Medieval Prague Through a 17th-Century Nightwatchman’s Eyes
by Night Watchman of Prague
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€48Overview
This 90-minute walking tour in Prague is led by a guide dressed as a 17th-century Nightwatchman, carrying a lantern and halberd. The tour shows medieval Prague through the eyes of the Nightwatchman, who explains daily life as he knew it, plainly and with occasional humor. The group meets outside the Powder Gate, one of Prague’s original city gates. Here, the Nightwatchman describes his halberd, the duties of the night watch, and the city’s medieval walls. He also warns about common Old Town dangers, both historical and modern. The tour then moves to Ovocny trh, Prague’s oldest market operating since the 13th century, where the Nightwatchman talks about medieval food and social classes. Next, the group visits the Estates Theatre, where Mozart premiered one of his major works, and the Nightwatchman shares his opinions about the composer. The route passes the site of the first Central European university. The tour continues to the Old Town Hall with the Astronomical Clock, located in a historic square that was once the city’s main meat market. Here, the Nightwatchman recounts the public execution of 27 Protestant leaders in 1621 and explains how such punishments were carried out in the 17th century. The group then stops at the Jan Hus Monument to learn about the religious reformer who was executed in 1415 and receives a survival tip from the Nightwatchman involving breathing. A brief visit follows to the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, one of Prague’s oldest churches dating from 1368. At the Klementinum, the Nightwatchman tells the story of Alexandr Schamsky, a doctor who stayed during the 1713 plague while others fled, and explains the official plague survival advice of the time, which prominently features garlic. The tour ends on Charles Bridge, where participants hear about Charles IV, receive plague survival guidance, and witness the ceremonial blowing of the horn, a traditional Nightwatchman signal used to warn the city of danger. A group photo is taken with Prague Castle or the statue of Charles IV in the background. All taxes and local fees are included. Transportation and hotel pickup are not provided. The tour operates in all weather conditions, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Prasna brana
Meet the Nightwatchman outside the Powder Gate, one of Prague’s 13 original city gates. The guide explains the halberd, a two-metre-long multipurpose weapon used against boars, intruders, and Habsburg soldiers. Learn about the Nightwatchman’s duties and the city walls that stood 10 to 12 metres high with a killing ground in between. The guide also gives a warning about cutpurses, pickpockets, and electric scooters, which have long been hazards in Old Town.
10 min
Ovocny trh
Visit Prague’s oldest market, active since the 13th century. The guide explains why being called a “Pfeffersack” was a compliment and describes what medieval food actually tasted like, noting the commitment required to eat it.
10 min
Theatre Des Etats
Stop at the Estates Theatre, which has remained largely unchanged since 1787. Learn why a young composer from Salzburg chose Prague for the premiere of his most famous work. The Nightwatchman shares his opinion of Mozart.
10 min
Drive-by
Pass by the site of the first Middle European university.
Old Town Hall with Astronomical Clock
Pause in one of Europe’s most notable squares, which in 1633 was Prague’s main meat market. Learn why Prague was called the City of the Hanged. Stand on the crosses in the cobblestones marking where 27 Protestant leaders were executed on 21 June 1621. The guide provides a detailed explanation of 17th-century public executions, including their procedures and impact.
15 min
Jan Hus Monument
See the monument to Jan Hus, who challenged papal authority, gathered followers, refused to recant, and was burned at the stake in 1415. The guide shares a survival tip related to Hus’ story involving breathing.
10 min
Church of Our Lady before Tyn
Visit one of Prague’s oldest churches, the Tyn Church, which dates back to 1368.
5 min
Klementinum
Enter the area around Klementinum, an atmospheric landmark. Hear about Alexandr Schamsky, a 28-year-old doctor who remained during the 1713 plague while others fled. Learn who left first and second and the official plague survival advice from that year, which notably includes garlic.
15 min
Charles Bridge
Conclude the tour at Charles Bridge, Prague’s most iconic landmark. Hear the full story of Karl IV, receive plague survival guidance, and observe the ceremonial horn blowing, which Nightwatchmen once used to warn the city of danger. A group photo is taken with Prague Castle or the statue of Charles IV in view.
