Prague Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Prague

While in Prague, you are bound to visit the Old Town Square which sits right in the heart of the city. Once a thriving market, this square is now a pedestrian area abuzz with shops, hotels, restaurants, and bars; a place to meet fellow travelers, take in some of the city's most jaw-dropping sights, and enjoy nightlife.

Here you will find some of the most impressive medieval buildings in the city too, starting with the Old Town City Hall, built in 1364 and famous for its Astronomical Clock. In the northern part of the square stands the 18th-century St. Nicholas Church (a classical music venue as of lately), with its white façade that seems to gleam in the sunlight.

Overlooking the square, the 14th-century Týn Church is probably the most photographed religious site in the city, laded with Gothic spires (access inside is through the Týn School, another impressive Gothic building with many arcades). Nearby, you can visit the Stone Bell House where a prominent art gallery showcases contemporary & modern works; while next to the Stone Bell is the lovely Kinsky Palace (now part of the National Gallery Art Museum) with its Rococo façade.

On the south side you will find some wonderful Baroque and Renaissance buildings are named after their house signs: At the Golden Unicorn; At the Blue Star; At the Stone Ram; and At the Red Fox. What does the fox say? The fox says that in the past, buildings in Prague weren't numbered, but instead had to be identified by their names.

In the center of the square is the huge Jan Hus Memorial, placed here to mark the 500th anniversary of the religious reformer's death. The revered martyr of the Czechs was labeled a heretic and burned at the stake on July 6, 1415.

Tip:
Climb or take an elevator to the top of the clock tower for a 360° bird's eye view of the city.

This grand 14th-century Gothic edifice, characterized by its irregular twin towers capped by four small spires, dominates not only the Old Town Square, but is also seen from everywhere in Prague and, as such, is an excellent landmark to help keep one's bearings. Like the nearby Hus Monument, the Týn Church is a source of Czech national pride, adding to the overall feel of "Magic Prague" – no wonder Disney used it as an inspiration for his fairytale castle.

The best view of the exterior can be obtained by getting a ticket to the opposite clock tower and then taking a lift to the top. As for the interior – a triumph of gilded wood – it is the product of Baroque transformation with countless altars placed everywhere: in front of pillars, beside the main altar, in corners and along the side walls. The profusion of these tall, black-gilded altars, along with the brightly stained glass, makes the church stand out in memory.

Astronomy buffs will certainly enjoy a stop at the beautiful marble tomb of Tycho Brahe, who served as Rudolf II's "personal consultant" (right beside, look for a wood relief carving that shows him holding astronomical symbols), much as the chance to wonder at the imposing 17th-century organ. If you're willing to spend a little bit extra, be sure to book through Via Musica for the occasional concert here.

Why You Should Visit:
Great pictures from the square and/or clock tower outside and much detail on the interior, which is free to enter.
The church is lit up at night with orange lights which give it a complete fairytale look, if viewed from the square.

Tip:
Entrance is through a narrow passage; if you stand in the square and look at the two spires, it is actually at the last arch on the left in the row of restaurants. Note that visiting times are rather limited and the doors may close between 12 and 3pm.

The most famous and intriguing feature of the Old Town Hall since the 1400s, the Horologe (Astronomical Cock) is a marvel to behold. The sophistication of its form – the moving figures set in motion on the stroke of each hour by a complex mechanism, the astronomical and calendar dials – reveals the degree of scientific advancement of its creators.

The first version of the horologe was completed in 1410, followed by extensive reconstruction in 1490 by Jan Růže (aka Hanuš), the old town locksmith, who produced a timepiece based on the pendulum system. In 1552 the clock was repaired again.

In 1629 or 1659 wooden statues were installed, followed by the Apostles' figures added in 1787-1791. During another major repair, in 1865–1866, the golden figure of a crowing rooster emerged. The most recent repairs, after World War II, saw the badly damaged original statues replaced with copies. Still, despite the numerous repairs, the most fundamental features of the clock remain unchanged.

