Old Town Square - the heart of Old Prague - Stare Mesto - is a real architectural and historical exhibition in the open air. There are buildings of different eras and styles here. You will encounter Gothic, Baroque, Rococo and Renaissance. Locals and tourists walk on the cobblestones, and the famous Orloj clock counts the time on the Town Hall tower. Old Town Square is one of the oldest not only in Europe, but also in the world: it has been known since the 12th century. Old Town Square, full of architectural masterpieces, is a must-see for every tourist coming to Prague.
Its total area is about 15 thousand square meters. Praguers call it "Staromák". Previously, there was a market here, as several important trade routes of Europe crossed here. The procession of the Czech ruler's ordination to the Prague Castle passed through this square, but this place also remembers uprisings and executions.
First of all, we should mention the Old Town Hall - the main architectural complex of Old Prague. It was founded in 1338, but was not completed in its final form until 1848. The 56-meter tower was built in 1364, and a Gothic chapel was soon added to it.
The Town Hall has a beautiful interior:
The Town Hall tower offers a wonderful view of the square. You can get there by stairs or by elevator. In the basements of the Town Hall there is a dungeon from the Romanesque period.
Entrance and tours are paid. A full ticket costs 250 CZK, a discounted ticket costs 150 CZK. More information can be found on the official website: www.prague.eu/en./object/places/188/old-town-hall.
In 1410, the Orloj (Pražský orloj) clock was installed here - an astronomical clock created by Professor Jan Šindel and master Mikuláš, and the moving figures appeared in the 17th century.
More about the astronomical clock =>>
There is a small park behind the town hall. Next to it, on the sidewalk, there is a memorial to the 27 leaders executed for the first uprising against the Habsburg dynasty.
The Old Town Hall complex also includes the №3 "At the Minute" (Dům U Minuty) building with biblical and mythological characters. Franz Kafka and his parents lived in this house from 1889 to 1896.
Now let's go to the Church of St. Nicholas (not to be confused with the church of the same name on Lesser Town Square).
This church has survived many hard times and has had many owners. At one time it was going to be torn down, but it survived and is currently managed by the Catholic administration.
The diameter of the Baroque dome is 20 meters, the height is 49 meters. Inside, the temple is spacious. The sanctuary is located in the center. On it stands a marble statue of St. Nicholas - a real work of art.
The Church of St. Nicholas is a functioning church. Its only drawback is not very good acoustics, which is the fault of the builders.
In the middle of this square (since 1915) stands a statue of Jan Hus - a reformer priest, a national hero of the Czech Republic.
This bronze statue seems to have grown straight out of the paving stones.
Worthy of mention is the Kinsky Palace of the 18th century in the style of rococo.
The building is currently used as an exhibition hall of the National Gallery. It is interesting that the Kinsky Palace is not in line with other buildings, but is pushed forward. According to one version, the reason for this was that its owner, Count Jan Goltz, bribed the officials of the time.
Now we must mention the Tyn Church, which stands on the opposite side of the Old Town Hall (full name - "Our Lady before Týn"). It captivates with its architectural splendor.
The church is decorated with two 80-meter towers, the northern one is called Eva, the southern one - Adam. Between them is a late Gothic pediment with a figure of the Virgin Mary.
The interior of the church is wonderful:
It should be noted that the organ of the Tyn Cathedral is the oldest in all of Prague and dates back to 1673. Entrance to the church is free.
To get to the Old Town Square, take the green A metro line to the stop Staromestska.
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