Prague’s Old Town Hall is a historically significant site that will captivate travelers with its stately halls, beautiful artwork and stained glass, and impressive underground tunnels.
History
While strolling through Old Town Square, one comes across a town hall and tower dating back to the early 1300s. Since its early days as Prague’s administrative center, the town hall has witnessed pivotal moments in the city’s history, from fierce political debates and elections to the Prague Uprising during World War II. Within, one finds magnificent halls, an ornate chapel, a labyrinth of underground tunnels, and a tower offering scenic views of the city.
Visiting Old Town Hall and Tower
Old Town Hall and Tower were not part of my Rick Steves’ Best of Prague & Budapest tour, so I visited during my solo adventures before the tour started. I chose this site as a must-see for several reasons: its role in Prague’s history, the opportunity to see the 12 Apostles’ statues up close (the ones featured in the Astronomical Clock), the underground tunnels, and, of course, the scenic views from the top of the tower.
Guests visiting Old Town Hall can explore its historic interior, which includes the Chapel of the Virgin Mary, several state rooms, and the Romanesque-Gothic underground. You can also get a glimpse of the 12 Apostles’ statues and the Astronomical Clock’s mechanisms. To view these areas, visitors need to join one of two tours: the first leads through the chapel, halls, and underground tunnels, while the second focuses solely on the underground area. For reference, I participated in the tour that covered the chapel, halls, and underground tunnels, and it lasted approximately 1 hour.
Old Town Hall can only be explored via a tour. These are offered throughout the day in multiple languages.
If you are only interested in climbing the tower, then no tour is required. The climb is not too bad, as it is a series of ramps rather than stairs. When you get to the top, you are free to walk around at your own pace, enjoying the views of Prague.
This site was one of the highlights of my trip to Europe. I loved the stained-glass windows and murals in the Chapel of the Virgin Mary and in various halls. It was fascinating seeing the mechanisms that move the 12 Apostles when the Astronomical Clock strikes the hour. And the underground tunnels were incredibly interesting, offering a unique perspective into both the early years and the dark chapters of Prague’s history.
This site offers two types of passes: one pass grants access to the tower, and the other pass is valid for one of the two available tours.
If you wish to take the elevator to the top of the tower, an additional fee applies; however, reduced fares are available for seniors, and there is no charge for individuals with disabilities.
Early Bird Discount: Admission to the tower is reduced by 50% during the first hour after opening.
The ticket office is located behind the two glass doors, right next to the Astronomical Clock. I highly recommend visiting this site early in the morning, as lines can get long and the tower can get crowded. Travelers can purchase tickets online; however, note that an additional fee applies.
Given its historic nature, Old Town Hall and the underground area are not accessible.
The Tower is fully accessible. You can find detailed instructions towards the bottom of this page on the Old Town Hall with Astronomical Clock’s website.
Resources
For more information on opening hours and admission, visit the Old Town Hall’s website.
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