City of a Thousand Spires

Prague, Czech Republic

June 22, 2025

Nicknamed the City of a Thousand Spires, the name seems to fit Prague perfectly. Over the centuries wealthy merchants and the church have built what seems to be an endless gallery of grand buildings. Piercing the skyline are the tall dark tapering roofs and atop that are the needle-like spires topped with shiny gold globes. It makes for a skyline that is quite unique.

I see it in the Powder Tower, so called, because in the 17^th and 18^th centuries, it was used to store gunpowder. Right next to it is a civic building housing Smetana Hall, renowned for hosting concerts. The Hybernia Theater too calls this plaza home. A couple of blocks away are the twin covered walkways joining two buildings across a street.

The narrow streets are bristling with crowds as I walk toward the Old Town Square. Long before I reach it, I see the spires of the Church of Our Lady before Tyn. I walk all around it trying to get a decent perspective from the narrow lanes.

And emerge onto the Old Town Square from a nearby alley. It is large, with buildings on all sides. The red façade of the Old Town Hall is part of the same building that houses the famous Astronomical Clock. Every hour on the hour the rooster crows, the panels on the sides open and a procession of clockwork figures parade past. Crowds fifteen or more deep watch agog. It is a circus.

Across the wide-open plaza is the Marian Column. Erected in 1650 in celebration of Prague’s defense, it was torn down in 1918. Interestingly, it was rebuilt in 2020! Behind the column rises the green domes of the St. Nicholas Church. From another side I see the church in the background of the stone and bronze sculpture commemorating Jan Hus, a famous martyr.

The winding streets are lined with cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops and yet more cafes in an unending stream. It is teeming with people and the babble of tongues seem to span the globe.

I look up, craning my neck to see the facades of the buildings. It is an artist’s palette! Here and there are plaques or doorways or a covered well or a door knocker telling their own tales of yesteryears.