Old Town Square has been the beating heart of Prague since the 10th century, a grand public space surrounded by architectural treasures spanning Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance, and Art Nouveau styles. The square’s centerpiece is the medieval Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Hall, which every hour draws crowds to watch its procession of apostle figures, a mechanical spectacle that has captivated onlookers since 1410.

The square is flanked by the twin Gothic spires of the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, the pastel Baroque facades of St. Nicholas Church, and rows of colorful merchant houses with arcaded ground floors now filled with cafes and shops. A monument to reformer Jan Hus stands at the center, a reminder of the square’s deep ties to Czech identity and independence.

Pro tip: Climb the Old Town Hall tower for the best panoramic view of Prague’s red rooftops and spires. Skip the ground-level crowds watching the Astronomical Clock and instead view the apostle procession from the tower’s gallery, where you get a bird’s-eye perspective of the show.