Royal Way

You are now standing on the Republic Square in front of the 15th century Powder Tower, which represents the symbolic entrance to the Old Town of Prague. It is connected to the Municipal House, a popular Viennese Secession building constructed between 1905 and 1911. The independence of Czechoslovakia was proclaimed here, hence the name of Republic Square. The building of the Municipal House serves as a cultural center and we recommend that you visit the Viennese Secession café on the left of

We are on Celetná Street, one of the oldest streets in Prague, it still reminds us of medieval days and has not lost its significance since. Its name recalls the word "caltna", which is a wreathed bun which was made by the local bakers in the past. At the corner there is the u Černé Matky Boží building built between 1911 and 1912, a Cubist architecture masterpiece by Josef Gočár. This type of architecture has no match around the world and is popular with all visitors. We again recommend visiting the unique and world-famous

Josefina Dušková, renowned singer in whose house Mozart was a guest, lived in the Building u Černého Slunce. Mozart actually lived in Prague as he was very popular thanks to the success of his opera Don Giovanni. The Building u Českého Lva still retains its original seal. The Týnský Church will empress you thanks to its size and monumental towers. A copy of the sculpture of the Virgin Mary reminds us of a plague pillar, which stood on the Old Town Square in the past.
Behind the church,

The Old Town Square will surprise you with its diversity as well as the richly decorated house fronts. The Baroque Sixtův House opens onto the square. The Neo-Gothic Štorchův House is decorated with a figure representing the patron of the Czech lands, St. Wenceslas on the horse. The House u Kamenného Beránka has its house emblem next to its balcony, on the entrance portal there is a plaque bearing the name Albert Einstein, he used to meet here with the Prague German Jewish intellectuals. The church of the Virgin Mary before the Týn is the most significant feature of the Old Town. The view is blocked by the

The monument commemorating the renowned Czech reformer Jan Hus was unveiled in 1915 on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of his burning at the stake. A short distance from the monument is the Prague Meridian materialised by a metal plaque in the pavement. The original placement of the Plague Pillar (torn down in 1918) is remembered thanks to the foundation stone for its projected copy. The facade of the Golz-Kinský Palace is Rococo and optically divided into five parts in order to be in harmony with the neighbouring houses. However the significance of the palace is underlined by it being placed ahead of those houses. Franz Kafka studied

The Old Town Square is one of the oldest, and Prague residents favourite. The square is more than 9,000 square metres. It was the main marketplace as early as in the 13th century. The square has always held events, festivals important for the entire country (for instance the Velvet Revolution in 1989 being one of the recent ones). Each year during the Easter and Christmas holidays, Markets take over the square. Every spring, marathon runners from all over the world gather here

The Old Town City Hall was founded in 1338. From 1784, it was the main city hall for the whole city. It is today used for representative and exhibition purposes, the Prague Mayor also welcomes delegations here. The wedding hall is Prague favourite.
the late Gothic portal of the main entrance is worth a look. But Prague visitors attention is drawn by the Astronomical Clock made in the beginning of the 15th century. Each whole hour the doors above the clock face open displaying the parade of the statues of the apostles, at the end the rooster crows.

The triangular shape of the Small Square has its origin in the Middle Ages. The fountain with the Renaissance latticework was built in 1560. The Neo-Renaissance Building u Rotta is decorated with painting designed by Mikoláš Aleš. Very few people know that the first Czech Prague Bible was printed here in 1488. The Classic style portal of the High Baroque triple-section facade of the Richter's House is decorated

The Baroque Clam-Gallas Palace houses the Archive of the City of Prague. It is also used for exhibitions and concerts. The church of St. Jiljí from the 14th century is behind the church where Master Jan Hus worked, hence the name of the street nearby: Husova Street. The Building u Zlatého Tygra has a famous pub. The former United States President Bill Clinton and former Czech Republic

