Jan NettigPrague is called the “City of a Hundred Spires” (Stověžatá Praha) because more than 500 towers, spires, and turrets punctuate its skyline — a legacy of a thousand years of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau church-building. The nickname was popularised by the 19th-century historian Josef Hormayr, who reportedly counted exactly 103 spires visible from a single vantage point.
Why “Hundred Spires”?
The nickname is a poetic understatement — modern counts identify over 500 spires across the historic city, ranging from soaring Gothic cathedral towers to modest neighbourhood belfries. The concentration is unique in Europe: unlike London, Rome, or Paris, Prague was rarely bombed, rarely rebuilt, and its medieval fabric survives largely intact.
The 10 spires you must see
1. St Vitus Cathedral (Katedrála sv. Víta)
Prague Castle’s Gothic masterpiece. The south tower rises 96.5 m and can be climbed (287 steps) for the best-known panorama in the city. Begun 1344, finished 1929.
2. Church of Our Lady before Týn (Kostel Matky Boží před Týnem)
Two dramatic 80-metre Gothic spires that dominate Old Town Square. Best photographed at sunset from Kinský Palace across the square.
3. Powder Tower (Prašná brána)
The 65-metre gate marking one of the original 13 entrances to the Old City walls. Built 1475. Climbable (186 steps).
4. Old Town Hall Astronomical Clock Tower
The 70-metre tower houses the world’s oldest still-operating astronomical clock (1410). Climb it (or take the lift) for the most photographed rooftop view over Old Town Square. See our Astronomical Clock guide.
5. Church of St Nicholas (Malá Strana)
The 79-metre Baroque dome and bell tower — the finest Baroque church interior in Central Europe. The bell tower is a separate climb operated by the city, offering the classic view down Nerudova Street toward the Castle.
6. Petřín Lookout Tower (Petřínská rozhledna)
The 63.5-metre steel lookout — a small imitation of Paris’s Eiffel Tower, built for the 1891 Prague Jubilee Exhibition. Reached via funicular from Malá Strana. Free views if you climb (299 steps).
7. Church of St Ludmila (Vinohrady)
Twin neo-Gothic spires on Náměstí Míru — the tallest church in the “Vineyards” district, built 1888–1893.
8. Church of Our Lady Victorious (Malá Strana)
Home to the Infant Jesus of Prague — one of the most famous Catholic devotional statues in the world. Single Baroque spire.
9. Charles Bridge Tower (Staroměstská mostecká věž)
The Gothic gateway to the Old Town side of the Charles Bridge, considered by many the most beautiful medieval bridge tower in Europe. Climbable for stunning Vltava views.
10. Loreta Bell Tower
A 45-metre Baroque tower whose 27-bell carillon plays a Marian hymn every hour on the hour.
Where to see the most spires at once
- Old Town Hall Tower — the highest count in the direct historic core.
- Petřín Tower — highest count overall (elevated hilltop position).
- Vyšehrad — the panorama across the Vltava toward the Castle is dramatic and less crowded. See our Vyšehrad guide.
- Letná Park — free, elevated view over the river and Old Town.
- Riegrovy sady — locals’ favourite sunset spot in Vinohrady.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Prague have so many spires?
Prague was the capital of the Holy Roman Empire under Charles IV (1346–1378) and became a hub of ecclesiastical building. Multiple religious orders — Dominicans, Franciscans, Jesuits, Cistercians — each built their own churches. Prague also escaped major wartime destruction, so churches from every era survive intact.
Exactly how many spires does Prague have?
The traditional count is 103; modern estimates put the true number over 500 when all towers, turrets, belfries, and spires are counted. No official register exists.
Are the towers climbable?
Many are — Old Town Hall, St Vitus south tower, Powder Tower, Petřín, Charles Bridge towers, St Nicholas bell tower, and Prašná brána all allow paid access. Prices range from 100 to 300 CZK.
Which is the tallest spire in Prague?
St Vitus Cathedral’s south tower at 96.5 metres is the tallest church spire. The modern Žižkov TV Tower (216 m) is the tallest structure but not a church spire.
What’s the best time to photograph the spires?
The “golden hour” just before sunset paints the sandstone and copper spires in warm light. The “blue hour” just after sunset lets floodlit towers glow against a deep blue sky.
Books + travel gear
- Rick Steves Prague & the Czech Republic — best walking-tour guide.
- Lonely Planet Central Europe
- Merrell Moab 3 walking shoes
- Osprey Daylite Plus daypack
