bright and airy. The play of light and shadow makes the interior opulent, with the altars and decorations reflecting the spiritual and cultural tastes of 18th-century Prague. St. Nicholas Church is an important place of worship and a beautiful part of the city’s cultural heritage.
The Marian Column
The Marian Column is a historic landmark within the centre of the Old Town Square. It is a 16-meter-high sandstone monument topped with a sculpture of St. Mary, built to commemorate Prague’s rescue from Swedish invaders in 1648. For Prague, it was a memorial that signified the end of the Thirty Years War.
Vojtěch Veselý, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Although the original column was demolished in 1918, a new one was rebuilt in 2020 and designed to fit the historic architecture of the Old Town Square. The Marian Column sits directly in the heart of the Old Town Square, so you can't miss it, and it is definitely worth visiting the beautiful monument.
Memorial Stones
The Old Town Square also features memorial stones marking the point of execution of 27 Czech lords in 1621 and is home to the Jan Hus Memorial, a bronze statue dedicated to the Czech historical figure. These memorials serve as a reminder of important figures in Czech history and how the Thirty Years War affected the Czech Republic.
Other Historic Landmarks
The Prague Old Town Square has many small details that are not so obvious at first. For example, one of its unique features is the Prague Meridian, a line in the cobblestone surface that once served to tell the time by indicating when the shadow from a nearby column fell directly upon it, marking noon.
Nearby the Prague Meridian, you can find the Stone Bell House, a Gothic building with a rich cultural heritage known for its historical significance and unique bell embedded in the facade.
Little landmarks, memorials, and not so obvious buildings make the old town square a very special place to explore. They add historic depth and meaning to the area, giving us new things to learn about. Although I have visited the square many times, each time I discover something different that I did not notice before.
Cafes, Restaurants, and Shops
To fully appreciate the beauty of the Old Town Square, take a seat at one of the pavement cafés and restaurants lining the square, such as the famous Cafe Mozart. Restaurants and cafes around the old town square do usually come at a little extra cost when compared to the rest of the Prague Old Town, but the view and atmosphere are well worth the money.
The same applies to shops, there are some great souvenir shops in the area that sell awesome souvenirs, but the price might be hiked up to reflect the crowded tourist area. You may want to shop around in the old town area before buying souvenirs in the Old Town Square, but in general, the streets near the square have some great souvenirs.
Events and Festivals in the Square
The Old Town Square is a venue for numerous events, including Christmas markets and public broadcasts of sports matches. Christmas and Easter markets in Prague are some of the most popular events in the Czech capital. Although these markets are held in multiple locations throughout the city, the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square host the most popular festive markets.
Aerial view of the Prague Christmas Market
Chances are that you might have seen images of the Old Town Square and its beautiful Christmas markets on social media. Christmas is my favorite time of year to visit the square, as it is bustling and full of Christmas decorations and stalls selling tasty food. If you are able to visit during Christmas, I highly recommend it, as the square really feels like a medieval market square at that time.
Hotels Near the Old Town Square
Prague's charming Old Town is one of the best areas to stay in the entire city, it has a ton of restaurants, shops, and cafes. The area is also home to much of the sightseeing in Prague and has great transport links, making it the ideal place to stay. Luxury hotels, guesthouses, and apartments are all available in the Old Town area and in the Old Town Square itself.
You'll find no shortage of places to stay in this area, and the budget ranges from somewhat inexpensive to super expensive. Something to keep in mind is that this area does get very busy during peak seasons, and accommodation can go up significantly in price depending on how booked up they are. It might be worth booking in advance to try and catch a bargain.
How to Get to the Old Town Square
Reaching the Old Town Square in Prague can be a delightful journey through the city's historical heart. If you're starting from the iconic Charles Bridge, simply cross the bridge and follow the winding streets of the Old Town (Staré Město) for about 10 minutes. The path will lead you directly to the bustling square, where the history of Prague comes alive.
Alternatively, if you're near Prague Castle, take a scenic walk down through the Lesser Town (Malá Strana) and across the Charles Bridge. This route offers stunning views of the Vltava River and the city’s skyline.
Public transport is also a convenient option, with several tram and metro lines stopping near the Old Town Square, making it very easily accessible from various parts of the city.
Summary
The Old Town Square in Prague is one of the most iconic locations in the Czech Republic. The city has so much to see, but the Old Town Square is by far one of the best places to visit, especially as many of the sights in Prague are situated within the Old Town Square. Overall, it has a bustling medieval atmosphere, rich history, and beautiful architecture, making it a must-visit destination in Prague.