This pedestrian precinct is full of interesting historical buildings, many of which have an absolutely unique appearance. It’s a great place to wander around, and we had "added atmosphere," as they were filming a costume drama on the day of our visit. To begin with, it just felt restrictive, but it was fascinating to watch and really did not affect our mobility round the square. I’d like to know what the drama was called, but we haven’t been able to find out. Never mind!
The Town Hall Clock is the focal point of the Old Town, and large crowds congregate hourly to see the clock "perform." This amazing mechanical artistry was built in 1490, and it is rumoured that the political masters blinded the creator to ensure that the clock was not created elsewhere. I’m not sure that I like that story, but it is fair to say that the clock is truly unique. On the hour, the figure of death tugs on a rope and then raises an hourglass to start the procession of the apostles (with the absence of Judas) led by St Peter. When the procession has completed its circuit, a cock crows, the clock strikes the hour, and the crowd applauds. I understood that part of the clock, but there is an additional feature of a complex astronomical clock and an elaborate mechanical calendar. It’s a great spectacle and a magnificent 500-year-old piece of workmanship. Below the clock is the entrance to the Town Hall, a superbly carved Gothic door set into an amazingly carved archway.
Directly in front of you, on the east side of the square, is the Church of Our Lady before Týn. This Gothic Church, with its fairy-castle type steeples, dominates the square and boasts an incredible solid gold effigy of the Virgin Mary. To the left of the church is the medieval House of the Stone Bell at the side of the impressively restored Golz-Kinský Palace, with its beautiful pink-and-white stucco facade augmented by elaborate statues flanking the roof.
The massive free-flowing Jan Hus Monument was created in 1915 to recognise the 500th anniversary of the burning at the stake of Hus, a religious reformer feared by his contemporaries. Opposite this impressive sculpture are the colourful houses, with their roof styles contesting for your attention. I reckon everyone is different, but if that is not enough, the majority of them have the added bonus of a fascinating house sign sculpted into the wall. There are such signs as "the ox," "stone ram," "blue star," "red fox" and the "golden unicorn;" most have a sign, but not all are easy to see.
I particularly liked the Art Nouveau building on the north side, with its highly decorated upper facade overseen on either side by proud statues with their arms aloft. Alongside that stands the Church of St Nicholas, with its green, domed roofs and impressive columns.
The square is a delight and a confusion of architectural designs. We all loved it.