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Charles Bridge in Prague | History, Legends and Statues

Although there are 18 bridges crossing the Vltava River in Prague, the Charles Bridge (Karlův Most in Czech) is the most famous in the city and also the oldest of them all!

Being the largest Gothic civil work in the world, it is able to transport us to medieval Prague as we cross.

Nothing will help you get to know Prague’s history than an enthusiastic tour guide. ‘Prague Free Castle Tour & Charles Bridge ‘ tour is FREE!

It is located in the center of the city, majestically fortified with two Gothic towers. Originally, the Charles Bridge was known as “Prague Bridge” or “Stone Bridge”, since there was only one in the city and it did not need further introduction. In 1870 it was renamed after its main promoter, Emperor Charles IV, and has remained under the name of Charles Bridge until today.

This indispensable connection between the two banks of the Vltava River, has withstood major floods, onslaughts of ice spandrels and several wars, two of them world wars, for nearly 700 years, standing firm but often not in one piece. We can say that it has earned its place as a World Heritage Site; are you ready to get to know the most important things?

How was Charles Bridge built?

The first bridge in Prague

As mentioned above, the Charles Bridge may be one of the most famous bridges in the world, but it was not the first bridge in Prague, which many people think because of its age. Prior to the construction of the Charles Bridge there were two other bridges that preceded it almost in the same place where it is today.

Following the course of the river, the first of them was in the tenth century a small pedestrian bridge built of wood. It was the first bridge in Prague that allowed crossing the river from one side to the other and brought the small settlements on both sides closer together. At that time Prague was far from being the great capital it would become centuries later.

The wooden bridge was finally destroyed in 1157 by a heavy flood.

Judith Bridge, the first stone bridge.

After the destruction of the small wooden bridge and both banks were cut off, it forced King Vladislav II to start the construction of the first stone bridge in Prague in 1160, much more robust and durable, which would be completed in 1172. This second bridge would be in Romanesque style and was baptized as Judith Bridge in honor of the wife of Vladislav II.

The Judith Bridge was 516 meters long and 7 meters wide and consisted of 21 arches. It was in operation until 1342 when another strong flood destroyed a good part of the structure.

Although the Judith Bridge was almost entirely replaced by the Charles Bridge, today there are still many remnants of its existence. Under the Church of the Knights of the Red Star you can still see part of its arches and foundations. Also, divers recently found the bases of several pillars that are still underwater.

Although King John of Luxembourg planned to repair the collapsed bridge, at the time, Margrave Charles supported a more radical solution: he wanted to build a new, bigger and higher bridge that would last forever.

History of the Charles Bridge

Full of stories, tales and legends, the Charles Bridge is one of the most emblematic places of the city of Prague; visited by many tourists who travel daily along its 516 meters long and with a width of 8.4 meters. Its design was thought so that four carriages could pass in parallel.

It was in the year 1357 when Emperor Charles IV decided to start the construction of a stone bridge by the architect Master Otto and later Pter Parler. After 45 years of construction, in 1402 Prague began to enjoy its new stone bridge, guarded by two towers, a small one from the twelfth century and another of greater height that was completed 300 years later.

Towards the Old Town side of Prague you can admire a tower in Gothic style that serves as an access to the bridge. While crossing to the Mala Strana side you will cross a structure that has more than 650 years of history.

The bridge has withstood the floods of the Vltava River for more than six centuries, four wars, two of them world wars and we can say that today it is still almost intact, requiring only some repairs, some bigger than others, but the important thing is that it is still standing.

Charles Bridge sculptures

The bridge is decorated on both sides by 30 statues of saints in baroque style, most of which were erected in the 17th-18th centuries. Today some of the original statues are preserved in the Lapidarium of the National Museum, about a third of them are still from the Baroque period, while the others are exact replicas of the originals.

In addition to the spectacular views that the bridge offers to both sides of the city, what characterizes it most are the sculptures made in baroque style, a delight for art lovers.

Although many believe that the sculptures were part of the original plan of the bridge, the truth is that they have been a later addition. The first of them was a representation of Christ crucified on a wooden cross in the year 1378. That first sculpture would not last long, as it was destroyed by the Hussites a few years later during the Hussite wars. The bronze statue of Christ that we see today was made in 1657.

The most famous statue on Charles Bridge is undoubtedly that of St. John of Nepomuk, a Czech saint with a curious story behind him. It was designed by John Brokof and made in 1683.

It is necessary that you make the journey from one side of the bridge to the other so you can appreciate the details of each of these figures, which represent the saints mentioned below.

From Old Town to Malá Strana, on your left side

Starting the tour from the tower on the side corresponding to the Old Town, you will find the sculptures of:

St. Ivo, St. Barbara, St. Margaret and St. Elizabeth, Pietà, St. Joseph, St. Francis Xavier, St. Christopher, St. Francis Borgia, St. Ludmila, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Vincent Ferrer and St. Procopius, St. Nicholas of Tolentine, St. Lutgard, St. Adalbert, Saints John of Mata, Felix of Valois and Ivan, St. Wenceslas.

You can also observe the sculpture of Bruncvík that is located outside this group at water level, carved on the basis of a fragment of the original during the year 1884 by Ludvík Šimek. It is a statue of the knight Roland, holding in one hand his sword and in the other hand the shield, while at his feet rests a lion.

From Old Town to Mala Strana, on your right side

As part of the tour in the opposite direction, you have the opportunity to meet the following statues:

Virgin Mary and St. Bernard, Bearded, Virgin Mary, St. Dominic and St. Thomas Aquinas, Calvary, the Holy Cross, St. Anne, Saints Cyril and Methodius, St. John the Baptist, St. Norbert, St. Wenceslas and St. Sigismund, St. John Nepomuk, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Jude Thaddeus, St. Augustine, St. Cajetan, St. Philip Benedict, St. Vitus, St. Cosmas and St. Damian with the Savior.

One of the most popular sculptures is the Calvary and the Holy Cross, since during the year 1361 it represented the first decoration of the Charles Bridge, although as a result of the floods it has been replaced several times. The present one corresponds to the year 1657, while the rest of the sculptures were added mainly at the beginning of the 18th century.

These statues are the work of great artists of Bohemia, among which stand out names such as Jan Brokoff and his sons, Matthias Braun, Emanuel Max, among others, while the oldest of all these sculptures is that of St. John of Nepomuk from 1683.

The Bridge Towers

The Charles Bridge is guarded at each end by towers, one of which you can see on the Old Town side, while the other two are on the Small Town or as it is also called ” Lesser Town “.

Tower on the side of Staré Město

This side of the bridge is known as the Old Town and its tower is made in Gothic style, being part of the design by the architect Peter Parler, the same who was in charge of the Charles Bridge. Inside you will enjoy a panoramic view of the bridge and the castle, as well as learn how the tower was built.

Towers on the Lesser Town side

These interesting towers are connected by a small bridge, each of them is made in different architectural styles. The first, smaller tower dates back to the 12th century and was built in a combination of Renaissance and Romanesque styles.

The large tower was built many years later, in 1464, in a Gothic style in accordance with the architecture of the Charles Bridge and in order to harmonize with the tower of the Old Town.

It offers tourists a series of exhibitions and they can reach its highest point, taking advantage of a gallery that connects these two buildings.

It is always crowded with tourists, so the ideal is to arrive early and enjoy the views, take pictures, visit the stores in the area and walk around. You can even go on and enjoy the surrounding areas, such as the Castle and Petrino Hill, admire the statue of Charles IV in the Plaza de los Cruzados or the church of San Francisco de Serafin.

Floods and reconstruction

Only ten years after construction began in 1367, one of the pillars of the unfinished structure was destroyed by floods. Several times before its completion, Charles Bridge was threatened by floods (1359, 1367, 1370, etc.) that caused extensive damage.

In 1432, during floods that also affected much of the old town, the bridge broke at three points and five of its pillars were severely damaged. Repairs took an incredible 71 years. New piers were driven into the river bottom by hand piling.

More damage was suffered by Charles Bridge in 1784 when pieces of broken rafts and ice blocked the arches and the water carried away the pillars on which the military guards were standing and traffic on the bridge had to be severely restricted for some time. A similar situation occurred in 1890, when wooden poles from broken rafts crashed into the piers.

