If you are planning a trip to Prague and you are thinking about all the details of your stay, the Prague Old Town Hall should be on your top list of things to see: it’s the symbol of the city, it houses the famous Astronomical Clock and it hides many artistic and architectural treasures.
It is the most beautiful monument of the historical centre of Prague and, if you want to visit it, you will also have access to the tower, from which you can enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city.
Things you probably don’t know about the Prague Old Town Hall
Built in 1338, the Old Town Hall consisted of a complex of many bourgeois palaces; later they were annexed in a single whole.
Today only the south wing is preserved. It is composed of five historic buildings in which we can find architectural elements of all styles. All the rest of the building was badly damaged during World War II (just on the last day of the war, May 8th 1945), the rubble was removed and in its place arose a wooded space.
The mosaics in the main atrium have a strong patriotic sense that did not escape the Nazi occupiers, who ordered their elimination. The mosaics were covered with white plaster during the entire period of the Second World War, and they were brought again to light in 1947.
The interior of the Prague Old Town Hall
The Prague Old Town Hall is used by the mayor for representation purposes: is the place where the most important guests visiting Prague are welcomed.
The main atrium
It is entirely decorated in liberty style, in honor of Czech national history, with illustrations of mythological events related to the history of Prague
The Chapel of the Virgin Mary
A sober space decorated with spectacular windows and sacred statues. From here you can see the internal gears of the famous Prague Astronomical Clock.
The municipal hall
It was the place where the most important questions concerning the administration of the Prague Old Town were discussed.
The ancient municipal hall
It represents the most precious hall of the building, with one of the most fascinating late-Gothic architectural styles in Europe.
The meeting room antechamber
On the walls there are two lunettes by Václav Brožík, a famous Czech painter of the nineteenth century, representing famous celebrities from Bohemian history.
The Brožík room
Today it’s used by the mayor for solemn ceremonies. Until the end of the Second World War the representative council of Prague used to meet in this hall.
The Jiřík Room
The room is named after George of Poděbrady, (in Czech Jiří z Poděbrad): he was elected king of Bohemia precisely in these spaces.
The basements
The basement of the Prague Old Town Hall represents the oldest history of the city. Initially they were placed up to 8 meters underground but, following the numerous floods of the Vltava river, the level was raised. Immediately after the construction of the building, the underground rooms became municipal prisons.
The Prague Old Town Hall Tower
The Tower is one of the most captivating elements of the whole complex. At the time of his erection, it was 69.5 meters high and it was the tallest tower in Prague. Its purpose was strictly practical: on top of the tower lived (in his own residence up there) a sentry who watched the surroundings and threw the alarm in case of emergency situation.
The tower offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city and it is possible to admire all the iconic buildings of Prague: the St. Mary of Týn Church, the St. Nicholas Church, the Prague Castle and dozens of small towers and domes around the city.
In addition to being one of a kind, the Tower is the only one in Prague that offers barrier-free access: it is possible to climb up to the panoramic balcony with a modern glass elevator, awarded several times for its design.
Some practical information
You can visit the Prague Old Town Hall on the following days and times:
Historic interiors:
Monday from 11 to 19
Tuesday to Sunday from 9 to 19
Tower:
Monday from 11 to 22
Tuesday to Sunday from 9 to 22
The ticket costs 250 CZK, the reduced price one costs 150 CZK
You don’t want to give up the opportunity to visit one of the most iconic buildings in Prague, do you? 🙂
* Thanks to Prague City Tourism for giving me the opportunity to visit the Prague Old Town Hall.
Opinions, as always, are my own. *
