Prague’s New Town – known in Czech as Nové Město – surrounds the historic Old Town on the right bank of the Vltava River. Despite its name, it is not a modern extension of Prague. The district was founded in 1348 by Emperor Charles IV, making it more than 675 years old.
The New Town feels different from the medieval maze of Staré Město. Its streets are generally wider, its squares larger and its architecture more varied. Gothic churches stand beside Art Nouveau passages, functionalist buildings, modern offices and 19th-century apartment blocks. This is also one of central Prague’s liveliest districts, filled with theatres, cafés, shops, universities and everyday city life.
Many visitors come to Nové Město for Wenceslas Square, the National Museum or the Dancing House. Yet the district extends much farther, from the former medieval walls near the Main Train Station to the Vltava riverbank and the southern slopes below Vyšehrad. Exploring it reveals a side of Prague shaped not only by medieval kings, but also by scientists, writers, students, resistance fighters and political demonstrators.
What does Nové Město mean?
The Czech name Nové Město literally means “New Town.” It is pronounced approximately NO-veh MYES-toh.
The name only makes sense in relation to the older districts that already existed when Charles IV founded it. By the 14th century, Prague included the Old Town, the Lesser Town below Prague Castle and Hradčany. The ambitious new district expanded the city on a scale rarely seen in medieval Europe.
This often surprises first-time visitors: Prague’s “New Town” is considerably older than many historic centres elsewhere in Europe.
A short history of Prague’s New Town
Charles IV founded the New Town on 8 March 1348. The king of Bohemia – who would later become Holy Roman Emperor – wanted to transform Prague into a political, religious and cultural capital worthy of his dynasty.
The new district incorporated existing settlements and churches but imposed a remarkably ambitious urban plan. Vast marketplaces, broad streets and new religious institutions were laid out across an area several times larger than the neighbouring Old Town. Settlers received privileges and tax advantages to encourage rapid development.
Three great markets formed the backbone of the district. The Horse Market became Wenceslas Square, the Cattle Market became Charles Square, and the Hay Market is now Senovážné Square. Each was connected by important roads and surrounded by homes, workshops, churches and monasteries.
The New Town had its own walls, gates and municipal government. It remained legally separate from the Old Town despite standing directly beside it. Relations between the neighbouring towns were not always friendly, and rivalry occasionally turned into open conflict.
In 1784, the New Town was united with the Old Town, Malá Strana and Hradčany to form the city of Prague. During the 19th century, much of Nové Město was transformed again. Medieval houses were replaced by taller apartment buildings, grand institutions and commercial architecture. The demolition of the old fortifications allowed Prague to expand beyond its historic core.
The district also became the setting for defining moments in modern Czech history. Demonstrations on Wenceslas Square accompanied the creation of Czechoslovakia, resistance to occupation, the Prague Spring and the Velvet Revolution of 1989.
What is Prague’s New Town known for?
The New Town is known for its large historic squares, rich mixture of architectural styles and central role in modern Czech public life. It is less visually uniform than the Old Town or Malá Strana, but that variety is precisely what makes it interesting.
The district is especially associated with:
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Wenceslas Square and major events in Czech history
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the National Museum and National Theatre
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19th-century, Art Nouveau, Cubist and modern architecture
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historic shopping arcades and covered passages
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medieval churches, monasteries and the New Town Hall
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the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich and the Czechoslovak resistance
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the Dancing House and the Vltava riverfront
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busy shopping streets, cafés, theatres and nightlife
Unlike districts dominated by tourism, much of Nové Město still functions as part of everyday central Prague. Offices, hospitals, schools and apartment buildings stand among its historic attractions.
The main attractions in Prague New Town
Wenceslas Square
Wenceslas Square is the best-known public space in the New Town. Charles IV originally established it as the Horse Market. Its long, sloping shape still reflects its medieval purpose, although today it resembles a broad boulevard more than a traditional square.
The square has repeatedly served as a stage for Czech history. Public gatherings here accompanied the establishment of Czechoslovakia in 1918, protests against the Soviet-led invasion in 1968 and the Velvet Revolution in 1989.
At the upper end stands the equestrian monument to Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech lands. The statue has become a natural meeting point and a symbolic location for demonstrations and commemorations.
National Museum
The monumental main building of the National Museum dominates the upper end of Wenceslas Square. Completed in 1891, it is one of Prague’s most prominent Neo-Renaissance buildings.
Its collections cover natural history, archaeology, history and the arts. The restored historic interior is an attraction in itself, and the museum’s elevated position offers impressive views down Wenceslas Square.
The building also bears traces connected with the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, when its façade was damaged by gunfire.