One by one the fifth, sixth and seventh arches (counting from the Malá Strana side) gave way. A new construction method was used during subsequent repairs, when the pillars were placed on iron cofferdams. This method was gradually used to reinforce the remaining pillars. The most recent general repair was carried out in the years 1965 to 1978. Damaged sandstone slabs were removed, while a 1920s asphalt surface was replaced with split granite blocks. Since about 2001, plans have been in place to refurbish the top of the bridge and its arches.

Legends of Charles Bridge

Although there are many, one of the most famous legends of the Charles Bridge refers to the ingredients that were used for its construction. Although it is difficult to verify, it is said that to make the mortar stronger and waterproof it, egg yolks and cow’s milk were mixed with the aim of strengthening the construction and the joints of the blocks. The curious thing is that modern laboratory tests have shown that the mortar contained both organic and inorganic ingredients.

On the pedestal of the statue of St. John of Nepomuk, you will see that there is something that shines quite bright and surely there is someone touching it. Legend has it that if you touch the depiction of John of Nepomuk (an upside down man falling) you will return to Prague in the future. Our recommendation is that you do not touch anything, even if it seems a harmless gesture, millions of people pass through there every year and if each person touches it, we will be destroying a work of art little by little.

It is also known that the first stone for the construction of the bridge was made at 5.31 am on July 9, 1357, if we look at the numbers, it would be: 1 3 5 5 7 7 9 7 7 5 5 3 1. It is a correlation of odd numbers, ascending and descending Numerology in the fourteenth century! It is said that by starting the construction at that time it was going to give extra protection to the bridge and that it would last forever, we can say that at the moment it works.

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Wade, Lukeman, Rydz, Clemens and Soutar among Tour Card Holder Qualifiers for Czech Darts Open

The qualifiers for the Czech Darts Open are set with 10 players through to play in Prague next month. Taking place between October 18-20, James Wade was among the top names to book their spot.

The 10 in all also featured Martin Lukeman and Callan Rydz as well as Kevin Doets, Gabriel Clemens, Robert Owen, Jermaine Wattimena, Alan Soutar, Brett Claydon and Niels Zonneveld.

As is known by now, the qualification system is different from last year. This season there are only ten starting spots to be distributed instead of 24. That is because in addition to the top-16 of the Pro Tour rankings, the top-16 of the world rankings are also automatically qualified for the Euro Tours.

As a result, 32 players are therefore already qualified for the Czech Darts Open in Prague (Oct. 18-20). Among others, Michael van Gerwen, Dave Chisnall, Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price, Gary Anderson, Stephen Bunting, Luke Littler, Rob Cross, Jonny Clayton, Michael Smith, Peter Wright, Mike de Decker, Dimitri van den Bergh, Joe Cullen and Nathan Aspinall do not have to qualify.

Littler, Van Gerwen, Price and Humphries lead Czech Darts Open provisional line-up

James Wade 6 | 2 Jeffrey De Zwaan

Geert Nentjes 6 | 4 Steve Beaton

Martijn Dragt 6 | 4 Jules van Dongen

Matt Campbell 6 | 5 William O'Connor

Andrew Gilding 6 | 4 William Borland

Martin Lukeman 6 | 5 Karel Sedlacek

Nick Kenny 6 | 3 Graham Usher

Kim Huybrechts 6 | 3 Jim Williams

Callan Rydz 6 | 1 Patrick Geeraets

Rhys Griffin 6 | 1 Jitse Van der Wal

Maik Kuivenhoven 6 | 3 Lee Evans

Jelle Klaasen BYE | - Vincent van der Voort

Kevin Doets 6 | 5 Jeffrey Sparidaans

Mensur Suljovic 6 | 3 Christian Perez

Jeffrey De Graaf 6 | 3 Berry van Peer

Daniel Klose 6 | 2 Robbie Knops

Gabriel Clemens 6 | 5 Andy Baetens

Adam Hunt 6 | 4 Boris Krcmar

Owen Bates 6 | 3 Callum Goffin

Mario Vandenbogaerde 6 | 5 Adam Warner

Robert Owen 6 | 4 Dirk van Duijvenbode

Ricky Evans 6 | 5 Nathan Rafferty

Matthew Dennant 6 | 4 Pascal Rupprecht

Stephen Burton 6 | 5 Keegan Brown

Jermaine Wattimena 6 | 2 Owen Roelofs

Joshua Richardson 6 | 5 Mickey Mansell

Simon Whitlock 6 | 5 Jamie Hughes

James Hurrell 6 | 5 Mervyn King

Alan Soutar 6 | 5 Robert Grundy

Dylan Slevin 6 | 3 Keane Barry

Ian White 6 | 2 Ryan Meikle

Rowby-John Rodriguez 6 | 3 George Killington

Jose De Sousa 6 | 3 Scott Williams

Brett Claydon 6 | 5 Richard Veenstra

Florian Hempel 6 | 4 Darren Beveridge

Dom Taylor 6 | 4 Wessel Nijman

Niels Zonneveld 6 | 3 Graham Hall

Danny van Trijp 6 | 3 Steve Lennon

Madars Razma 6 | 0 Adam Gawlas

Lukas Wenig 6 | 4 Josh Payne

James Wade 6 | 2 Geert Nentjes

Martijn Dragt 6 | 3 Matt Campbell

Martin Lukeman 6 | 4 Andrew Gilding

Kim Huybrechts 6 | 1 Nick Kenny

Callan Rydz 6 | 3 Rhys Griffin

Maik Kuivenhoven 6 | 4 Jelle Klaasen

Kevin Doets 6 | 4 Mensur Suljovic

Jeffrey De Graaf 6 | 3 Daniel Klose

Gabriel Clemens 6 | 1 Adam Hunt

Mario Vandenbogaerde 6 | 3 Owen Bates

Robert Owen 6 | 4 Ricky Evans

Matthew Dennant 6 | 5 Stephen Burton

Jermaine Wattimena 6 | 1 Joshua Richardson

James Hurrell 6 | 3 Simon Whitlock

Alan Soutar 6 | 3 Dylan Slevin

Rowby-John Rodriguez 6 | 5 Ian White

Brett Claydon 6 | 3 Jose De Sousa

Florian Hempel 6 | 1 Dom Taylor

Niels Zonneveld 6 | 4 Danny van Trijp

Madars Razma 6 | 3 Lukas Wenig

James Wade 6 | 3 Martijn Dragt

Martin Lukeman 6 | 5 Kim Huybrechts

Callan Rydz 6 | 2 Maik Kuivenhoven

Kevin Doets 6 | 3 Jeffrey De Graaf

Gabriel Clemens 6 | 5 Mario Vandenbogaerde

Robert Owen 6 | 1 Matthew Dennant

Jermaine Wattimena 6 | 1 James Hurrell

Alan Soutar 6 | 1 Rowby-John Rodriguez

Brett Claydon 6 | 5 Florian Hempel

Niels Zonneveld 6 | 3 Madars Razma

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Fri 23 Aug 2024

• Destinations
• Tours in Prague
• Czech Republic

Old Town and Jewish Quarter Free Tour of Prague

Overview of the tour in Prague

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Prague's history with our Old Town & JQ Walking Tour. This journey through time guides you through the cobbled streets and alleys of the city's historic heart. Our knowledgeable guides will lead you to iconic landmarks, including the famous Astronomical Clock, where you'll discover its intricate mechanics and storied past. Stroll through the bustling Old Town Square, a living gallery of Gothic and Baroque architecture, and hear tales that have shaped Prague over the centuries. Witness the stunning Church of Our Lady before Týn, a masterpiece of Gothic splendour, and feel the vibrant pulse of the city. We'll delve into the history of the Jewish Quarter, sharing poignant stories of its past. As we walk, we'll reveal hidden corners of the city, bringing to life the legends, folklore, and historical events that make Prague so enchanting. Our tour is not just a sightseeing experience; it's a deep dive into the culture and history of Prague, offering insights and anecdotes that go beyond the ordinary. Price: pay-what-you-wish. If you can afford it, and you enjoyed the tour, we recommend the equivalent of 8-15 euros per person.

This activity includes:

• The House at the Black Madonna
• Old Town Square
• The Estates Theatre
• Prague Jewish Quarter
• Basilica of St. James
• Charles Bridge
• Prague Astronomical Clock
• Church of Our Lady before Týn
• Overview of the history of Prague
• Introduction to the Jewish Quarter
• Stunning architecture

Meeting point

Powder Gate (Prašná brána)

Our guides will be waiting next to the Powder Gate (in front of the Czech National Bank building) with big green umbrellas in hand!

Things to note

1. Please note, there might be other tour operators at the meeting point with different colours of umbrella, they are not us.

