Prague Old Town Square: 9 Buildings That Have Stories To Tell

I first visited Prague in the Czech Republic when I was in middle school. A part of a choir trip to Europe, one of the few but striking memories I kept was of Prague’s Old Town Square, or Staromák. Founded in the 12th century, it’s vibrant and historic, colorful and enchanting, and everywhere you look, there’s a story ready to be told. Back again 20 years later and I wanted to look deeper and learn more about the square, of course to enjoy the ticking and tocking of the Astronomical Clock, but also to discover what the paintings and facades really meant.

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning like me, Prague’s Old Town Square is more than just a picturesque landmark. It’s a living museum, a place where history, art, and legend intertwine. Follow this guide to make sure you don’t miss the details that bring this iconic place to life!

As you wander through the crowds, make sure you know where to look to catch every detail of the rich tapestry in Prague’s Old Town Square:

• Prague Trip Planning
• What To See In Prague’s Old Town Square
  • The Marian Column (Mariánský sloup)
  • Jan Hus Monument (Pomník Jana Husa)
  • Church of St. Nicholas (Chrám sv. Mikuláse)
  • Storch House (Štorchův dům)
  • Astronomical Clock (Pražský Orloj)
  • Tourist Information Center
  • House of the Minute (Minuta House)
  • Kinský Palace (Palác Kinských)
  • Church of Our Lady before Týn (Kostel Matky Boží Před Týnem)

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Prague Trip Planning

Prague Visitor Pass: Prague has a 48-hour, 72-hour, and 120-hour visitor pass that provides access to public transportation as well as admission to over 70 experiences. If you’ll be in the city for a few days and plan to see it all, this could be a great option to keep you on a budget.

Go City Prague All- Inclusive Pass: Go City is a service that has 1-day and multi-day passes for cities all around the world. If you’ve used them before and liked them, check them out again for Prague. They have a similar offering as the Prague Visitor Pass but offer up to a 5-day pass.

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What To See In Prague’s Old Town Square

Before you visit Prague’s Old Town Square, check out this guide to the buildings that will catch your eye so you can appreciate what you’re seeing on a deeper level, an historical level, and an artistic level.

The Marian Column (Mariánský sloup)

Rising proudly in the center of Old Town Square, this towering column, crowned with a golden Virgin Mary, has a turbulent history. Originally erected in 1650 to commemorate Prague’s survival in the Thirty Years’ War, it was torn down in 1918 as a symbol of Austria-Hungary’s rule.

After decades of debate, it was rebuilt in 2020, returning to its rightful place.

Fun Fact: The original column stood nearly 16 meters high with a gilded two-meter statue of the Virgin Mary. Beneath it, a hollow space once served as a chapel, housing a 15th-century Gothic panel depicting the “Virgin Mary of the Square.”

Jan Hus Monument (Pomník Jana Husa)

One of the square’s most commanding sculptures, the Jan Hus Monument honors the bold Czech reformer who defied the corruption of the Catholic Church. His teachings, influenced by English philosopher John Wycliffe, challenged church opulence and sparked a religious movement that would later inspire Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation.

Hus, promised safe passage by Emperor Sigismund, traveled to Constance in 1415, only to be burned at the stake as a heretic. His legacy, however, ignited a wave of Czech nationalism, and the statue was unveiled exactly 500 years later in 1915.

Fun Fact: The imposing figure of Hus in the monument makes him look tall and commanding. In reality, he was short with a youthful face, a far cry from his stern depiction.

Church of St. Nicholas (Chrám sv. Mikuláse)

Designed by the brilliant Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer in the early 18th century, this Baroque beauty is impossible to miss. While its ornate exterior dazzles, the interior lost much of its splendor when the Jesuits were expelled in the 1790s. During WWI, the church was repurposed as a military garrison. Today, its grand acoustics make it a favorite concert venue.

• Address: Staroměstské nám. 1101
• Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 5:00pm

Fun Fact: Dungeons were built beneath the square to house prisoners and there is a labyrinth of chambers and tunnels that share a much darker side of history. To see the tunnels, you must be with a guide. Join a “Ghosts, legends, and Medieval Underground Dungeon Tour in Prague” to see.

Storch House (Štorchův dům)

A burst of Neo-Renaissance charm, the House of the Stone Madonna dates back to the 15th century, but its real transformation happened between 1896 and 1897 when bookseller Alexander Storch revamped it with a dramatic mural-covered facade.

The artwork is divided into four sections, depicting everything from scientific studies to Saint Wenceslas on horseback. At the very top, the Three Wise Men complete the storytelling tapestry.

• Address: Staroměstské nám. 16

Astronomical Clock (Pražský Orloj)

You’ll easily spot this beautiful clock by the crowds that come together in front of it at the top of the hour. Installed in 1410, Orloj is a medieval clock and the biggest attraction in Prague. It’s the third oldest clock in the world and the oldest one that still works.

Legend has it that if the clock were ever to stop, Prague itself would fall, a superstition that has helped keep it meticulously maintained for over 600 years.

Watch as the 12 apostles make their rounds, a skeleton rings a bell, and the sun and moon move across the Zodiac.

• Address: Staroměstské nám. 1
• Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00am ~ 7:00pm; Monday: 11:00am ~ 7:00pm
• Admission: You can see the show without paying, but if you want to go inside, there’s a fee. Adults: 300 CZK; Children 6-15/Students: 200 CZK

Travel Tip: Arrive a few minutes early to claim a good viewing spot. The area fills up fast and empties just as quickly once the show is over! The show lasts a mere 45 seconds.

Tourist Information Center

Formerly the reception area of the Old Town Hall, today the orange facade next to the Astronomical Clock houses the Tourist Information Center. Stop in for information on events, museums, and historical monuments as well as free maps of Prague.

House of the Minute (Minuta House)

Just beyond the Tourist Information Office moving away from the Astronomical Clock, this building is covered in intricate white sgraffito and will easily catch your eye. This 15th-century house underwent a Renaissance facelift in 1564. The delicate imprints give the facade a 3D effect, making it stand out amid the pastel-colored buildings of the square.

• Address: Staroměstské nám. 3/2

Fun Fact: The sgraffito reliefs illustrate Hapsburg rulers and Greek mythology, but the real claim to fame? This was the childhood home of Franz Kafka, one of Prague’s most famous literary figures.

Kinský Palace (Palác Kinských)

With its eye-catching pink-and-white Rococo facade, Kinský Palace very visually appealing, but its history is even more dramatic. In 1948, Communist leader Klement Gottwald stood on its balcony, rallying thousands of supporters. That speech marked the beginning of “Victorious February”, a bloodless coup that ushered Czechoslovakia into Communist rule.

• Address: Staroměstské nám. 1/3
• Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm

Church of Our Lady before Týn (Kostel Matky Boží Před Týnem)

With its towering Gothic spires piercing the sky, the Church of Our Lady before Týn looks straight out of a fairy tale. In fact, Disney legend claims this very church inspired the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Not exactly on the square, the spires tower over the square so much that you’ll surely wonder what the building is.

Look closely, and you’ll see the towers aren’t identical, the larger one is “Adam”, while the smaller is “Eve”. The church was once a Hussite stronghold, and its twin spires originally held a golden chalice—later melted by the Catholic rulers into a Madonna figure after the Battle of White Mountain.

• Address: Staroměstské nám.
• Hours: Sunday: 10:30am ~ 12:00pm, Wednesday – Thursday: 5:00pm ~ 6:30pm, Friday: 4:00pm ~ 5:00pm

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