Letenská Street
Letenská street passes through the heart of Little Party in Prague. It starts at the crossroads with the streets of Klárov and the Lužický Seminar, where it connects to the Mánes Bridge, and it calmly heads all the way to Malostranska Square. On a relatively short route, the trenches of Prague history have spread on its walkways.
In the Middle Ages, the street served as one of the roads to the village of Písek, also known as the Fisherman, whose construction was located in the area of today's Klárov. Back then, it was called "Sandy" - simply according to the village it led to. Over time, the route and the surrounding area were changing, and with them the name: the street began to be referred to as "To St. Peter's," because it was headed towards a church dedicated to Peter and Paul, who is no longer standing.
In the middle of the 18th century, the street was divided internally into two named parts. The section from the church of St. Thomas to the Malostranská Square was called "Radnická" or "Radniční," the second section extending to Klárov then "Senová" - depending on the weight on the hay that stood here. There was also the name "Fortnová," derived from the fortress, the passageway gate, which led through the Oettingen Palace. It was only in 1868 that the entire street got the uniform name "Letenská," this time according to the nearby hill Letna, on the initiative of Karel Jaromír Erben.
Today, the streets host a remarkable number of historical objects. Right at the beginning stands the House of the Golden Ship and next to it a townhouse in number 2. Letenská 3 bears the name Windischgrätz Palace, number 4 belongs to the House of the Red House. The extensive Thurn-Taxis Palace, also known as the Vrtbov Palace, occupies numbers 5 to 7. Among other objects is the House of the Municipal Court in number 8, the Monastery of the Augustinian with a former brewery in number 12 or the House of the Blue Key in number 14. Number 20 belongs to the Golden Cock House.
At the end of the street there are a number of monasteries. The monastery of barefoot carmelites stands at the corner of Letenská 21 and Josefské 4, the Augustinian monastery at Letenská 22 and Tomášská 28. The Oettingen Palace closes the corner block of the streets Letenská 23 and Josefska 6 and the House of Schnell stands at 24. The street ends at the Malostranská Square of Malostranská beseda.
The walk of Letenska will thus offer a curious tourist a trip through the entire historical area of the Malostranski building - from medieval names to aristocratic palaces, from monastery gardens to townhouses with poetic names. The street is not just a passable artery: it is an interpretation of the Malostran past made of facades, gates and tables with descriptive numbers.
Then and now
Drag the slider to compare how the landmark may have looked when it was built with the view today.
The historical appearance on the left is an AI-generated visualisation and serves as inspiration only.
Historical milestones
- 14th Century
- The emergence of a medieval road connecting Prague to the extinct village of Sand (Fishermen), originally called Sand
- half of the 18th century
- Part of the street from the church of St. Thomas to Malostranská Square was named Radnická or Radnice
- 1868
- The street was named Letenská on the initiative of Karel Jaromír Erbena, referring to hill Letná
Architectural development
The street was established as a medieval road connecting Prague suburb to the extinct village of Písek (Fishermen). In the 18th century part of the street was called Radnická or Senováná, according to local functions. In the 19th century there was an urban adjustment that strengthened its importance as a representative communication with important buildings such as the Thurn-Taxis palaces or the Augustinian monasteries.
Points of interest
In the Middle Ages, the street was called "Sand" according to the village of Sand, which was located in the area of today's Klárov.
- The name "To St. Peter's" comes from the fact that the street led to a church dedicated to St. Peter and Paul, who is no longer standing.
- In the 18th century, the street was divided into two parts: "Radnická" (from St. Thomas' church) and "Senovává" (from weight to hay).
- The name "Fortnová" was derived from the fortna, the passageway gate at Oettingen Palace.
- In 1868 the street was given the uniform name "Letenská" according to the nearby hill Letna.
Guide
This guide is narrated by a synthetic voice generated by artificial intelligence.
Show guide text
This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
Letenská Street in the Malá Strana district of Prague connects Malostranské Square with a crossroads where the streets Klárov, U lužického semináře and Mánesův bridge meet. It has borne its current name since eighteen sixty-eight, named after Letná hill. Karel Jaromír Erben provided the impetus for this name.
In the Middle Ages, a path led through here to the village of Písek, which was also called Rybáře. It lay in the location of today's Klárov street. According to this settlement, the street was called Písecká in the fourteenth century. Later it received the name Ke svatému Petru jdoucí, because it led to the now defunct small church of sv. Petra and Pavel.
In the middle of the eighteenth century, the street had two names. The section from the church of sv. Tomáše to Malostranské Square was called Radnická or Radniční. The second part heading towards Klárov was Senovážná, named after the hay scale that stood there. The street was also called Fortnová, after the gate or fortny through which passage led in the Oettingen Palace.
Along the street stands a series of significant houses and palaces. You will find the Windischgrätzovský Palace and the Thurn-Taxis Palace, which is also called Vrtbovský Palace. There is also the Oettingen House and the Oettingen Palace. The names of old burghers' houses recall house signs, for example the house U Zlaté lodi, U Červeného domku, U Modrého klíče or U Zlatého kohouta. Other houses include the Obecní dvůr and the house U Schnellů.
