Malé náměstí (Prague)

Malé náměstí (Little Square) is a square in the Old Town of Prague, west of Old Town Square.^[1] It has kept its triangular layout from the Romanesque period.^[2] The Royal Route passes through it and Karlova Street starts here.^[2]*

History

In the Middle Ages the area belonged to the St Leonard quarter, where a colony of French merchants lived around the Church of St Leonard, demolished in 1798.^[2] During an archaeological survey by the Prague City Museum in 1993, several dozen graves were uncovered on the square.^[2] In the 14th century fruit and head ornaments were sold here, hence the names Fruit Market and Wreath Market. In the second half of the 15th century the place was called V uzdářích, after the makers of bridles. In the 17th century the name Malý ryneček came into use, and since the mid-19th century Malé náměstí.^[2][1]

Buildings

In the middle of the square stands a fountain of 1560 with a wrought-iron Renaissance grille. The grille was extended in the mid-17th century and brought to its present form in 1877–1878 by the locksmith Jindřich Duffé.^[1][2] The Rott House, At the Three White Roses, No. 142, has Romanesque cellars and a Neo-Renaissance facade with paintings after cartoons by Mikoláš Aleš, executed by Láďa Novák and Arnošt Hofbauer.^[1][2] The first Czech Bible printed in Prague was produced in this house in 1488.^[2] The Rychtář House, No. 459, on the south side has a Romanesque core, and a passage through it leads to Michalská Street.^[1] The house At the Golden Eagle, No. 457, has kept its pharmacy furnishings from 1889.^[2]

Sources

1. Magistrát hl. m. Prahy (Praha virtuální)
2. Městská část Praha 1