Marian Square & Municipal Library

Mariánské náměstí (Marian Square) is a quiet, architecturally rich square in the heart of Prague’s Old Town, framed by some of the city's most important cultural and administrative institutions. Its understated charm makes it an ideal spot for a brief pause while exploring the surrounding area.

On the square’s northern edge stands the Municipal Library of Prague (Městská knihovna), an Art Deco landmark designed in the 1920s. While it serves as a major public library and cultural venue, it also hides one of Prague’s most Instagrammed secrets: "Idiom", an optical illusion created by Slovak artist Matej Krén—a spiraling tower of 8,000 real books that seems to descend into infinity, creating an optical illusion of an infinite tunnel. Don’t just snap a photo of the “Idiom” book tower—step around to view it from different angles. The illusion changes as you move, revealing just how cleverly it’s constructed.

On the east side, you can admire the New City Hall (Nová radnice), a significant example of Art Nouveau architecture, built between 1908 and 1911. Since 1945, it has served as the seat of the Prague City Council and the office of the city’s mayor. One of its most unique features is the historic paternoster lift—the first of its kind in Prague—offering a rare chance to ride this continuously moving elevator.

Just around the corner lies the Klementinum, one of Europe’s most historic library complexes, adding to the square’s literary gravitas.

💡 Top Tip 💡

Take the Páternoster tour, a new guided experience that lets visitors explore this engineering marvel, learn about its history, and access selected interiors of the New City Hall that are usually closed to the public.

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📅 Plan your visit

🏰 Library Entry
🎫 Admission: Free Entrance
🕒 Opening Hours:
      Mon: 13:00–20:00

      Tue–Fri: 9:00–20:00

      Sat: 13:00–17:30

      Sun: Closed

🛗 Paternoster Elevator
🎟 On-site ONLY: Tickets available at the Prague City Hall ticket office (inside the main entrance)
Notice: Due to construction work in Prague City Hall, the tour route is temporarily closed until the end of August

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🍴Where to eat : 

(Here are some suggestions. All are within 7 min walking from your current location).

 

[$] 

- Bakeshop Café Bistro (Bakery, café & bistro with fresh pastries) 4.4 ⭐ 

- Coffee & Waffles (All-day breakfast café with sweet & savory waffles) 4.6 ⭐ 

 

[$] 

- Mistral Café (Modern Czech & European cuisine with courtyard seating) 4.5 ⭐ 

- Potrefená Husa Platnéřská (Modern Czech Brasserie) 4.4 ⭐ 

- Pizzeria Donna (Italian Restaurant) 4.1 ⭐ 

 

[$$] 

- Finestrina (Italian Bistro & Deli) 4.5 ⭐
- V Zátiší (Elegant fine dining blending Czech and international flavors) 4.7⭐

- Mlýnec (Modern Czech fine dining with Vltava river views) 4.7 ⭐

 

[$$] 

- George Prime Steak (American Steakhouse) 4.6 ⭐ 

- CottoCrudo (Modern Italian with Czech Influences) 4.5 ⭐