Viewpoint on Old Town Square

This is where Prague’s heart beats the loudest. If people were to describe the Old Town Square in two words, they would say that it is both ancient and welcoming. Ancient, because there’s no way its 12th century origins could possibly contradict this. From a distant timeline where the square has lived through a large number of key events and historical changes. A particularly somber chapter took place in 1621, when 27 Czech Protestant noblemen were executed here for rebelling against the Catholic Habsburg rulers. Today, you’ll find 27 white stone crosses installed in front of the pink façade of the Old Town Hall, marking the very spot of their execution. Another visible time marker is how most buildings here belong to different time periods. From Romanesque houses to beautiful townhouses of the 13th and 14th centuries, time may have passed by, but here, there are so close physically yet so distant chronologically. And for the square’s welcoming attribute, you sense it the second you’re here. Old Town Square presents a nice array of restaurants, festivals and markets—such as its Christmas market—and many iconic monuments. They all form this lively city center, always abundant in tourists. Of course, how resist taking a pic of this legendary place? Just like so many other visitors have done before you. Yes, it might feel a little cliché… but snap that shot with creativity and make it your own!