The astronomical clock on the Old Town Hall with the twin spires of Týn Church across an almost empty Old Town Square

Landmark · Staré Město, Prague 1

Old Town Square & Astronomical Clock

Prague's historic main square, with the medieval Orloj on the Old Town Hall and the twin-spired Týn Church

Photo: Mikhail Mamaev (@mikhail_mamaev) / Unsplash

Discover Old Town Square & Astronomical Clock

Old Town Square is the stage on which much of Prague's history has played out. Pastel Baroque and Gothic façades frame a broad cobbled space, the twin black spires of the Church of Our Lady before Týn rise on one side, and the tower of the Old Town Hall stands on the other, carrying the famous astronomical clock, the Orloj.

Every hour a crowd gathers below the clock to watch its small mechanical theatre: windows open to reveal the procession of the Apostles, a skeleton tugs a bell rope, and a cockerel crows as the hour strikes. After dark the square takes on a different mood, with the floodlit Týn spires and Town Hall tower glowing above the cafés.

Don’t miss

01The astronomical clock and its hourly procession of the Apostles
02Old Town Hall tower with a viewing gallery over the historic centre
03Gothic chapel, council halls and Romanesque cellars of the Old Town Hall
04Church of Our Lady before Týn and its twin Gothic spires
05The square's colourful Gothic and Baroque façades

History & culture

The story of Old Town Square & Astronomical Clock

The Old Town Hall was founded in 1338 as a Gothic corner house, which the burghers enlarged with a council chamber and a tower about 70 metres high. The astronomical clock was first recorded in 1410 and is credited to the clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň and Jan Šindel, a professor of mathematics and astronomy at Charles University. Its dials show the time, the position of the Sun, the phases of the Moon and the Christian calendar.

The interiors include Gothic vaulting, a rare Gothic chapel with an oriel window associated with Petr Parléř, and a Renaissance window bearing the motto Praga caput regni, 'Prague, head of the kingdom'. Beneath the building, cellars preserve the foundations of Romanesque houses. The square forms part of the Historic Centre of Prague, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.

Local life & traditions

For Praguers the square is the city's living room: the place for public celebrations, markets, protests and New Year gatherings. The Orloj itself is a source of civic pride, and its figures, from the skeleton of Death to the vain man with his mirror, carry moral lessons that local guides love to explain.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Watch the clock's hourly show at least once, ideally from a spot slightly back from the front of the crowd, then go up the Old Town Hall tower for a view over the rooftops, Týn Church and the castle in the distance. A guided tour of the Town Hall interiors and underground spaces adds depth to the visit.

Come back in the evening, when the square is floodlit and quieter than at midday; from late November the square traditionally hosts a Christmas market, and in spring an Easter market.

When to go

The clock performs all year. Early mornings are quietest; late evenings are atmospheric and the illuminated buildings look their best. Spring and early autumn are the most comfortable seasons; summer and the Christmas market season in December are the busiest.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Clock performance (as published): The astronomical clock can be seen all year, daily 9:00–21:00, with the hourly show Source: visitczechia.com ↗
Address: Old Town Hall, Staroměstské náměstí 1, 110 00 Praha 1 Source: visitczechia.com ↗
Old Town Hall: Founded 1338; tower about 70 m with a viewing gallery Source: visitczechia.com ↗
UNESCO World Heritage: Part of the Historic Centre of Prague, inscribed in 1992 Source: whc.unesco.org ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Arrive five to ten minutes before the hour for a good view of the clock.
The show is short; afterwards, the Town Hall tower offers a far better view of the square.
Watch your belongings in the crowds that gather under the clock.
Visit in the evening for photographs of the floodlit Týn Church and Town Hall tower.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Old Town Square & Astronomical Clock: food, markets & places to stay

The Jewish Quarter of Josefov begins just north of the square along Pařížská Street, and Karlova Street leads west towards Charles Bridge. Celetná Street runs east to the Powder Tower. The square is ringed with cafés and restaurants, though prices close to the clock are typically higher than a few streets away.