Introduction to Prague with Context: A Walk from Old to Lesser Town

Prague is a living museum, where Gothic spires and Baroque domes create one of Europe’s most enchanting skylines. On this walking tour produced by Prague-born guide and Context Travel expert Jiri Styblo, you’ll walk through the labyrinthine streets of the Old Town while getting an insider’s view on this bustling city.

The tour starts at the House of the Black Madonna, one of the world’s few Cubist buildings. As you wander through the Old Town’s narrow lanes, you’ll hear stories about religious reformers, artistic pioneers, and political revolutions that unfolded in these streets. You’ll also find out about the city’s transformation from medieval marketplace to modern capital, and learn to understand the complex cultural shifts that have defined Czech identity.

You’ll venture beyond the standard tourist route and follow a passage through the historic Klementinum complex, the former Jesuit college, before crossing the iconic Charles Bridge. As you make your way to the charming Lesser Quarter, where the tour ends, Jiri will share personal insights into contemporary Czech life, from beer culture to local cuisine, ensuring you get an authentic taste of Prague beyond its magnificent monuments.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

• Marvel at Prague’s Astronomical Clock, the third-oldest operational astronomical clock in the world, and spot the sophisticated medieval mechanics most tourists miss
• Stand in the historic Old Town Square where Jan Hus, the revolutionary church reformer who preceded Martin Luther by a century, has a striking monument to commemorate him
• Hear the extraordinary story of how Cubist architecture flourished uniquely in Prague, making it the only city worldwide where this avant-garde style applied to buildings
• Walk in Mozart’s footsteps at the Estates Theatre, where the composer premiered his opera Don Giovanni to thunderous applause in 1787
• Cross the magnificent Charles Bridge while hearing the surprising truth behind the tradition of touching St. John of Nepomuk’s statue
• Learn about pivotal moments in Czech history, from the Hussite movement to the Velvet Revolution

By the end of this 45-minute tour, you’ll have grasped why Prague has enchanted visitors for centuries, and will leave with a deeper appreciation for the stories behind “the city of a hundred spires.“