Old Town Square and other Prague, Czech Republic Things to Do Tips

This is a central place to get familiar with Prague. You have shops, cafe's, and brilliant churches to visit. If you stop to sit at one of the many cafe's along the sides of the square you sit for hours watching the sun change colors on the Tyn spires, or watch the throngs of people pass by.
This used to be just an market place when the castle walls extended just to the river banks. It was given city status and was eventually joined with the Little Quarter as one city in the 1700's. This has also been the location of many architectural improvements as well as political assassinations.

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Directions: The square is bordered by Celetna, Dlouha, and Zelezna Streets

One of the easiest landmarks to use would be the spires of this great Gothic church. Started in 1365 this church was used extensively by the Hussites in Prague until the 1620's. The entrance is throught the four storey building that sits right in front of it, consequently-it was once used as a Habsburg school. Inside you can see some great Baroque altar pieces and a nice courtyard. There are some small windows that were possibly used by the adjoining houses. Concerts are also held here at times so check the information board. It is only open for services which begin at 4:30pm M-F, 1pm on Saturday, and 11:30 and 9pm on Sunday

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Phone: 22 23 18 186
Address: Staromestske namesti
Directions: Heart of Old Town, Tynska, Stupartska

This palace is done in the Rococo style by Kilian Dientzenhofer. Completed in 1765 it was bought by Stepan Kinsky who was a diplomat at the time. This was also used as a speech platform by Klement Gottwald in 1948 to address his fellow Communist party members and announce Communist rule for Czechoslovakia. It is said that Alfred Nobel stayed here and had a crush on the pacifist Bertha Kinsky. It is used now as a temporary exhibition hall for the National Museum.
It is open from 10am-6pm Tuesday-Saturday.

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Phone: 22 48 10 758
Address: Staromestske namesti
Directions: Heart of Old Town

Many medieval houses still exist in Prague, though many have undergone some exterior changes. This is the House at the Stone Bell. Many houses are named for certain statues or paintings that have been found somewhere on the exterior. This was an old medieval town palace built in the 14th century. There are two Gothic chapels inside and now houses a small art gallery. It is also used as a concert hall.

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Address: Staromestske namesti
Directions: Heart of Old Town

Decorated with firefighter statues and a mosaic piece, this Art Nouveau building was designed by Osvald Poliveka and finished in 1898. Now it houses the Ministry of Regional Development.

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Address: Staromestske namesti
Directions: Heart of Old Town

This is not the same St. Nicolas church in the LIttle Quarter. This used to be the old town church parish until Tyn Church was completed in the 14th century. It became a Benedictine Monastary after the Battle of the White Mountain. The site has had a religious structure on it since the 12th century, but the present day church was rebuild and structured by Kilian Dientzenhofer. Completed in 1735. Its statues were the works of Antonin Braun. This was also one of the churches that was closed by Emporer Joseph II and then used by the Prague garrison troops in WWI. Apparently the officer in charge used it as an opportunity to restore the church with the help from local artists. The church is now used for summer concerts. There is also an exhibit next door dedicated to Franz Kafka who was apparently born there.

It is open for services at 10:30 on Sundays and 10am-4pm Tuesday - Sunday.

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Phone: 22 42 15 402
Address: Staromestske namesti
Directions: Heart of Old Town

The Czech hero and religious reformer, Jan Hus is honored by this massive monument in the North end of the Old Town Square. Born in 1372 into a poor Bohemian family he attended the Charles University when he was 18. Graduated and taught there eventually becoming a dean. Jan Hus was excommunicated because of his religious teachings and tried by the Council of Constance. He was convicted of heresy and was burned at the stake in 1415. The statue was created by Ladislav Saloun and unveiled in 1915, on the 500 year anniversary of Hus's death.

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Directions: Old-Town Square

The other figures on the Jan Hus monument are representations of Hussite warriors and exiled protestants. You can see the type of shield used by the Hussites when they went to battle. There is also a depiction of a mother which is to symbolize "rebirth".

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Directions: Old-Town Square

Many of the buildings you will notice on the Old Town Square are very brightly colored. While many of them do not have much historical significance in their present state, many do serve to cater to the senses of passers-by.

Some of them to point out are:
At the Stone Ram-Also been known as the "Stone Unicorn" based on the one horned ram in the stone frieze.
At Lazarus's this is where you can eat at the Staromestska Restaurant but it appears to have retained some of its Romanesque details
At the Golden Unicorn and At the Stone Table are also along this line of Renaissance buildings.

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Address: Staromestske namesti
Directions: Heart of Old Town

This is one of the brightly decorated houses in the Old Town Square. The frescoes were done by Mikulas Ales and some of them are of St. Wenceslas on horseback. It is a neo-Renaissance (late 19th century) home but still one of the fine examples of original architecture on the square.

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Address: Staromestske namesti
Directions: Heart of Old Town