Old Town Square is the heart of Prague Old Town which started beating in the 12th century. The square served as a central Prague market at the time, whereas today it seems to be the centre of Prague tourist trade. Many Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic buildings at the square have been converted to touristy cafés and restaurants, their tables spilling into the square during summer. They are certainly overpriced and yet always full. It is hard to fight the temptation of drinking a cup of coffee at one of the most famous European squares.
In the middle of Old Town Square there is the statue of Jan Hus. It was erected in 1915 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of his death. Jan Hus is considered to be one of the most important figures of reformation.
Old Town Hall Tower & Astronomical Clock
On top of every hour it is hard to get any space in front of the Old Town Hall Tower with its famous Astronomical Clock, as the square in front of it is flooded with hundreds of tourists, armed with cameras and camcorders, fighting for the best spot to shoot the famous procession of the Twelve Apostles. Every hour, a small trap door opens and Christ marches out followed by the Twelve Apostles. The march, accompanied by the skeleton of death tolling the bell to a defiant statute of a Turk, doesn't last much longer than a minute, but it is entertaining and thus worth the wait in the tourist crowd.
The Astronomical Clock was made in the 15th century. Under the clock there are 12 medallions with zodiac signs, added by Josef Manes in 1865. The Old Town Hall Tower with its Astronomical Clock is one of the most impressive buildings in Prague and should not be missed. If you are energetic enough you can climb up to enjoy the view from the top of the tower.
Church of Our Lady before Tyn
Beautiful Gothic belfries of the Church of Our Lady before Tyn standing tall at the Old Town Square in Prague can be seen almost from anywhere in Prague. The Church of Our Lady before Tyn was built in late 14th century, during the times of brutal fighting between Hussites and Roman Catholics. The interior of the Church of Our Lady before Tyn is Baroque in style.
The two belfries of the Church of Our Lady before Tyn are not symmetrical. This peculiarity is typical for the period in which the church was constructed. The different belfries are meant to represent a masculine and a feminine sphere of the world.
The Church of Our Lady before Tyn is incredibly photogenic both during daytime as well as at night. If you are into photography you must return to the Old Town Square at night and don't forget to bring a tripod.
St. Nicholas Church
Strikingly white St. Nicholas Church was completed in 1735. The church is Baroque in style. Its interior is modelled after the chapel of St. Louis-des-invalides in Paris. St. Nicholas Church has been used by different religious groups throughout its history and even by the army. Between 1870 and 1914, the church was Russian Orthodox. During the World War II it was used by Czech military units and after the war it has been handed over to the Czech Hussite movement, with whom it remains today.
We were not impressed by the famous Baroque frescoes in the interior of St. Nicholas Church but you should by all means pop in and decide about their magnificence yourself.
Entry to St. Nicholas Church is free. In front of the entrance there is usually a stand where they sell tickets for concerts which are frequently held in the church.
Location: Prague 1. Transport: metro A (station: Staromestska).