Prague Royal Quest: Self-Guided Ghost & Crown Walk

More like a long boulevard of 750 m than a square, this place was once just a horse market (about 650 years ago). Connecting Old Town with New Town, the square witnessed various events in Czech history, such as celebrations of national sporting achievements, the invasion of the Soviet tanks in 1968, or masses of protesters in 1989. Nowadays, it’s the entertainment and nightlife centre of Prague, with plenty of options for shopping, restaurants, dance clubs, bars, and cinemas. If you climb the steps to the National Museum, you can admire the wonderful view down the square. Near the statue of the patron saint of the Czech Republic, St. Wenceslas, there are two commemorative plaques on the ground, for victims of the communist regime. One is dedicated to Jan Palach, who set himself on fire in protest at the Soviet invasion. Once there, you will get indications on how to continue your game, while also learning about the place you've discovered.

King Charles IV wished for a Carmelite monastery with a coronation church. As such, he planned to build a Gothic three-aisle church which would be second in size and height only to the cathedral at Prague Castle. Unfortunately, the Hussite Wars interrupted those plans. Although it’s incomplete, the Church of Our Lady of the Snows has a vault of 34 meters, which is the highest in Prague. In the early 17th century, Franciscan monks took over the abandoned church from Emperor Rudolph II and built the surrounding monastery and library in Baroque style. Right next to the complex, you may enjoy a walk through the Franciscan Gardens, which provide a fabulous view of the church’s Gothic vaulting. You will get to this place by following a clue and solving a puzzle. Once there, you will get indications on how to continue your game, while also learning about the place you've discovered.

A gothic cathedral, the Tyn Church is named after the statue of the Madonna situated between the impressive twin towers. Those too are not in fact identical because one of them is actually a bit more solid, in order to, apparently, represent the man as the stronger side of the family. The church was affected by many historical events, such as the Hussite Wars, but it remains a monument worth visiting. Inside the church you may admire the most valued organ from the second half of the 17th century, and then take a stroll between the medieval, gothic and baroque tombstones. A famous astronomer from the Court of the Emperor Rudolf II was buried here, close to the main altar. You’ll find out his name once you solve the challenge for this place.

Part of the Dominican monastery complex in the Old Town of Prague, the church of St Giles is yet another Romanesque building which was later rebuilt in Gothic style. But did you know that Mozart and his beloved Constanze got married in the splendid St. Giles? The church includes rich stucco decorations, interesting frescoes on the vaults and the Altar of the Painful Virgin Mary. You’ll surely be impressed by the statues of apostles (the work of famous Czech sculptor Ferdinand Maxmilian Brokoff) and you can even enjoy concerts of classical and religious music.

Built in the settlement of Ujezd in the Romanesque style, this church was rebuilt with a Gothic architecture under the reign of Charles IV. In 1414, for the first time ever, the venerable sacrament was given in the church in two kinds (bread and wine in a cup). Until then, the sacrament had belonged only to the priests. In the 18th century, the church was cancelled and turned into apartments and shops. Its name is believed to be taken from the legend about the built-in St. Martin, but in reality, it has a different source: the church wall was touching the south fortification wall, hence St. Martin Church in the wall. Here you may attend the Sunday worship service or a classical concert. You will get to this place by following a clue and solving a puzzle. Once there, you will get indications on how to continue your game, while also learning about the place you've discovered.

You will get to this place by following a clue and solving a puzzle. Once there, you will get indications on how to continue your game, while also learning about the place you've discovered.

The sculptures in Prague are amongst the most unusual in the world. Even Prague City Hall is adorned with an oddity: the statue of a cursed knight. He is believed to have killed his lover in a fit of rage and turned to stone as punishment. The faceless knight has a chance of being freed by the pure love of a woman, but the legend goes that this can only happen once a hundred years… Quite the curse, right? You can learn more about the legend of this peculiar knight after you find the answer to the clue at this location.

The Italian Chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is one of the numerous beautiful buildings that you can admire at The Clementinum. The chapel was built at the end of the 16th century for the benefit of the early Italians who had settled in Prague and stands out with its oval plan which was uncommon in Bohemia back then. Close by, the Cathedral of St. Clement, a Baroque church built in the 18th century, is also worth a look due its very elaborate interior. Founded by the Jesuits, the Clementinum complex is spread across two hectares of land and functions as a center of education and culture. It’s the second biggest complex of buildings in Prague after Prague Castle.

A truly outstanding Gothic structure, the Old Town Bridge Tower was once a triumphal arch for the Kings of Bohemia. They would cross it during their coronation procession, on a route called The Royal Way that started from the Old Town and lead up to St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle. The bridge tower was also conceived for a military purpose, as part of the defence system of the city, which had to protect the Old Town against northern invaders. Around one hundred stonemasons took part in the complete construction and decoration of the bridge.

Founded by the Jesuits, this is one of the largest churches in Prague and now belongs to the Czechoslovak Hussite Church. The house right next to St. Nicholas Church stands on the birthplace of writer Franz Kafka. If you climb the 215 steps, you get to see splendid sights over the Lesser Town and across the Vltava River to the Old Town. At night, the Old Town Square is lighted by lanterns and offers an unforgettable view. Except for Sundays, when a Holy Mass is usually held, the picturesque interior of St. Nicholas church can be visited every day.

On the final location of this tour, you will definitely be impressed by two gigantic statues. The Wrestling Titans, also known as Fighting Giants, is a pair of outdoor sculptures located at the Matthias Gate, which lead to the first courtyard of Prague Castle. A landmark of Prague, the castle used to be the seat of the Kings of Bohemia and is also the place where they were buried. Today, the president of the Czech Republic has his offices here. Every hour, you can watch the changing of the presidential guards that stand at the three main entrances to the Castle.

On this tour you’ll also have the opportunity of admiring the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world, which has been one of Prague’s gems since the beginning of the 15th century. And it has become so much a part of its spirit, that according to a legend, if the clock were to be broken beyond repair, then the city will suffer. The Orloj is fascinating mostly because it displays astronomical information, besides telling the time; it shows the position of the Sun and the Moon, plus zodiacal information. Although it was heavily damaged during the Second World War, when the Czechs fought against occupying Nazi forces, the clock was successfully repaired and started working again in 1948.

At the end of Charles Bridge, on the Malá Strana side, you’ll see the Malá Strana Bridge Towers. Unlike the Old Town Bridge Tower, these two were never decorated, but have Romanesque reliefs inside. The smaller tower was a part of the fortification system in the days of the Judith Bridge. The legend goes that there is an empty spot where a stone is missing. According to chroniclers, some ravens sat on the stone and made it land on the head of King Václav’s favourite knight. Although the brave knight is said to have gotten through a lot of difficult battles, unfortunately, a simple stone dislodged by birds instantly killed him. The king never had the stone replaced, to honor his legacy.