Old Town Square

Old Town is no doubt one of the most beautiful, significant and visited districts of Prague. Magnificent and charming Old Town Square forms the historical center of the district.
It aroused simultaneously with the foundation of Prague city as the capital of state at the place of intersection of all trade roads with big capital marketplace that existed in those times. Old Town Square is widely known all over the world due its rich architecture and medieval buildings and cathedrals of different styles.

The dominant of the square is a gothic Cathedral of Our Lady before Tyn or the Cathedral of Our Black Lady as it is called by local citizens. The process of its building started in 1365, at the place of small gothic church situated on the square from the end of 13th century. For a long period of time the church was the center of reformation movement of the Hussites. After the movement was defeated during the battle at White Mountain the cathedral started to lose its political meaning and was re-opened after the reconstruction for the parishioners. Famous Dutch astronomer Tiho Brage is buried in the cathedral.
In the center of Old Town Square tourists attention is caught by the monument of national Czech hero – philosopher and thinker Jan Hus, which was created in 1915 by famous Czech architect Ladislav Shaloun.
In the north-west of the square another not less famous cathedral arises – St. Nicholas Cathedral, which was built in gothic style in 13th century. Money for the building was gathered by the colony of merchants, who believed St. Nicholas would patronize them in successful trade affairs. In early 18th century the cathedral was completely rebuilt in baroque style by the architect Kilian Dincengofer and was given over to monk’s order. In current time the cathedral belongs to Hussites’ church and every evening beautiful concerts of organ music are held inside.

The most famous place on the Old Town Square is the Orloj Chime. In the lower part of the tower you can see astronomical clock created in 1410. The original design of the Chime belongs to Nicholas from Kodan. The clock was completed at the end of 15th century by magisterial astronomer Hanush. According to the legend he was blinded right after the work was finished in order to prevent the creation of similar masterpiece. On the clock you can see the image of Universe with planets turning around the earth. Each hour from 8 a.m. till 9 p.m. two windows open upon the face of the clock and figures of moving apostles can be seen. The performance is finished by cock’s singing and watcher’s applauds. In the central part of tower is the calendar with zodiac signs and pictures of work processes devoted to each sign depicted on it.

Bloody historical events often took place on the background of splendid fronts of the Old Town Square. One of the leaders of movement of the Hussites – Jan Jelivsky was executed here in the 15th century. After the victory of Catholics over the Protestants in 1521 27 people, those who took part at the battle at the White Mountain, were put to death on the same square. White crosses in front of the city-hall show the place where the scaffold was situated in Middle Ages.