Old Town Sights | Prague Sightseeing
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The Old Town is among the oldest and by far, the most beautiful district in the Czech Capital of Prague. The core of the historical center is Old Town Square, which started as a marketplace in the 10th century and has been the site for many political and cultural events that have shaped the history of Prague. The ancient lanes of cobblestone form a mysterious maze in which even the most orientated is bound to get lost... Check our Apartments in Prague.
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Old Town Square
Old Town Square draws the greatest number of visitors in Prague as it boasts meticulously preserved buildings and monuments: the Church of Our Lady in front of Tyn, The Old Town City Hall and the Baroque church St. Nicolas. One building that truly dominates the square is the Old Town City Hall, which dates back to 1338. In 1410 the astronomical clock was added to the Hall with a chronometer and the zodiac below; this clock is a worldwide...
The Church of our Lady before Tyn
This Gothic church from the mid 14th century is perhaps the second signature landmark in Old Town Square (after the Astronomical Clock). It was the main church during the time of the Hussites. The interior of the church, especially the altar, is one of the most elaborate ones in the Czech Republic; its centerpiece is the portrayal of the rise of Virgin Mary to Heaven. You many notice that the two signature towers are not identical;...
Kinsky Palace
On one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, sits the lovely Rococo Kinsky Palace with its delicate pink and white stucco facade. Now home to the National Gallerys collection of 19th century Czech landscapes housed in the old library, this palace has a lively and interesting history. Between 1755-65 it was built for Jan Arnost Goltz, on the grounds of two old hotels. Goltz wished for a Rococo palace that would feature two entrances...
The House at the Minute
In the magical Old Town Square sits the lovely Renaissance pearl, The House at the Minute. Covered in ornate Sgraffito decorations depicting Greek mythology as well as references to biblical and Renaissance legends, this house is easily recognizable with such an impressive facade. The House at the Minute was built at the beginning of the 15th century as a house in the late Gothic style and was supposedly a tobacconist's shop. Sgraffito...
Estates Theater
One of the most beautiful theaters in Europe, the Estates was built at the end of the 18th century in midst of the cultural enlightenment across Europe. Its construction was driven by the idea that Prague needed a theater to enhance its charm, according to Count Frantisek Antonin Nostitz Rieneck, who financed the construction. Throughout the years it has housed many performances by world famous artists and composers, Wolfgang Amadeus...
Karolinum
The Karolinum is the original building of Charles University, Central Europe's oldest university, founded by Charles IV in 1348. Throughout the centuries many distinguished figures, such as Jan Hus held lectures at the Karolinum. Charles University has facilities all over Prague today and the Karolinum is the seat of the administration of Charles University...
The House at the Black Madonna
Built from a reinforced concrete skeleton from the School of Chicago, the House at the Black Madonna is truly an engineering feat and delight. Architect Josef Gočár finished the house between 1911 and 1912, adhering to strict codes from the city of Prague regarding...
Museum of Czech Cubism - National Gallery
In the remarkable House of the Black Madonna designed by Josef Gocar, is a wonderful comprehensive collection of Czech Cubism. The museum is housed on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors of the Cubist house. The first floor showcases the exquisite Grand Cafe Orient, while the ground floor houses the interesting Kubista...
The Municipal House
The Municipal House is the Art Nouveau gem of Prague. Adjacent to the Powder Tower, the Municipal House is the beginning of the royal mile. It was built on the grounds of a former Royal Court Palace between 1905-1911 and houses a large concert hall. Both exterior and interior are elaborately decorated with Art Nouveau elements and motifs; some of the greatest Art Nouveau artists, including Alfons Mucha, have left their mark on this...
The Stone Bell House - City Gallery Prague
The Stone Bell House is just one of the remarkable buildings located on Old Town Square and one of the oldest monuments in Prague housing short-term exhibitions of the City Gallery Prague. The oldest part of the building dates back to the second half of the 13th century. Only in the 1970s and 1980s during extensive reconstruction when the Neo-Baroque façade from the 19th century was pulled down the Gothic decorated façade was uncovered....
The Powder Tower
This impressive monument is one of the 13 original entrances to Old Town. The Gothic building dates back to the reign of King Vladislav II Jagiello in 1475 when it was known as the Mountain Tower, it was later used to store gunpowder in the 17th century, hence the current name. It is an elaborate 65-meter tower, which hosts a permanent exhibition of many other beautiful historic towers in Prague. 186 stone steps will...
Klementinum
The Klementinum sits on over 2 hectares and is one of the largest complexes in Europe and is home to the Czech Republic’s National Library. Situated in the romantic area of Prague’s Old Town, the Klementinum dates back to the 11th century when a chapel was erected and dedicated to St. Clement. In the middle ages, the complex became a Dominican monastery and afterwards in 1556 a Jesuit college and was at one point the third...
Hotel Paris
One of the most beautiful buildings and hotels in Prague, Hotel Paris is the work of architect Jan Veirych. Finished in 1904, the splendid hotel featured grand elements of the Art Nouveau movement (the interior was designed by A. Pfeifer and the ceramic mosaics by J. Kohler), such as colorful ceramic mosaics, an elegant staircase with an ornate wrought iron railing, brass motifs, etched glass mirrors and windows, and golden intricate...
Rudolfinum Gallery
The Rudolfinum Gallery is a spacious and attractive art gallery situated in the multi-purpose Rudolfinum cultural complex, which houses a gorgeous concert hall and a grand turn of the last century café. J. Schulz, who also designed the National...
