Visiting the Old Town Square or Staromestske Namesti in Prague is like traveling back in time, 600 or 700 years. Here you can feel in the air the dramatic history of Prague and czech people.
The Old Town Square is one of two main squares in the city centre. We have travel many countries and cities and we consider this square to be one of the most beautiful historical sights in Europe. Old buildings, ancient statues and magnificent churches are creating an epic image of this plaza.
First historical mention of this square is from late 12th century when the Old Town Square started life as the central marketplace for Prague. Over the next few centuries, many buildings of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles were erected around the market, each bringing with them stories of wealthy merchants and intrigue.
At the centre of the Old Town Square is the Jan Hus statue, erected on the 6th July 1915 to mark the 500th anniversary of the reformer’s death.
The Old Town Square’s most notable sights are the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, the Old Town Hall Tower & Astronomical Clock and the stunning St. Nicholas Church.
The Church of Our Lady Before Tyn (Týnský Chrám) dominates one side of the Old Town Square. The spires of this powerful looking Gothic church, but with a Baroque interior, can be seen from all over Prague.
The Astronomical Clock on the side of the Old Town Hall Tower dates back to the 15th century. To appreciate this intricate construction to its fullest, we had to join the crowd in front of the tower to observe the procession of the Twelve Apostles: on the hour, every hour, a small trap door opens and Christ marches out ahead of his disciples, while the skeleton of death tolls the bell to a defiant statue of a Turk.
Beautiful St. Nicholas Church at the Old Town Square was completed in 1735. It replaced a parish church, mentioned in records dating back as early as 1273.
After so much walking and visiting we sit back and soak up the atmosphere over a beer at one of the many pavement cafés surrounding the square.
