Discover the magic of New World: A hidden corner of Prague
Once you walk away from the hustle and bustle of Prague Castle Complex and turn into Nový Svět, you would hardly realize that you are still in Prague. This picturesque area with its winding streets and small residential houses will make you feel like you’ve been transported back a century.
I always enjoy walking around this part of the town as it’s so very different than anywhere else. It’s the perfect antidote to the crowded Prague Castle and a great chance to see Prague from a different angle.
Why visit the New World quarter at Hradcany ?
- Oldfashioned, village or little town like feel with small houses (think Golden Lane, but without the crowds and tourist shops)
- Quiet, almost forgotten part of Prague
- Free & accessible any time
The New World Quarter history
Nový Svět is a small area, which is actually a former suburb of Hradčany. It was founded originally some time in the mid-14th century around the old road towards Střešovice Village (now part of Prague).
In 1360, based on a decision by the Bohemian King and Emperor Charles IV, it was included in Hradčany and protected by the then-newly built city walls.
The exact origin of this part of Hradčany is not precisely known; it was probably a forecourt of Prague Castle, which was created through the gradual filling up of ravines and the valley of the Brusnice stream, which runs bellow Prague Castle.
The original settlement was burned down during a big fire in 1420 and then Hussita Wars and another fire in 1541 made sure that nothing much remained from the original buildings.
The poorest lived in houses with golden names even between the wars, when the press compared the street to Naples. At that time, laundry was dried between the houses, and the residents spent their evenings in the courtyard rather than in their small rooms.
The origins of Novy Svet name and why most houses are called ‘golden’
The Novy Svet or New World probably refers to the fact that the area had to be completely re-built after it was burned down in the 16th century.
As you walk around, you will notice that quite a lot of houses have the word “golden” in their names. It’s interesting to know that all of these house signs first appeared in written documents only after 1796 and not before.
According to a local story, the this area of Hradcany was particularly poor and the residents wanted to improve their reputation by starting to call their houses by descriptive names and adding ‘golden’ made the names sound more upmarket, such as At the Golden Foot, Pear, Grape, Tree, Bush, Stork, Lamb, Star, Plow, Sun, Crab, Acorn etc.
Interesting houses at the New World Quarter
The house “At the Golden Foot” No. 76/1, where there was an inn in 1600. The Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe stayed there until he moved to a house in Pohořelec. There is a commemorative plaque on the building. His grave is located in the Church of Our Lady before Týn, which is one of the most beautiful churches in Prague. Wimbledon champion of 1954, Jaroslav Drobný, was born in this house in October 1921.
The house “At the Golden Acorn” No. 79/7 also known as “At the Golden Pheasant” is a detached Baroque house standing between Černínská and Kapucínská streets. In 1707, it was designed by the architect Jan Blažej Santini for the family of his brother, the stucco artist František Santini.
The painter Jan Zrzavý also stayed in Nový Svět for several years. He lived in a small room on Černínská Street before moving in the summer of 1917 to 10 Šporkova Street in Malá Strana.
The house “At the Crab” No. 91/10 is located in the small square under the walls, where Černínská Street connects to Nový Svět; it is the only log house with a shingle roof in the historic centre of Prague. The name comes from the abundance of crabs that lived in the Brusnice stream. Writers and friends Arnošt Lustig and Ota Pavel lived here. Arnošt Lustig owned the house, and after he went into exile, Ota Pavel took care of it.
The house is being used as a hotel, but during the main tourist season, you can also get drinks and snacks sold from the window of the cottage and sit there to admire the views.
The house “At Saint Michael” No. 80/9; since November 1854, it was the first residence of eight Sisters of Mercy of Saint Borromeo after the founding of their Prague convent. Opposite it are entrances to the areas beneath the Upper Lumbe Garden, one leading to a children’s playground and the other to the summer stage of the Ungelt Theatre.
The tiny corner house with the number 6 doesn’t have any doors anymore. At some point the house was incorporated into house number 27 and the only entrance is through there. The house numbering doesn’t quite work here, as you might notice that another house has number 6 on the same street.
What else to see & do in the New World
If you are travelling with young children, you might like to visit the children’s playground, which is just off Novy Svet Street. It’s surprisingly large and spacious and tucked away behind a high wall.
One of my favourite coffee places is also in Novy Svet, the Cofee House ‘Novy Svet’, serving great coffee and home-baked cakes. There is a tiny balcony with few tables and just enough seats indoors to make this place homely and cosy.
Best time to visit New World Quarter
My favourite time to visit is late in the afternoon when the day tourists have gone and the New World quarter feels very quiet and peaceful. If you want to have a coffee in the only coffee house on the street, then you probably need to arrive no later than mid-afternoon.
The streets are equally lovely at sunset when the old style street lights start to light up. If you arrive early in the morning, you might see a few people taking photos, including professional photographers taking portrait photos. The light is best there in the morning as the streets are very narrow and the houses throw quite harsh shades by the afternoon.
I’ve had a great fun having my photos taken at the New World streets, it was so peaceful there and it was before everyone else got there.
Saying that, every time I visit (and it’s usually at a different time of the day), it never really feels that crowded or busy.
Where exactly is Novy Svet – New World in Prague?
Nový Svět is mainly one street, but also surrounding streets such as Černínská Street which will lead you from the gardens of the Czernin Palace, and the winding Kapucínská Street which comes from the Capuchin Monastery.
Nový Svět ends at the corner of Kanovnická Street. There used to be a gate, that separated the area from the rest of Hradčany, which was demolished around 1890.
How to get to New World from the centre of Prague
The best way to get to Novy Svet from the centre of Prague is to take tram number 22 from Narodni Trida (close to Wenceslas Square) or Malostranska (close to Kampa Island) and get off at Pohořelec Tram Stop. The tram journey takes about 15-20 minutes from the centre of Prague.
After that, it’s only about 10 minutes walk down the hill. Start walking along Pohořelec Street and turn into Loretánská Street. You will pass by the Loreta, a beautiful baroque pilgrimage site on your right and you will see the Czernin Palace on the opposite site. Turn right onto Kanovnická Street, which will lead you towards Nový Svět.
This is my favourite way to walk to the New World, because you get to see the rest of the Hradcany, but if you want a direct access, the stop before Pohorelec – Brusnice will take you directly to the New World. Just cross the road and follow the steep steps (in my first photo) down to the little streets below. This way, you’ll start exploring the area from the Hotel U Raku (the Crab Hotel).
You can also walk there from the other site – from Hradcany Square, which is in front of Prague Castle.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Location: Novy Svet, Hradcany, Prague 1
- Opening Times: All the times (not restricted), but please be respectful to the local residents, quiet times are from 10 pm to 6 am.
- Tickets: Free
This blog post was originally written on 24 July 2024 and last updated on 24 July 2024
PIN TO KEEP FOR LATER
