Old Town Square at a glance
Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) is the main square of the Old Town, and the Old Town Hall with the Astronomical Clock stands on its edge. The Týn Church, St Nicholas Church, Kinský Palace and the House at the Stone Bell give the square its look. In the middle are the Jan Hus monument and the Marian Column.
The square is open and free to walk. The clock is on the south side of the town hall tower, and you can watch it from the square without a ticket. If you want to go up the tower or inside the hall, start with the Old Town Hall and tower tickets. For the story of the clock itself, see the clock history.
What stands on Old Town Square
The main sights at a glance, with what you can and cannot enter.
| Sight | What it is | Can you go in? |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock | Gothic town hall with the Orloj on the tower | Yes, with a ticket for tower and hall |
| Týn Church | Gothic church with a baroque interior and the grave of Tycho Brahe | Yes, at set hours, donation suggested |
| St Nicholas Church | Baroque church from 1732 to 1737 | Yes, daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free outside services |
| Jan Hus monument | Monument by Ladislav Šaloun, unveiled in 1915 | Outdoors, always open |
| Marian Column | Replica of the 1650 column, set up in 2020 | Outdoors, always open |
| Kinský Palace | Rococo palace built from 1755 to 1765 | No, closed to the public since 1 June 2025 |
The best plan is simple. Look at the clock from the square, then pick one building to enter. Most visitors choose the tower for the view, and the Týn Church if it is open.
Our pick: the square with a guide
Our take: this short walk covers the square, the clock and the Jewish Quarter.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Old Town walks and tours from the square
Guided walks, underground tours and town hall tickets, with live prices and availability.
Týn Church and its opening hours
The Týn Church is a Gothic building with a baroque interior and the grave of the astronomer Tycho Brahe. You reach it through the passage at Staroměstské náměstí 14. A donation of CZK 50 is suggested, and there is no fixed entry price (2026).
From March to November it opens Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Monday and Sunday for visitors. From December to February it opens Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday at the same hours, on Friday from 3:30 p.m., and on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to noon. It is closed on Monday. During Mass there is no sightseeing, so a visit on a Sunday can fail. Check the current hours before you go.
Monuments in the middle of the square
Three things you can see for free, and one that needs a moment of respect.
Jan Hus monument
The monument by Ladislav Šaloun was unveiled in 1915. It honours the reformer Jan Hus and is not his grave. It is a good meeting point, since it is big and easy to find.
The 27 crosses
Crosses in the paving near the town hall remember the executions of 1621. They are not graves. Treat them as a place of memory.
The Marian Column
The original column dated from 1650 and was pulled down in 1918. A replica by Petr Váňa was set up on 4 June 2020, so the column you see today is a modern copy.
St Nicholas on the square
This baroque church from 1732 to 1737 is used by the Czechoslovak Hussite Church. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and free outside services. Concert tickets are sold separately. Do not mix it up with St Nicholas in Malá Strana.
Kinský Palace: look from outside
Kinský Palace is a rococo building from 1755 to 1765 on the square. The National Gallery building has been closed to the public since 1 June 2025. Do not plan an exhibition visit there. The facade is still a good photo subject.
For the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle and the Vltava, see the Charles Bridge guide on charlesbridge.org. They are a walk from the square, not a part of it.
Markets on the square
The markets are seasonal, so do not expect stalls all year. The Easter market ran from 21 March to 12 April 2026, daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square.
The Christmas market for 2026/27 is announced for 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, again daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. A lit Christmas tree belongs to the market. Snow is never certain. Expect crowds near the clock at the top of the hour.
For an everyday market, the Havelský Market is a short walk away. See the ideas near the clock.
Old Town Square Prague: frequently asked questions
What is the best way to see Old Town Square?
Walk across it, watch the clock near the top of the hour, then go into one building. The tower gives the best view of the square, and the Týn Church has the most atmosphere when it is open.
Is Old Town Square free?
Yes, the square itself is free and open. The tower and the town hall interior need a ticket. The Týn Church asks for a suggested donation of CZK 50 in 2026, and St Nicholas is free outside services.
Can I visit Kinský Palace?
No. The palace has been closed to the public since 1 June 2025. You can see the facade from the square.
When is the Christmas market on Old Town Square?
The 2026/27 market is announced for 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Easter market is a separate spring event.
Are the 27 crosses graves?
No. They are a memorial in the paving for the executions of 1621. Please treat them with respect.
Is this the official site for Old Town Square?
No. This is an independent travel guide, not run by the City of Prague, Prague City Tourism or the Old Town Hall. Hours and prices are examples for 2026, so check them before you go.