Old Town Square

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Old Town Square is, along with the Charles Bridge, one of the most visited locations in Prague. It could be due to the wonderful buildings which surround the square or it could be the Tyn Church which towers above the church like something out of the Wizard of Oz, but our money is on the Astronomical Clock which adornes one side of the City Hall Tower.

If you stand in the middle of the Old Town Square, after you’ve walked there from one of our Apartments in Prague, you’ll see a host of lovely Baroque building surrounding the square. These buildings are largely residential, but on each ground floor is an interesting shop which, truth be told, are probably some of the more expensive places to shop in the country.

There is also a statue dedicated to Jan Hus, the religious reformer who was burned at the stake by the inquisition in the 15th century. To celebrate his contribution to Czech society (he invented the diacritical marks one sees over many Czech letters), there is a national Holiday on July 6, the anniversary of his execution.

Most importantly though, is the Astronomical Clock on the tower of the town hall. The mechanical clock was built in 1410 and is one of a number of very complex astronomical clocks which were designed and constructed during the 14th and 15th centuries. People usually gather in front of the clock about 15 minutes before the hour to watch the “Walk of the Apostles,” which happen on the hour. We won’t tell you what happens, better to go there yourself and enjoy the spectacle.

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