Free Cancellation

You are free to cancel a booking anytime. We kindly remind you to cancel bookings you cannot arrive for. Being reported as absent decreases your customer level points and the benefits you can enjoy.

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Prague - Vienna - Budapest

• Explore Prague's cobblestone streets
• Join a guided tour of the Jewish Quarter
• Visit Cesky Krumlov or uncover Prague's mysteries
• Tour Vienna's Schönbrunn and Belvedere Palaces
• Experience Budapest's famous ruin bars
• Introduction
• Day 1 Prague
• Day 2 Prague
• Day 3 Prague
• Day 4 Prague - Vienna
• Day 5 Vienna - Budapest
• Day 6 Budapest
• Day 7 Budapest
• Day 8 Budapest

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In Unitrips we organize tours through Europe for young people from 18 to 30-something. We really enjoy sharing our experience and knowledge in order to give the best experience and fun to our travel-mates. We provide services both in Spanish and English.

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• BALACHANDRU · 13th January 2020 The complete tour was in Spanish, didn't realize it while I booked the tour. Would have been great if the tour title... Show more
• Candice · 21st August 2019 Everything was outstanding! The food & accommodation at the Frankfurt hostel was the best but everywhere was pretty... Show more
• Ursula · 24th July 2019 Enjoy the sceneries good food and good company. Also learn new language and make new friends thanks

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• For any tour departing before 23rd October 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 23rd October 2024, a minimum payment of 20% is required to confirm your booking with UniTrips. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
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Kyle Phillips goes 'back to the future' for PGA National OAKS Prague design

The 2024 D+D REAL Czech Masters marks the DP World Tour’s first visit to PGA National OAKS Prague and has brought widespread praise for the design by renowned course architect Kyle Phillips.

Having made its home at the nearby Albatross Golf Resort since its inaugural staging in 2014, the event moved this year to a venue opened only in 2020 around the village of Nebřenice on Prague’s outskirts.

David Ravetto, one shot behind leader Jesper Svensson going into the final round, was unsurprisingly happy with the set-up and said: "I think it's a really good course, it’s really open from the tee, it suits my game because I can bomb the driver whenever I want. The greens are really nice, they’re holding really well, so it’s just fun."

California resident Phillips revealed the project was a long time in the making before getting to this point.

“This had a long history,” he said. “It started 18 years ago now, I was actually at the site almost 20 years ago.

“We engaged in a planning process that led us down many different paths, there were a lot of environmental issues here that we had to address.

“In its present form, this notion of taking the existing small village nearby and extending it into this new development and building this golf course around the village, making golf the central part of the project, isn’t really that different than where golf began.

“It began in towns like - the most famous is obviously the Old Course at St Andrews, which plays in and out of the town. So there was a little of this kind of ‘back to the future’ concept in what the development could become.”

Atlanta-born Phillips learned the ropes of golf architecture under Robert Trent Jones Junior before forming his own company in in 1997.

He has since been responsible for courses including Hilversum and Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, which have both hosted the KLM Open on the DP World Tour, Kingsbarns – one of three co-hosts of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship - and Yas Links in Abu Dhabi.

The OAKS layout has been a hit with players this week, despite unavoidable delays due to storms in the area.

Richie Ramsay described the course as being "in fantastic condition" while Max Rottluff said on day one: "The greens are probably up there with the best greens we'll play on all year, so a fantastic venue."

Phillips said of his design process: “One of the things I love about what I do is the diversity of what a day really is and all the people we work with. The variation of working in a planning sense, in the creativity – particularly on the front end when you’re concepting – then in the technical side with engineers and all the rules and regulations.

“Working in all these different countries and continents we’ve worked in, just by itself, adds new wrinkles and interest.

"Sometimes actually it’s really been helpful to be able to take things that we’ve done elsewhere, that haven’t maybe been imagined as a solution in this region, and bring that to the fore and help our project.

“But each phase is a lot of fun, I really enjoy being out on the construction side of things and being in the dirt.

“I get in the field and the time just passes – ‘Just one more hole, one more hole, one more hole’ – and it really is great to be in a situation where you can see it from the front end, see it all the way through to opening day, and then even coming back when we have events like this.

“With any course, the refinements take place over time and even how venues change.

"Bernardus initially wasn’t conceived to have championships, it was conceived as a private club. The new owner was interested in having championship venues, so that can take maybe an initial concept and cause you to make some refinements.

“There isn’t a part of it that I don’t like. Lots of fun.”

D+D REAL Czech Masters - Day three digest

All you need to know from Moving Day in Prague.

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A Walk Through Prague: Part Two- Prague’s Lesser Town and Castle Quarter

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In Part One of our self-guided walking tour of Prague we explored the Old Town, enjoying the architecture and atmosphere of Old Town Square and the contrasts of the Jewish Quarter.

When we last left off, we were crossing the iconic Charles Bridge, arriving into Malá Strana, also known as Prague’s Lesser Town.

Greeting us at the end of Charles Bridge were the Malá Strana Bridge Towers. The two towers do not match, as they were built 200 years apart. The smaller tower was built it the 12th century. Named Judith Tower, it was part of the Judith Bridge before it was destroyed by floods in 1342. Interestingly, the tower was used as a jail for two centuries and later housed the customs office.

The taller of the two towers was constructed as part of Charles Bridge, but wasn’t actually completed until a century after it, in 1464. This tower was mainly used as a storehouse, but also as a watchtower.

Connecting the two towers is a 15th century arched stone gate, creating a dramatic entrance to Malá Strana.

Malá Strana- Prague’s Lesser Town

Clustered around the foothills of Prague Castle is Malá Strana, one of Prague’s most historic districts. It was founded in 1257 by King Ottokar II of Bohemia, as the “New Town beneath the Prague Castle”. It became known as the “Lesser Town of Prague” in 1348, after Charles IV founded the “New Town of Prague”.

The Baroque palaces and churches that give Malá Strana its charm were built after fires destroyed the district, once in 1419 and again in 1514.

Today, Malá Strana is a bustling neighbourhood. There are many shops to browse, cobbled streets to explore and pubs and restaurants to discover. At night, it was a joy to wander. Lanterns lit the empty streets, making me feel like I was transported back to olden day Prague.

Here are some of our favourite things to do and places to visit in Prague’s Lesser Town.

Lennon Wall

The first place we visited after crossing Charles Bridge was Lennon Wall . John Lennon was admired by Czech youth for his commitment to campaigning for equality. After his death, this otherwise ordinary wall, was painted with Beatles lyrics and other Lennon inspired graffiti. Today Lennon wall remains as a symbol of peace, love and freedom.

St. Nicholas Church (Lesser Town Prague)

Completed in the 1735, St. Nicholas Church is one of the most important High Baroque buildings in Prague. The 65 metre tall bell tower was used to warn people of fire, and in Communist times, was used by the Secret Service as an observation point. Today St. Nicholas serves as both a church and as a venue for classical concerts.

There is a church of the same name in Prague’s Old Town.

Traditional Trdelnik

On our way to Prague Castle, we stopped to enjoy a traditional Czech treat. Trdelnik is a sweet pastry made from flattened dough, which is then coiled on a roller and roasted above a fire. You can order them coated in sugar, cinnamon or nuts. The light and fluffy dough is just delicious!

Hradčany- Castle Quarter

A short walk up the hill from Malá Strana is the district of Hradčany, better known to visitors as the Castle Quarter. We ended up spending more time walking around the romantic Hradčany neighbourhood than we did in the actual castle complex. Beyond the castle itself, there are many peaceful parks and beautiful lookouts. The views of the city are stellar!

Hradčanské Náměstí

If you make your way to Prague Castle via Malá Strana, you will arrive at Hradčanské náměstí. It’s a square surrounded by aristocratic palaces housing art collections and other treasured artifacts.

Prague Castle

The Guinness Book of World Records lists Prague castle as the largest castle complex in the world. It’s a 70,000 square meter collection of royal palaces, churches, halls, courtyards and one magnificent Gothic cathedral, St. Vitus.

The history of the castle begins in the year 870, when the Church of the Virgin Mary was built. Through the course of time, many more churches were added and the first palace was erected during the 12th century. It eventually grew into what you see today, a mix of nearly every architectural style of the last millennium.

Today the castle is home to the Czech president and the crown jewels. Try and arrive just before the top of the hour so you can catch the changing of the guard outside the castle’s main entrance on Hradčanské náměstí.

