Old Town Square

One of the most popular and beautiful places in Prague is Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí).

Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí)

Old Town Square is located in the centre of the Old Town (Stare Mesto) and is surrounded by numerous houses with amazingly interesting facades designed in various styles.

Day and night you can see crowds of tourists strolling about the square.

Dating from the 12th century the Old Town Square was used as a large marketplace. Later it was called “Old Market” and in 1895 it gained its current name.

The Old Town Square’s most notable sights are:

The Old Town Hall Tower built in 14th century and Astronomical Clock installed on it in 1410. A separate website article will be devoted to the Prague Hall Tower and the Prague Astronomical Clock.

Astronomical clock situated on Old Square

At the centre of the Old Town Square you can see the statue of Jan Hus, a national hero of Czech Republic. It was erected in 1915.

Jan Hus – a national hero of Czech Republic

The Tyn Church (Kostel Panny Marie před Týnem) is one of the symbols of Prague and a bright example of Gothic architecture. The construction of the church started in 14th century and was completed in 1511. The interior of the church is one of the richest in Prague.

The Tyn Church (Kostel Panny Marie před Týnem)

Admission to the church is free but photography is not allowed inside it. If you take a close look at the two spires on the church you can notice that they are not symmetrical.

Another sight is St. Nicholas Church at the Old Town Square first mentioned in records dating back to 1273. But it gained its current appearance in Baroque style in 1730. The church has a very interesting and picturesque interior.

St. Nicholas Church

The Old Town Square is surrounded by numerous cafes and restaurants.

Besides, here you can take a popular but rather expensive Prague horse carriage tour.  As far as I remember it cost 70 euro/40 minutes. You can also hire the antique car and have a trip around the historical centre of the city.

You can hire the antique car and have a trip around the historical centre of the city

In the square you can come across a few kiosks selling the so called trdelnik made from rolled dough, wrapped around a stick then roasted over an open flame. I recommend trying it. There are also kiosks selling fried pork.

I highly recommend visiting Old Town Square at night time. Night illumination of the Hall Tower and the Tyn Church gives you a wonderful feeling that you are in some fantastic town.

Streets of Old Town in the evening

And here is a little bit more information about the Hall Tower and the Astronomical Clock.