This self-guided walking tour will take you through the legends of Prague’s Mala Strana, or ‘Little Quarter.‘ Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these stories are a fun way to learn about the spirits that may still haunt Prague today!

Table Of Contents

1. Map of Walking Tour
2. The Ghosts of Charles Bridge
3. The “Good” Friday Turkey
4. Ghost of the Millers Daughter
5. Karbourek the Water Sprite
6. The Old Chapel of Mary Magdelene
7. The Nailed Woman
8. Petrin Hill
9. The Ghosts of Pohořelec
10. The Evil Countess of Černín Palace
11. The Bells of Loreto Sanctuary
12. Werewolf of Stag Moat
13. The Ghost of the Potion Seller
14. Vitus Spirit
15. Spirits of Golden Lane
16. Ghost Lady of White Tower
17. Knight of Daliborka Tower
18. Three Unhappy Ghosts
19. Ghost of the Obese Merchant
20. The Ghost with a Nail
21. Naked Cecilie

Map of Walking Tour

The Ghosts of Charles Bridge

John of Nepomuk

The Charles Bridge is undoubtedly the most famous location in Prague. Thousands of tourists walk across the cobblestone pathway every day. But upon the stones, they tread on some of the city’s darkest history. The Charles Bridge is perhaps most infamous for being the place where St. John of Nepomuk was martyred. John of Nepomuk had been the confessor of the queen of Bohemia. When the king demanded John divulge her secrets, he denied the king. Nepomuk could not break the sacred nature of holy confession, even for the king. The king was furious and condemned Nepomuk to death for his audacity.

Nepomuk was thrown from Charles Bridge into the Vlatava River, where he drowned. Ever since that moment, the bridge was thought to be cursed by the king’s evil doings. The bridge would continually collapse into the river. Even with the most modern construction technology, any attempt to prevent destruction ended badly.

The Cursed Bridge

The Kings of Bohemia didn’t know what to do. The bridge connected the two sides of the city together. It was a crucial access point for travellers. They couldn’t simply ignore this problem. One day, an ambitious young stonemason came forward, saying he could remedy the issue. But with all of his best efforts, the bridge continued to collapse. At his wit’s end, the stonemason was worried his failure would prove fatal. He had promised the king he would be the only one to finally solve this problem.

One night while at the construction site, the devil appeared in front of the stonemason and offered him an exchange. He would ensure the bridge would never collapse if the stonemason would sacrifice the first soul who crossed the devil’s bridge. The stonemason carefully agreed.

Once the bridge was complete, the stonemason wanted to ensure no unsuspecting soul was lost. And he certainly didn’t like the soul to be his own. So, thinking he could trick the devil, he went to the market to buy an animal. He hoped to force the animal to cross the bridge, so the devil would instead take the animal’s soul.

Stonemasons Sacrifice

But the devil wasn’t so easily fooled, and he saw what the stonemason was plotting. The devil disguised himself as an old woman and went to the stonemason’s house where his pregnant wife lived. The devil, dressed as the old woman, told the stonemasons’ wife that the mason had been severely injured on the bridge. In terror for her husband’s life, the wife ran to the bridge. Seeing him on the other side, she crossed it. When the stonemason looked up to see her running across the completed bridge, he knew it was too late.

The wife went into labour early, but the child would never see the light of day. She died in childbirth, and both the mother and son’s souls would have been lost forever to the devil. In horror and riddled with guilt, the stonemason threw himself into the river and committed suicide. But after that day, the bridge never collapsed again. The contract with the devil having been fulfilled.

The Heads of Charles Bridge

Another dark story from the bridge’s past relates to the massive Bohemian revolt of 1612. During this period, the Bohemian people fought against the Habsburg rule, starting the Thirty Years War. During the uprising in Prague, 27 leaders organized a rebellion against the Habsburg Emperor. Once their plot was discovered, they were executed; twelve were beheaded, and fifteen were hanged.

This was a shocking event for the Czech people. These executed men were not just any old thief or murdered, but were highly important; professors, noblemen, scholars, and businessmen. Their heads were placed in iron baskets on the Old Town Bridge Tower. They supposedly remained there for over a decade. This scene would undoubtedly have been one of the grimmest sights to see over ten years. And souls seemed to latch themselves to the bridge itself. Today, when crossing at night, see if you can spot any brave men’s ghostly figures.

The “Good” Friday Turkey

To the left of Charles Bridge, you descend down along the water’s edge. This part of a town seems packed with evil spirits, and an otherwise charming waterway has a rather nefarious name. They call it ‘Čertovka,’ which in English means the “Devil’s Stream.” The name is supposedly derived from a nearby house, which was called ‘U semi čertů‘ or “At the Seven Devils.” Along Čertovka, you’ll find remnants of an old medieval mill. This mill used the water along the canal to power it’s waterwheel in the 12th century. 

Fiery Turkey

As you pass by the old mill, listen closely to see if you can hear the eternal squawking of the “Fiery Turkey.” On one Good Friday evening, when all the good Catholics were obligated to fast, the weak-willed miller was hungry. He loved to eat meat and, most of all, turkey. Unfortunately, he also kept a turkey as a pet. In a fit of hunger, he killed and ate his friend. 

Shortly after finishing his sinful dinner, the miller had a gall bladder attack and died right there on the spot inside the mill. When the townspeople came to see what the racket was about, they found the miller dead, with his pet turkey standing upon his belly, cackling loudly into the night. Almost as a warning to those who would think of also breaking their fast.

Ghost of the Millers Daughter

It seems as though the mill itself is a powerful dark force as a myriad of other evil tales pop up in its history. Another miller who once lived here had a beautiful but vain daughter. Despite being born into relative poverty, all she dreamed of was becoming rich and powerful. She had an idea to get an invitation to the Gentlewomen’s Ball held every year at Lichtenštejn Palace. There, the young daughter imagined she would meet a rich man and marry him, ensuring her nobility. But despite all her father’s best efforts, he could not find a way to get her an invitation to the ball as a commoner.

At her wit’s end, the daughter made a deal with the devil. He agreed to give her an invitation to the ball in exchange for her soul. But even with this supernatural intervention, no one inside would dance or pay her any mind. She was still a miller’s daughter. This flagrant disregard and knowing what she had done to her soul for naught caused the daughter to fall into a fit of rage, and she was expelled from the palace by the guards. 

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Lichtenštejn Palace

The miller’s daughter never got over the ordeal and died inside the nearby mill in a state of madness. But the devil doesn’t forget, and her ghost is said to return to the Lichtenštejn Palace to do the devil’s bidding. People claim that they have seen her rude ghost chasing after young men during festive events, wailing as she goes. While she might simply pursue the men, she is outwardly violent towards young, beautiful, and mostly wealthy women. They represent everything she had been so desperate to have and sold her soul to achieve. She has been known to attack women, bite and scatch them until they can get away. She haunts the palace around midnight so keep your wits about you if you pass by around that time.

