Houses and Palaces in the Square (Pt 1)

Houses and palaces of the Old Town Square (1)

The Prague audio-guided tour invites you to look up at the houses and palaces that border the Old Town Square. Like a film seen again, the square holds new details to observe at each visit, so rich and varied is its architecture.

A history book of architecture

The façades that frame the square tell several centuries of architecture, from Gothic to baroque by way of the Renaissance and the rococo. Each house has its history, its sign and sometimes its name, inherited from a time when dwellings were designated by a symbol rather than a number. This harmonious diversity makes the square one of the finest urban ensembles in Europe.

What there is to see

Among the remarkable buildings are the Kinský Palace, with its elegant rococo façade, and the House at the Stone Bell, one of the oldest, with its Gothic façade. Gables, frescoes, sculpted signs and bright colours compose a scene of great richness. Take the time to examine each façade: it is the whole past of Prague that can be read on this square.

Practical information

The houses and palaces border the Old Town Square, in the heart of Prague. Their façades can be contemplated freely from the square, at all hours and on the level. Some buildings, like the Kinský Palace, house museums or galleries, open according to their own schedule.

Which architectural styles can you see on the square?

From Gothic to baroque, by way of the Renaissance and the rococo: the Old Town Square brings together several centuries of architecture.

Which remarkable buildings border the square?

The Kinský Palace, with its rococo façade, and the House at the Stone Bell, with its Gothic façade, are among the most remarkable.