Prague/Old Town and Josefov

The Jewish Quarter lends itself to exploration, contemplation and a deeper understanding of what Prague's Jews have endured throughout the centuries.

Metro station 🌍 Staromestska  A  or metro station 🌍 Namesti republiky  B .

• 🌍 Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí). The center of the eventful history of Prague. The Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings were preserved here. The Historical Centre, including most of the city’s major sites, became a UNESCO-listed site in 1992. 
• 🌍 Jan Hus Memorial (Pomník mistra Jana Husa). That striking man standing atop a patina-green metal mountain in the center of Old Town Square is not Jesus, though he resembles him. It's Jan Hus, the great Czech religious reformer whose Hussite movement caused as much, if not more, friction within the Christian community as Martin Luther. The statue was erected on the 500th anniversary of his death (6 July 1915). Hus preached in the Bethlehem Church in Old Town and was himself not particularly radical, unlike some of the sects who followed him. He believed in Bibles written in the worshiper's language, in the importance of faith instead of a clergyman's intermediation with God - in other words, concepts which threatened the status quo. He was summoned to the Church's Council of Constance in Switzerland by representatives of the Emperor, and given a letter of safe conduct to get there and back. Like every member of the Habsburg family, before and after him, the Emperor was Catholic. After Hus refused to repent for his so-called sins and come back into the Church, he was burned at the stake, despite the promise of the Emperor. 
• 🌍 Astronomical Clock (Pražský orloj). The Astronomical Clock located on a side tower of the Old Town Hall (reasonably enough, on Old Town Square) is easy to find—just wait until a few minutes before the hour and look for a large group of tourists standing around waiting for something to happen! Still, Orloj is one of the most popular gathering places in Prague. The closer you are to the astronomical clock the more astronomical prices in restaurants and stores.
  Built in 1410 and thought of as an example of 15th century high-tech device, projected with the participation of maths and astronomy professors at Prague University. The mail dial is in principle a mechanical astrolabe, showing not only the current time, but also the placement of the sun and moon in the Zodiac, phases of the moon, the times of sunrise and sunset, length of astronomical night, the time in old Bohemian hours, in unequal hours and other data. From gathering crowds, hardly anybody understands all data astronomical dial displays.
  Then there is a slow-moving 12-month calendar with incredibly delicate, small figure paintings by 19th century Czech painter Josef Manes. Every day on the hour, the upper, glockenspiel-style section of the clock performs the same scene: Death waves an hourglass, the 12 apostles shuffle past small windows, and a rooster crows. After the hour strikes, a Turk wags his head.
  Long after the Turks had ceased to be a threat in Central Europe, their use as an allegorical figure in genre paintings and other art continued. The Czechs often sided with the Hungarians in various battles against increasing imperial power as exercised by the ruling Habsburg family over their dominions, and though the Turks never occupied Prague as they did Budapest, both countries' artists used "the Turk" (a dark-complected figure, usually wearing a turban) to represent the dangers of the world, and especially threats to Christianity. In the astronomical clock, the Turk is meant to be the stranger.
  There is a legend about the clock that states the original master builder of its interior clockworks was blinded by the King who commissioned it after the work was completed so the mechanic could never build such a wonderful clock for someone else. In vengeance, the master builder committed suicide by throwing himself into the gears of the clock, which took nearly a century to be repaired. Pickpocketing is common in this location. 
• 🌍 Municipal House (Obecní dům), ☏ +420 222 002 101, fax: +420 222 002 100, info@obecni-dum.cz. Nám. Republiky 5. The Obecní dům was built near the Powder Tower (a storage place for gunpowder and a major trade route entry into the city) on a site called King's Court where once a royal residence stood. In 1901, the Prague Civic Society made a proposal to city authorities to build a center for official and social Czech events. As happened so many other times in recent Prague history, the Czechs were trying to balance the grand buildings erected by the German-speaking community of Prague with suitable edifices of their own. The "German House" (now co-opted and renamed Slovanský dům, or Slavic House, on Na Příkopě street) and a German casino were enough to make the Czechs want a place of their own. Adult 290 Kč. (updated Aug 2018)
  • Lovers of Art Nouveau should bless the memories of the Prague Civic Society's officials, because the Obecní dům would become one of the most beautiful examples of Art Nouveau in Prague, filled with artwork by the best Czech artists of the day. Neo-Baroque, neo-Renaissance, Western and Oriental influences – all combined with traditional Czech Art Nouveau. This is what makes the Obecnàdum unique among many beautiful examples of Art Nouveau public buildings in Prague. While the exterior is impressive, the interior is both finely crafted and educational. Almost every prominent living Czech artist worked on the Obecní dům. Painters Mikoláš Aleš, Václav Jansa, Alfons Mucha, Jakub Obrovský, Jan Preisler, Josef Wenig, Karel Spillar, Max Švabinský, Josef Ullman, František Zenoek, and the sculptors Josef Maratka, Josef Václav Myslbek, Karel Novak, Ladislav Šaloun, František Uprka, Bohumil Kafka and Čeněk Vosmík carved out an astounding backdrop for the many historical events that would transpire here. Though their contributions are not conspicuously noted, in some cases (such as Alfons Mucha's Mayoral Hall) it is obvious which artist decorated what room.
