Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, holds a central place in European history through its political, religious, and cultural transformations. Founded as a trading settlement in the 9th century, it grew under the Přemyslid dynasty and later became the imperial seat of Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor. The tour begins at the statue of Charles IV near the Charles Bridge, a 14th-century structure once known as the Stone Bridge. Local stories about its construction and the statues lining its sides are recounted along the route. The walk includes the Klementinum, once a Jesuit college under Ferdinand I and later absorbed into Charles University. Visitors can see its baroque courtyards, the Church of St. Clement, and the Chapel of the Assumption. The Old Town Hall, founded in 1338, features the Astronomical Clock, known for its hourly mechanical show. Nearby, the House at the Minute showcases Renaissance sgraffito and was the childhood home of Franz Kafka.
The Old Town Square, established in the 10th century as a market, has evolved into a center for public life, from the execution of Protestant nobles in 1621 to modern-day events. The walking tour explains the details of the Astronomical Clock and its symbolic figures, including the figure of Death that rings the bell each hour. At the Kinsky Palace, visitors learn about its rococo façade, its role as a National Gallery branch, and its political significance as the site where Klement Gottwald announced the communist takeover in 1948. Alfred Nobel once stayed here, and Kafka attended school nearby. The tour concludes at the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn, a Gothic structure that dominates the square and features a contrasting Baroque interior, reflecting Prague’s layered architectural evolution. Along the way, visitors are also introduced to the city’s brewing heritage, from historic names like Urquell, Budvar, and Staropramen to the emergence of local microbreweries.