For a change of scenery, we headed across Powder Bridge, just north of the castle wall, and then down to Deer Moat. We enjoyed walking through the lush meadow where hunting events used to take place. From here, we climbed up a path that took us to a circular observation point, offering great views of St. Vitus and the castle.

Final Thoughts About Our Visit to Prague

Prague is definitely a special place that pleasantly surprised us in many ways. We instantly fell in love with its beauty ( Prague at night is especially pretty), and warm welcoming atmosphere that makes it one of the best cities to visit in Europe .

Even though we stayed four nights, there were still entire neighbourhoods we didn’t explore because we were so enamoured with the Old Town and Prague’s Lesser Town. If we went back, I would love to visit Vyšehrad, Prague’s other castle, and stroll through the gardens on Petrin Hill.

For more photos and information about Prague, visit Part One of this post : A Walk Through Prague- The Old Town .

Tips for Visiting Prague’s Lesser Town and Castle Quarter

Prague Castle: It’s free to wander the grounds of Prague Castle, but to enter the buildings you need to buy a ticket. The buildings are open from 9:00 am- 5:00 pm (April- October) and 9:00 am- 4:00 pm (November- March). The castle grounds are open from 6:00 am- 10:00 pm year round. Confirm current hours here .

St. Nicholas Church : St. Nicholas Church is open daily starting at 9:00 am but the closing time varies depending on the season (usually between 4:00 and 6:00 pm).

Lennon Wall: Lennon Wall is close to Kampa Island, in Velkopřevorské Square.

Information was updated January 2022, but can change without notice. Please confirm directly with the venues.

Tours in Prague

Here is a trusted site that has a large inventory of tours and tickets for activities in Prague . You can book everything from walking tours, river cruises, concerts, pub crawls, airport transfers, and day trips out of the city.

Accommodations in Prague

For your convenience, here is a list of accommodations in Prague . Please consider booking your Prague accommodations through the included link. It costs you nothing extra and helps support this website. Thank you!

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The Charles Bridge, Prague

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The charles bridge, the most photographed monument of prague, where is charles bridge located in prague & how to get there, opening hours & charles bridge prague entrance fee, what to do & what to see at charles bridge prague, history & charles bridge prague facts .

Czech name:  Karlův most

Right in the very heart of Prague is some of the city’s oldest architecture and most iconic and picturesque buildings. Of these, one that tourists most like to visit and photograph is the  Charles Bridge . If you plan to visit this city steeped in history and check out Charles Bridge, there is a lot to know before you go.

Charles Bridge spans the  Vltava River , connecting the castle on one side with most of the original village on the other side. With the exception of trams and lighter modes of transport (e.g., bicycles), cars are not allowed on the bridge because of the age of the bridge and the need to preserve its history. For that reason you can take any tram to Charles Bridge, Prague on the castle side to the bridge.  The Lesser Town Square (Malostranské náměstí) tram station is on this side of the bridge. On the opposite side of the river the nearest tram station is Karlovy lázně.

Because of its amazing width and length and how it  connects two large sections of this city , you can easily walk to it. Even better, stay in one of the hotels or apartments closest to either end of the bridge . Then you can just take a brisk walk to it whenever it pleases you during your stay.

If you prefer to view the bridge from the river, there are  boats that offer water cruises  and tours to show you the bridge from a more unique view. The arcade for which this bridge is so well-known allows many boats to pass through underneath with ease every day. It was designed that way to allow merchants and trade ships to come and go from the city with little difficulty. 

Of all the sights to see in this Czech city, this one is the least expensive because it’s  free . Even the city’s residents cross over it freely without a second thought. The toll on it has not been collected in over two centuries, making it one of the city’s best sites to see for the budget-conscious traveler. 

As for when you can see it, it is open all the time. It is not like any other touristy sort of place in that there are no ropes, no rails, no guards and no restrictions in regards to when you can go and take a walk over this majestic Charles Bridge.  The most beautiful time is early in the morning  as the sun rises and the fog rolls over and through it, or late in the evening after sunset when the bridge’s lights turn on and make it quite the sight to see. 

You might be thinking, “It’s just a bridge.” Sure, but there is so much more to the bridge than that. In fact, you should go to see it so that you can enjoy the views both up and down river from the bridge. Go to see the amazing way in which the bridge was constructed six hundred years ago with chiseled sandstone.

Go to see the  many statues  that decorate the sixteen pillars that support the weight of this massive Charles Bridge. St John of Nepomuk is a prominent figure in Czech history and Catholicism. Legend has it that John was martyred in 1393 when he refused to divulge the queen’s confession to the king. In commemoration of his death, John was canonized in 1729 and is now considered the patron saint of the Czech Republic. Today, St John of Nepomuk is remembered through various religious sites and cultural symbols throughout the country. The most prominent of these is the statue of John on the Charles Bridge in Prague, which is said to bring good luck to those who touch it.

Go to learn the  history of the bridge  itself, and how it was built on the site of two other bridges. Finally, check out the towers that flank the ends of the bridge, which are all that remains of a former bridge that stood where this bridge now stands. 

If that isn’t enough to motivate you to see the Czech Republic’s most famous bridge, consider the “haunted and legendary tour.” This is a must for pursuers of ghost stories and the supernatural. Men were crossed over the bridge to meet their deaths for their crimes, and a ghost-cross where they stopped to pray supposedly appears to those in dire need. Ghosts of people past have been known to tread over the bridge, but not everyone is lucky to see them. 

The Prague Signal Festival of Lights is a yearly event that illuminates the historic city of Prague with various light installations, video mappings, and interactive displays. One of the main attractions of the festival is the Charles Bridge, a medieval stone bridge that spans the Vltava River and connects the Old Town with the Lesser Town of Prague. During the festival, the bridge is adorned with colorful light projections that highlight its stunning architecture and history. Visitors can also experience other attractions such as the Prague Castle and Old Town Square that are transformed into magical light shows. The Prague Signal Festival of Lights and its beautiful displays provide a unique and unforgettable way to explore the beautiful city of Prague at night.

Once upon a time, a bridge of logs helped the Czech people and guests cross to and from over the river. However, the river has a tendency to flood often. As a result, the log bridges that once spanned the distance of the river were frequently washed away. 

Another bridge that came to be known as  Judith bridge  was built in place of the last log bridge in the late 1200’s/early 1300’s. It was made entirely of wood with a stone path. However, another flood in 1342 overwhelmed this bridge too. All that is left of it is the pillars, which are underwater and can only be viewed by diving and with special permission from the Prague government.

The Judith Bridge was several meters to the north of where  Charles IV built the current bridge . He realized that continuing to build wooden bridges in the Vltava river was probably not a good idea. Instead, he chose to have this bridge constructed of sandstone blocks, which are sealed with mortar to prevent erosion. It is so well-constructed that it has stood the test of time for almost seven hundred years. 

Parts of the older bridges remain. The towers that once belonged to Judith are on both ends of Charles bridge. You can tour the towers as well as the bridge. In fact, most tourists can easily spend two or three hours seeing the bridge and its many related parts from every possible angle before officially claiming that they have seen all there is to see where this magnificent bridge is concerned. 

The Charles Bridge in Prague is a historic landmark renowned for its captivating beauty and medieval charm, offering breathtaking views of the city’s picturesque landscape. With our detailed tour guide, you can explore the must-see synagogues in Prague , immersing yourself in their cultural significance and architectural splendor.

The Krizik Fountain in Prague is a mesmerizing display of water, light, and music, providing a captivating experience for spectators. The Charles Bridge in Prague, on the other hand, is an iconic symbol of the city, offering stunning views of the Vltava River and serving as a beloved historical landmark for locals and tourists alike.

When in Prague, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the city’s six must-see art museums , which showcase a diverse range of captivating artworks. For a unique historical perspective, complement your exploration with a visit to the intriguing KGB Museum . Meanwhile, the iconic Charles Bridge provides a picturesque setting to admire stunning views of the Vltava River, creating a perfect backdrop to immerse yourself in the city’s rich history.