The clock face represents the Earth and the sky: one part for the day and the other for the night. The outer ring shows old Bohemian time, while the astronomical dial charts the movement of the Sun and planets around the Earth (which is, of course, positioned at the centre of the universe!). The third dial charts the movement of the Sun and the Moon through zodiacal signs. Around the edge, yet another pointer shows what day of the month and week it is, and, perhaps more importantly, what saint's day it is (and hence what holiday).

As the clock face is quite difficult to read, the greatest attraction for viewers is the hourly show of wooden statuettes (including Christ and the Twelve Apostles), appearing from mini-trapdoors and moving from left to right, while a suitably creepy skeletal figure signifying Death pulls a rope to the rhythm of the chimes.

One of the legends surrounding the clock is that its maker, Hanus, had his eyes pulled out so that he could never re-create his masterpiece. In revenge, he is said to have broken the clock which then took another 100 years to repair. Another legend says that if the clock stops for any length of time, Prague will fall.

Tip:
Climb or take elevator to the top of the clock tower to get a bird's eye view of the city.

When you follow the Royal Route from the Old Town to Prague Castle, a part of it will take you through Karlova Street and you are certain to spend a little time exploring this quaint road.

Karlova Street begins at the Square of the Knights of the Cross and ends near the Charles Bridge. Most of the buildings have Baroque façades but have kept their Gothic or Romanesque cellars and vaults.

If you take photos of house-signs you can add several to your collection: “At the Blue Pike” was once a pub, frequented by Wenceslas IV and his magician Zito; “At the French Crown”, where the German astronomer J. Kepler lived; “At the Golden Crown” /”At the White Horse”, once two Gothic houses; the house sign is the original and dates back to the 16th century.

If you like puppets, you will be delighted to find several shops selling these lovable marionettes; the best puppet shop is “Kingdom of Marionettes”. There is also a small marionette theatre where you can watch a parody of Don Giovanni. There are open markets, souvenir shops, cafés and restaurants. When you have finished your visit there are plenty of street bands to serenade you on your way.

The beauty of Prague’s architecture is amply represented by the Old Town Tower Bridge which stands at one end of the Charles Bridge. Erected in the 14th century, it was part of the old fortifications built to protect the city from invaders coming from the North.

Above the arch, you can see the coat of arms of the Bohemian Kingdom and the symbol of Wenceslas IV, a kingfisher. Above these are the three statues: of Charles IV on the right; Wenceslas IV on the left; and of St Vitus in the middle. Statues of St Vojtech and St Sigismund are higher up, near the top of the tower.

The east and west façades were once also decorated, but the west side decorations were destroyed by invading Swedish troops in 1648. Marking that period is a stone plaque depicting citizens of Prague repelling the Swedes, installed shortly after. The first floor of the tower was once a debtor’s prison; today, there is a short documentary played there, showing how the bridge and the tower came into being. The top floor affords visitors a marvelous view over Prague.

You can also see two rather enigmatic inscriptions under the roof of the tower’s archway. These palindromes read: “Signate Signate mere me tangis et angis” and “Roma tibi subito motibus ibit amor”. The exact reason why these inscriptions have been put up there is lost in the mists of time, but some say it could have been a magic formula against evil.

Why You Should Visit:
One of Prague's most iconic structures; an architectural masterpiece which offers arguably the best views over the bridge.

Tip:
Come back down backward for the first two or three flights of stairs from the top, as it may prove much easier.

The Charles Bridge (Karlův most) is a famous historic bridge that crosses the Vltava (Moldau) river in Prague. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and was completed 45 years later in 1402. A legend has it that the construction began precisely at 5:31am on 9 July 1357 with the first stone being laid by Charles IV himself. This exact time was very important to the Holy Roman Emperor as he was a strong believer in numerology and felt that this specific time, which formed a palindrome (1357 9, 7 5:31), was a numerical bridge, and would imbue Charles Bridge with additional strength.

As the only means of crossing the Vltava, standing 516 meters long, nearly 10 meters wide, and resting on 16 arches shielded by ice guards, the Charles Bridge had been the most important connection between the Old Town, Prague Castle and the adjacent areas until 1841.