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Karbourek the Water Sprite

If you see a strange creature with his feet resting in the water asking for a beer, near the Devil’s Stream, you might have run into Karbourek, the Water Sprite. The sprite visited Prague hundreds of years ago. It was once a cheerful creature, indulging in drinks with other drunkards in Mala Strana. He was peaceful and kindhearted, and bartenders would leave him a glass of beer whenever they saw him. 

But as time has gone on and bars have closed or have forgotten the legend, the sprite has turned tasty. Karbourek lurks around in the river but will surface every so often when he gets thirsty for beer. Unless you have a drink to offer the creature, it’s best to stay away. If you spot the sprite and offer him a beer, he is known to reward those good samaritans with a pike or eel from the river. Karbourek has become so famous in this area that there is even a wooden statue created in his likeness on the mill’s edge.

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The Old Chapel of Mary Magdelene

Along Karmelitska Street, you’ll find the Czech Museum of Music, which is now home to more than one of Prague’s infamous ghosts. In the 17th-century, the building was originally the convent of St. Mary Magdalene. But this convent was home to some truly cruel nuns and one in particular. In life, this nun was in charge of taking children from their mothers. This started innocently enough. The nuns aimed to help unwed mothers give up their babies to find good, “proper” homes. 

Perhaps influenced by the darkness that lurked in the nearby Devils stream, the nuns were soon corrupted by greed. They began selling the children of these unwed mothers off into indentured servitude or workhouses and kept the money from themselves. They were known to host ostentatious and lavish parties with their earning. Their greed seemed unquenchable. Eventually, one of the cruellest of the nuns began tricking mothers into giving up their babies. If she was there during the birth, she would claim the baby was stillborn, even if it was not and then quickly sell the newborn off for coin. If that didn’t work, she would even resort to kidnapping children. 

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The Nun’s Ghost

When the nun finally died, her soul was damned forever, and her ghost still lurks these streets, unable to ever find peace. They say only children can see her, so if you spot a child speaking to no one, be sure to rush them away as her ghost is still known to spirit away children, never to be seen again.

In the 18th century, the convent was deconsecrated, and the building was used as housing for the poor. Many actors and actresses moved into the apartments as the rent was cheap and close to nearby theatres. One of these actresses is known better known as the “headless ghost of Mala Strana.” In life, she was one of the most beautiful women in Prague. Her husband was a jealous man and hated watching her performances filled with dozens of love-struck admirers. His jealousy reached a peak point when the actress courted a rich count after her show. When she came home, her husband promptly cut off her head in a resentful fit of rage. Now her ghost haunts the building, looking endlessness for her lost head, the source of all her beauty.

The Nailed Woman

Further along, Karmelitská Street is a wicked looking ghost known to stick her tongue out at affluent visitors. The story goes that the woman, Mrs. Kuliček, was once the wife of a great city. The two lived together on Karmelitská Street. Mr. Kuliček had made a good living as an official of public health while he was alive. But when he died suddenly, he left his wife with little money, save for their home. Mrs. Kuliček had no practical skills to speak of, as most women were just housekeepers. She was too old to remarry and quickly running out of money to keep the lifestyle she had become used to. 

Seeing no other option, Mrs. Kuliček turned their large apartments into a giant brothel. Since the house was located in a reasonably well to do part of town, it would garner higher-end clientele. But Mrs. Kuliček, now the establishment’s madam, wasn’t too decerning about who she let service the men inside the brothel. As the wife of a public health official, you would have thought she would have been more aware of women who carried disease, but Mrs. Kuliček cared only for money!

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Prague’s Brothels

One very wealthy man came and asked him to be greeted by a “pure” woman. Most brothel workers were plagued with “social diseases,” such as syphilis and gonorrhea. The madam took the man’s money anyway, tricking one of her employees into lying to the nobleman about her purity.

When the wealthy nobleman came down with syphilis a few weeks later, he was furious. Syphilis was incurable, and he knew he would die in a short matter of time. He broke into the apartments and tied the woman’s hands behind her back and nailed her tongue to the bedroom door to punish her “sinful tongue.” When he left, he hung a “quarantine” sign above the door so no one would enter and find the poor woman. She died inside of her wounds, a slow horrible death. If you see Mrs. Kuliček pass you by and stick out her tongue, look closely. You might be horrified to see that nail is still stuck right through her tongue!

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Petrin Hill

Head up Hellichova street, towards Petrin Hill and proceed up hillside pathway. This peaceful park is truly haunting at night when the sun goes down, and only a few lamps and the moonlight are there to guide your way. Petrin Hill, hundreds of years ago, was home to a pagan altar. Here, pagans would sacrifice young, beautiful virgins to their gods, burning them alive atop the altar. When Prince Boleslav came to power in Bohemia, his aim was to eradicate any of the remaining pagans who refused to convert to Christianity, despite being raised by a pagan mother himself. 

The Petrin Hill altar was destroyed, and a great Christian cathedral was even built nearby to further rub salt in the wound. But the ghosts of the pagans and those women burned alive still haunt the hill to mock Prince Boleslav. Self-contained fires are known to break out along the hill and burn mysteriously without any remains being found afterwards. Faces have been seen in the fires, laughing maniacally at the viewer. The fires last about 20 minutes, and then they disappear, so keep your eyes peeled as you go!

The Ghosts of Pohořelec

Along Pohořelec street, near Strahov Monastery, keep your eyes peeled for a headless ghost followed by a hound with someone curious in its mouth… This duo’s legend is a classic tale of greed and betrayal. A beautiful, young woman married an old, ugly but wealthy man. Soon after their marriage was official, the woman began plotting to kill her husband and steal his riches. He came home one day, and she took an axe to his head. But the man had had suspicions about her from the start, and when he died, she had found that the man had hidden all his gold. The woman died in poverty but came back as a hound who drags the headless man’s head around, taunting him into finally revealing the secret treasure’s location.

The Evil Countess of Černín Palace

Černín Palace was once home to one of the cruellest countesses Prague has ever known. Although she might not have committed any murders, her truly selfish and abusive behaviour towards her fellow citizens was abominable. Černín Palace, now home to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was built in the 1660s by diplomat Humprecht Jan Černín z Chudenic, the Habsburg imperial ambassador to Venice and Rome. Chudenic was incredibly vain and saw himself as more important than even the emperor. He built his palace in a location that was just higher up than Prague Castle, making his palace almost more grand than the royal court itself.