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Europe ‎ >  Prague > Little Quarter Walking Tour Map

‎ Prague Top Tourist Tips ‎ | Suggested Itineraries For Prague

• Old Town Walking Tour
• Castle & Little Quarter Walking Tour
• Charles Bridge Walking Tour
• Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
• New Town Walking Tour
• Best Day Trips
• Helpful Visitor Tips
• Suggested Itineraries
• Reading An Astronomical Clock
• Getting From/To The Airport

Little Quarter Walking Tour:

Location :  Prague Castle & Little Quarter ( Mala Strana ) Cost :  Free, Self-Guided ( Castle and sight costs below ) Style :  Do-It-Yourself Walking Tour ( Self Guided ) Start :  Charles Bridge ( Karlov Most ) End :  Kampa Park Restaurant Walking Distance :  3.4 miles Time :  2 Hours for Walk ( Full tour 4-5 hours with all stops ) Fun Scale :  8.5 out of 10

Overview of The Little Quarter:

The Little Quarter ( or Lesser Town ) is often overlooked by tourists as they flock up to tour Prague Castle.  The neighborhood started to develop below the castle as early as the 800s but was damaged by in the 1st Crusade in 1096 and the Siege of Prague Castle in 1142.  Officially established in 1252, an influx of foreign craftsmen and merchants helped Lesser Town grow thanks to the addition of a stone bridge over the river and protection from the Hunger Wall.

As Prague Castle grew to be the largest castle complex in Europe, Lesser Town was ravaged by fires and plagues in the Middle Ages.  Stately palaces slowly replaced merchant homes and the route through town became known as the Royal Route for the Bohemian Kings.  This path started at the Royal Court ( next to the Powder Tower ), through Old Town, over the Vltava River, through Lesser Town Square, and up to the mighty Prague Castle.  Our self-guided Little Quarter walking tour map follows the Royal Route with a couple detours to help you explore Lesser Town.

1. Charles Bridge ( Karlov Most ):

About Charles Bridge :  One of the most iconic structures in Prague is the timeless Charles Bridge which spans the Vltava River in stunning Medieval fashion.  After centuries of relying on small wooden bridges, King Vladislav I decided to build the first stone arch bridge over the river following a visit to Italy in the 1160s.  The new Roman-style bridge  named Judith  ( after the King’s wife ) had tolled gate towers on each end and was an impressive route for Vladislav to take from Old Town up to Prague Castle.  The Judith Bridge also helped with the development of the Little Quarter neighborhood in the 1200s before the bridge was  ruined by flooding  in 1342.

Over the next 15 years, a new stone toll bridge was designed just South of the former one and built over 10 feet taller to protect against future flooding.  Originally called Stone Bridge & Prague Bridge, the name was changed to Charles Bridge in 1870 after  King Charles IV  ( ruled 1346-1378 ) who laid the foundation stone in 1357.  It took a full 55 years to complete Charles Bridge, but the wait was worth it as it helped Prague become a major player in trading between Eastern and Western Europe in the Middle Ages.

Today the merchant huts that once lined Charles Bridge in Medieval times are long gone, but the  bookend watchtower gates  and impressive  rows of saint statues  are still going strong.  We highly recommend climbing the towers for an elevated view while also taking the time to closing inspect the statues as you go.

For more detail on the overview and symbolic details of each statue, we recommend following our  Charles Bridge Statues Walking Tour .  The bridge is best tours early in the morning or in the evening while the number of tourist groups are lower and the lighting mixed with fog is extra eerie.  Adventurers can even seek out a few pieces of the original Judith Bridge still on display under buildings on each bank of the Vltava River.

Read More :   Charles Bridge Statues Walking Tour

2. Devil’s Stream ( Čertovka ):

About Devil’s Stream :  While crossing  Kampa Island  on Charles Bridge, the view to the South over the canal called Devil’s Stream is a favorite among photographers.  The brightly colored houses cling to the edge of the curved canal before disappearing around the corner.  Legend has it that the man-made canal got its name from a mean lady who lived on it in the 1600s.  Local kids thought she was wicked and they painted 6 devil figures on her door.  The house then became known as  At the Seven Devils  with 6 devils on the door and the mean lady being the 7th.

Photos of the Devil’s Stream are amazing from Charles Bridge at dusk right when the street lamps start to reflect on the water.  There are a bunch of ghost walking and boat tours that highlight different ghosts said to haunt the stream after dark.  You will get a close look at the canal at the end of this Little Quarter walking tour map.

3. Lesser Town Bridge Towers :

About The Lesser Town Bridge Towers :  Out of all the large Medieval towers around Prague, the Lesser Town Bridge Towers are by far our favorite.  As you walk the last leg of the Charles Bridge, it is easy to be drawn to the mighty twin towers like a magnet.  The smaller of the two, known as  Judith Tower , was built into the Lesser Town curtain wall as its main gateway back in 1158.  Shortly after the Gothic tower was built, Judith Bridge was also completed as the first stone bridge over the river on the way to Prague Castle from Old Town which led to the growth of Lesser Town.

The Roman-style bridge was ruined by flooding in 1342 before being replaced with Charles Bridge, but the Judith Tower has lived on.  For the next 250 years, Judith Tower’s basement was turned into a high-security prison until the building was converted into a  customs house  in 1591.  The old Customs House still sits right next to Judith Tower and holds one of the Tower’s original Gothic reliefs from the 1300s showing a man kneeling at the throne while getting a gift from the King.

Directly connected to Judith Tower by an arched walkway, the nearly 150 foot tall  Lesser Town Bridge Tower  was built by King George of Podebrady in 1464.  King George was already in the middle of greatly expanding Prague Castle at the time and wanted Lesser Town to have a mirror image of Old Town’s bridge tower which was completed 91 years earlier.  We love the Lesser Town Bridge Tower and urge you to check out its gallery and exhibit about towers located 85 feet up a flight of steps.  Make sure to check out the  4 banners hanging  on the side of the watchtower after passing through its gateway.  Each banner is from a country that Bohemia ruled under the reign of King Wenceslas IV ( ruled 1378-1419 ), who’s father Kings Charles IV had built Charles Bridge.

4. Saint Nicholas Church :

About Saint Nicholas Church :  Prague really loves themselves some Saint Nicholas, so much so that they have  two major churches  dedicated in his honor.  It can be a little confusing to a first time visitor as the churches even look alike with one in on Old Town Square and the other here in Lesser Town.  In 1673, the Jesuits built a college in the middle of Lesser Town’s Market Square.  The 230 foot tall Saint Nicholas Church was built from 1704-1755 over the top Baroque interior is the highlight.  Mozart played the organ here during his time in Prague promoting his operas/plays.

5. Lesser Town Square :

About Lesser Town Square :  The large square was once Lesser Town’s Market before the large buildings were built in the middle of it.  The Eastside is a good place to catch tram #22 and the Westside was once home to the gallows and elevated pillory.  In 1715 a large  Holy Trinity Column  was built after the Plague of 1713.  The center of the column is a 66-foot-tall obelisk and the base is surrounded by statues of Prague’s patrons including those of St. Wenceslas, Virgin Mary, and John Nepomuk.

At Smirický Palace, on the North side of Lesser Town Square, Protestants threw some Catholics out of the windows in 1618 which later led to the Battle of White Mountain where the Protestants were crushed.  The neighboring build is where the Fire of 1541 started which wiped out 2/3rds of the homes and many other buildings in Lesser Town.

6. Barbant Medieval Taverns :

About Barbant Medieval Tavern :  One of the very top experiences in Prague is to visit one of the Medieval themed restaurants and its the Barbant Tavern that puts on the best show.  Housed in an  underground labyrinth  from the Middle Ages, and lined with skulls, the tavern has been  open since 1375  and feels like you’re stepping back into time.  Not only will the setting make feel like you are back in Medieval times, but the showmanship of the of performers it what really brings a visit to Barbant Tavern to life.  From fire eaters to belly dancers and musicians with Medieval instruments, getting food or drinks here is a blast.  If you have any doubt about the place, remember that even Mozart used to drink here.

Hours :  Tuesday-Sat Noon-Midnight; Closed Mondays.   Medieval Shows :  Tuesday-Sat 7-10pm; Closed Mondays.   Address :  Thunovská 15.   Website :   Here .

7. Nerudova Street :

About Nerudova Street :  This the part of our Little Quarter walking tour where you start to make progress up Castle Hill with a steady incline.  The climb is not too strenuous, and Nerudova Lane is lined with cool buildings with  Medieval names  like House At Two Suns.  In the Middle Ages not name people could read or write so symbols were used on homes and businesses instead of numbers.  Back then the end of the lane was home to the mighty Strahov Gate protecting the ascent up the Prague Castle and known as Strahov Road.  Today’s name comes from the  journalist Jan Neruda  who wrote poems and short stories about Prague while living on the street in the mid-1800s, but most of the homes have retained their funny names.

