This walk around
New Town is around five kilometres long, so you may want to break it into two walks, markers
[1] to
[6], followed by markers
[7] to
[13].
The walks starts at
[1] The Dancing House. This iconic building is said to reflect a man and woman dancing. (Some even go so far as to say it represents Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.)
Two hundred metres to the East is the
[2] National Memorial to the Bohemian victims who suffered under the rule of the Nazi chief
Reinhard Heydrich [Resslova 9a]. The crypt was the hiding place and ultimate tomb of death for some of the resistance fighters involved in the assassination of Heydrich in 1942.
Continue along to
Charles Square then walk a few hundred metres to
[3] Emauzy Monastery [Na Slovanech].
Constructed in the second half of the 14th century, this baroque monastery was occupied over the centuries by, in turn, Croatian, Spanish and German Benedictines. It is open to the public.
Head back towards Charles Square. Opposite the South West corner of the square is the seemingly Baroque
[4] Faust's House [Karlovo Namesti 40]. Also known as Mladota Palace, it's a Gothic building dating from the 14th century. As several of its owners were alchemists, the fable evolved that it was where the alchemist Dr. Faustus made his pact with the devil.
Continue East up the hill to the
[5] Antonin Dvorák Museum [Ke Karlovu 20] celebrating the life and work of the Czech Republic's best known personality. Dvorak is much loved by the Czechs, not simply for his international acclaim, but because he incorporated many of the idioms and melodies of Bohemian folk music in his compositions.
Head back down to Charles Square passing, on the corner, the
[6] church dedicated to the founder of the Jesuits, St Ignatius. Note the extensive stucco and statues of saints surrounding the church that was an indication at the time of the power of the Jesuit order.
Now walk back down Charles Square to the
[7] New Town Hall [Karlovo Namesti 23]. This building became famous for a 15th century event known as the
First Prague Defenestration.
If it's around lunchtime, you are in luck because the walk now goes past two recommended eating establishments, popular with both locals and visitors.
[8] Novomestsky Pivovar [Vodickova 20] is a working brewery and inside is a very busy pub-style restaurant. However, you may need to book, especially in the evenings. If it's too crowded, then just around the corner is
[9] U Suteru [Palackeho 2], a typical Czech pub well known for its excellent goulash. If loud music is your style, then a bit further afield is
[10] Dog's Bollocks [Ostrovni 26], known for its beer, reasonably priced eating and, of course, loud music.
Opened in 1883, the majestic
[11] National Theatre [Narodni 2] has two theatres offering drama, opera and ballet. Tours of the building are available.
The walk ends by returning to the Charles Square district passing another recommended local lunch spot -
[12] U Mateje Kotrby [Kremencova 17] and a Thai restaurant popular with locals -
[13] Lemon Leaf [Zderaze 14].