Lucerna Palace and Prague’s passages
The Lucerna Palace is one of the best-known examples of Prague’s network of covered passages. Developed in the early 20th century by the family of Václav Havel, the complex contains shops, cafés, a cinema, a music venue and a grand hall.
Its most famous modern feature is David Černý’s sculpture of Saint Wenceslas seated on the belly of an upside-down dead horse. The work humorously responds to the traditional equestrian monument only a short distance away.
Lucerna is a good introduction to the New Town’s passages, which allow pedestrians to move between streets through interconnected courtyards and commercial buildings.
Jungmann Square and the Church of Our Lady of the Snows
Jungmann Square sits between the Old Town and Wenceslas Square. It is named after Josef Jungmann, an important figure in the Czech National Revival whose monument stands at its centre.
Nearby, the Church of Our Lady of the Snows was intended to become one of the largest churches in Prague. Only part of the original medieval plan was completed, but its exceptionally high Gothic choir hints at the scale of Charles IV’s ambition.
Beside the church lies the Franciscan Garden, a peaceful public space hidden behind the busy streets around Wenceslas Square.
Charles Square
Charles Square was established as the Cattle Market and formed one of the main centres of the medieval New Town. It is among the largest historic squares in Europe, although much of its area now functions as a public park crossed by roads and tram lines.
Important buildings around the square include the New Town Hall, the Church of St Ignatius and the Faust House. The square’s present appearance reflects many periods of Prague’s development rather than a single architectural style.
New Town Hall
The New Town Hall served as the administrative centre of the independent medieval district. Its tower remains one of the most visible landmarks on Charles Square.
The building is closely associated with the First Defenestration of Prague in 1419. During a period of religious tension, Hussite protesters threw several Catholic councillors from its windows. The event helped trigger the Hussite Wars and began Prague’s long association with political defenestrations.
The tower is normally open to visitors seasonally and offers views across the New Town.
Faust House
The Faust House stands on the southern side of Charles Square. Although the historical Faust never lived there, the building became connected with legends about alchemy, mysterious experiments and a man carried away by the devil.
Several of its real residents were interested in natural science, chemistry or the occult, helping the stories grow. The building is not generally visited as a tourist interior, but its legends make it one of the most intriguing stops on Charles Square.
Dancing House
The Dancing House is Prague’s best-known modern building. Designed by architects Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry, it was completed in 1996 on a riverside site destroyed during the Second World War.
Its two curving towers are sometimes nicknamed Fred and Ginger because they resemble a dancing couple. The unconventional design was controversial when it appeared, but it has since become a recognised symbol of post-communist Prague.
National Theatre
The National Theatre stands beside the Vltava River near the boundary between the New Town and Old Town. Opened in the 19th century, it became a powerful symbol of Czech cultural identity during the National Revival.
Its construction was supported through public donations from across the Czech lands. After a devastating fire shortly before its full opening, people contributed again to rebuild it. The theatre continues to stage opera, drama and ballet.
Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius
The Orthodox Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius is one of the most important Second World War sites in Prague. In 1942, Czechoslovak paratroopers involved in the assassination of acting Reich Protector Reinhard Heydrich took refuge in the church.
After being betrayed, they fought German forces in and around the crypt before choosing death rather than capture. The crypt now contains a memorial to the resistance fighters and the victims connected with Operation Anthropoid.
This is a place of remembrance rather than simply another attraction, and visitors should approach it accordingly.
Emmaus Monastery
Charles IV founded the Emmaus Monastery in 1347, shortly before the official creation of the New Town. It became an important centre of Slavonic liturgy and learning.
The complex preserves valuable medieval wall paintings, while its modern concrete spires reflect a much later chapter in its history. The original towers were destroyed during an Allied air raid on Prague in February 1945 and replaced after the war.
Jerusalem Synagogue
The Jerusalem Synagogue, also known as the Jubilee Synagogue, stands near Prague’s Main Train Station. Completed in 1906, it combines Moorish Revival forms with colourful Art Nouveau decoration.
Its vivid façade and richly decorated interior make it one of the most distinctive religious buildings in Prague. It remains an active synagogue and is generally open to visitors during a seasonal visiting period outside services and Jewish holidays.
Rašín Embankment and Náplavka
The New Town reaches the Vltava along Rašín Embankment. The lower riverside area commonly called Náplavka has become a popular place for walks, markets and cultural events.
Historic embankment vaults have been adapted for cafés, galleries and public spaces. From the riverbank, visitors can enjoy views toward Prague Castle, the Dancing House, Vyšehrad and the bridges crossing the Vltava.
The best way to explore Prague New Town
The New Town covers a much larger area than the Old Town, so it is best explored in sections rather than through one short circuit.