Chudenic was also a stingy man and refused to sign any contract or agree to pay until the work was finished. This was perhaps more common back in the day before labours laws were put in place to protect the blue-collar workers. But when Chudenic died, suddenly, there was no one left who had had contact with the construction crew and knew that they were owed a large sum of money. So, left with no other choice, the workers contacted a local medium who performed a seance to bring the spirit of Chudenic back from the dead. He was raised up and forced to sign the contracts from the beyond, so work on the palace could be finished, and the workers were finally paid. Perhaps this seance opened the door to the other world, and many speculate this connection was never properly closed.

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The Countess

Chudenics’ daughter became the countess of the palace. She was known to dramatically flaunt her wealth. She would bath in litres and litres of milk when milk was considered one of the most expensive imports. When the great famine of 1770 broke out in Bohemia, she had shoes made of bread that she would wear out on the town, to mock the starving peasants. Even the devil was shocked by her outright cruelty and sent nine of his demons through the open gateway to punish her. 

One night, as she danced down the halls of her ostentatious palace in her bread shoes, the nine demons dragged her to hell for neglecting those in need. People claim you can still hear her blood-curdling screams down the palace’s halls as she is forced to dance for eternity in those uncomfortable bread shoes. Her ghost is known mainly to visit at midnight when the palace is closed to the public. But even so, be warned; never dance with her as she will drag you both back down to the underworld.

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The Bells of Loreto Sanctuary

Across the street from the Černín Palace is the Loreto Sanctuary. Built in 1626, the Loreta Sancturay is a holy place of pilgrimage most famous for its clock tower and carillon. But before the church was built, legend has it that this site was once a pagan altar where one of the greatest pagan priestesses of Prague, Princess Drahomíra of Stodor, was sucked down into the netherworld. Like Černín Palace, this marked this site as a place where spirits are known to cross over.

27 bells in total were installed in the tower in 1694. A woman who lived nearby the church thought it exceptionally lucky as she had exactly 27 children. She named each of the bells after one of her children, the largest corresponding to her eldest child and each subsequent smaller bell to her other children. Legend has it during the great plague of 1713, the women’s eldest daughter fell ill to the disease. The mother went to the church in distress and placed one silver coin in the prayer box and prayed for her daughter’s life. As she sat there, the largest of the bells rang out, and when the mother got home, her eldest daughter was dead.

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The Bell Tolls

The same pattern continued for each of her children, one would fall ill, and she would go to the church, place a silver coin in the prayer box, and the bell corresponding to that child would die. This happened until all her children were dead. The woman was racked with grief, and when she lay dying in her bed, moments before she closed her eyes forever, all the bells rang at once despite no one being in the tower to ring them. Many locals believe this was her children calling their mother to heaven. Although this ghost story isn’t as macabre as the others, every time the bells ring, you can sense something otherwordly in the air.

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Werewolf of Stag Moat

Just outside Prague castle is a great park called the ‘Stag Moat.’ It is a natural ravine, which was a famous breeding ground for deer during the 17th century. However, the urbanization of the city has dramatically reduced the deer’s population. Although the park is only open in the summer season, standing on the bridge on the ramparts of Prague Castle is a beautiful place to take the scenery.

One of the legends of the Stag Moat is that of the werewolf of Prague. When Rudolf II ruled, he turned the moat into a wild animal menagerie. He kept deer, elk, wild boar and many birds inside the park so that his court could hunt in the grounds just across from their castle. But his tastes for the exotic got the best of him. Inside the park, he also kept lions and bears in cages with viewing platforms surrounding them so the court could come and observe them in captivity. One day, a few mysterious grey wolves were added to the menagerie.

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The Wolves of the Moat

The gameskeeper and his mute assistant looked after the animals as well as the new additions, the wolves. Right away, it was noticeable that the assistant took extra special care of the wolves. Despite not being able to speak with humans, the apprentice started to howl at night with the wolves. He was even seen sleeping in their pens from time to time. The gameskeeper came to work one day and couldn’t find his assistant but curiously, there were now three wolves in the cell where there had only been two before. The gameskeeper was puzzled but thought the only answer was that a lone wolf had perhaps come to find two of his lost pack members.

Soon after the third wolf arrived, the wolves ban to escape their pen at night and began attacking some of the other royal pets. Despite the gamekeeper trying to recapture them, they always manage to get out, almost as if they had grown fingers to open their cage. One day the wolves managed to find their way out of the moat and were never seen again. Rumours of attacks throughout the countryside were rampant. People said they had seen two wolves and a man with wolves’ bodies attacking animals and people all across the country.

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The Ghost of the Potion Seller

Another famous legend of Stag Moat is that of the ghost of the travelling potion seller. The lion master who worked in the menagerie was a cruel and greedy man. Rudolf II loved his lions and considered them one of his most prized possessions, so she spared no expense in their care. But instead of feeding the lions, the high-quality meat they were sent by the palace, the lion master sold the meat and kept the money for himself. Instead, he would feed the lions whatever rotten scarps he could put together.

One day, a poor travelling potion seller walked by the lion’s cages and collapsed in front of the lion master, begging for his help. Just a scrap of food was all he needed to get his strength back. But the lion master refused, and the man was dead in minutes. Seeing an opportunity, the lion master threw the poor potion seller into the cage, where the ravenous lions devoured him.

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The Potion Masters Ghost

The lion master returned the next day and saw the potion seller’s ghost standing in front of the cages. The lion master was terrified at spotting the spirit returning from the grave to haunt the sinful man. Riddled with guilt, the man hung himself from bars of the lion’s cages. Today, around the time when the lions would have been fed, you can still see the ghost of the travelling potion seller wandering the moat. Warning others to be kind to those in need.

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Vitus Spirit

There have been sightings outside St. Vitus cathedral of a ghostly figure looming over the building. In the 18th century, a soldier patrolling the grounds saw the white figure and approached it, thinking it was an intruder. The figure threw a handful of wheat at his feet and disappeared. The next day, another solider saw the same figure, and this time had a coin tossed down before the figure disappeared. On the third night, warned by the other two, the next soldier was on guard, and when the figure appeared, he shot it on the spot. This time, the spirit tossed the bullet that had been fired straight at him back at the soldier’s feet. The three items were thought to be an omen of the future three years for the city.

In the next year, the crops were plentiful. The year after, the city was flush with wealth from the sale of all that grain. But, in the third year, the Seven Years Wars began, and many of its citizens lost their lives. Just as the spirit had predicted, wheat a symbol of agricultural abundance, coins the symbol for wealth and the bullet a symbol for death and war.

Spirits of Golden Lane

Many people claim that Golden Lane is home to some guardian spirits, which were once tied to this area of town during the pagan era. Emperor Charles IV wrote in his memories that he had seen one of these creatures throw a golden cup across his table in the middle of the night. When he asked his staff about this vision, they all told him various stories of small creatures they had also seen around Golden Lane.

