Inspired by Dan Brown's latest novel, The Secret of Secrets, this captivating walking tour takes you through Prague's most mysterious locations, revealing the city's hidden history, legends, symbolism, and traditions.
Journey from Prague Castle through the enchanting streets of the Lesser Town, across the iconic Charles Bridge, and into the Old Town and Jewish Quarter. Along the way, you'll visit many of the locations featured in the novel while discovering the real stories, myths, and historical events that shaped Prague into one of Europe's most fascinating cities.
When: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 9:00 AM
Price: 1000 CZK/40 EUR
Duration: 3 hours 33 minutes
Please note: This tour operates with a maximum of 12 participants. For groups larger than 12, please contact us at info@discover-prague.com before booking.
What to expect
The tour starts at Prague Castle, where we will cross a deep moat and walk through the courtyards. But what is the history of alchemy and symbology as it was once practised within these walls? Thereafter we will pause outside the main gates ( Matthias Gate ) and enjoy a breathtaking view of the city. Remember when Robert Langdon asked, ‟What is the most common religious symbol?” Afterwards we will return to the castle complex ( the largest ancient castle in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records ) and admire St. Vitus Cathedral. You will see dozens of gargoyles, monsters perched along the higher levels of the Neo-Gothic cathedral, but do you know why these creatures were placed there?
Along its facade, you will see the reliefs of Christian figures, including the crucifiction. But there are four figures which are anachronistic to the others. Can you spot them? Do you know whom they represent?
We will observe the Gothic facade of Vladislav Hall ( where Catherine Solomon made her groundbreaking presentation ). But what other precipitous historical event happened at this very place? What were its ramifications?
Exiting the castle complex, we will pause at another overlook with a view of the city, from where we will descend along the beautiful NERUDOVA street, and catch a glimpse of the ALCHEMIST HOTEL as well as the AMERICAN embassy. The long and deep Old Castle Stairs, arriving at the Lesser Quarter - a metaphorical descent from the sphere of thoughts to the realm of reality.
We will gaze aloft at St. Nicholas church, the most exquisite Baroque church in Prague, where once a congregation of music lovers gathered for the performance of a tear-jerking, heart-breaking Requiem ( a funeral mass ) written by a beloved young composer who died just before he could finish it. Do you know who this composer was?
We will walk through this lush Baroque garden where we will be mesmerized by the beautiful peacocks who make it their home, and observe the eerie Dripstone Wall, which some say is the image of hell and, if one looks close enough, one might make out the faces of beasts and demons. How many will you spot? Please note that the Waldstein garden is closed during winter, in which case we will walk an alternate route via the winding cobblestone streets of the Lesser Quarter.
Walking through the lively town square of the Lesser Town, we will arrive at Charles Bridge ( where Robert Langdon first saw the woman in black, who was wearing a spiked tiara and holding a silver spear ). But what was the mystical vision behind its construction by the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV, and why did he move the capital to the city of Prague?
NOTE: March - October the tour crosses MANESUV bridge, which allows for a beautiful vista of the CHARLES BRIDGE, from a distance.
Crossing the river, we will walk through the courtyards of the Clementinum, where we will gaze up at the tower from where famed astronomers of the XVI century observed the stars ( and wherein is the Czech National Library, where Robert Langdon went to research ). Did you know there is a legend that tells of a treasure that is buried somewhere within the Clementinum?
The tour passes outside the Black Angels bar, another location from the novel, where the Golem descends to its underground Gothic foundations to search for information that he needs. Feel free to enter the cafe after the tour and enjoy a beverage or a meal, either inside within its medieval stonework or outside at its patio with a view of the Old Town Square.
Every hour, hundreds of visitors gather below this Gothic clock-tower to watch it come to life. But what is the symbolism of the moving statuettes? And what made this clockwork so cutting-edge? And what is the legend of the clock-smith who built this mechanism, who died of sorrow when he later destroyed it?
Across a narrow alley from Kinsky Palace, stands the fairy-tale evoking church of our Lady Before Tynska. Here, early in the XV century, Bohemians began to express their frustration with the Pope and the Catholic church, sowing the seeds of a disagreement that would lead to a betrayal, an execution, and a war that would ravage the land for fifteen years. But what is it that the Bohemians demanded? And what was the symbol of their demand, which can still be seen on the church’s facade to this day?
Walking into the Jewish Quarter, we will arrive at the Old New Synagogue, where it is said the remains of a man of clay, who had been brought to life with ancient spells, are buried within one of its walls, to this day. This was the Golem (after which, the mysterious villain of The Secret of Secrets named himself). Do you know how, in the legends, the rabbi who created the Golem, was able to undo what he had done, after the Golem had gone berserk?
What's Included
- Live guided walking tour
- Prague Castle courtyards and viewpoints
- St. Vitus Cathedral (exterior)
- Nerudova Street and Lesser Town
- Wallenstein Gardens (seasonal)
- Charles Bridge and its legends
- The Clementinum courtyards
- Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock
- Church of Our Lady before Týn
- Kinsky Palace (exterior)
- The Jewish Quarter
- Locations featured in The Secret of Secrets
Please note: This is an outdoor walking tour. We admire all buildings and monuments from the outside and do not enter any interiors. The focus is on storytelling, history, symbolism, and discovering the locations featured in the novel while exploring the city on foot.