Our favorite of the famous homes is called  At the Three Violins  ( #12 ) where 3 famous fiddle making families lived.  The home still has 3 violins above the door and legend has it that skeletons come out to play them during full moons.  Others that we love are At the Golden Lion ( #32 ) which houses a pharmacy museum, At the Red Lion ( #41 ) which was home of famous painter Petr Brandl, At Three Black Eagles ( #44 ) where Neruda lived, and At the Two Suns ( #47 ) which has the best relief.  You’ll have fun checking out the signs above each door as a mini  scavenger hunt .  In addition to the ones we mentioned, see if you can find the Red Lamb, Golden Horseshoe, White Swan, Golden Cup, Medusa, Gold Key, or Green Lobster as you walk up Nerudova Street.  That may sound like a lot of symbols to hunt for, but there are many more as almost every house has one.

8. Alchemist Museum & Pub :

About The Alchemist Museum & Pub :  Much of out Little Quarter walking tour is filled with legends of the Royal alchemists, but this museum and pub help to embody the stories the best.  The museum is housed inside the House At The Donkey By The Cradle, looks like a real Medieval lab, and even has a fantastic themed pub.  In Medieval times, numerous alchemists worked for the Kings on a host of mysterious projects, like trying to create gold.   Hours :  Museum 10am-8pm; Pub until 10pm.   Website :   Here .

9. Absinth Shop & Bar :

About The Absinth Shop & Bar :  The Absinth Shop & Pub is a great place to get of taste of the famous drink that was once banned throughout Europe and the United States for its ingredients perceived to have  hallucinogenic properties .  Sampling a little Absinthe, at least of the stories, is a must while in Prague.  There are also two shops called Absintherie near Old Town, but we like this one in the Little Quarter the best.

The  local way to serve absinthe is to put a flaming sugar cube over the glass and wait for it to melt compared to in France where is the sugar is added under dripping water.  The drink doesn’t really make you hallucinate or see green fairies and is actually more of an elegant licorice flavored sipping drink made before or after dinner.  The drink, made from the bitter herb wormwood, was popular in France starting in the late 1700s and had a revival in Prague in the 1990s when it became legal here again before most of Europe.

The next stop on our Little Quarter walking tour will be a food break with a view a Bella Vista, the best food in Little Town may be near the Absinthe Shop at the  Rainer Maria Rilke Restaurant .  The highly rated restaurant feels like a cozy and Romantic living room and we suggest it over the next stop in rainy or cold weather.

Absinth Shop Hours :  Noon-Midnight.   Shop Website :  ( HERE ).

10. Bella Vista Terrace :

About Bella Vista Terrace :  The Rainer Maria Rilke Restaurant we mentioned near the Absinthe Shop may have the best food, but nothing beats the elevated views over Prague that you get from the Bella Vista Terrace.  If you have already eaten, we still suggest grabbing a chair on the outdoor patio and ordering a drink or lemonade to take it all in.  Even a short visit to the Bella Vista Terrace will refresh your legs from the uphill stroll so you can power through the rest of this Prague Castle walking tour.  Many celebrities from Sean Connery to the Rolling Stones have eaten at Bella Vista.   Website :   Here .

11. Strahov Monastery & Library :

About Strahov Monastery & Library :  While there isn’t a ton to do at the Strahov Monastery ( founded in 1143 ), it is well worth a visit just for the library alone.  Added to the Monastery from 1671-79, the beautiful Theological Hall of the library has a  vaulted Baroque ceiling  with stunning white stucco reliefs framing mythology themed murals.  All of the mural panels relate to knowledge or learning in some way from famous scenes to hidden elements.

As the library’s book collection grew to over 200,000 a second grand library room called the Philosophical Hall was added from 1794-97.  With 2-story-tall  floor to ceiling shelves , dark hardwood accents, all attention goes to the brightly colored ceiling fresco paintings.  Much like the murals in the older library focus on knowledge, the huge one in the newer library called the “Intellectual Progress of Mankind” does very much the same thing.  We’ve been to a lot of the famous libraries around the world and the one in the Strahov Monastery is by far one of the top 10 prettiest inside.  If you have some extra time, the church inside the Monastery also has a wonderful ceiling similar to the library.

Hours :  Daily 9am-5pm; break from Noon-1pm.   Cost :  Adults 120 CKZ; Kids half off.   Website :   Here .

12. Strahov Monastic Brewery ( Klášterní Pivovar ):

About The Strahov Brewery :  The Strahov Monastic Brewery was open continuously from 1628 to 1907 before being reopened to the public in 2000.  Monastery ( established in 1143 ) has been making beer here since the 1200s.  Known for 3 types of beer with the Saint Norbert name, Amber, Dark and IPA with the IPA being the most popular.  As you’ve probably noticed, there are a lot of unique places to grab a drink along this Prague Castle walking tour.   Brewery Website :  ( HERE ).

13. Loreta Monastery Church :

About Loreta Church :  The beautiful exterior and 27 bell tower are bound to draw you to the Loretta Monastery.  Everyday from 9am to 6pm ( on the hour ) the bell tower plays music into the square outside of the church.  After the Bohemian Protestant army was crushed by General Tilly in the Battle of White Mountain in 1621, some of the homes on this block were left abandoned which lead the way to today’s Loreta Monastery.

Starting 5 years after the battle, the first and most important building called the  Santa Casa Chapel  was built to help strengthen Catholicism in Prague.  The small, centrally located chapel looks like a tiny Italian palace and for good reason.  It is a copy of a famous chapel in Loreta Italy  which is said to have roots back to the days of Virgin Mary.  Legend says that a house called Santa Casa sat in the middle of Nazareth, Palestine where the Virgin Mary was told she would have the child of God.  In 336, first of a series of chapels was built over the site of the house with the last one being built in the early Middle Ages.  Raiding Catholic Crusaders claiming they were protecting the chapel from the Turks, moved it to Loreta Italy in 1294 where is still sits today inside a basilica.  It’s copy in Prague is one of a handful of replicas around Europe, but is very impressive.

As you tour the rest of the Loreta Monastery complex you will want to visit the baroque interior of the main church, called Nativity of Our Lord, is quite stunning.  We love inspecting the detailed fresco paints, especially the ones on the ceiling.  One of the coolest elements is a statue of the  bearded female Saint Wilgefortis  depicted on a crucifix.  The debated legend of Saint Wilgefortis says she was the daughter of the King of Portugal who was promised to marry a pagan king.  Because Wilgefortis was very religious she prayed to be out of the marriage with the pagan ruler.  Her wish was granted when she grew a long bread and the marriage was called off.  Wilgefortis was then crucified by her father and quickly became a symbol of hope for oppressed and unhappy women.  Other legends say that the feminine looking statue is a depiction of  Jesus in a long dress  which was common in the Dark Ages of Europe before the image transformed into Jesus in a tunic.  There is also a large monstrance sun mirror in the church with is adorned with 6,222 diamonds.

Hours :  April-October 9am-5pm; Winter 9:30am-4pm.   Cost :  Adults 150 CZK; Kids 80 CZK.   Website :   Here .

14. Schwarzenberg Palace :

About Schwarzenberg Palace :  The former Schwarzenberg Palace is now a National Gallery Art Museum.  The original owner of the  Italianate Palace  was the rich nobleman Jan Popel of Lobkowicz who bought the lot after the homes here burned in 1541.  The Early Renaissance Palace, built in 1567, is a fitting location for the museum as its ceiling are made of stretched canvas which was painted in the late 1500s.  While visiting you’ll have a unique opportunity to view an incomparable collection of Bohemian Renaissance, Mannerist and Baroque art.

Outside of the museum is a beautiful  Marian Column  in the middle of Hradčany Square.  The large statue was completed in 1736 in honor of the Plague of 1713 just like the column in Lesser Town Square we saw earlier on this Little Quarter walking tour.  The Marian Column is surrounded by a base of famous saints and capped with a statue of the Virgin Mary.

Museum Hours :  Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm; Closed Mondays.   Museum Cost :  Adults 300 CZK; Kids 6-16 are 150 CZK.   Museum Website :   Here .