The street also includes two monasteries. The monastery of the Augustinians at the church of sv. Tomáše with its former monastery brewery and the monastery of the Discalced Carmelites. On the corner with Malostranské Square stands the Malostranská beseda.
Frequently asked questions
Can the monument be visited?
Some buildings of this kind are open for guided tours, others serve another purpose or are privately owned. We have not verified whether and when this monument is open – please ask the operator.
What are the opening hours and admission?
We have not verified the opening hours or admission. Current information is published by the operator.
Where is the monument?
Location: Praha, Hlavní město Praha. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
For kids
Imagine going back to the past until Letenská Mountain was still a young and unknown place in Prague. It was like playing an archaeologist where you were supposed to find hidden treasures and discover the secrets of the past.
How did it look here? Who lived here? What happened here? Letenská mountain has been inhabited since prehistoric times. At that time, there were only forests and rivers that flowed like golden water over hills. Imagine you're one of the first residents to come to this beautiful land and build their houses of wood and clay.
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Events nearby
Zdroj akcí: otevřená data měst a obcí ČR (Národní katalog otevřených dat) a kalendář akcí Národního památkového ústavu.
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Trips and activities nearby
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Thematic cruise route: Baroque and historical Malešice in the centre of Prague
1.Letenská * Type: * Main destination of the route, Baroque palace with large gardens. * Why visit? * Unique architecture with rich decoration and quiet garden offers a view of Prague. Ideal for lovers of history and picturesque places.
2. Church of St. Thomas * Type: * Church, northwest about 200 meters from Letenskaya. * Why visit? * Gothic-Baroque building with valuable frescoes and historical significance for Prague's ecclesiastical history.
3. Klarov * Type: * Street with historic houses, northeast of the beginning of the street from Letenskaya. * Why visit? * A picturesque alley with preserved Renaissance and Baroque houses, typical of Prague architecture.
4. Malostranská Square * Type: * Square, southeast of the street from Letenskaya. * Why visit? * Heart of the historic Little Party with the church of Our Lady of Snow and typical Prague houses.
5. Church of St. Peter and Paul (extinct) * Type: * Vanished church, near Klarov. * Why visit? * An interesting historical trail, whose remains resemble medieval Prague history and urban development.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring at Letná is a good choice for those who seek peace and awakening nature. The trees are still blooming, which gives the surroundings freshness and a bright atmosphere, while daylight is extended and allows longer walks. The weather is usually variable during this period, often with sudden showers, so it is necessary to carry a light waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes that can handle a damp surface. Tourism is still low, so sights can be visited without large crowds. The ideal time is the morning when the air is fresh and the temperature is still not too high, which allows for a comfortable exploration of history without feeling in haste.
Summer brings the highest frequency of visitors, especially on weekends and in the main summer season. The sun shines long and intensely, creating clear, but sometimes stuffy conditions. Care should be taken to maintain adequate drinking mode and to protect against direct sun hat or sunglasses. Clothes should be light and breathable. Due to the expected crowds, it is best to arrive as early as possible in the morning, right after opening, or late in the afternoon, when some of the tourists are already breaking up. Cultural events often take place here in the evening, so the atmosphere can be lively and busy, which can be disturbing for lovers of history, but attractive for general visitors.
Autumn at Letná offers the most beautiful colors of nature, when tree leaves turn color into golden and red shades. Light is softer and warmer, which creates a romantic and thoughtful atmosphere suitable for photography. The temperatures are falling, so it is advisable to layer the clothes in order to easily adapt to the weather changes during the day. Tourism is falling slightly compared to summer, but still remains relatively high, especially in October, before the first frost comes. The morning clock is ideal because the afternoon is often cloudy and damp. The path to the monument can be slippery if rain falls, so that solid footwear is again crucial for safe movement around the area.
Winter on Letná is cold and often snowy, which gives the monument a magical and quiet touch. Short days and low sun create dramatic shadows and specific, cold lighting. Clothes must be very warm, including winter jacket, gloves, scarf and hat, so that the visit is not unpleasant. The crowds are minimal, allowing an intimate experience and a peaceful study of history without interference. The best time is late in the morning, when temperatures increase slightly and the sun is at its highest. Watch out for slippery pavements and ice that can form on the shadows of trees and buildings.
Visualizations and artistic views
The visualisations are generated by artificial intelligence and serve as inspiration.
Photos from the area
Real photos taken near the monument
Zdroj a licence jsou uvedeny u každého snímku.
Atmosphere of the place
This atmospheric visualisation of the place and period was generated by artificial intelligence. It is not real footage of the location.
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Sources and literature
Photos: cs:ŠJů / CC BY-SA 3.0 — Wikimedia Commons. The author and licence also appear when you hover over the image.
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
Location on the map
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