Discover the storied history of this 14th-century building, the site of a famous incident that sparked a series of military battles.
As the former administrative headquarters of Prague’s New Town, the historic New Town Hall has witnessed several key historical incidents. Learn about the events that unfolded here and climb to the top of its 230-foot (70-meter) tower to enjoy bird’s-eye views of the New Town.
The New Town Hall was built in the 14th century, shortly after Prague’s New Town was established by King Charles IV. The hall has been the setting for several important historical events, most notably the First Prague Defenestration in 1419. Take a guided tour to find out more about this event, which saw two Catholic counsellors being thrown out the window by followers of Czech reformer Jan Hus. Both counsellors died from their injuries.
Head to the Gothic Hall of Justice to see the site where the defenestration took place. This incident helped kick-start the Hussite Wars, which saw Catholic-affiliated European monarchs attempt to assert supremacy over the reformist Hussites.
After, turn your attention to the tower, a later addition made to the town hall in 1456. Make your way up 221 steps to reach the top of the tower and enjoy the views over the New Town and beyond. See if you can spot the 753,473-square-foot (70,000-square-meter) Charles Square. Because of its vast size, the square is pretty hard to miss.
Nowadays, the New Town Hall frequently hosts special events, including street food festivals and art exhibitions. Check ahead to find out if any events are taking place during your visit.
Find the New Town Hall in Prague’s New Town just north of Charles Square. The tower is open daily, except Mondays, from April to November and closes for an hour over lunch. Guided tours take place on select dates throughout the year and give access to areas that are otherwise off-limits to the public. Check online ahead to find out when the next tour is scheduled. To get here, ride the tram to the Myslíkova stop.