• 🌍 Speculum Alchemiae, Haštalská 795/1, ☏ +420 773 645 234, info@alchemiae.cz. 10:00-18:00. A museum dedicated to the mysteries of alchemy, housed in a UNESCO World Heritage Site classified building dated from 980 AD in the center of the Jewish district, one of the only authentic buildings preserved after the massive redevelopment of the Old Town's Jewish Quarter during the 19th century. Only guided tours available in English or Czech. Tours include a history of alchemy, the role of the Kings in the alchemical development of Prague, the search for various elixirs and the relation with golems, and a tour through the laboratories in the underground catacombs under the city, dating from the 16th century renaissance period. Duration: 30 - 40 minutes. The catacombs are fairly cold even in summer, so warm clothing is recommended. Adults 200 Kč, students 150 Kč. (updated Aug 2018)
• 🌍 Convent of Saint Agnes, U Milosrdných 17. The Anezsky klaster is the first Early Gothic building in Prague (founded 1234) - something notable in a city filled with amazingly well-preserved examples of Gothic architecture such as St Vitus, the Charles Bridge and the Powder Tower. Over the years the complex's convent, chapels and several churches deteriorated and in some cases, were completely destroyed. After Habsburg emperor Josef II's religious reforms, the convent was shut down in 1782 and converted into lodgings for the poor. St Anežka, (Sv. Anežka česká) who is pictured on the pink 50 Kč banknote, is the patron saint of Bohemia and founder of the convent complex. She was a daughter of the ruling Premyslid family, but no wallflower in terms of her activism, intelligence and energy. St Francis of Assisi, after whom one of the churches in the complex is named, founded his religious order in 1209 without the sort of financial backing earlier orders had enjoyed. As communism was crumbling, the remaining religious leadership, decimated over years by Communism's anti-religious influence, lobbied the Vatican to finally declare Anežka a saint. This happened 12 November 1989, though Anežka's niece Elizabeth had started the process in 1328! Today, the convent is used to house part of the Czech National Gallery's collection. Admission: Full: 220 Kč, Reduced: 120 Kč, Family: 150 Kč. (updated Aug 2018)
• 🌍 Museum of Czech Cubism, Ovocný trh 19, ☏ +420 224 211 746. Tu 10:00-19:00, W-Su 10:00-18:00, closed M. The Museum of Czech Cubism in the renovated House of the Black Madonna exhibits furniture suites, individual pieces, accessory furnishings and objects made of ceramic, glass and metals. It offers an overview of the foremost creative achievements of Czech Cubism’s key exponents. This unique Cubist building, designed by Josef Gočár, was built in 1911–1912. Adult 150 Kč, senior or student 80 Kč (July 2020). (updated Feb 2024)
• 🌍 Czech Museum of Fine Arts, Husova 19-21, Praha 1. 20th century Czech art and changing exhibitions. 
• 🌍 Museum of Decorative Arts, 17 listopadu 2, Praha 1, ☏ +420 251 093 220. This 17th century palazzo-style building houses examples of historical and contemporary crafts, as well as applied arts and design. 
• 🌍 Church of the Holy Spirit. Baroque church 
• 🌍 Pariska Street (Pařížská). Tree lined street with number of historic buildings, exclusive shopping and upmarket restaurants and hotels. 
• 🌍 Rudolfinum, Alšovo nábřeží 12, ☏ +420 227 059 352. Neo-Renaissance style auditorium, home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. 
• 🌍 Jaroslav Fragner Gallery. Contemporary architecture. You can find here profiles of influential people and groups, retrospective exhibitions, thematic exhibitions, recent movement in architecture. Gallery provides lectures, seminars and publishing, regarding central Prague. The JFG is a centre for architects, professional and general public, students of architecture and construction companies. 
• 🌍 Sex Machines Museum, Melantrichova 476/18, ☏ +420 227 186 260, info@sexmachinesmuseum.com. 10:00-23:00. Humorous presentation of historic and present day sex toys and related installations. A visit takes about 60 to 90 minutes, and offers an initiation in the world of domestic and commercial pleasure engineering. Not suitable for kids due to the nature of the exposition, or physically disabled due to the very steep stairs. 200 Kc for students, 300 for adults. (updated Mar 2018)
• 🌍 Lego Museum (Muzeum Lega), Národní 362/31, ☏ +420 777 771 070. 10:00-20:00. A small museum dedicated to Lego bricks and their creations. Don't expect a history of the bricks, the museum is entirely focused on Lego constructions applied to the Czech context, with many monuments of Prague replicated as scale models in Lego. Most of the models on display are standard sets however, so the museum will be only worth its entrance fee for die hard Lego fans. 210 Kc. (updated Mar 2018)
• 🌍 Powder Tower (Prašná brána). One of the original city gates, which separates the Old Town from the New Town. The gate was used to store gunpowder in the 17th century, hence the name Powder Tower or Powder Gate. (updated Jun 2018)

