Old Prague has many fabulous squares and streets, amazing architectural monuments, ancient legends, and mystery stories about its famous citizens. Unlike other cities, every place in Prague lays claim to being the main tourist attraction. However, there is only one place that is the heart of this European city – the beautiful Old Town Square.

The picturesque Old Town Square is located in the historic center of the city called Old Town ("Staré Město"). The picturesque area of ​​15 thousand square meters is surrounded by genuine masterpieces of medieval Czech architecture. Looking at the amazing facades of buildings, it is so easy to learn different architectural styles from Gothic and Renaissance to Baroque and Rococo.

The rich history of the square dates back to the 12th century. Back then, it was just an outdoor market at the intersection of trade routes. In the 13th century, the ancient market got its first name, Old Market. A couple of centuries later, the name was changed to Old Town Market, still not a square. This place was finally called the square only in the 18th century. But the Old Town Square received its current name officially only in 1895 and has never changed it since then.

Throughout its history, the ancient square of Prague has been the center of many events. The square housed the royal coronation processions and the executions of the Hussite leaders Jan Zelivsky and Jan Rohac, as well as 27 participants of the Protestant uprising against the ruling House of Habsburg.

Each building that rises around the perimeter of the legendary and historic square deserves special attention. The high Gothic Church of Our Lady before Tyn with narrow arched windows and Baroque interior decoration adorned the square in the middle of the 14th century. Another iconic monument of sacred architecture, the Church of St. Nicholas, was erected in the 18th century. The luxurious interiors of the cathedral are illuminated by a giant crystal chandelier given to the temple by Emperor Alexander II of Russia. The famous Prague astronomical clock still shows the exact time on the Old Town Hall, and the National Gallery continues to delight its visitors with its collections placed in the Kinsky Palace.