15 min
Meeting point
Directly in front of the Powder Gate
End point
The tour ends at the beginning of the Charles Bridge.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Medieval Prague Through a 17th-Century Nightwatchman’s Eyes
by Night Watchman of Prague
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€48Overview
This 90-minute walking tour in Prague is led by a guide dressed as a 17th-century Nightwatchman, carrying a lantern and halberd. The tour shows medieval Prague through the eyes of the Nightwatchman, who explains daily life as he knew it, plainly and with occasional humor. The group meets outside the Powder Gate, one of Prague’s original city gates. Here, the Nightwatchman describes his halberd, the duties of the night watch, and the city’s medieval walls. He also warns about common Old Town dangers, both historical and modern. The tour then moves to Ovocny trh, Prague’s oldest market operating since the 13th century, where the Nightwatchman talks about medieval food and social classes. Next, the group visits the Estates Theatre, where Mozart premiered one of his major works, and the Nightwatchman shares his opinions about the composer. The route passes the site of the first Central European university. The tour continues to the Old Town Hall with the Astronomical Clock, located in a historic square that was once the city’s main meat market. Here, the Nightwatchman recounts the public execution of 27 Protestant leaders in 1621 and explains how such punishments were carried out in the 17th century. The group then stops at the Jan Hus Monument to learn about the religious reformer who was executed in 1415 and receives a survival tip from the Nightwatchman involving breathing. A brief visit follows to the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, one of Prague’s oldest churches dating from 1368. At the Klementinum, the Nightwatchman tells the story of Alexandr Schamsky, a doctor who stayed during the 1713 plague while others fled, and explains the official plague survival advice of the time, which prominently features garlic. The tour ends on Charles Bridge, where participants hear about Charles IV, receive plague survival guidance, and witness the ceremonial blowing of the horn, a traditional Nightwatchman signal used to warn the city of danger. A group photo is taken with Prague Castle or the statue of Charles IV in the background. All taxes and local fees are included. Transportation and hotel pickup are not provided. The tour operates in all weather conditions, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Prasna brana
Meet the Nightwatchman outside the Powder Gate, one of Prague’s 13 original city gates. The guide explains the halberd, a two-metre-long multipurpose weapon used against boars, intruders, and Habsburg soldiers. Learn about the Nightwatchman’s duties and the city walls that stood 10 to 12 metres high with a killing ground in between. The guide also gives a warning about cutpurses, pickpockets, and electric scooters, which have long been hazards in Old Town.
10 min
Ovocny trh
Visit Prague’s oldest market, active since the 13th century. The guide explains why being called a “Pfeffersack” was a compliment and describes what medieval food actually tasted like, noting the commitment required to eat it.
10 min
Theatre Des Etats
Stop at the Estates Theatre, which has remained largely unchanged since 1787. Learn why a young composer from Salzburg chose Prague for the premiere of his most famous work. The Nightwatchman shares his opinion of Mozart.
10 min
Drive-by
Pass by the site of the first Middle European university.
Old Town Hall with Astronomical Clock
Pause in one of Europe’s most notable squares, which in 1633 was Prague’s main meat market. Learn why Prague was called the City of the Hanged. Stand on the crosses in the cobblestones marking where 27 Protestant leaders were executed on 21 June 1621. The guide provides a detailed explanation of 17th-century public executions, including their procedures and impact.
15 min
Jan Hus Monument
See the monument to Jan Hus, who challenged papal authority, gathered followers, refused to recant, and was burned at the stake in 1415. The guide shares a survival tip related to Hus’ story involving breathing.
10 min
Church of Our Lady before Tyn
Visit one of Prague’s oldest churches, the Tyn Church, which dates back to 1368.
5 min
Klementinum
Enter the area around Klementinum, an atmospheric landmark. Hear about Alexandr Schamsky, a 28-year-old doctor who remained during the 1713 plague while others fled. Learn who left first and second and the official plague survival advice from that year, which notably includes garlic.
15 min
Charles Bridge
Conclude the tour at Charles Bridge, Prague’s most iconic landmark. Hear the full story of Karl IV, receive plague survival guidance, and observe the ceremonial horn blowing, which Nightwatchmen once used to warn the city of danger. A group photo is taken with Prague Castle or the statue of Charles IV in view.
15 min
Meeting point
Directly in front of the Powder Gate
End point
The tour ends at the beginning of the Charles Bridge.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.