15. Prague Castle ( Pražský Hrad ):

About Prague Castle :  In 870 the  first Duke of Bohemia , Bořivoj I, started the groundwork of today’s huge Prague Castle complex with a protected Royal residence.  Inside the defensive wooden walls, the Duke built the Church of the Virgin Mary in 884 as the 2nd oldest church in Bohemia behind the Church of Saint Clement in nearby Levý Hradec.  The Church of the Virgin Mary was ruined in the 1200s, but parts of the foundation are still visible below some of the castle offices.  Other churches including Saint Vitus and Saint George were established by the Duke’s grandson and still remain today, we will visit them next on this Prague Castle walking tour.  The  churches in Prague Castle  were an important part of the establishment of Christianity in early day Bohemia.  It was here that the Duke’s sainted wife Ludmila thought their grandson from the bible which drastic shaped Prague.

Over the centuries the complex making up Prague Castle got stone defenses and grew into the  largest castle grounds in the world .  The walled fortress was a mini city with multiple courtyards which were home to not only the Royal family but also their guards, alchemists, and handcrafters.  The growth of the castle also led to the growth of the neighborhood below it which was officially founded in 1252.

While roaming the Prague Castle grounds make sure not to miss the Powder Tower or the  Old Royal Palace  building.  In the 1300s the Palace was built out of stone as the new Royal dwelling complete with Gothic vaulted ceilings.  There is even an unusually wide and flat stairwell in the Old Palace where the King would ride in on his horse.  You’ll see mixes of Romanesque and Gothic styles plus the distinct Habsburg touch as you take our Prague Castle walking tour.  It may not look like a traditional fairy tale fortress, but Prague Castle is a Medieval wonder with a with many memorable elements.

Hours :  The castle grounds are open from 6am-10pm and the historic buildings are open from 9am-5pm ( 4pm in Winter ).   Entrance Cost :  Outside of special exhibits which range from 70-300 CZK, general admission varies based on which of the main sights you want to see.  Most combos are 250-350 CZK for Adults; 125-175 CZK for Kids 6-16 years old; Kids under 6 are Free; deep discounts for family tickets.   Bonus Day :  All tickets are valid the days of purchase plus the following day.   Castle Website :   Here .

16. Saint Vitus Cathedral ( Karlsplatz ):

About Saint Vitus Church :  For many visitors, the huge Gothic-style Saint Vitus Cathedral is the highlight of this self-guided Prague Castle walking tour.  The first small rotunda chapel on the grounds dedicated to Saint Vitus came in 930 after Prince Wenceslas acquired the  arm of Saint Vitus  as a relic from Henry I, Duke of Saxony.  The church treasury still holds this relic of Saint Vitus among many other Royal riches which are on display.  Maybe the best thing in the Cathedral’s treasury is the Royal Crown which dates back to 1347 and is the  4th oldest in Europe .

The original rotunda chapel was converted into a two steeple church in 1060 and later rebuilt  as today’s Gothic Cathedral  starting in 1344.  The massive cathedral as you see it today took over 600 years to finally complete, but it is a masterpiece complete with stunning statues and stained glass windows.  You can see the Habsburg influence from the late Middle Ages as the building definitely resembles Saint Stephens Cathedral in Vienna.

While we love walking in the main nave of Saint Vitus Cathedral,  our two favorite areas  are the Saint Wenceslas Chapel and the South Tower.  The chapel looks almost untouched since the middle ages with excellent paints, Gothic lantern lighting, and the tomb of Wenceslas in the center.  The beloved Prince Wenceslas was considered a martyr after he was killed by his own brother for the throne in 935 at  Royal feast.  The South Tower is also quite cool and a staggering 287 steps will lead you up to the top for a magnificent view.

Cathedral Hours :  Summer 9am-5pm; Winter Monday-Saturday 9am-4pm & Sundays Noon-4pm.   Tower Hours :  Summer 9am-5pm; Winter 10am-5pm ( Last entry 4:30pm ).   Cost :  Cathedral included most Prague Castle tickets ranging from 250-350 CZK; Tower is an add-on for 150 CZK.

17. Saint George Basilica :

About Saint George Basilica :  To get a feel for the real heart of Prague Castle you need to seek out the brink pink facade of Saint George Basilica.  The  timeless Romanesque interior  is the best place to see how construction on the castle complex has had a number of styles under different Kings over the centuries.  The Basilica of Saint George was originally built as the 2nd church in Prague Castle  in 920  by Prince Vratislav I, the 3rd Duke of Bohemia.

When a convent for Benedictine nuns was established next door in 973 the church was expanded, but it didn’t get its current Romanesque look until after it was rebuilt from the Fire of 1142.  Dating to 200 years before the rebuild of Saint Vitus Cathedral, you can really feel how much of an influence the two centuries had on style differences.  You’ll feel like you are walking into an ancient Roman or Byzantine chapel with bare stone walls leading to the altar.  Among the highlights is the tomb of Prince Vratislav I who founded the church and the  statue of Saint George to  whom it is dedicated to.  Saint George was said to have been martyred for his faith by the Romans in 303AD and the statue portrays him as a ghastly skeleton who has had his guts sliced open.

18. Golden Lane ( Zlatá ulička ):

About Golden Lane :  Since the 1500s guards and gunmen for King Rudolph II lived on the colorful lane.  By the 1600s the King moved  Royal alchemists and goldsmiths  as he wanted them to find a way to make gold which led to the lanes name.  Of the notable houses, #13 is known as the Red Musket as it was a former guard house and #22 where  famous author Franz Kafka  lived in the 1900s.  From the stairs inside of house #12 you can see the round Daliborka cannon tower which was used as a prison in the 1400-1500s.

As you exit the East end of Golden Lane you will leave the castle walls through a formidable portal next to the castle’s Black Tower and come out right by a cool statue of a skull laying on the back of a man on all fours.  This statue, called  Parable with Skull , is meant to pay homage to the writer local Jewish writer Frank Kafka.  If you enter the base of the Black Tower where you find yourself inside a former underground dungeon which feels like it is from a movie set.  Back on the street level, there is a huge outdoor terrace with views overlooking the city of Prague.

19. Wenceslas’ Royal Vineyard :

About The Royal Vineyard :  As you finish our Prague Castle walking tour on your way back down to the Little Quarter, make sure to check out the wonderful Royal vineyard.  In 908, Duke Wenceslas I formed the start of the Royal vineyard on the Southeastern slope of Prague Castle making it the oldest vineyard in the Czech Republic .

As the grandson of the first Duke of Bohemia ( Bořivoj I ), Wenceslaus made his impression on grounds of Prague Castle and the entire country.  Duke Wenceslas I was beloved as “The Good King” who fought for the establishment of the Kingdom of Bohemia ( Imperial State in 1002, Kingdom in 1198 ), pushed for acceptance of Christianity in Prague, and became the Patron Saint of all Czech lands after his own brother murdered him in 935.  Knowing Wenceslaus’ association with the vineyard is very important as you take in its beauty.

In Medieval times, the Royal Vineyard created the perfect complement to the local beer from the monk breweries near the castle, but its wine was reserved only for the Royal family.  While Riesling is predominate, the most widespread grapes in the vineyard are  Pinot Noir  which Emperor Charles IV brought in from France in the 1300s.  Until the Queen’s Summer Palace was built there in 1534, the Royal Vineyard also covered the large garden just North of Prague Castle.

In 2007, the renovated vineyard you see today opened to the public on the 1100th anniversary of King Wenceslas I’s birth.  As you stroll through the vineyard make sure to rest your feet on one of the benches while you take in the view of the valley below.  At the Eastern end of the vineyard,  Richter’s Villa  ( website ) is a great place to sample the local wine and also has a small museum on the Royal wine production.   Villa Website :   Here .

20. Wallenstein Garden ( Valdštejn ):

About Wallenstein Gardens :  Military commander Albrecht von Wallenstein got super rich and bought 23 homes plus some gardens to build his sprawling palace from 1624-1630.  Viewed as a threat by Emperor Ferdinand II, Wallenstein was killed just a year later, but his family retained ownership of the palace.  The main hall has a cool fresco of the Roman god of war Mars, but it is the statue-lined garden that we love the most.  While the rows of sculptures are cool, the best statue is the one of Hercules in the central pond.  The 100-foot-tall loggia called Sala Terrena has some cool paintings and the neighboring grotto wall is lined with artificial stalactites.

21. Pissing Fountain :

About The Pissing Fountain :  Our favorite on this Prague castle tour is artist David Cerny’s Pissing Fountain at the Franz Kafka Museum.  The fountain features to oxidized bronze male figures  peeing into a pool  in the shape of the Czech Republic.  The figures’ hips swivel while their man parts move up and down allowing them to write messages in the pond with their pee.  The standard streams of water write quotes from famous Prague residents, but you can have them  write your message  too.  If you text a message to (+420) 724370770 the statues will spell it out with their pee which is quite amusing.

