1 Chrám Svatého Mikuláše (St Nicholas's Church)
2 Josefov
3 Katedrála Svatého Víta (St Vitus's Cathedral)
4 Loreta
5 Pražský Hrad (Prague Castle)
6 Staroměstská Radnice (Old Town Hall)
7 Šternberský Palác (Sternberg Palace)
8 Strahovský Klášter (Strahov Monastery)
9 Václavské náměstí (Wenceslas Square)
10 Veletržní Palác (Veletrzny Palace)
The star attraction of Prague's most famous landmark is the enchanting Astronomical Clock.
The Old Town Hall is actually a row of houses, adapted by the council over the centuries. In 1338 the burghers enlarged the merchant Volflin's house, and the adjoining tower and chapel were added in 1381. All that remains of the original façade is the door, with superb wood carvings by Matthias Rejsek. Neighbouring Křiž House was acquired six years later - the Rennaisance window, inscribed Praga caput regni (Prague, capital of the kingdom), is 16th-century. The house of furrier Mikš was added in 1548 and the house At the Cock in the 19th century.
The delicate mechanisms of the Astronomical Clock contrive to give the time of day, the months and seasons of the year, the signs of the zodiac, the course of the sun and the holidays of the Christian calendar. On the stroke of the hour, death, in the form of a skeleton, tolls a bell before making way for the 12 Apostles. When the cock crows and the clock chimes, other figures appear, including an infidel Turk and a preening Vanity. Part of the Town Hall is open to the public. The council chamber has a fine casetto ceiling (1470). The oriel chapel, designed by Petr Parléř, also has a magnificent ceiling, painted with frescos of the four evangelists against an azure blue background with golden stars. Climb the tower for unsurpassed views across the red rooftops of the city.Address: Staroměstská náměstí 1, Praha 1
Phone: 2360 02562
Hours: Apr-Oct Mon 11-6, Tue-Sun 9-6, Nov-Mar Mon 11-5, Tue-Sun 9-5
Restaurant: Cafés (Moderately priced), restaurants (Expensive) near by
Bus: 17
Metro: Staroměstská
Accessible: Few
Admission: Moderate
Other: Celetná, Dům U Kamenného Zvonu, Kostel Panny Marie před Týnem, Kostel Sv Mikuláše, Muzeum Českého Skla, Staroměstská náměstí
Practical: Guided tours available. Tourist information office open all year round
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