If you spot a black cat along this street, be sure to give it a kind stroke. This is said to be the spirit of a young girl who once lived with her father along Golden Lane. The poor girl threw herself off a bridge after her father had murdered her lover. It’s a classic tale of a young girl wanting to marry someone their family disapproves of. But this father took it a little bit too far by murdering her beloved.

Cats of Golden Lane

After the young woman found out about her lover, she threw herself off the nearby bride but returns to her father’s house along Golden Lane every night like a cat. Cats are a symbol of rebirth and resurrection, and perhaps this girl was granted another one of her nine lives. She haunts the street in the hopes of getting revenge on her father and searches for him in all the houses along the lane.

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Ghost Lady of White Tower

The White Tower in Prague Castle, located at the west end of Golden Lane, was used as a prison for noblemen since 1584. One of the most famous prisoners was Katerina Bechynova, the wife of the count of Karlstejn. After finally being arrested and charged with the murder of 14 people, she was brought to the tower. Most of the victims were young female serfs, which had been under her employment. 

Some people say the number was probably more like 30 people. She admitted to the killings and even admitted to torturing her serfs by cutting them with knives and pouring salt into the wounds. She was placed in the bottom of the tower and forced to starve, a slow agonizing death. Her angry ghost is known to haunt this tower and was seen almost right after her death. Curiously, only a few days after she died, the judge who sentenced her also died mysteriously, perhaps killed by the ghost herself.

Knight of Daliborka Tower

The other prisoner Tower in Prague castle is Daliborka Tower. This tower is slightly older, dating back to 1496 and was used as a prison until 1781. The first inmate, and the future ghost, was Dalibor of Kozojedy. Dalibor of Kozojedy was a brave knight of the realm. Seeing the plight of some rebellious serfs who had been made homeless, he invited them into his palace, where he hid and cared for them. Despite the knight’s kindness, this was considered a crime against the realm, as these serfs were “traitors.” Dalibor was arrested and placed in the newly built tower. 

While awaiting his trial, he was allowed to bring a few items with him to his prison cell as he was a noble prisoner. He brought with him a violin and started to learn to play it. He became a very skilled violinist as he had nothing else to do. People would even come to the tower to listen to his beautiful music. The people of Prague came to love his music and also believed he should be freed for his valiant acts. The court knew they had to execute him but did so in secret to avoid a public outcry. The public only knew that he had been killed when the music finally stopped. On some cold, silent nights, people claim to still hear his music play across the wind as it whips through the tower.

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Three Unhappy Ghosts

At #20 Valdštejnská Street, marked by a golden sun symbol, you might see the “Three Unhappy Ghosts of Prague.” Although they are most known to frequent the streets at Chrismas time, there is always a chance you might see them out during other times of the year. The story goes that a loving couple named Lubomír and Klára lived in this apartment once upon a time. But in 1914, when war brought out, Lubomír was sent to the front lines. Soon after he left for Translyvania, Klára received a note saying that her husband had been killed in battle. She was devastated and mourned for a year but soon fell in love with a new man, Vojtěch. Vojtěch was a coward and of poor health and was not seen fit to go off to war. He moved into the house, and the two lived happily together once more.

Klara’s Ghost

But one day, Klára answered the door to find her husband standing there in front of her. Apparently, some wires had gotten crossed, and Lubomír wasn’t dead at all but had been severely injured and had been in hospital this entire time. His face was pale and white, and his body frail from being in bed for so long. He looked so ghastly Klára thought he was a ghost. She screamed and fled, but in her shock, crashed into a shelf in the kitchen, which fell on top of her, and she was crushed to death. Lubomír was appalled to see his wife flee but even more shocked to see Vojtěch inside the house in his pyjamas.

Vojtěch, seeing his new wife dead on the floor, lived up to his reputation and fled as well. But he also tripped running up the stairs and fell, breaking his neck. Lubomír, who had a reputation of having a bad temper, thought for sure he would be blamed for their deaths and shot himself there in the hallway. Today the three ghosts bicker as they walk the streets of Prague, arguing about who is Klára’s rightful husband and who is responsible for their deaths.

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Ghost of the Obese Merchant

Lookout along Valdštejnská street for a sad-looking obese man, who wanders these streets aimlessly. He is known as the “Ghost of the Obese Merchant.” In life, the wealthy merchant would gorge himself every night, even though hundreds of people were starving to death around him. He was known to come into the pub and order three or four meals all to himself. 

One night a poor young beggar went into the pub and asked if the merchant might think of sparing just a bit of his food to share with the beggar. The merchant laughed in his face, and the beggar left. Furious, the beggar cursed the man that he would eat until he exploded. Which is what they claim happened. That he blew up right there in the pub. However, I think its more plausible to imagine his stomach was what exploded, not himself entirely. Today his ghost haunts the streets, trapped in his uncomfortable, obese body. His soul will only be freed when a poor, homeless person will pity him and share some of their food with the ghost.

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The Ghost with a Nail

Along Tomášská Street, there was once an old locksmith’s workshop. The locksmith was old and well off but lonely. One day, a man came to the locksmith and offered up his young daughter for marriage. He was desperate to get rid of the girl and thought this would be a good match. The locksmith agreed, as did the girl. She wasn’t pleased about the match but was happy to get out of the house and move on with her life. She figured the old man wouldn’t live too long anyway, and soon she would inherit his wealth and would be able to remarry. 

The locksmith took on an apprentice, for whom the young wife took a liking to immediately. That winter, a flu epidemic struck the city of Prague. When people heard that the locksmith had died, they thought nothing of it as so many others had fallen ill to the disease. Nor did they make a fuss when the young woman remarried his apprentice; people merely thought of it as a good match as the two had spent so much time together and were most likely in communal morning. 

Burials in Prague

When people were buried in Prague hundreds of years ago, their families had to pay a yearly fee to keep them underground. If you didn’t pay up, the body was dug up, thrown in a mass grave, and someone new would take that grave spot. When the young wife was sick of paying for her dead husband’s grave, he was dug up, but upon seeing his body, the gravediggers noticed that he had a huge nail stuck right into his head! No doubt what had really killed him. In the clamour of collecting bodies during the epidemic, no one had thought to check if this old man had indeed died of natural causes. The young apprentice and his wife were arrested and hung for their crimes. The ghost of the locksmith still wanders Tomášská Street and is most notable for the giant nail, which still sticks out of his head.