The bridge was originally called the Stone Bridge (Kamenný most) or the Prague Bridge (Pražský most) but has been known as "Charles Bridge" ever since 1870.

In the early 20th century, the bridge saw a steep rise in heavy traffic. On 15 May 1905, the horse line on the bridge was replaced with an electric tram and later, in 1908, with buses. All vehicular traffic has been excluded from the Charles Bridge since 1978, making it pedestrian-only.

The avenue of 30 mostly baroque statues and statuaries situated on the balustrade forms a unique connection of artistic styles with the underlying Gothic bridge. Most sculptures here, depicting various saints and patron saints venerated at the time, were erected between 1683 and 1714. As of 1965, all of the statues have been systematically replaced with replicas, while the originals have been exhibited in the Lapidarium of the National Museum.

Why You Should Visit:
For a picturesque panorama of the Prague riverside.
A chance to step back in time, into the 15th century.

Tips:
Come early in the morning or late in the evening if you need more space, as this place is usually packed with tourists!
If you decide to walk across the bridge, take the time to also visit the nearby John Lennon wall.

Passing through the arch shared by the Lesser Town Bridge Towers, you will find yourself in Mostecká (“The Bridge”) street. Flanked by colorful, gabled Renaissance, Baroque and sometimes Rococo facades, dating back to the 14th-18th centuries, this narrow cobblestone thoroughfare has been in existence for 750 years, linking Charles Bridge to The Lesser Town Square. Some of the facades still carry original decorations, such as a chained bear at No. 4, the cellist Zelenka bust, a beautiful door in bronze at No. 17, three goats at No. 18, and more. With all its curious beauty, it's no wonder that this street was used in the past by royal processions for coronations.

Being on the Malá Strana side, ahead of the towers, on the right you can see the house painted with three ostriches. This Renaissance-style edifice now houses a hotel, but before it was the home of Jan Fux, the feather merchant and fashion designer, who sold ostrich plumes and other precious bird feathers – quite fashionable at the time – for decorating ladies' hats, courtiers and officers' headgear, horse trappings, fans and other garments. In 1606, Fux invited Daniel Alexius from Květná to paint this bombastic advertisement, over the facade, to promote his business.

As you take a stroll along “the Bridge” further, make sure to check out also the Gothic tower in the courtyard of “At the Three Golden Bells”, the “At the Black Eagle” house for its lavish sculptural décor and magnificent Baroque wrought-iron grille, as well as the ornate Rococo façade of the Kaunic Palace.

The lower part of the street is lined with boutique shops, restaurants and bars, all catering to the passing tourists.

Ever since the 10th century, Prague’s Lesser Town Square has been an important marketplace and epicenter of activity on the left side of the river. Today, it is still abuzz with restaurants, pubs and shops, and is well worth a long visit just to see the multitude of remarkable buildings lining it.

Among them is the 14th century Old Town Hall where non-catholic nobles once wrote “Ceste Konfese” demanding religious tolerance. The centerpiece of the square is the impressive 18th century Baroque St Nicholas Church. Built on the remains of a Gothic chapel, this church boasts some truly wonderful frescoes, including a 1,500-square meter one on the ceiling, and statues.

If you happen to relax over a drink at the renowned 'Malostranska kaverna', make sure to realize that you are sitting in what was once the Gromling Palace, the most important Rococo building in Prague. On the northern edge of the square you will find Smiricky House where the city nobles used to gather in 1618 to plot assassination of Imperial Catholic Governors. The latter were thrown out of window, but miraculously survived, thus sparkling the "30-year" war. The nearby Sternberg Palace today is used by the National Gallery for expositions.

On the façade of the 18th century Kaiserstein Palace you will see the bust of the famous Czech soprano, Emma Destinnova, who lived here in the early 20th century.

Why You Should Visit:
Historic Prague at its core, replete with unique historical palaces and monuments.

Tip:
Stop by to browse the small shops, explore the churches or taste some traditional Czech cuisine.

