Prague's Old Town: a haven in the Czech Republic's capital

Having become one of Europe's most popular holidayis said to date back to 1410 and is one of many
destinations since the end of the Cold War, Prague isastronomical clocks that were constructed during the
now considered by many as being overrun with stagfourteenth and fifteenth centuries; other examples
parties and hen weekends. However, this imageof which can be found in Strasbourg, Padua and even
overlooks the inherent cultural and scenic beauty ofNorwich.
Prague that made it such a superb holiday destinationAlso found in Prague's Old Town Square is a statue
in the first place. Whether you're just after the cheapof the religious reformer, Jan Hus. Hus was an
beer or you want to immerse yourself in the sights,important fourteenth century Czech thinker,
there's one place in the Czech Republic's stunningphilosopher and religious reformer whose teachings
capital that's sure to leave you breathless - the Oldwere considered heretical by the Roman Catholic
Town Square.Church at the time. His condemnation and resultant
The Old Town of Prague resides in the city'sexecution by burning at the stake in 1415 made him a
UNESCO-protected historic quarter and was themartyr to the Protestant cause and a key influence
original place of settlement in Prague before the Newon Martin Luther King. Every July 6th, the Czech
Town was built in the fifteenth century. The OldRepublic celebrates Jan Hus Day and the statue of
Town Square in Prague forms its centre and is onehim in Old Town Square was erected in 1915 to mark
of the city's most visited attractions. Locatedthe 500th anniversary of his death.
between Wenceslas Square (the centre of the NewPrague's Old Town Square isn't just all history,
Town) and Charles Bridge, which crosses the Vlatahowever. Today, many important Czech hockey and
River, the Old Town Square is streaming with touristsfootball matches are shown on big screens in the
in the summer and plays host to Prague's popularsquare and the area is enveloped in a flurry of
Christmas market and its New Year's celebrations inactivity when the clock strikes midnight on New
winter.Year's Eve. And with so many flights to Prague
Among the Square's most prominent attractions aredeparting from the UK on a regular basis, there's no
the gothic Tyn Cathedral, which has occupied the sitereason not to visit. After all, you might not be able to
since 1256 and St Nicholas' Church, an example ofshake-off the tourists, but there's no reason you
Prague's ecclesiastical architecture that dates back towon't succeed in losing yourself in Prague's historic
the baroque period. By far the most popular featurewonders. Adam Singleton is an online, freelance
of the Old Town Square is the Prague Astronomicaljournalist and keen amateur photographer. His
Clock, a medieval astronomical clock that's mountedportfolio, called Capquest Photography is available to
on the southern wall of the Old Town City Hall. Alsoview online.
known as the "Prague Orloj", the Astronomical Clock