In the past, Karlova Street was one of the main Old Town thoroughfares. In medieval times, knife grinders and Baroque shoemakers were to be found here. Despite the busy atmosphere, one should have a look. You can look at the front of historical buildings. The Baroque front of house u Zlaté Studně is decorated with stucco reliefs of the plague patrons. Hotel Klementin was founded in one of the narrowest buildings in Prague (3.28 meters wide) and was named after the original St. Kliment church. The side of Hotel Klementin conceals a

The name "Křižovnické Square" (Square of the Knights of the Cross) reminds us of the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star, which is the only exclusively Czech Church Order. It uses the church of St. Francis of Assisi, the green dome of which is well visible. There is a winery pillar on the side of the church with a statue of St. Wenceslas as well as remains from the 12th century Judith Bridge. The church of St. Salvatore with its Baroque sculptures will remind us of the Klementinum. The dominant feature of the square is a statue of Charles the Fourth, Czech King as well

The Charles Bridge is one of the most famous monuments in Prague. It is a monumental Gothic masterpiece, connecting two historical sides on both banks of the Vltava River. It is the oldest bridge in Prague and it was founded as early as in 1348 in place of the former Judith Bridge. The bridge is 516 metres long and 9.5 metres wide. You won´t miss it as it is the only bridge that is decorated with sculptures, specifically 30 statues and group sculptures of saints. It was the only bridge in Prague until the beginning of the 19th century. Today it´s

Above the Vltava River basin emerges the Prague Castle with the St Vitus Cathedral, St. Wenceslas, and St. Vojtěch, the largest architectural complex in Prague, seat of Czech Kings and today's presidents. A quarter under the Prague Castle is called Lesser Town, which is dominated by the green dome of St. Mikuláš with its slim tower. The Petřín Hill is distinctive thanks to its tower, which was built in 1891 obviously inspired by the Eiffel Tower. The opposite bank of the Vltava River is dominated by the National Theatre, a historical Water Tower, and the Smetana Museum. There is

The smaller tower is what remains of the previous Medieval Judith Bridge dating back from the 12th century. The former customs house stands in front of the tower. The taller tower from the 15th century is a lookout tower, and during the summer season it houses a tourist information centre on the ground floor. The house u Tří Pštrosů from the 16th century was acquired in 1597 by Jan Fux, a trader in ostrich feathers, then a favourite merchandise. Now, lets say goodbye to the Charles Bridge and its group sculptures St. Salvatore, St. Kosma St. Damián

The heart of the Lesser Town is Lesser Town Square. It is one of the largest squares in Prague but this isn´t what´s really important. It is actually situated at the intersection of two roads, the Vltava River left bank road and the Royal Road.

Lesser Town Square, is divided into two parts by the Jesuit church of St. Mikuláš. The tower of the church is a lookout post. The former Jesuit College is today used by the Physics & Mathematics faculty of the Charles University. The Gromlingovský Palace is decorated with mythological sculptures.The Smiřický house and its corner bay windows is on the North side of the square. It is here that the leaders of the Czech Estate opposition argued about defenestration, which actually turned out to be the start of the Thirty Year

The monumental Liechtenstein Palace, in the corner connecting to nearby Hartigovský Palace, takes the entire western side. It is now used by the Music Academy, there are also concerts. The facade of St. Nicolas church is decorated with sculptures of religious teachers. Mozart played the organ here in 1787, and classical music concerts are still given. The slim belfry belonged

At the end of the Lesser Town Square, the Royal Way starts ascending sharply towards its goal, namely, the Prague Castle. this last part of the Way will take us up Nerudova Street. The name of the street reminds us of renowned 19th century Czech writer Jan Neruda, who was admired by Pablo Neruda. We shouldn´t confuse them.
Nerudova street

There is an impressive view of Prague from here. On the left the Petřín Hill. Between the Petřín Hill and us the red roofs of the Lesser Town huddling together and then St. Mikuláš . We can see all the way down to the Vltava River and the Charles Bridge. On the opposite bank, the roof of the National Theatre draws our attention. The theatre actually stands between the Old Town (on the left) and the New Town (behind it on the right). Prague is an old town with towers and spires in the heart