The Church of Saint Nicholas, also known as St. Nicholas's Cathedral, is a Baroque church in Lesser Town, Prague. It was built between 1704 and 1755 on the site previously occupied by a Gothic church since the 13th century, also dedicated to St Nicholas. Constructed by Christoph Dientzenhofer and his son Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer, the new temple has been described as "the most impressive example of Prague Baroque" and "without doubt the greatest Baroque church in Prague and the Dientzenhofers' supreme achievement".

The building excels not only in architecture but also in decoration. Its Baroque-style organ has over 4,000 pipes, up to six meters in length each, and is known to have been played by none other than Mozart himself in 1787. The 79-meter tall belfry is directly connected to the church’s massive dome and offers terrific panoramic views of the city.

Why You Should Visit:
Spectacular Baroque cathedral, with plenty of historical information.

Tip:
Climb to the second floor for a closer look at the ceiling paintings.
You may also attend one-hour concerts daily at 6 PM (except Tuesday) from the end of March till early November. Advent and Christmas concerts start at 5 PM (on selected days only).

You will find Nerudova Street in The Lesser Town area and if you don’t mind walking up a rather steep hill, this street makes for a very interesting visit, especially if you collect house-signs.

The street is named after Jan Neruda the writer who used the Lesser Town area as the backdrop for his stories and essays. The buildings are Renaissance or Baroque, but most have kept their Gothic origins in the form of cellars and vaults. The Embassy of Romania is housed in Morzin Palace, with its statues of two Moors holding up the balcony. The Italian Embassy is found at Thun-Hobenstein Palace and has a pair of eagles spreading their wings over the portal. The street is full of quaint pubs, restaurants and shops.

House signs were used before houses were numbered and Nerudova Street has plenty of fine examples. Among others are: “At the Golden Cup” you’ll see the symbol of goldsmiths and this one dates back to 1660. “At the Three Fiddles” is where the violin maker T.Edlinger, the founder of the Prague School of Violin Making, once lived. “At the Golden Horseshoe” you can see a real horseshoe on the foot of the painted horse, put there in 1559.

The Lesser Town is probably the most haunted area of Prague and Nerudova Street is no exception. “At the Black Eagle” was owned by a miserly old woman who locked all her possessions away so that her heirs couldn’t get them. Now you can hear her late at night, rattling a bunch of keys as she opens and closes doors to check on her treasures.

Why You Should Visit:
One of Prague's most picturesque cobblestone streets.

Tip:
Stop by the Gingerbread Museum for a snack!

Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) is where the Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors, as well as presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic have had their offices. The Bohemian Crown Jewels are kept here. Prague Castle is one of the biggest in the world (according to Guinness Book of Records the biggest ancient castle) at about 570 meters in length and an average of about 130 meters wide.

The castle buildings represent virtually every architectural style of the last millennium. The Prague Castle includes Gothic St Vitus Cathedral, Romanesque Basilica of St. George, a monastery and several palaces, gardens and defense towers. Most of the castle areas are open to tourists. Nowadays, the castle houses several museums, including the National Gallery collection of Bohemian baroque and mannerism art, an exhibition dedicated to Czech history, a Toy Museum and the picture gallery of Prague Castle, based on the collection of Rudolph II.

Why You Should Visit:
Prague's highlight; a remarkable blend of history with different architectural styling from the inhabitants of the castle and its walls over the years.

Tip:
There are multiple ticket booths, so if the main line is too long, walk into the courtyard to check the other line as well.
Plan for a minimum of 3-5 hours to explore the whole Castle complex. Gardens are free and you're welcome to enjoy them as much time as you like.

Situated on the grounds of the Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece, is considered by many to be the seat of Bohemian national identity. With the tombs of numerous Holy Roman Emperors and Bohemian kings, it is easy to see why this is the case. Beyond this history, you have the sheer beauty of the structure with its imposing and elaborate exterior, majestic nave and ravishing stained-glass windows all combining to create a moving aesthetic.

The exterior is characterized by the prominent Great Tower, topped with a baroque dome and home to Sigismund – the largest bell in all Bohemia, made in the mid-16th century and weighing well over 33,000 pounds. To the right of the tower you will find the cathedral's southern doorway, which formerly operated as the main entrance. Known as the Golden Gate, it is unmistakable due to the large multicolored Venetian-glassed mosaic depicting the Last Judgment.

