Old Town of Prague

A visit to Old town, and in particular Old Town Square (Staromestske Namesti) is more then a glimpse at history, its like stepping back 700 years in time. The ancient buildings with the magnificent churches are easily viewed from the numerous pavement cafes. Dating back to the late 12th century, the Old Town Square started it's life as the central marketplace for Prague, and over the following centuries many building styles including Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles were used in the buildings around the area. Some of the most notable sights in Prague's Old Town Square are the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, the Astronomical Clock & Old Town Hall Tower and the stunning St. Nicolas Church. At the centre of the Old Town Square is the Jan Hus statue, erected on the July 6th 1915 - the 500th anniversary of the reformer's death. The increase of followers after his death eventually led to the Hussite wars. Wooden statues of the apostles lined the astronomical clock, and keen eyes can see the Prague Castle on the horizon as well as the mini-Eiffel Tower and the Strahov Monastery on Petrin Hill. Old town also houses the family home of the Rotts just off Male Namesti (Small Square) who have a legend associated with them about three sisters who were all courted and fell in love with the same man without the others' knowledge. Reportedly the man then murdered all three of the sisters and ended up with all of the family's money.