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Naked Cecilie

The last ghost we will search out for tonight is Cecilie, who goes by the name “Naked Cecilie.” Cecilie married Mr. Vondřich, a well to do government clerk who lived on Sněmovní street. One night he came from work early to surprise his beloved wife with a bottle of wine and some delicious cheese. When he walked in the door, he found her naked in bed with a young dandy.  

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Mr. Vondřich flew into a blind rage and stabbed the dandy to death with his cheese knife. Cecilie was horrified and jumped out the window; she forgot to put on any clothes in such haste. She ran onto the streets of Sněmovní street, still stark naked. It was a brutally, cold and windy winter’s night, and everyone had their windows and doors shut tight. She ran around, knocking on doors to see if anyone would let her in and escape her rageful husband. But everyone who heard the knocks at the door simply thought it was the wind, and she was left out in the cold.

The next day, the city guards found her frozen to death in the centre of the road, clutching her naked form. Cecilie still walks the street, trying to cover her nude body, hoping that a kind husband will offer up his coat to hide her shame. Only then will hear soul be finally freed.

This brings us to the end of the tour. I hoped you enjoyed the stories you heard tonight. Whether you are a believer in this sort of stuff or not, I hope you found something exciting about walking the streets of the Little Quarter at night when this part of the city takes on an entirely different atmosphere and air of mystery.

Happy travels, Adventurers!

The post Free Ghost Tour Of Prague’s Famous Mala Strana District first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Table Of Contents

1. Map of the Walking Tour
2. Můstek Metro Stop
3. Jungmann Square
4. Church of Our Lady of the Snows
5. Lucerna
6. Wenceslas Square
7. The Karolinum
8. Powder Tower
9. Municipal House
10. The Basilica of St. James
11. Old Town Square
12. Church of Our Lady
13. Astronomical Clock
14. Lunch Time
15. The Jewish Quarter
16. The Spanish Synagogue
17. Rudolfinum Concert Hall
18. Charles Bridge
19. Malá Strana
20. Prague Castle
21. St. Nicholas Church
22. Lennon Wall
23. Kampa Island

Map of the Walking Tour

Můstek Metro Stop

We start our tour at the Můstek metro stop. This location marks the old border between the old town and new city. Můstek in Czech means Bridge. The reasons it is so named is because, upon excavation of this area, they found the remains of an old bridge, a moat and a steep wall. On the wall leading into the church courtyard, you can still see old carvings left on the remnants of the medieval wall.

In the centre of the square, you’ll see a beautiful lamppost shaped in cubist zigzags. This cubist architecture and decorative design can be found all over Prague and was a uniquely Czech form of art. Although it was only in vogue for a brief time, it leaves a powerful and lasting impression on those who view it.

Jungmann Square

Walking down Jungmannova street from Mustek station, you come to Jungmann Square. Across from the square is Adria Palace, now a large shopping plaza and business centre, the palace is one of the most important architectural monuments in the city. Built in 1923 by architect Josef Zasche it represents the uniquely Czech form of architecture, Rondocubism.

Rondocubism is famous for geometric edges, cubes and pyramids complimented by Slavic icons of design like crescents and circles. The building is also decorated with sculptures by Josef Malínský. The sculptures peek out from under the canopied doorways and flank either side of the beautiful windows that surround and the facade.

In the centre of the Josef Jungmann Square is a statue of the man himself. Josef Jungmann was a critical figure to the Czech people as he was a talented writer who revolutionised the Czech language. Initially, the Czech language was seen as simple and only for the peasants, but Josef, with his incredible writing, took the language from peasant to poets.

Church of Our Lady of the Snows

On the opposite side of the Square, is the Church of Our Lady of the Snows. Emperor Charles IV originally founded the church in 1347. In 1603 the church was donated by Emperor Rudolf II to the Franciscan monastery and therein became a Franciscan church.

Although the church itself is something to behold, the Franciscan Gardens, behind the church are where the real life of the Czech people lies. The Franscians believed that God could be found in nature and as such, their gardens were a vital part of their worship. The gardens are open all year round and unlike the stuffy and imposing church, it is full of everyday people, laughing in the playground, making conversation on the benches and relaxing among the manicured trees.

A French Baroque garden was designed for the church, along with a pavilion, walled fence and herb garden which the members of the clergy would tend to. There are rows and rows of roses and a sculptural fountain in the centre of the garden. Behind the busy city, this place feels like an oasis and is a hidden gem that many don’t even know is there.

Lucerna

After strolling through the gardens, head through the Lucerna Arcade to access Wenceslas Square. But don’t rush the journey! These arcades are some of the most beautiful art-nouveau arcades from Prague’s history. Inside these covered throughways are shops, cafes and hidden treasures.

The arcade is located between Štěpánská and Vodičkova street. Inside the arcade in addition to shops and cafes, you’ll even find a cinema! They play both Czech and English films and if you’re lucky you will be able to see your movie inside the original art-nouveau theatre. The seats aren’t the most comfortable, but the atmosphere is everything.

David Černý’s sculpture Kun 

In front of the theatre hangs, and you can’t miss it, artist David Černý’s sculpture Kun (which means Horse in Czech). The piece was created in 1999 and is the counterpart to the equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas square. The artist never made clear the meaning of the sculpture but it is thought to be a reference to the president at the time and the fact he hung out to dry the Czech people.

Novák Arcade

Beside the Lucerna Arcade, you’ll find the Novák Arcade. This arcade is another example of incredible art-nouveau design complete with a sparkling mosaic of Czech daily life on the interior.

Wenceslas Square

As you exit the arcade, you come up upon Wenceslas Square. Wenceslas Square was at one point in medieval times, the Horse Market, where farmers would come to sell their horses to the King’s Guard and local merchants. It was officially named Wenceslas square in 1848. Saint Wenceslas is the patron saint of Bohemia and as such, is an important figure for the Czech people. It is for this reason that this square is such an important place for the Czech people to meet and political rallies have been held. At the south-east corner of the plaza is the neoclassical Czech National Museum and on the other side is the border to New Town and the Old Town.

This square has been the site of many important events, some good and some a stain to the history of this city. The Nazi’s used this square for one of their many demonstrations and in 1969, a student, Jan Palach, set himself on fire to protest of the invasion of the Soviet Union in Prague. His actions set off national revolution, and he is memorialized on the square today. When the Czech hockey team defeated the USSR at the World Championship, 1500,000 people met here to celebrate their win as the underdog. And, most importantly, in 1989, the Velvet Revolution was started here with hundreds of Czechs rising against their government forming the free state of the Czech Republic as it stands today.

Prague Architecture

Surrounding the square are some of the most incredible buildings in Prague, representing all different kinds of architectural styles. You’ll see neo-gothic, neo-renaissance and neo-baroque. There’s also an abundance of art nouveau architecture with its sensual curves and bright colours. Then there is the structured and grey lines of functionalism. In the mid-20th century, the Soviet rule was form follows function and not the other way around. Look over at the Hotel Jalta for an example of this rigid style of design.