Bedřich Smetana Museum
Located in Old Town and situated on the Vltava River close to the world famous Charles Bridge is the Bedřich Smetana Museum. This museum is housed in a gorgeous neo Renaissance building that was formerly the Old Town Water Works. The building was constructed in 1883-4 and features a beautiful sgraffito façade designed by famous Czech painters Mikoláš Aleš and František Ženíšek that makes the building unforgettable. The city of Prague...
The Rudolfinum & the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
The Rudolfinum is a multi-purpose cultural complex, which houses a gorgeous concert hall, home to the renowned Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, a grand turn of the last century café and a spacious art gallery that displays temporary international contemporary art exhibitions. The cultural...
McGee's Ghost and Legend Tours
Behold the dark side of Prague! The untold, mysterious history behind the bewitching capital is just waiting to grab your undivided attention as you wander through the narrow winding cobblestone lanes in the middle of the night! What an exciting adventure for older children, teenagers and adults alike and a memorable one at that! The best ghost and legend tours Prague has to offer are from McGee's Ghost Tours of Prague. With interesting...
Gambit Photo
Located in the historic area of Prague’s Old Town directly in the heart of the city and situated in a charming old building is the unique Gambit Photo Gallery. Gambit Photo is an intimate gallery space offering a fresh breath of artistic air to an otherwise touristy area of Prague. Gambit Photo focuses on the art of quality photography and offers gorgeous pieces to add to or start a photography collection with their superb selection...
Museum of Decorative Arts
Located in a cultural square that houses the Rudolfinum Gallery and concert hall, the Academy of Decorative Arts and the Faulty of Philosophy is the Prague Museum of Decorative Arts. This splendid museum was erected at the very end of the 1800s and houses a wonderful collection of all things decorative from the Renaissance to the mid 19th century including...
Havel Market
One of the oldest markets in the city, Havel Market dates back to 1232. Originally selling only produce, the market has changed over the years, mainly with tourists in mind. Lately it seems though that the produce stalls are starting to out number the souvenir stalls, which is a good thing as many stalls sell the same tourist crap you can find all over Old Town. Some stalls however offer inexpensive handmade Czech crystal and glass...
The Golden Ring House - City Gallery Prague
Hidden on tiny Týnská street near Old Town Square is the Golden Ring House, an exhibition space of City Gallery Prague. Originally, the medieval Golden Ring House consisted of two buildings that were later merged into one. Its early Gothic period cellars and the corridor on the first floor with barrel vaulting and fragments of wall paintings from the late 15th century have been preserved until today. The Golden Ring House hosts a...
Bethlehem Chapel
Bethlehem chapel was completed in 1394 and was the venue where Jan Hus, distinguished writer, thinker and philosopher, preached from 1402 to 1412 before he was burned at the stake in 1415; thus making Bethlehem Chapel the birthplace of the Hussite cause. In the 18th century the chapel was demolished. The ruins of the chapel were discovered in 1920, and It was rebuilt exactly the same (based on drawings, old documents, etc.) in the...
Lamp Post
The only Cubist lamp post in the world is found in the city of Prague amid a combination of architectural styles including the Functionalist Bata building, the Gothic Church of our Our Lady of the Snow, and the Secession Adam Pharmacy building. Such is the scenery of the center of Prague; different architecture styles coexist on the uniform cobblestone streets. The lamp post by Emil Kralicek, is tucked away in a corner off of Wenceslas...
Topic House
Located on Narodni Street, across from the National Theater, the pretty Topic House is yet another fine example of Art Nouveau architecture in Prague. The house is named after the famous publisher in Prague and was designed and built by Osvald Polivka, the famous architect responsible for the gorgeous Municipal House. The house was a cultural center of activities thanks to the Stransky family who were the founders of Lidove Noviny,...
The Municipal Library – City Gallery Prague
Located on Mariánské Square with such grand buildings as Old Town City Hall, The exquisite Baroque Clam Gallas Palace and a section of the massive Klementinum complex is City Gallery Prague’s exhibition hall at the Municipal Library. The building was built in 1925 to 1928 and was designed by František Roith, an architect and student of Otto Wagner at the Vienna Academy. The building was originally intended for use as a cultural...
Náprstek Museum
Located in the Old Town district of Prague, known for its winding cobblestone lanes, colorful Baroque facades and world-class sights is the intriguing Náprstek Museum. This museum features a collection of unique ethnographic oddities gathered by 19th century Czech nationalist Vojta Náprstek, who love primitive cultures and accumulated artifacts from Czech travelers who had roamed about the world. The collection spans from all over...
St. Cross Rotunda
The second oldest rotunda in Prague from the end of the 11th century is the St. Cross rotunda located in a quiet courtyard in Old Town. The rotunda was fortunately saved from demolition in the 19th century and Architect V. Ullman and painter B. Waschsmann renovated the lovely St. Cross rotunda from 1862 to 1865, originally the structure had only one window, the reconstruction brought two more. J. Manes added the decorative circular...
Old Town Square Christmas market
With its impressive background, the Christmas market in Old Town Square is a sight to behold! With a massive Christmas tree brought in from the Sumava Mountains and decorated with lights and ornaments, cute wooden stands selling mulled wine, sausages, Czech specialties and silly souvenirs, and golden lit up angels, this Christmas market is sure to please. The location and beautiful setting of this Christmas market is the true winner,...
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