Inside, the majestic, soaring nave is overwhelming at first, and the stained-glass windows on the left add an ethereal quality to an already other-worldly atmosphere. Admire the third window – an exquisite work by the Art Nouveau great Alfons Mucha, which tells the entire history of Christianity in the Czech lands – from the first missionaries to modern times – with swirling figures, vibrant colors, and powerful symbolism. Other items of interest include the wooden panorama of Prague, the tomb of King Wenceslas, and all kinds of decorative elements ranging from the elaborate to the whimsical.

Why You Should Visit:
The crown jewel of Prague Castle, this would be a major attraction even if it were standing alone a mile away.

Tip:
You can visit the exterior and view part of the interior without a ticket. To view the cathedral properly, however, purchase a ticket as part of one of Prague Castle's visit options. There's a also a separate charge to climb the tower – quite a tough climb with lots of steps and fairly narrow, but views from the top are amazing and the clock and bells are visible as well.

The only privately owned building in the great Prague Castle multiplex, this 16th-century palace still belongs to the aristocratic Lobkowicz family after being restored to them after the fall of the communist regime. Now housing a museum, reception rooms and concert hall where classical music is played every lunch time, it is also known for the exquisite 180° panoramic view from its terrace and the 30-minute Prague Inspires Panorama Tour included with every audio guide.

The concept of the museum is a family-narrated audio tour, that guides visitors through the exhibition highlighting world-famous paintings by "old masters" such as Canaletto, Brueghel the Elder, and Velázquez. Also on view are exceptional arms and armor and ceramics, including the largest surviving Delft dinner service in the world. Original music scores and manuscripts written by Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn, among other famous compositors, complete the experience.

The palace's reception rooms, concert hall, balcony and Marble Hall are beautifully decorated with frescoes of Greek mythology on the stucco-work ceilings, while the Imperial Hall has magnificent trompe-l'oeil paintings of Roman statues. The palace's 17th-century chapel is dedicated to St. Wenceslas and the walls are decorated with medallions depicting the legend of the patron saint of the Czech Republic.

Why You Should Visit:
Worth the price of entry, especially for classical music lovers and those interested in music instruments.

Tip:
When you have finished your visit and have bought your souvenirs at the museum shop, you can relax and have a wonderful meal in the palace café-restaurant which is geared to all palettes and where the burgers are the best in Prague.

One of Prague Castle's most fascinating areas is, undoubtedly, Golden Lane, where you will find a collection of tiny houses, all brightly painted. There were once 24, built up against the castle's northern fortification in the 16th century. At first, they housed Rudolf II's marksmen and legend has it that he ordered them not to build houses that exceeded the wall's arches. Besides being small, they also were rather poorly made out of stone, mud, and wood and had to be regularly restored.

When the marksmen were moved to new lodgings, the tiny houses were given to various palace workers, including goldsmiths (which is where the name Golden Lane derived from); however, the most famous resident was the one and only Franz Kafka, who stayed at number 22 with his sister Ottla for a short time (a memorial plaque has been fixed to the wall).

The tiny houses were occupied until World War II, but already during the period of the First Republic, care was taken to ensure that the picturesque character of the Lane was not changed in the course of modifications. The eleven remaining houses have been restored, repainted and are now used to exhibit medieval armor, weapons and textiles, or have become souvenir shops and snack bars. The Lane ends at the prison-tower called Daliborka – a little gory in parts, with examples of torture instruments which are hideous (but part of history after all).

Why You Should Visit:
To see the last remainder of Prague Castle's small-scale architecture. No golden pavement, unfortunately, but plenty of cobblestones, colorful facades, a few small windows, and interesting histories.

Tip:
Buying a ticket will grant access to other parts of the complex, including the Prague Castle. If you'd rather not pay the ticket, you may still walk through the street after 5pm, although most houses and shops are closed by that time.

Opening Hours (paid entrance):
Daily: 9am–5pm (Apr–Oct); 9am–4pm (Nov–Mar)