Rytířská street

After continuing down Wenceslas Square, turn up Rytířská street. As you walk up the street, turn onto Železná and you’ll see three iconic buildings facing each other. The Estates Theatre, the Church of St Havel and the Karolinum.

The Estates Theatre was built in the 18th century by designer Anton Haffenecker. The building was designed in the neoclassical style and is still today preserved in near original state. Above the portal to the theatres, there is a motto inscribed above the door that says “Patriae et Musis” which translates into, “To the Native Land and the Muses”. A very fitting phrase to keep in your mind as you enter through the doors to be transported by the productions that lie within. The building remains the only theatre left standing where Mozart performed. In 1791, Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito was staged in public here for the first time.

The Church of St Havel

The Church of St Havel is one of the best examples of baroque architecture and furnishings in Prague and is worth a peek in the doors if you’re interesting in Baroque Art. The church was established in 1232, but it’s Baroque architectural facade was built in 1723. Inside you’ll find works of art such as the famous “Calvary” by Ferdinand Brokoff.

The Karolinum

The Karolinum is a series of buildings that makes up the seat of Charles University, established by Emperor Charles IV. Charles was obsessed with the new universities popping up in all the other great cities of Europe and wanted Prague to have a national college where they could grow the minds of their students. These buildings contain some of the oldest dormitories in Europe, and one can only imagine how cool it would be to live in such a historical building.

Ovocný trh

Continue walking down Ovocný trh. Take a leisurely stroll and admire all the incredible facades of these noble houses.

Once more, walking along this street, you can pick out a hodgepodge of architectural styles. From Baroque to Cubist to functionalism. Together they are like a patchwork quilt of Prague’s artistic past. Take your time on this quiet little lane. There are so many details to admire. It’s very rare to come upon a street this full of history in Prague that isn’t littered in tourists.

Cafe Orient

At the end of the street, before turning back onto the main road, you’ll come upon the Cafe Orient. The Cafe Orient represents that unique cubist architecture and decor that was so rampant in Prague in the early 20th century. Josef Gočár designed the Cafe in 1912. Every little detail in this establishment has flourishes of cubist stylings, from the lampshades to coat hooks, you’re transported to another era once you step in the door. Even just standing outside you can see how this stylists form of architecture and decor was so becoming and captured the minds of so many young Czechs.

Powder Tower

As you turn the corner from the Cafe Orient, you’ll see off in the distance a looming, black gothic tower. This is the Powder Tower, a remnant of the old city, dating back to the 11th century. The tower was not used as protection but rather as an attractive entrance for guests to pass through when they entered the town.

At one time, the tower was used to store gunpowder and get its official name from the massive amounts stored there. Although the tower suffered damage through some of the battles fought within the city most of its original structure has remained. Only the statues and ornamentation had to be replaced or restored.

Municipal House

Beside the Powder Tower stands the Art Nouveau gem called the Obecní dům or Municipal House. If you are feeling thirsty or want to rest your legs, this is a perfect stop. Although mostly frequented by tourists, this old restaurant was once the epitome of art nouveau decor where the who’s who of Czech society would meet in the 1920s.

Hotel Paris

After stopping for a quick drink, pass by Hotel Paris as you make your way down to Old Town along Jakubská street. Hotel Paris is another stunning example of art nouveau architecture and stylish designs. Take a peek inside and see how many gilded mirror you can see right there in the lobby.

The Basilica of St. James

On the way into old town, make sure to stop off at The Basilica of St. James. The basilica has a stunning set of sculptures, hanging off the facade of the church but since the rest of the building blends into the balance of the row houses, some people right walk right by. When we walk in the door, prepare to be in awe of one of the most fabulous baroque interiors I’ve ever seen. Originally the church was built in the gothic fashion but after a fire in 1689, the church was reconstructed in the Baroque style. And what a baroque design it is.

One of the strangest items in the church is a mummified forearm that’s over 400 years old. The story goes that a thief broke into the church and tried to steal the statue of the Virgin Mary. As the thief went to take the statue, Saint Mary grabbed his arm and would not let go. When the monks arrived in the morning, the thief was still there being held by the statue. They promptly cut off his hand in retribution of his attempted crime and then put it on display in the church to teach a lesson to other sinners who would pass through the doors.

Old Town Square

As we approach the Old Town Square, walk through the quaint little street called Tyn. It’s a tiny lane that leads into Old Town Square. On all side of the laneway are shops, restaurants and cafes selling traditional Czech goods and cuisine.

Church of Our Lady

Despite it being so close to one of the most popular tourist destinations in Prague, the courtyard remains busy but not overwhelming. The shop “Botanica” sells soaps, creams, tonic water for your face and much more. It feels like a modern apothecary shop made with organic materials grown in the Czech Republic. Worth taking a look inside. As you continue down Tyn, you pass through a very narrow corridor. On one side of you is the brick walls of the Church of Our Lady. At the end of the pathway, the walls open up to a GIANT square, littered with hundreds of people, staring up at all the brilliant buildings surrounding them. This is Old Town Square.

The Church of Our Lady stands tall and omnipresent over the east side of the Square. It was built in the 14th century in the late Gothic style by Peter Parler. Parler’s relief of the Crucifixion above the northern portal is an incredible example of sculpture and architecture from this period. If you don’t venture inside, be sure to at least get close up to the building and admire all the small details and decoration.

Interior of the Church

Inside the church, you’ll find a mixture of Gothic and Baroque works. Paintings by Karel Škréta painted in 1649 dot the walls and at the back of the church lies the oldest pipe organ in the Czech Republic. It was built in 1673 by Heinrich Mundt and still works to this day.

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Statue of Jan Hus

In the centre of the square is an enormous monument of the religious reformer, Jan Hus. The statue was created to mark the 500th anniversary of his death. Jan Hus was a martyr and burnt at the stake for his beliefs which insighted the Hussite Wars.

Kinský Palace

One of my favourite buildings on the square is the Kinský Palace. It’s pink decorations, and white exterior makes it looks like a frilly, Rococo birthday cake. In 2006 it became a National Museum, but originally it was built as a palace for a noble family in 1755.

Astronomical Clock

The Prague Astronomical Clock is THE BIGGEST attraction in Prague, or at least that’s what the hoards of people crowding around it would make you believe. The clock is housed up on the southern wall of the Old Town Hall and has been there, in parts, since 1410. Legend says that if something bad were to befall the clock, Prague itself would fall. Although just a superstitious rumour, it’s been enough to keep the clock shiny and new all these years later.

