Prague Old Town Square

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July 2013


















Prague is perhaps my most beloved town in Europe. Its charm never fails to win hearts from tourists.  The medieval atmosphere is everywhere.  Beautiful pastel colour houses of different styles stand together to complement instead of fighting each other.  I just left it and don't mind going back for a deeper appreciation of its details and beauty.

 

Staroměstské Náměstí is the old town square.  Among the south side of the square are Štorchův dům Storch House and U kemenneho beranka (Stone Lamb).  The previous has a 19-century fresco depicting St. Wenceslas, the first left of the above photo. Next is the Stone Lamb.  Go closer to view the lovely lamb between the two rows of windows.


On the eastern side stand the chisel-roofed Dům U Kamenného zvonu (Stone Bell House), a late 13th-century Gothic palace.  It was concealed beneath a baroque façade until the 1970s.  It is a venue for temporary exhibitions organized by the City Gallery.  Left of it is the Palac Kinskych (Kinsky Palace), one of the city's loveliest rococo buildings. It has fair association with Franz Kafka.  Now, it houses the National Gallery's exhibition.



On the northern side stands the Minute House with beautiful Renaissance sgraffito decoration. Kafka's family lived here between 1889 and 1896.

 

Orloj (the astronomical Clock) is one of the most familiar symbols of Prague.  It was first installed at the start of the 15th century and notably improved towards the end of the century. It does not only show the time but the position of sun, moon and stars.  At each hour carved characters begin to rotate and seen at open windows.  The duration is short but attracts crowds.  Legend says that Master Hanus' eyes were put out by the city council to prevent him leaking out the beauty of his art.


The lower dial shows the signs of zodiac and the labour of seasons.  It was added in the 19th century.


Church of Our Lady before Tyn (Kostel Matky Boží před Týnem) is unique.  You see it and you know it's Prague.  The top black Gothic tower should exist here only and nowhere else.  It is so different from the other buildings but they stay together in harmony and win the admiration from all visitors.




Standing at a prominent position of the old town square is Jan Hus Memorial. He is a religion reformer before the time of Martin Luther.  After he was burnt to death, his followers continued the flight to successful emancipation.  Hus gazes into the distance.  Beneath him are sculpted figures symbolizing the tribulations of his fellow countrymen.





We chose to leave in the centre for the convenience to take shots at the famous spots.  I managed to do so in the night.  They are gorgeous.  I hope I can be there in the early morning for shots without crowds.






Location: Old Town Square, 110 00 Prague-Prague 1, Czech Republic

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