Staré Mesto (Old Town)

Start: Municipal House (Obecní dum), at námestí Republiky.

Finish: Havel's Market (Havelský trh).

Time: Allow approximately 1 hour, not including any breaks or museum visits.

Best Times: Sunday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm and Friday from 9am to 2pm, when the museums and market are open.

Worst Times: Weekend afternoons when the crowds are thickest, Monday when the museums are closed, and after 6pm when the market is closed.

Staré Mesto, founded in 1234, was the first of Prague's original five towns. Its establishment was the result of Prague's growing importance along central European trade routes. Staré Mesto's ancient streets, most meandering haphazardly around Staromestské námestí, are lined with many stately buildings, churches, shops, and theaters.

Although this tour is far from exhaustive, it takes you past some of Old Town's most important buildings and monuments. Go to námestí Republiky 5, at the metro station. Begin at the:

1. Municipal House (Obecní dum)

One of Prague's most photographed cultural and historical monuments, the Municipal House was built between 1906 and 1911 with money raised by Prague citizens. In the spring of 1997, it reopened after a long reconstruction, and historians say that it has been returned faithfully to its original grandeur.

From the beginning, this ornate Art Nouveau building has been an important Czech cultural symbol -- the document granting independence to Czechoslovakia was signed here in 1918. The Prague Symphony performs in Smetana Hall, the building's most impressive room, with a gorgeous stained-glass ceiling. The detail of every decoration tells a story.

Inside you'll find a spacious period cafe, a French restaurant, and a Czech pub in the cellar with a fascinating ceramic still-life mural.

With your back to the Municipal House main entrance, walk around to your right under the arch of the:

2. Powder Tower (Prasná brána, literally Powder Gate)

Once part of Staré Mesto's system of fortifications, the Powder Tower was built in 1475 as one of the walled city's major gateways. After New Town was incorporated into the City of Prague, the walls separating Old Town from the new section became obsolete. So did the Powder Tower, which was re-commissioned as a gunpowder storehouse.

The tower marks the beginning of the Royal Route, the traditional path along which medieval Bohemian monarchs paraded on their way to being crowned in Prague Castle's St. Vitus Cathedral.

Continue through the arch down Celetná Street (named after calt, a bread baked here in the Middle Ages) to the corner of Ovocný trh, where you'll find the:

3. House at the Black Mother of God (Dum U Cerné Matky bozí)

At Celetná 34, this building is important for its cubist architectural style. Cubism, an angular artistic movement, was confined to painting and sculpture in France and most of Europe. As an architectural style, cubism is exclusive to Bohemia.

Constructed in 1912, this house features tall colu...

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