Medieval Prague Through a Nightwatchman’s Eyes

Meet your Nightwatchman outside one of Prague’s 13 original city gates. Learn about the halberd (two metres, multipurpose: boars, intruders, Habsburgers - as needed), the duties of the night watch, and why Prague’s city walls were 10—12 metres high with a killing ground in between. Also: a brief but sincere warning about cutpurses, pickpockets and electric scooters - the unholy trinity of Old Town hazards, then and now.

Prague’s oldest market, trading since the 13th century. Find out why being called a “Pfeffersack” was a compliment and what medieval food actually tasted like (answer: commitment).

Find out why a young composer from Salzburg chose Prague for the premiere of his greatest work. The Estates Theatre has barely changed since 1787. Our nightwatchman’s opinion of Mozart has also barely changed.

We pass by the first middle european university.

One of Europe’s most stunning squares - and in 1633, the city’s main meat market. Learn why Prague was known as the City of the Hanged, then stand at the crosses in the cobblestones - the exact spot where 27 Protestant leaders met a very bad morning on 21 June 1621. Full account of how a public execution worked in 17th century Prague. Informative. Detailed. Not for the faint-hearted.

Meet the man who challenged papal authority, gathered thousands of followers, refused to recant - and was burned at the stake in 1415 for his trouble. Martin Luther later said “we were all Hussites without knowing it.” Our nightwatchman has a survival tip. It involves breathing.

We introduce one of the oldest churches we can find nowadays, the Tyn church from 1368.

Step into the shadow of one of Prague’s most atmospheric landmarks - and meet Alexandr Schamsky, the 28-year-old doctor who stayed when the plague arrived in 1713 and almost everyone else fled. Hear who left first, who left second, and what the official plague survival advice of 1713 actually was. Garlic features prominently.

End at Prague’s most iconic landmark. Hear the full story of Karl IV, receive your plague survival guidance, and witness the ceremonial blowing of the horn - as nightwatchmen once used to warn the entire city of danger. Tonight it will warn Charles Bridge. Group photo with Prague Castle glowing across the river or the statue of Charles IV watching over proceedings. Just as he always has.