Romantic Living in the Lesser Town
When looking in a romantic setting for a place to live, away from supermarkets and busy streets, you can find one in the Lesser Town area located in Prague 1. This luxurious location on the left bank of the Vltava River and below Prague Castle offers easy access both to the monuments and to the other parts of the City Centre.
The Lesser Town is both one of the most impressive and also oldest parts of Prague. It is bordered by Vítězná Street and Janáčkovo nábřeží Street and it stretches all the way to the Legií Bridge. Its centre comprises Malostranské Square together with St. Nicholas’ Church. The Lesser Town also features the romantic Kampa area where there is a branch of the Vltava River that is called Čertovka and also the 60 m tall Petřín Tower, which has a magnificent view of the City.
Something of the History of the Lesser Town
The Lesser Town was established below Prague Castle and it has been bearing its present name since the 18th Century. In 1257, the New Town was founded in the Lesser Town area. Nerudova Street and also St. Nicholas’ Church both come from that period. Under the reign of Charles IV the Hunger Wall was built there and the area of Újezd was subsequently connected to it. In 1503 there was an outbreak of wildfire and the Baroque era brought about construction of a lot of new buildings. In the mid-16th Century prominent Italian architects came to Prague who also contributed to the new character of these buildings.
A Picturesque and Luxurious Environment that is full of Greenery
Living in the Lesser Town is simply balm for your soul. Both Kampa and Petřín Hill will invite you to walk in the greenery. There are also plenty of options for where to go to enjoy excellent coffee or a sumptuous meal. You can visit the famous Café Savoy on Vítězná Street or the Café Lounge on Plaská Street. Small shops, bakeries and pastry shops with gardens will invite you to seat yourself in their comfortable environment.
Famous Names of the Lesser Town
The important personalities who lived in the Lesser Town include Josef Dobrovký, Karel Čapek and Jan Neruda. The latter dedicated his work entitled “Lesser Town Tales” to this quarter. Dobrovský’s house at Kampa was inhabited for a certain time by Jan Werich. This is also where popular films and series were frequently shot: e.g. the Stone Bridge film, the Friends television series and the film entitled “How to Drown Dr. Mráček or the End of Spirits in Bohemia”.
