Old Town Hall

Founded in 1338, Prague’s Old Town Hall stands on Old Town Square and brings together medieval rooms, a Gothic chapel and a historic tower. Go inside to see the astronomical clock, whose moving figures appear above its dial, and explore the interiors on a guided tour. The 70-metre tower gives you a view across the square and Prague’s historic centre. A visit can also include the Romanesque-Gothic underground, a useful addition if you want more than a look at the clock from outside.

A town hall built over centuries

Prague’s Old Town Hall was founded in 1338, during the reign of King John of Luxembourg. It was assembled from medieval buildings acquired over time, rather than built all at once, and underwent renovations in later centuries. Its Gothic tower rises above the buildings on Old Town Square.

The complex brings several periods and types of architecture together. Inside, the historic rooms include a Gothic chapel and representative halls such as Brožík Hall. The Romanesque-Gothic underground adds another layer to the visit, with a history beneath the visible rooms and square.

The astronomical clock

The astronomical clock is mounted on the tower’s south side. It was first installed in 1410, and its moving figures remain part of the hourly display. When the hour strikes, the twelve apostles pass through windows above the clock face. Other mechanical figures take part in the sequence, including a skeleton that tolls a bell and turns an hourglass before the apostles appear.

The display is brief, so the clock’s age and workmanship are as much a reason to look closely as the moving figures. You can see it from the square, then go inside to explore the town hall and its history through a guided visit.