Things to See in the Old Town Square in Prague
There's Much to See
Prague is reputably one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe. Its beauty was preserved during World War II, as the Germans skipped out on bombing its many treasures. One of the best places to visit while in Prague is the square. Many European towns and cities include a town square. Most of these squares have some interesting structures and/or monuments that tourists can enjoy. Prague is definitely no different.
One of the impressive structures that visitors can see in the Prague square is an astronomical clock at the town hall building. This clock at the Old Town Hall goes off, well, like clockwork every hour. People begin to crowd around the structure by the hundreds as each new hour nears. Every time the clock goes off, medieval-looking figures (actually the 12 apostles) begin twirling around in open doors above the clock. Also, a skeleton symbolizing death and other figures adorn the outside of the clock.
Directly across from the Old Town Hall is Our Lady before Tyn Cathedral, which is an imposing Gothic structure. The church is visible from much of Prague, with its two massive spires that rise above the surrounding buildings. One of the most famous astronomers in history, Tycho Brahe, is buried in the church.
Included in the very center of the square is a statue dedicated to the memory of Jan Hus, who was burned at the stake by Catholic authorities in the early fifteenth century. Czechs now consider Hus one of their leading national heroes, in spite of the fact that many Czechs are officially non-religious. Hus' church, the Bethlehem Chapel is just a short walk from the Old Town Square. The statue is not quite as old as the Old Town Hall or Our Lady before Tyn, but it is a quite prominent landmark in the square. The Jan Hus monument was revealed on the 500th anniversary of Hus' burning at the stake by the church, and it faces the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, which was the major Hussite church in Prague for about 200 years.
When visiting Prague, it is imperative that you visit the Old Town Square. This article mentions just 3 of the major landmarks in this region of the town. There are also many shops and restaurants in which tourists will be sure to drop a few dollars, pounds, euros, or yen. These shops have lots of gift items that friends and family are sure to like upon your return. They might not be the best buy, however, as shops off the beaten path might have some better pricing.
