Lesser Quarter (Mala Strana)
The basics
King Ottokar II founded Mala Strana in 1257, on the west bank of the Vltava river in the area directly underneath the castle complex. It was razed to the ground by opposition forces in the 15th century and extensively damaged by fire in the 16th century, after which many of the buildings were rebuilt in the Renaissance style popular at the time, while wedding-cake-style baroque constructions followed in later years.
Highlights of the area include the St. Nicholas Church with its impressive dome and the baroque Wallenstein Palace. The statue of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague in the Church of Our Lady Victorious attracts worshippers from across the world, especially during the Christmas season. The Charles Bridge, perhaps Prague’s most iconic landmark, links the Mala Strana to Stare Mesto (Old Town) on the opposite bank. Guided walking tours are a popular way to explore the Lesser Quarter’s fascinating history.
Things to know before you go
- The Kampa Island park along the river in Mala Strana was once filled with market gardens, watermills, and vineyards.
- Make time to see the John Lennon wall in Kampa, an unofficial graffiti tribute to the Beatles singer.
- The popular Franz Kafka Museum is located in Mala Strana on Cihelna Street.
- Keep an eye out for the carved and painted symbols found on various buildings—they were used to identify the owner of the house or what type of business operated there in the days before street numbers.
How to get there
The Lesser Quarter neighborhood is found on the west bank of Prague’s Vltava River, right below the castle and cathedral. The streets are very narrow and parking is limited, so driving is not recommended. The area is within easy walking distance of the castle and Old Town (across the Charles Bridge) and many people come to the area on a walking tour of Prague. The #22 and #23 trams stop at various points throughout Mala Strana.
Trip ideas
When to get there
Mala Strana is a neighborhood in Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic in Central Europe. The country has warm summers and cold winters when rain and snow are possible. The city is a popular vacation destination spot and can be very busy with tourists, particularly in July and August.
Explore Wallenstein Palace
With manicured gardens, impressive interiors, and views toward Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral, Wallenstein Palace takes visitors back in time to the opulence of the baroque era. Originally built for Albrecht von Wallenstein, Duke of Mecklenburg in the early 17th century, the palace is now home to the Czech Republic’s Senate. Sections of the palace and gardens are open to the public on weekends.
- Things to do in Karlovy Vary
- Things to do in Cesky Krumlov
- Things to do in Passau
- Things to do in Linz
- Things to do in Wroclaw
- Things to do in Nuremberg
- Things to do in Vienna
- Things to do in Schwechat
- Things to do in Salzburg
- Things to do in Berlin
- Things to do in Bratislava
- Things to do in Munich
- Things to do in Bohemia
- Things to do in Upper Austria
- Things to do in Lower Austria
- Vltava River
- Museum Kampa
- Kampa Island
- Prague National Theatre (Národní Divadlo)
- Musaion
- Czech Museum of Music (Ceske Muzeum Hudby)
- Black Light Theatre Srnec
- John Lennon Wall
- Bedrich Smetana Museum (Muzeum Bedricha Smetany)
- Charles Bridge (Karluv Most)
- Reduta Jazz Club
- Old Town Bridge Tower
- Church of Our Lady Victorious (Kostel Panny Marie Vitezne)
- St. Francis of Assisi Church (Kostel Sv. Frantiska z Assisi)
- Náprstek Museum of Asian, African and American Cultures