New Town

Charles IV, the Czech King and Roman Emperor, chose Prague as his residence and set out to transform it into a city worthy of a Roman emperor. He founded a university, commissioned the construction of a stone bridge over the Vltava River, and established Nové Město (New Town). Considered one of Europe’s earliest urban plans, New Town was designed with wide, rectangular streets connecting three large market squares.

Charles IV invited various religious orders to settle in the area, donating land for monasteries and churches. The city’s vast area allowed for growth and development, which is why today’s Nové Město blends medieval structures with modern architecture.

The heart of New Town is Wenceslas Square, crowned by a statue of St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech lands. You may be familiar with the carol "Good King Wenceslas"—but I’ll show you a second statue of this iconic figure that may surprise you. From here, we’ll walk along Národní Street, past the Reduta Jazz Club, where former U.S. President Bill Clinton famously jammed with musicians.

You’ll also learn about the historic site where the Velvet Revolution began in 1989. Do you know why it's called "velvet"? Our next stop will be the National Theatre, an architectural gem, alongside the modern New Stage. Between these two landmarks, you’ll find a small square dedicated to the first president of the Czech Republic. Do you know who he was?

We’ll then stroll along the Masaryk Embankment, passing beautiful Art Nouveau buildings, until we reach Jiráskovo Square, dominated by the striking Dancing House, designed by architects Vlado Milunič and  Frank Gehry. As we make our way to Charles Square, we’ll stop to reflect on the monument to the Anthropoid Operation, one of the most significant events of World War II. Our journey through New Town will conclude at the site of the former cattle market, which is now a bustling city square.