Hidden Corners of Prague: Guide to Nový Svět

Most visitors to Prague spend their time in the Old Town Square, crossing Charles Bridge, or climbing up to Prague Castle. But just behind the castle walls lies a neighborhood many never reach. Nový Svět, or “New World,” feels like stepping into a village frozen in time. Narrow cobbled lanes, pastel cottages, and ivy-covered walls make it one of the city’s most atmospheric corners. Unlike the bustle of Malá Strana below, here the streets are calm, the houses are small, and the pace slows. Cats stretch out on warm stone steps, roses climb wooden fences, and courtyards open like secrets from another age.

History of Nový Svět

Nový Svět first appeared in the 14th century, when small houses were built here for the people who worked at Prague Castle — the servants, goldsmiths, and craftsmen who kept the royal household running. The quarter never had the grandeur of the castle above it. Instead, it was a place of modest cottages, narrow lanes, and gardens tucked behind wooden doors.

In later centuries, the quiet atmosphere drew other residents. One of the houses belonged to an assistant of Tycho Brahe, the Danish astronomer who worked in Prague under Emperor Rudolf II. Much later, the painter Jan Zrzavý lived here, remembered today as one of the country’s leading modern artists with a lyrical, dreamlike style. Over time, the street gained its playful house names — Golden Grape, Golden Star — which locals still use with affection.

What makes Nový Svět remarkable is that it still feels much the same. Walk along the cobbles and you’ll see small pastel houses leaning close together, ivy spilling across walls, and a chapel that once served the community. It is a corner of Prague that grew up in the shadow of the castle but kept its own, more intimate rhythm.

What Not to Miss

Nový Svět Lane
The main cobbled street winds past tiny houses, each with its own story. Walking here feels like discovering a pocket of Prague that time almost forgot.

The House at the Golden Grape
Once the home of Jan Zrzavý, a Czech modernist painter known for his dreamlike, lyrical style, this building now holds a small café and gallery. It’s a spot where art and history overlap, and a good place to pause with coffee.

Chapel of Our Lady
This small baroque chapel sits tucked in a corner. Modest in size but elegant in detail, it reminds visitors that even humble quarters had their own sacred spaces.

Where to Eat

Nový Svět Café
A cozy café inside one of the historic houses, perfect for coffee and cake after exploring the lanes.

U Zlaté Hrušky (The Golden Pear)
A refined restaurant nearby that serves Czech dishes with a modern touch. Tucked just off the main lane, it’s a rewarding way to end your walk.

Strahov Monastery Brewery
A short climb uphill leads to this 17th-century brewery, where monks still serve hearty Czech meals and their own beer.