• 🌍 Hacker's Nest (The Chamber), Bilkova 21, ☏ +420 777 779 005, info@thechamber.cz. Interactive co-op puzzle game requiring players to work together to save the world from destruction. Players solve puzzles and uncover mysteries in a race against time, attempting to defeat the doomsday plan from an Anonymous hacker. Minimum 2 players. No knowledge of hacker culture required, but minimal technical skills are helpful. Play time is 60 minutes. It is a relatively difficult game, not recommended for new players. €50. (updated Mar 2017)

For preparing food by yourself, groceries can be got from minimarkets and Žabka stores around. A bigger variety has Penny, Albert and Tesco.

There are unusal bars:

• 🌍 Robotic Bar. Cocktails from 140 Kč (May 2022) mixed by robots 
  
• 🌍 Ice Pub. Drinks served in an ice-cold environment. You get a winter jacket there. (updated May 2022)

Further bars and clubs are:

• 🌍 AghaRTA Jazz Centrum, Železna 16, ☏ +420 222 211 275, info@agharta.cz. Daily 19:00-01:00, live music 21:00-00:00. AghaRTA is another well known jazz club, and organizer of the Prague Jazz Festival. 
• 🌍 Al Capone's Cocktail Bar, Bartolomějská 3, ☏ +420 224 212 192. M-Th 17:00-02:00, F Sa 18:00-03:00, Su 18:00-00:00. Al Capone's is a small and family-like bar, located in the very centre, with acceptable prices. Beer 25 Kč-70 Kč, cocktails 45 Kč-80 Kč. 
• 🌍 Chateau Rouge, Jakubská 2, ☏ +420 222 316 328. Three-floor club in the old town. Plenty of tourists, including Americans and pub crawl groups, to be found any night of the week. free entry, Staropramen 40 Kč. 
• 🌍 Karlovy lázně, Smetanovo nábřeží 198, ☏ +420 222 220 502, info@karlovylazne.cz. This self-styled "biggest music club in Central Europe" is right next to Charles Bridge, with 5 floors of clubs each featuring a different style of music. It is frequented by Czech teenagers and German high school students. There are security guards at the door who search entering patrons. It is more often than not incredibly dirty and filled with very young males. 
• 🌍 Music Club Zlatý Strom, Karlova 6, ☏ +420 222 220 441. Daily 20:00-06:00. Lively half dance club, half go-go club. Watch out for the bucket mojito cocktails for 599Kč! Free entry for women. 
• 🌍 U Zlatého Tygra (The Golden Tiger Pub), Husova 17. Daily 15:00-23:00. If you aren't easily scared off by smoke so thick you can touch and mean-looking Czechs that look like they would rather shake you than share a table, then this place is a must-stop. It is almost always crowded to standing capacity but if you stop by just before closing during the week, you can usually grab a table next to a local or knowledgeable expat and have some great Pilsner Urquell for 34 Kč a half liter, a price that is almost charitably low for the city center. There's also a simple menu of snacks and mains for around 35 Kč-90 Kč. Check the picture on the wall- that's President Bill Clinton drinking here. Favored hangout of the late Czech author Bohumil Hrabal, whose bronze bust stands watch over the heads of patrons. 
• 🌍 Restaurant Franze Kafky, náměstí Franze Kafky 24/3 (off the square next to Church of St. Nicolas). Pleasant place to sit with a drink and people watch in the evening when the establishments on the old town square insist on food only customers. 

Be aware of the tourist trap called Old Prauge Ham which is an outdoor fast food restaurant located in the Old Town Square. They charge ham by weight and comparing to the locals, tourists are often given much more ham to inflate the price.