Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí)

Prague's showpiece medieval square — the Astronomical Clock, Týn Church's fairytale spires, the Jan Hus memorial, and pastel baroque facades in every direction. You'll walk through it regardless; it's genuinely beautiful. Just don't eat or exchange money on it — everything ON the square is tourist-priced, often outrageously.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth eating at the restaurants on Old Town Square?

For the view, maybe a coffee; for a meal, no. Terrace restaurants on the square charge double-to-triple normal Prague prices for mediocre food. Walk literally two streets in any direction and you'll eat far better for half the money.

Is Old Town Square safe? Any scams there?

Physically very safe at all hours. The hazards are financial: pickpockets in the clock crowd, bad exchange offices, 'petition' clipboard teams, and costumed characters or bubble-blowers who demand money after you photograph them. Keep valuables zipped and politely ignore anyone approaching you.

Can I go inside Týn Church?

Yes — entry is free (donations welcome) outside of mass times, typically with visiting windows through the day; the entrance is tucked through an arcade passage under the houses in front of it. Inside: a surprisingly lavish baroque interior and the tomb of astronomer Tycho Brahe.

When is the Christmas market on Old Town Square?

Roughly from late November through early January, with the big tree, mulled wine (svařák), trdelník stalls, and craft huts. It's genuinely atmospheric and genuinely mobbed — weekday mornings are the sane window. Prices are festive too; check your change.

Who is the statue in the middle of the square?

Jan Hus, the church reformer burned at the stake in 1415, a century before Luther — a foundational figure of Czech identity. The sprawling Art Nouveau memorial was unveiled in 1915 on the 500th anniversary of his death. The steps around it are the square's unofficial sitting spot.

What is there to actually see on Old Town Square?

The Astronomical Clock on Old Town Hall, the twin Gothic spires of Týn Church, the baroque St. Nicholas Church, the Jan Hus memorial in the center, and a ring of medieval-to-baroque facades. The square is the sight — give it a slow lap and look up a lot.

What happened to the Marian Column I've heard about?

The baroque Marian Column, torn down by a crowd in 1918 as a symbol of Habsburg rule, was controversially re-erected in 2020 — so if your guidebook is old, that 'new' column is why. It stands near the Týn side of the square.

What are the crosses in the pavement near Old Town Hall?

Twenty-seven white crosses mark where 27 Czech Protestant leaders were executed in 1621 after the Battle of White Mountain — a dark pivot point in Czech history. Most tourists walk right over them. Now you won't.

Nearby in Ask Prague

• Astronomical Clock (Orloj)Attraction0.07 km · 1 min walk
• Havelské tržiště (Havel's Market)Market0.3 km · 4 min walk
• Mucha MuseumAttraction0.37 km · 5 min walk
• Josefov (Jewish Quarter)Neighborhood0.38 km · 5 min walk
• Jewish Museum & Old Jewish CemeteryMuseum0.38 km · 5 min walk