A good introductory route begins at the National Museum, continues down Wenceslas Square and passes through the Lucerna arcade to the Franciscan Garden and Jungmann Square. From there, you can walk toward the National Theatre and follow the river south to the Dancing House.
A second route can focus on Charles Square, the New Town Hall, the Faust House, the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius and the Emmaus Monastery. This section is quieter and reveals more of the district’s medieval origins and modern history.
The New Town rewards visitors who enter its passages and courtyards. Some of its most characteristic spaces are hidden inside blocks rather than displayed along a single monumental street.
When should you visit Prague New Town?
The New Town can be explored throughout the year. Unlike Old Town Square or Charles Bridge, many of its streets remain active from morning until late at night because this is a working, residential and entertainment district.
Morning is a good time for museums, churches and quieter architectural walks. The riverfront is particularly pleasant in the late afternoon or evening, especially in warmer months. Wenceslas Square and the surrounding entertainment streets can become busy late at night.
Seasonal access varies at churches, synagogue interiors, towers and monuments. Markets and events at Náplavka also change throughout the year, so check current schedules before making them the focus of your visit.
How much time do you need in Prague New Town?
Allow at least three hours for a first walk through Wenceslas Square, the central passages and the riverfront. Half a day provides enough time to add Charles Square and one or two interiors.
A full day is worthwhile if you want to visit the National Museum, explore the Operation Anthropoid memorial, enter several churches and continue south toward the Emmaus Monastery or Vyšehrad.
Because Nové Město is large, trying to see every major sight in one continuous walk can be tiring. Dividing it into northern and southern sections often creates a better experience.
Practical tips for visiting the New Town
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Do not let the name mislead you. The New Town dates from the 14th century and contains many important medieval sites.
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Use trams or the metro to connect distant sections. The district is considerably larger than the Old Town.
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Explore the covered passages around Wenceslas Square, not just the main streets.
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Treat the crypt at the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius as a memorial site and behave respectfully.
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Check opening times for churches, towers, museums and the Jerusalem Synagogue.
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Visit the riverside in good weather, but remember that markets and events at Náplavka are seasonal.
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Look for architectural contrasts. Gothic, Baroque, Art Nouveau, Cubist, functionalist and contemporary buildings often stand within a short walk of one another.
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Be aware of your surroundings late at night in the busiest entertainment areas around Wenceslas Square.
Is Prague New Town worth visiting?
Yes. The New Town is essential for understanding both medieval and modern Prague. Charles IV’s ambitious plan reveals how important the city had become in the 14th century, while Wenceslas Square and the district’s memorials tell the story of the Czech lands in the 20th century.
Nové Město may not have the visual uniformity of Malá Strana or the concentrated medieval atmosphere of the Old Town. Instead, it shows Prague as a city that has continued to change. Medieval churches, national institutions, experimental architecture and busy modern streets coexist here in a way that feels distinctly Prague.
Frequently asked questions about Prague New Town
Is Prague New Town really new?
No – at least not by modern standards. Charles IV founded the New Town in 1348. It was “new” in comparison with Prague’s older medieval districts.
Is Prague New Town the same as Nové Město?
Yes. Nové Město is the Czech name for Prague’s New Town.
Where is Prague New Town?
The New Town surrounds the Old Town to the east and south on the right bank of the Vltava. It includes Wenceslas Square, Charles Square, much of the central riverfront and streets extending toward Vyšehrad.
Is Wenceslas Square in the Old Town or New Town?
Wenceslas Square is in the New Town. It was created as the Horse Market when Charles IV founded the district.
Is the Dancing House in Prague New Town?
Yes. The Dancing House stands on the New Town riverfront at Rašín Embankment, near Jirásek Bridge.
What is the difference between Old Town and New Town?
The Old Town developed gradually around Prague’s early marketplace and trading routes. The New Town was deliberately planned and founded by Charles IV in 1348. It is larger, has broader streets and squares, and contains a wider mixture of medieval, 19th-century and modern architecture.
Is Prague New Town free to visit?
Yes. Its streets, squares, parks and riverfront are free to explore. Museums, towers, performances and some historic interiors require tickets.
Is Prague New Town a good area to stay?
Yes. It is central, well connected by public transport and close to restaurants, shops and major attractions. The atmosphere varies considerably, however. Some areas are calm and residential, while streets near Wenceslas Square can be noisy late at night.
Discover Prague New Town with a local guide
The New Town is easy to underestimate. Its famous landmarks may look separate from one another, but together they tell a remarkable story – from Charles IV’s medieval vision to Nazi occupation, communist rule and the Velvet Revolution.
Join our Prague New Town Free Walking Tour to explore the district with a knowledgeable local guide. If you prefer a more personal experience, book a Private Prague New Town Tour with a dedicated guide, flexible timing and an itinerary adapted to your interests.