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Prague Old Town: History and Things to Do
Prague's Old Town is part of the historical city center protected by UNESCO. The top sights of the Old Town are Astronomical Clock and Old Town Square.
Prague Old Town is the place where the most iconic landmarks of Prague are located. The Old Town Square, which is surrounded by the Astronomical Clock, the Church of Our Lady before Tyn and St. Nicolas church, is known as "the heart of Prague".
Located on the right side of the Vltava river, the Old Town Area is one of the most valuable districts protected by the UNESCO World Heritage Organization in Prague. The history of the Old Town goes back to the 9th century when it was inhabited by merchants and craftsmen, who served the Bohemian duke that lived in Prague Castle. The famous Old Town Square was used for the markets, executions, and gatherings of the army before they would embark on military campaigns. In the 1230s, the defense wall and moat was built to protect the Old Town from the Mongolian threat (yes, they almost made it to Prague!)
In September 1338, John of Luxembourg helped to establish the Old Town Hall, which gave Prague the official city title. During the reign of Charles IV, the first Prague University was established on the 7th of April, 1348. The turbulent 15th century brought the Hussite War (1419-1435) and two Prague defenestrations in 1419 and 1483. After approximately 100 years of social serenity, Old Town was struck by another military conflict - the Thirty Years War. On the 21st of June 162, 27 members of the Czech uprising against the Habsburg rule were executed on the Old Town Square. Even though the war finished with a victory of Czechs, their religious freedom was suppressed and the Bohemian kingdom became fully Catholic.
Czechs were able to break from the Habsburg rule only at the end of WW1 when the first Czechoslovakian president, Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, established the country's independence. It was announced on the border of the Old Town, in the famous Municipal House. During WW2, the Old town was again at the epicenter of the fight. Prague National Uprising against Nazis left a lot of buildings and monuments damaged, like the Old Town Hall and the Astronomical Clock. Nowadays, millions of tourists travel to Prague annually, and none of their visits goes by without walking through the maze of the Old Town streets.
The best idea, though, is to get lost in the Old Town's narrow winding lanes for a while and enjoy its cobbled streets and beautiful architecture!
See more of our Prague Travel Tips.