Havelska Street and Market, Prague

The only preserved marketplace in the Old Town, Havelské Market dates back to 1232 and is just a small remnant of the once large medieval market that used to cover the space currently occupied by Ovocný Trh (“Fruit Market”), teeming with furriers, drapers and other craftsmen's shops, and extending all the way to Rytířská Street which runs parallel to the current Havelská Street.

Back in the 15th century, part of the street was known as Tandlmark, or Tarmark, referring to the second-hand wares sold there at the time. In the first half of the 18th century, one half of the street was called Uhelný trh (Coal Market) while the other half – the Green market because of the vegetables and flowers sold there. The name “Havelská Street” was officially coined in 1870. It derived from the nearby St. Gallen (Havel) Church (kostel Svatého Havla), which back in the day was one of the four main parishes in the Old City and the home of the Hussite movement.

As for the street itself, running for some 250 meters, it came into being in the 13th century around the same time as St Gall’s (Havel's) Quarter, an important part of the Old Town, was established. Most of the houses with arcades that once lined the quarter’s northern side have been rebuilt now, although some of them – those in the section between Melantrichova Street and Uhelný trh – still retain their original form.

Presently, Havelské market lies on the pedestrian route between Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square, just a few minutes walk from either of the two, and is rightfully regarded the most photogenic in Prague. Open daily, it offers a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, and on weekends – mainly tourist items of all kinds. The market also sells flowers, arts and crafts, leather goods, wooden toys, ceramics and other authentic souvenirs. While the shops on either side of the street sell ordinary souvenirs, the market stalls are well worth a quick browse for an original gift, such as fresh honey or sweets.