Self Guided Walking Tours Charles Square

Listen to an excerpt from the tour:

Charles Square

Charles Square — once the largest square in Europe — is one of Prague’s most beautiful and unique historic places. The Old New Town Hall, the magnificent Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and the impressive Emmaus Monastery give the square its special atmosphere and charm. But the tour goes far beyond the square itself. Along the route you will discover the Botanical Garden of Charles University, Prague’s first maternity hospital, ancient churches of the “New Jerusalem,” and the city’s only surviving bastion with a spectacular panoramic viewpoint.

So much to discover awaits you

The New Town Hall still looks almost exactly as it did in the 16th century. It was here that one of the most dramatic events in Czech history took place — the First Defenestration of Prague, when radical Hussites threw members of the city council to their deaths from the windows of the town hall.

Walking through Charles Square, you will understand why Charles IV ordered entire neighborhoods to be demolished in order to create an enormous cultural and public space unlike anything Europe had seen at that time. And do not forget to look for the oldest tree in the park — it is more than 170 years old.

The magnificent Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola impresses visitors with its elegant façade and richly decorated interior.

You will also discover how the tragic events of the Heydrichiad during World War II are connected to the Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Look closely at the walls of the cathedral — traces of bullets can still be seen there today.

Of course, it is impossible to pass by the famous Dancing House without stopping. Some locals jokingly call it the “Drunken House,” but despite its playful shape, it has become one of Prague’s most iconic modern buildings. And here you can take beautiful photographs overlooking the Vltava River.

Perhaps you will also dare to visit Faust House, surrounded for centuries by dark legends and mysterious stories.

You will learn the fascinating history of the Saint Apollinaire Maternity Hospital and discover why the building is protected as an important cultural monument.

The churches of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Saint Apollinaire, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Saint Charles the Great, the Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Na Slupi, and many others will help you understand Charles IV’s grand vision of creating a “New Jerusalem” in Prague — the name he once gave to his New Town.

And if you would like to experience these remarkable churches from the inside and feel the difference between Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Hussite, Greek Catholic, Ukrainian Orthodox, and other Christian traditions, we highly recommend taking this tour on a Sunday morning before noon, when many churches are open to visitors.

Interesting facts and mysteries of the tour

Faust needs your help — but remember, you will be facing the Devil himself…

As unbelievable as it may seem, even magic has its limits. The legendary Faust is begging for your help. Mephistopheles himself has kidnapped Faust’s beloved Margarita and hidden her in our own time. Soon she will disappear forever into the portal of the underworld.

Only you can reunite the lovers.

To do so, you must solve the Devil’s riddles, puzzles, and mysterious challenges.

Are you ready to face them? It may be the only way to save Faust’s beloved…

Main attractions

• New Town Hall
• Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola
• Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius
• Church of Saint Wenceslas at Zderaz
• Dancing House
• Emmaus Monastery
• Faust House
• Botanical Garden
• Church and Maternity Hospital of Saint Apollinaire
• Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Saint Charles the Great
• Bastion XXXI “At the Boží muka” (open daily 11:00–24:00)
• Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Na Slupi

The starting point of the route