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Old Town Square

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Amanda
Amanda
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Old Town Square

  • October 22, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by toombsey from nr Belleville, Ontario
Old Town Square

This is a huge square in the centre of old Prague and is surrounded by ancient and beautiful buildings. There are stunning churches and other buildings of many styles.

The most memorable building is that of the Church of Our Lady Before Tye which stands proud above the square skyline overlooking other smaller buildings. It has two of the most ornate spires I have ever seen and is just stunning.

The square houses lots of restaurants with outdoor seating where you can soak up the atmosphere is this ancient town. It is impossible to put into words how you feel standing in the square; you have to have been there to appreciate the splendour of it all.

From journal Prague, the Pretty City

Old Town Square

  • August 28, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Albertrayon from Tampa, Florida
I was here right before Christmas, and the Town Square was transformed into a Christmas village. There were booths all over selling hot drinks and food. There were the usual vendors of small knick knacks, but I also saw some blacksmiths and other artisans putting on displays. It truly was a unique experience.

From journal Christmas in Prague

Editor Pick

Old Town Square

  • June 13, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by LenR from Townsville, Australia
Old Town Square

The Old Town of Prague is spread along the right bank of the Vltava River and around the Old Town Square. The pattern of streets and squares has remained largely unaltered since the Middle Ages. It is an area we kept returning to time after time because there was just so much to see and do.

The first settlements on the site of the Old Town for which there is any historical evidence date from the 10th century. According to a contemporary report, a large market place with numerous stone houses covered the site of the present Old Town Square. As the years went by, this market place was fortified with a city wall in the early 13th century. Unfortunately, there is no evidence of this today as far as I could see. In 1338, the Old Town was given the right to have its own Town Hall.

All the busy streets near the border of the New Town lead to the Old Town Square. They approach the square from all sides and make it a natural center. It is the obvious place to start your Prague discovery tour. Despite the touristy trappings and the crowds we found it so interesting that it was tempting to spend all our time here. After wandering around and doing some sightseeing, we stopped at an outdoor café and people watched while enjoying a coffee.

The impressive memorial in the center of the square honours the great reformer Jan Hus and was erected in 1915 on the 500th anniversary of his death. The houses on the east side of the square form a fascinating backdrop and are typical of the Old Town. These and the towers of the Tyn Church, give the square its special character.

The Square has two other showpieces; The baroque Church of St Nicholas and the Old Town Hall. The Old Town Hall dates from the 14th century. The tower was built in 1364 and the famous astronomical clock dates in its earliest form from 1410. Unfortunately, the clock was covered with scaffolding when I visited and was not operating but in normal times it drags crowds to this spot each hour to watch Death ring the death knell and turn the hour glass upside down, the apostles pass the windows and a cockerel flaps its wings and crows. There are guided tours of the Old Town Hall and its exhibition rooms.

From journal Immersing Yourself in Prague

Editor Pick

Stare Mesto Market (Old Town Market)

  • July 14, 2005
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Webgoddess from Burke, Virginia
Stare Mesto Market (Old Town Market)

In Prague’s Old Town is one of Europe’s most beautiful town squares. It is a pedestrian area, which makes it very pleasant to stroll through or enjoy a coffee from one of the popular cafés surrounding the square.

It is also the site for the city’s main market place, which definitely adds to the atmosphere of Prague. Enjoy browsing among the wooden stalls searching for that bargain or memento to bring home with you.

Essentially a touristy market, it has more than its fair share of idiosyncratic souvenirs, more so on weekends. Some hark back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire - it's not every day that you can buy a suit of armour from the days of old. As well as the bags, hats, and general paraphernalia, there is a section entirely dedicated to roots and fruits.

Prague's Old Town is bounded on two sides by the Vltava, turning sharply eastwards. The Old Town Square, Staromestké námestí, is just south of Josefov (the Old Jewish Quarter), where of the streets around have been pedestrianised. The nearest Metro stop is Mustek (line A or B).

Although there isn't a great deal of choice, it's cheap and prices remain the same throughout all of the wooden stalls.

From journal A city that never ceases to amaze

Staroměstské Náměstí (Old Town Square)

  • March 24, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Gabina from Kansas City, Missouri
Staroměstské Náměstí (Old Town Square)

This is the start of my favorite part of Prague. Every other part of Prague fades in my memory, but not Old Town. And Old Town Square is the culmination of it all. It's just mesmerizing to see all those historical buildings 360 degress around me. My favorites are the Old Town Hall with the Orloj and the Tyn Church. I love the juxtaposition of the Gothic church with the more Renaissance building in front. And if you ever needed an idea of why Prague is called the "City of a Hundred Spires", that church will tell you why. And of course, you have to stay in that square long enough to see the Orloj go off on the hour. Get there early to get a good spot.

From journal Back in the Czech!

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