New Town Hall in Prague: History, Defenestration and Tower Views
Standing on the northern side of Charles Square, Prague’s New Town Hall – Novoměstská radnice – is one of the most important medieval buildings in the New Town. Its history stretches back to the reign of Charles IV, and its walls witnessed one of the events that changed Czech history: the First Defenestration of Prague.
Today, visitors can explore parts of the historic complex and climb its Gothic tower for a panoramic view over Prague’s New Town.
A Town Hall for Charles IV’s New Town
The story of the New Town Hall begins with the creation of Prague’s New Town in 1348.
Emperor Charles IV founded the district as part of his ambitious transformation of Prague into one of the great cities of medieval Europe. The enormous square in front of the town hall was originally known as the Cattle Market and is today called Karlovo náměstí – Charles Square.
The town hall developed during the second half of the 14th century, while the main wing facing Charles Square was constructed between 1411 and 1418.
For centuries, this was the administrative centre of Prague’s New Town, which at the time was a separate municipality with its own government.
That changed in 1784, when Prague’s historic towns were united under a single administration.
The First Defenestration of Prague
The most famous event connected with the New Town Hall took place on 30 July 1419.
Religious tensions in Bohemia had been growing, particularly following the execution of the Czech religious reformer Jan Hus in 1415. His followers increasingly challenged the Catholic establishment and the authorities supporting it.
On that July day, the radical Hussite preacher Jan Želivský led a procession through the New Town to the town hall. Jan Žižka, who would later become the most famous military commander of the Hussite Wars, was also associated with the crowd.
The protesters demanded the release of Hussite prisoners being held there.
According to the traditional account, somebody inside the town hall threw a stone at Želivský or his followers.
The crowd stormed the building.
Several officials, including town councillors, were thrown from the windows and killed below.
The event became known as the First Defenestration of Prague and marked the beginning of the Hussite Revolution, which would soon transform Bohemia.
And it would not be Prague’s last defenestration.
Another violent defenestration occurred here at the New Town Hall on 24 September 1483, during another period of religious and political unrest.
The most famous Prague defenestration, however, came much later, in 1618. That one took place at Prague Castle and helped trigger the Bohemian Revolt and subsequently the Thirty Years’ War.
From Town Hall to Court and Prison
The New Town Hall lost its original administrative function after Prague’s historic towns were united in 1784.
The building subsequently became the seat of a criminal court, while parts of the complex were used as a prison.
Political prisoners were also held here during later periods of unrest, including around the revolutionary events of the 19th century.
The New Town Hall therefore continued to play a role in Prague’s history long after the medieval government of the New Town had disappeared.
Architecture of the New Town Hall
The New Town Hall is particularly interesting because its appearance reflects several different periods of Prague’s architectural history.
At its core is a medieval Gothic complex.
One of its most impressive surviving interiors is the Mázhaus, a large Gothic hall with ribbed vaulting supported by stone pillars.
The town hall was altered and expanded over the centuries. Following a major fire in 1559, significant Renaissance reconstruction took place.
Another important restoration was carried out at the beginning of the 20th century, when restorers uncovered and restored elements of the building’s earlier architecture.
The result is an intriguing mixture of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, making the New Town Hall quite different from its much more famous counterpart on Old Town Square.
Climb the New Town Hall Tower
One of the best reasons to visit the New Town Hall during the warmer months is its Gothic tower, which is open to visitors seasonally.
Built between 1452 and 1456, the tower rises almost 70 metres above the surrounding New Town.
To reach the viewing gallery, you have to climb 221 steps.
From the top, you can look across Charles Square and the rooftops of the New Town and see Prague from a perspective that many visitors miss.
Because the New Town Hall tower attracts fewer visitors than Prague’s most famous viewpoints, it is an interesting alternative to the busier towers around Old Town.
Look for the Old Prague Ell
Before leaving, look carefully around the exterior of the tower.
You can find an old Prague ell, a historical unit of measurement used by merchants. The Prague ell measured approximately 59 centimetres.
Standards like this were important in medieval and early modern marketplaces. A customer buying cloth could compare a merchant’s measurement against the official standard and make sure they were actually receiving the amount they had paid for.
It is a small detail that is very easy to miss, but it offers a glimpse into everyday commercial life in historical Prague.
Take a Coffee Break at Café Neustadt
If you need a coffee break while exploring Prague’s New Town, Café Neustadt is hidden away in the courtyard of the New Town Hall.
It’s a relaxed spot for coffee or a drink, with outdoor seating in the historic courtyard during the warmer months.
Its location makes it particularly convenient – after visiting the New Town Hall or climbing the tower, you can stop for a coffee without even leaving the complex.
Visiting the New Town Hall
The New Town Hall stands directly on Charles Square (Karlovo náměstí) at Karlovo náměstí 1/23.
Its historic spaces are now used for exhibitions, concerts, festivals and other cultural events.
The New Town Hall tower is open to visitors seasonally, generally from spring to late autumn. Visitors can climb the 221 steps to the viewing gallery at the top.
Opening dates, hours and admission prices may change, so we recommend checking the official New Town Hall website before your visit.
What to See Nearby
The New Town Hall is an excellent starting point for exploring Charles Square and Prague’s New Town.
Nearby you can see the Church of St. Ignatius, Faust House, and several other monuments connected with the long history of Charles Square.
From here, you can also walk towards the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius and the National Memorial to the Heroes of the Heydrich Terror, before continuing towards the Dancing House and the Vltava riverfront.
Discover Prague’s New Town with a Local Guide
The New Town Hall is easy to walk past without realizing just how much Czech history unfolded here.
Medieval urban planning, the Hussite Revolution, religious conflict, courts, prisons and centuries of architectural change are all connected with this single building.
And that is exactly what makes Prague’s New Town so interesting – behind buildings that many visitors simply walk past are some of the most dramatic stories in the city’s history.
Join our Prague New Town Free Walking Tour to discover Charles Square, the New Town Hall and many more fascinating places and stories beyond Prague’s usual tourist routes.