The Pissing Fountain’s artist David Cerny has many playful statues around Europe including huge babies climbing the largest TV tower in Prague.  Another popular installation of Cerny’s is at Prague’s Future Art Museum and is made of 2 large bodies bent over spreading their cheeks.  You can climb a small ladder and peek into the butts at artistic videos playing inside.

22. Míšeňská Lane :

About Míšeňská Lane :  As you leave the Lesser Town Bridge Towers toward Míšeňská Street consider taking a food break at one of the charming outdoor restaurants.  Make sure to also inspect the  Four Maidens Statue  street lamp in the middle of the road.  We love walking just past it and taking photos of the lamps with the huge medieval tower in the background.  After turning onto Míšeňská Street you’ll notice it is kind of like the land-based version of the Devil’s Stream with tightly packed colorful following a curved cobblestone lane.  If you place your camera right at ground level you can get an excellent photo down the unique lane complete with the detail of the cobblestones.

At the very end of Míšeňská Street, consider popping into  Vojan Park  if the gate is open which is one of the city’s oldest parks.  When the Episcopal court was demolished in 1248, the Vojanovy Gardens served as a fruit orchard and park.  After the orchard was bought in 1653, it became part of a new convent for the Order of Carmelite Sisters.  In 1660 they added the small, black cave-like Saint Elias Chapel which is cool to visit.  Near the West side of the park, the Church of St. Joseph at Lesser Town was built in 1686 for the former convent’s nuns.

23. John Lennon Wall :

About The John Lennon Wall :  You might think that Prague is a strange place for a huge graffiti wall memorial for the former Beatles band member John Lennon, but it is actually the perfect place.  When Lennon was murdered in 1980 his songs and  messages of freedom  struck home with the youth of Prague who were being smothered by oppressive Communist rule.  It didn’t take long for young people to start painting this wall with messages of peace, hope, and freedom in protest of their Communist rulers.  Since Prague’s citizens weren’t even allowed to listen to Pop music at the time, you can understand there was a very high risk of getting arrested while painting the wall.

The movement grew and grew until finally in 1989 the  non-violent Velvet Revolution  ended the Communist rule in Czechoslovakia and led to Democracy.  Today the same Knights of Malta that once owned the neighboring Grand Priory Mill, now own the Lennon Wall and support preserving it.

24. Grand Priory Mill ( Velkoprevorský mlýn ):

About The Grand Priory Mill :  Opened in 1597 to replace a previous mill, the Grand Priory Water Mill got its name because it was owned by the  Knights of Malta .  While this is 1 of the only 3 mills still remaining on Kampa Island, originally there were dozens lining the canal.  For the most part, the entire island was only mills and gardens until homes started popping up in the 1600s.  This mill was sold by the Knights in 1795 and it ran the longest on the island before finally closing in 1936.

Probably the coolest feature of the old water mill is its creepy looking  Water Sprite  figure at the foot of the dock.  This Water Sprite is from a Solvac fairy tale and a common guarding among mills in Medieval Prague.  It is said that fishermen would toss a little tobacco into the water as an offering for good luck from the pipe smoking sprites.  If the water mill really interests you, consider heading to the Mlyn Hut on the Southwestern corner of the Kampa Island which was part of a smelter mill when it opened in the 1400s.

25. Love Lock Bridge :

About Love Lock Bridge :  One of the most lasting activities to do while traveling with your loved ones is to  leave a Love Lock .  Throughout Europe, there are several bridges where tourist leave paddle locks before throwing the keys into the water as a sign of their love lasting forever including this small bridge in Prague.  The railings actually fill up so fast that the city ends up having to occasionally remove the locks because of how heavy they get.

Some local residents don’t like the practice as they see it as an eyesore, but we find it to be very enjoyable.  Overall cities like Prague and Paris seem to embrace the trend as you will even see some tourist stands selling locks.  We suggest buying your own lock ahead of time and writing either your initials or a warm message of the lock before placing it onto the bridge.

26. Kampa Island :

About Kampa Island :  Kampa Island was mainly a large open park with gardens until the 1600s because of a constant threat of flooding.  In the late 1500s the owner of much of the island, William of Rosenberg, started to reinforce it to be more habitable.  With the arrival of the first permanent homes, Kampa Island became known for its pottery market.

The main curved road running through the island with colorful houses called  Na Kampě Street  ( On Kampa ) is a favorite among photographers.  The street is especially beautiful as lamps light it at night and also over the holiday season when it is filled with Christmas carolers.  During the day there are a number of small outdoor restaurants with plenty of shade to rest your feet.

The small Liechtenstein Palace looks pretty basic, but it dates back to 1696.  Look above the door at the amazing stone coat of arms of the Princely House of Liechtenstein made in the 1800s.  Sitting directly across from the Palace is the Embassy of Estonia inside the  House At Blue Fox  built in 1605.  The door of the Embassy has a weird image above it with a Blue Fox holding a red rose in its mouth below a baby Jesus.

If you wish to explore the Kampa Island future the  Modern Art Museum  ( website ) is pretty good, open daily from 10am-6pm, and costs 160 CZK.  Outside of the museum are a series of crawling baby statues and the inside has a glass walkway that juts out toward the river.

27. Kampa Park Restaurant :

About Kampa Park Restaurant : A popular restaurant with a great terrace facing the river.   Restaurant Website :  ( HERE ).

Other Sights Near Lesser Town:

28. old town walking tour :.

About Old Town Prague :  The central heart of Prague is the highlight of our  Old Town Prague Walking Tour .  If you have enjoyed the Little Quarter then you are surely going to fall in love with Old Town.  Make sure to follow our free walking tour to get the full experience and including all of the neighborhood’s best-hidden gems you would miss otherwise.

Read More :   Old Town Prague Walking Tour .

29. Jewish Quarter Walking Tour :

About The Jewish Quarter :  Prague’s Jewish population has been living in the small neighborhood known as Josefov for over 100 years before the City of Prague was even officially established. Over the centuries there have been both good time and conflict that have forged together into a rich Jewish history.  Filled with beautiful synagogues, a gnarly cemetery, and many other worthwhile attractions, a walk through the Jewish Quarter in Prague is a very worthwhile couple hours.

Read More :   Jewish Quarter Walking Tour .

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The Jewish Museum in Prague

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Free Walking Tour of Prague

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is well worth its fame for being one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We invite you to get to know it with our interesting and fun Free Walking Tour of Prague .

Tour description

During our Prague Free Walking Tour we will visit the Old Town , New Town and Jewish Quarter , 3 of the UNESCO areas of the city, where you can find some of the most important monuments, such as the Astronomical Clock and more…

We will start our journey at what is now the modern center of Prague, Wenceslas Square , a place that started as a medieval horse market under the iconic patron saint of the Czech lands, Charles the IV.

From the New to the Old Town, where the meandering alleys will lead us to the 15th century Astronomical Clock and the Old Town Square , the city’s heart graced by the splendid Renaissance and Baroque façades of former Burghers’ houses, as well as by the majestic Church of our Lady before Tyn .

Furthermore, we will visit the Josefov quarter , the old Jewish ghetto, where we will talk about synagogues and the old Jewish cemetery . We will pass the Republic Square where we´ll see the Powder Tower , the historical gate to the Old Town and starting point of the Royal Route. Also we will see the Estates theater where Mozart held the premier of Don Giovanni.

Our free walking tour was designed to provide an introduction and give you a general idea about the city of Prague, its most famous personalities and historical events.

In our tour we will visit:

• Astronomical Clock
• Old Town Square
• Church of Our Lady Before Tyn
• Jewish Quarter
• Old Jewish Cemetery
• The Rudolfinum
• The Powder Tower
• the Estates theatre

and lots more…

Tip based tour We share our knowledge and you set the price. T ip your guide depending on how much you enjoyed the tour and your budget. Book now !

2.5 hours including break time.

Where and when

Our Free Tour starts everyday at 10.30 am. The meeting point is at 832/19 Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí 832/19), next to a Sephora shop ( See map ).  You can recognise our guides by the pink identification.

Ensure your place in our Prague Free Walking Tour!

We recommend that you book to ensure your place for the agreed time and day. Places are limited!

You might also like…

• Prague Castle Walking Tour
• Where to Eat Affordably in Prague?
• Recommended Currency Exchanges