There are three main parts to the clock. The first is the dial, which represents the Sun and Moon and their position in the sky. The next is the sculptures of the Apostles who, upon the hour, perform a little show for the onlookers. They move around the clock and are chased by a statue of death. This is what everyone is waiting to see but let me tell you, this little show isn’t worth fighting your way through the mob. Plus, once the show is over, the crowds disappear you get a much better view fo the rest of the clock. The final part of the clock is the calendar dial, with different medallions representing the different months of the year and their corresponding astrological signs.

Lunch Time

Around this time you might be feeling a little peckish, so it’s time to stop for something to eat. But don’t try and eat anywhere within the square. The small snack from the food vendors in their old wooden stall are vastly overpriced! And the restaurants around the square are most tourist traps and always overcrowded. Instead, head outside the square, towards the Jewish Quarter. We stopped off at VKolkovně – the first Pilsner Urquell Restaurant. Pilsner Urquell is one of the most famous of the Czech beers, and this restaurant serves it up plentifully along with traditional Czech dishes.

The restaurant has stood here for almost 100 years and aside from some minor renovations, still preserves its historical roots. There is a beer garden open in the Summer where you can sit outside and enjoy the sunshine. Since it’s so close to Old Town Square, yet tucked away enough to avoid throngs of tourists, this is a great spot to rest your feet and enjoy a cold glass of beer.

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The Jewish Quarter

After finishing your lunch, let’s continue. This part of the tour leads us into the Jewish Quarter of Prague. The Jewish Quarter is the smallest of all the areas and was once a ghetto for the Jewish people of Prague. Jews settled here in the 10th century and despite persecution, throughout the years the quarter prospered up until the 16th century. In 1850 the quarter was renamed “Josefstadt” (Joseph’s City) after Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor who emancipated the Jews with the “Toleration Edict” in 1781.

Shortly after that, Jews were allowed to move outside the ghetto and live wherever they wanted in the city. This reduced the general population of the Jewish quarter and only Orthodox, and poor Jews remained living there. Unfortunately, most of the old Jewish Quarter was destroyed in the 20th century, but we are still left a few important building that preserves their people’s history and culture.

The Spanish Synagogue

The Spanish Synagogue is one of the newest buildings in this area, built in the same spot as where one of the oldest buildings once stood. As you look up at the building, you might feel as though you aren’t in Prague anymore but are looking up at something from Spain. The building was built in the Moorish Revival Style, inspired by the art of Arabic architecture in Spain. Inside you’ll see even more of the Moorish design, specifically the impressive gilded and polychromic parquet. The geometric mosaic pieces of wood make the inside of the church feel like the centre of the sun; glowing, warm and a treat for the eyes. Inside you’ll find less of a traditional synagogue and more of an exposition of Jewish history in Prague.

The Jewish Town Hall

The High Synagogue and the Jewish Town Hall stand together as some of the most elegant, Renaissance-style buildings along the street. The High Synagogue was built in 1568, the same year as the Town Hall. It was designed to emulate the High Synagogue in Krakow, Poland. The Town Hall was given a Rococo finished facade in the 18th century. It was a meeting house for the Jewish community and as such a very important building to the quarter. The clock on the top of the building is vital to the heart of the city. One clock face contains Roman numerals, but the other has Hebrew numbers, beginning with alpha and continuing counterclockwise are the dial.

Old Synagogue

On the other side of the road, we find the Old Synagogue, which oddly enough is Europe’s oldest mediaeval, twin nave synagogue. This building was constructed in 1270 and as such was built in the Gothic style. One of the most iconic pieces of design in this synagogue is the incorporation of the number twelve. Along the doorway, you’ll find twelve vines and twelve bunches of grapes, inside you’ll see twelve columns and twelve lancet windows. These all represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Legend also has it that inside the Synagogue, up in the attic, there lies the body of a Golem. A golem is a huge creature made of clay that can be brought to life through magic.

It is said that one day the Golem will come to life to defend its people. During WWII, the Gestapo never entered the attic during the war and the building was spared the destruction wrought by the Nazis. Perhaps it was the Golem that either scared them off or indeed protected the building from destruction just like the legend says. Either way, this building has a real sense of power and importance when you step through its doors.

Pinkas Synagogue

Little ways away, you’ll come across the Pinkas Synagogue. This is the second oldest surviving synagogue in Prague. Today it serves as a museum to commemorate the 78,000 Czech victims of WWII. Along the walls of the Synagogue are the names of the victims, a powerful memory to their lives. There is also along a large exhibition of pictures drawn by children during their incarceration in the concentration camps. These images depict their experiences in the ghetto, their capture and their memories from home. Friedl Dicker-Brandeis was a painter who led these drawing lessons in the camp and hid the drawing before being executed himself. They were later recovered and preserved here in the Pinkas Synagogue.

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Rudolfinum Concert Hall

After wandering through the colourful and ornate streets of the Jewish Quarter, we turn down Křižovnická street. As you walk, admire the enormous Rudolfinum Concert Hall. This building is the home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and has been since 1946. It was built in 1885 and is a great place to hear some of Prague’s best musician’s.

Charles Bridge

As you continue down the street, you come upon the entrance to the Charles Bridge. This is one of Prague’s most iconic landmarks and although no doubt full of people, it is worth making your way through. The bridge was constructed in 1357 under the watchful eye of King Charles IV. The reason this bridge was always so important was that it connected the castle part of town, to the city’s old town. The bridge is 621 meters long and almost a whopping 10 meters wide! On either side of the bridge are two guard towers, once used for protection, now they only serve as a fascinating decoration for the tourists.

Before heading onto the Bridge, there are a few points here to take pictures, and it’s much better to do down here than on the bridge where the isn’t an inch of free space and pickpockets are on the prowl.

As you walk along the bridge, you come across dozens of statues and statuaries in baroque and gothic styles. They were all once original pieces created in the 16th and 17th century but now are replaced with replicas to keep better in the weather. The statues depict various saints and patrons who were of great importance during the time of its construction.

Malá Strana

Across the bridge, you’ll come to Malá Strana, or “Little Quarter” in Czech. This is the vast area of town situated on the hills below Prague Castle. In the middle ages, the city was divided into two halves, separated by the river and the Charles Bridge. King Ottokar II of Bohemia founded Malá Strana in 1257. The right side of town was the centre of the bourgeois, native Czech population. The left bank, however, was made up of many more German and Italian citizens, alongside some noble palaces. The king had brought with him many of these German craftsmen to help establish his city as one with some of the finest merchants and craftsmen in Europe.

