Imagine living in a city where your home has no street number. How would you explain to a friend where you live? You might tell them to look for the house with three violins, a golden horseshoe, or a pair of suns above the entrance.
That's exactly how addresses worked in Prague for centuries.
Before house numbers became common, buildings were identified by distinctive signs. Some featured animals, others depicted religious symbols, everyday objects, or mysterious figures. These signs weren't simply decorations. They helped people navigate the city and gave individual houses identities that often survived for generations.
One of the best places to discover this fascinating tradition is Nerudova Street (Nerudova ulice), a picturesque historic street climbing through Prague's Lesser Town towards Prague Castle.
Today, we visit Nerudova Street on our Charles Bridge and Castle Free Tour and private tours, introducing visitors to a Prague where even the buildings have stories to tell.
Why Did Prague's Houses Have Signs?
The tradition of house signs in Prague dates back to the Middle Ages, with examples documented as early as the 14th century.
In those days, people couldn't rely on numbered addresses. Instead, they identified buildings by recognizable images displayed above doors or on facades.
A house might be known as At the Red Lion, At the Golden Wheel, or At the White Swan. These names were practical, memorable, and sometimes revealed something about the people who lived or worked inside.
The signs served several purposes. They helped residents and visitors find their way, advertised professions and businesses, and sometimes expressed religious beliefs or the wealth and ambitions of a homeowner.
In 1770, during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa, house numbering was introduced in the Habsburg lands, including Prague. The change made it easier for authorities to register buildings and their inhabitants.
Fortunately, the old signs didn't disappear. Many remained on their facades, preserving a charming part of Prague's everyday history.
The Most Interesting House Signs on Nerudova Street
1. At the Three Violins (U Tří housliček) – Nerudova 12
This is one of the most famous house signs on Nerudova Street. The three violins recall the building's association with violin makers who worked here in the 17th and 18th centuries.
It's a lovely reminder that house signs could function as advertisements. Instead of looking for a shop window or a business card, customers could simply look for the violins above the entrance.
2. At the Golden Horseshoe (U Zlaté podkovy) – Nerudova 34
Look carefully above the doorway and you'll discover a golden horseshoe accompanied by a depiction of Saint Wenceslas on horseback.
The horseshoe may refer to the blacksmiths and other craftsmen who once worked in the area. It's an especially fitting symbol for a street that formed part of the historic route towards Prague Castle.
3. At the Red Lion (U Červeného lva) – Nerudova 41
Here, a red lion stands on its hind legs, holding a golden cup. It's a striking example of the imagination behind Prague's historic house signs.
The building is also associated with the celebrated Czech Baroque painter Petr Brandl.
Some interpretations connect the lion and its cup with alchemical symbolism, although the original meaning of the sign isn't certain.
4. At the Green Crayfish (U Zeleného raka) – Nerudova 43
A green crayfish might seem like an unusual choice for a house sign, particularly in a landlocked city like Prague.
But that is part of the appeal. Not every symbol has an obvious explanation, and some of their original meanings have been lost over the centuries.
The unusual colour and animal make this one of the more memorable signs on the street.
5. At the Two Suns (U Dvou slunců) – Nerudova 47
This is perhaps the most historically significant house on the street.
Above its entrance, two golden suns with human faces look in opposite directions. The house is famous because Czech writer and journalist Jan Neruda lived here during part of the 19th century.
Neruda became famous for his stories depicting life in Prague's Lesser Town, particularly his collection Tales of the Little Quarter.
In 1895, the street was renamed in his honour. Before that, it had been known as Ostruhová, a name associated with spurs and the craftsmen who made them.
A Street Full of Symbols, Stories, and Legends
These six houses are only a small selection. As you explore Nerudova Street, you'll also encounter signs featuring a golden wheel, a red lamb, a golden goblet, a white radish, and other curious images.
Some have straightforward explanations connected to former residents or businesses. Others are more mysterious.
The golden colour frequently used in these signs could symbolize wealth, prosperity, or the owner's desire for good fortune.
And while Prague is famous for its alchemists, we should be careful not to interpret every golden object or unusual animal as a secret alchemical message. Many house signs were simply practical symbols chosen by ordinary people.
That's what makes them so interesting. They reveal not only Prague's grand history but also the lives, occupations, beliefs, and imagination of its inhabitants.
Why Nerudova Street Is Worth Visiting
Nerudova Street is more than a collection of beautiful buildings. For centuries, it formed part of the historic Royal Route, followed by Bohemian kings on their way to coronation ceremonies at Prague Castle.
Today, it connects Lesser Town Square with the upper parts of the Castle District and remains one of Prague's most atmospheric streets.
The colourful Baroque facades, historic palaces, decorative portals, and surviving house signs create the feeling of walking through an open-air museum.
But there's one important detail: you need to look up.
Many visitors walk along Nerudova Street concentrating on the steep climb, the cafés, or the view towards Prague Castle. As a result, they miss some of the most interesting historical details hiding just above their heads.
Next time you're here, try imagining how a visitor would have navigated this street 300 years ago. Instead of searching for a house number, they might have been told:
"Walk past the Three Violins, continue towards the Golden Horseshoe, and meet me at the Two Suns."
Suddenly, the street becomes much more than a route between two famous attractions.
Discover Nerudova Street on Our Prague Walking Tours
At Free Walking Tour Prague, we believe that some of the best stories aren't found in the city's biggest monuments. They're hidden in the details that most visitors walk past without noticing.
That's why Nerudova Street is part of our Charles Bridge and Castle Free Tour, where we explore the fascinating history of Prague's Lesser Town, its historic streets, and the route towards Prague Castle.
We also visit this area on our private Prague tours, where there's more flexibility to explore the architecture, history, and stories that interest you most.
Whether you're fascinated by medieval Prague, curious about its legends, or simply enjoy discovering unusual details, the house signs of Nerudova Street offer a wonderful glimpse into the city's past.
And the next time you walk through Prague, remember: sometimes the most interesting stories are waiting just above your head.
Article by Michal, licensed Prague tour guide and founder of Free Walking Tour Prague, sharing Prague's history, fascinating stories and hidden treasures with visitors since 2016.