In Mala Strana, you can explore small shops filled with trinkets, perfumes, lace and more. You can explore the various devotional churches that have stood on these stones since it’s foundation. You can eat and drink to your hearts content at the various traditional Czech pubs, bars and restaurants along the river, complete with a picturesque view of the right bank. At night, the streets are lit with lanterns and the crowds dwindle. Although it might be outside the inner city, it is a real treat to stay overnight on this side of two for a night or two. The experience is unique and one you should give a try!

Prague Castle

Most of the hotels on this side of town are housed inside beautifully restored buildings, and they give you a sense of what living in Mala Strana would have been like in the Renaissance. On the top of the hill in the Little Quarter, you’ll find Prague Castle. Although called a “castle” the area thus-named is more like its own neighbourhood than one building. This area is so vast and there is so much to see and explore it warrants it’s own walking tour. We skipped over on this leg since we wanted to spend a significant portion of time dedicated to this area and didn’t wanna rush through. If you are short on time, though, you can continue up the hill from the Bridge and wander around the Castle district, but for now, we’re going to skip over this.

St. Nicolas Square

The first stop on in the Little Quarter is St. Nicolas Square. The lower part of the square is now the site of the Holy Trinity Column, designed by Giovanni Batista Alliprandi. This was once the site of the gallows where hundreds of executions took place. But the column does not mark those events and rather is a monument to celebrate the end of the plague that ravaged the city of Prague. Along the column are the statues of various patron saints, including St. Wenceslas and St. John Nepomuk, two seminal saints for the city of Prague.

I wasn’t feeling to well and had to stop off at a pharmacy when we were visiting the square. Although I hope you don’t have the same experience, this store is incredible and is one of the oldest in the city. Despite the new medicines, it feels like an old apothecary of the 18th century. Worth poking your head inside.

St. Nicholas Church

St. Nicholas Church and the square has always served as a meeting place for citizens from the Little Quarter. It is the heart and soul of the city and as such, is an architectural marvel. Inside the church, you’ll see even more extraordinary pieces of Czech artwork. The dome is finely painted with the scene of the apotheosis of St. Nicolas, the defender of children, seamen and his followers.

Little Quarter East

Make your way across the Little Quarter’s East end by taking this shortcut through this medieval archway.

Walk down the small laneways and admire all the different shops along the road. So many of these places have been here for decades and the treasures you’ll find within are truly unique.

Along Prokopská you will see a few traditional pastry shops. If you’re feeling like something sweet, go inside on of the cafes and ask for their specialty. We got some delicious flaky sweet filled with blueberries and cream. Perfection.

Lennon Wall

As you make your way down, you’ll find yourself passing by the John Lennon Wall. The Lennon Wall is a favourite spot for tourists and locals alike. Since the 1980s, people have been coming to visit this wall and covering it in graffiti relating to John Lennon and the Beatles. It represents all the ideals that John Lennon stood for; peace, love and equality. The origins of the first piece of graffiti are unknown, but it seemed to have caught on like wildfire.

In addition to Lennon-inspired graffiti, in 1988 the wall became a place were young Czechs could air their grievances about the communist regime. Whenever local authorities would paint over the graffiti, the next day it would be covered up once more in poems and paintings. Eventually, they just stopped trying and accepted it as long as people stuck to graffitiing this one area and didn’t start defacing the entire lower half of Mala Strana. Which, politely, they did.

Love Bridge

As you continue, you will also pass by the love bridge. In the last decade, locking padlocks onto bridges has become a way of lovers to show their affection for one and other as well as leaving a piece of their love in the city. If you want to do the same, bring a lock with you and a pen and be sure to initial your names on the lock before securing it to the bridge.

Kampa Island

As you walk past the Lennon Wall and turn left, you will make your way down to Kampa Island. Kampa is a peaceful, green retreat from the busy city. On Kampa island, you’ll see lots of local Czech families out to enjoy some time outdoors. There are outdoor sculptures all along the island, along with the Kampa Modern Art Museum. This Museum features the private collection of Meda Mládek and is a treat for anyone who loves abstract modern art.

On your way out of Mala Strana, we pass across the Legion Bridge, this bridge isn’t as large or scenic as the Charles Bridge but gives you an incredible view both of the Mala Strana and the Old Town. You also get a great view of Prague Castle with the Charles Bridge in the foreground from this point.

This finishes our walking tour of Prague. Continue from here to either go back and explore the Castle District or head over to a museum (or two) and check out more about the art and culture of this amazing city.

Happy Travels, Adventurers

The post The Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of Prague first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

The bridge was constructed in 1357 under the watchful eye of King Charles IV. The old bridge which connected the two parts of the city, built in 1158, was more than due for some repairs. It was severely damaged in a flood in 1342 which lead to its demolition and the construction of the new Charles Bridge, named after the King. The reason this bridge was always so important was that it connected the castle past of town to the city’s old town.

Before you step onto the bridge, you must pass through the Old Bridge Tower Gate. The gate welcomes passersby, with a small inscription, into the Little Quarter. The entrance to the bridge is a dark black tower; its old stone stained with age. It was constructed in 1380 as a functional aspect of the bridge, a fortification against invaders. Its Gothic features loom down upon you. Above the archway are several royal crests and resting on top of them are statues of various religious figures, each one holding a shield with heraldry emblazoned upon it.

The bridge is 621 meters long and almost a whopping 10 meters wide! On either side of the bridge are two guard towers, once used for protection, now they only serve as a fascinating decoration for the tourists. Two stand guard on the Little Quarter side and the other one is located on the Old Town Side.

As you walk along the bridge, you come across dozens of statues and statuaries in baroque and gothic styles. They were all once original pieces created in the 16th and 17th century but now are replaced with replicas to keep better in the weather. The statues depict various saints and patrons who were of great importance during the time of its construction.

The most famous figures to keep an eye out for as you’re walking along the bridge are depictions of St. Luthgard, the Holy Crucifix and Calvary, and John of Nepomuk.

Some of the statues are very disturbing and portray the harsh reality of early medieval life in Prague. It would serve as a warning to any illagers passing through to keep on the path of virtue and to frequent the church to repent all their sins.

All along the bridge, people are selling their arts and crafts. There are paintings, magnets, sculptures and more. Many of these people are very strict about tourists taking photos of their works, instead of simply being it. Which, to be fair, I do understand. We stopped at this woman’s glass jewellery stand and found a beautiful and simple pair of earrings I loved. She was so sweet, and I felt great about buying something so kind and dedicated to her craft. We look a little picture, with her permission, of her beautifully manicured booth along the bridge.

All in all, despite the mad crowds that scared me off, I was thrilled to have spent the time walking across the bridge. The views of both old town and the Prague Castle as incredible. Pedestrian brideges like this are few and far between and its understandable that it would be frequented by so many pedetrians. Find the right time of day and you’ll find the bridge less busy and more enjoyable.

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