The Všeruby and Iron routes on the Way of St. James in Prague begin at the Church of St. James the Greater in Old Town, an important monument associated with the spiritual history of the city. After a devastating fire, the church was rebuilt between 1390 and 1474 in the Gothic style, but its present appearance is the result of Baroque alterations carried out by Jan Šimon Pánek after another major fire in 1689. The alterations were completed in 1739. In the chapel beneath the unfinished tower is a memorial plaque from 1615 commemorating the heroism of the Old Town butchers who protected the church during the turbulent years of 1420 and 1611. Today, the cathedral is known not only for its liturgical life, but also for its regular organ concerts. The Church of St. James also appears in several stories by Jaroslav Foglar. From the Church of St. James the Greater in the Old Town, an important spiritual point on the Way of St. James, head through Ungelt towards Old Town Square – one of the most iconic sites in all of Prague. The square is a living witness to the history of Czech statehood, culture and religious turning points. It is dominated by Týn Church, Old Town Hall with the Astronomical Clock, and St. Nicholas Church. Every stone in the square tells its own story, from medieval times to the tragic execution of 27 Czech lords in 1621. From the square, continue to Malé náměstí (Small Square), formerly a market place and now a charming corner full of Renaissance and Baroque townhouses. In the centre stands a fountain with a statue of a knight from the 16th century, surrounded by a colourful mosaic of historic façades. Continue from Malé náměstí (Small Square) to Karlova Street, which is part of the historic Royal Route. This street leads past many important buildings, such as Klementinum, a large Jesuit complex housing a famous Baroque library, an astronomical tower and historic centres of learning. From Karlova Street, the route turns slightly into Husova Street, named after the important preacher and reformer Jan Hus. This part of the route is also lined with old houses and conceals several galleries and quiet corners where time seems to have stood still. From there, it continues to Na Perštýně Street, which forms the transition between Old Town and New Town. This historic street continues to Spálená Street, now a busy thoroughfare, but one that still retains its ancient atmosphere. In the past, pilgrims travelling to New Town and further south to Emauzy and Vyšehrad used to pass through here. Beyond Spálená, you enter the majestic Karlovo náměstí (Charles Square), one of the largest medieval squares in Europe. Founded by Charles IV in 1348, it was intended to be the centre of New Town. Today, it is home to the Church of St. Ignatius, the New Town Hall and quiet corners of the park, which offer space for rest and contemplation in the middle of the metropolis. It also reminds us of the scene of bloody events during the second Prague defenestration of 1483. The route turns towards the Emauzy monastery complex, founded by Charles IV in 1347 for Slavic Benedictines. The monastery was exceptional not only for its spiritual mission, but also for its cultural activities – it was here that Old Slavonic liturgical literature was created. The Emauzy Monastery is recognisable by its distinctive modernist towers, which replaced the original towers destroyed during the bombing of 1945. From Emauzy, the route heads south along the Vltava River past Vyšehrad, the famous old seat of Czech princes (visible from the route), and continues past the city districts of Braník and Modřany. Here, Prague gradually opens up to more peaceful natural scenery, and upriver we reach Zbraslav, an important historical town and site of the Zbraslav Monastery, founded by Wenceslas II in 1292. This monastery was one of the most important cultural and religious centres of the medieval Czech kingdom. King Wenceslas II, his son Wenceslas III, and Eliška Přemyslovna were also originally buried in the monastery church. Zbraslav is often considered the gateway to Central Bohemia, and from here the Way of St. James continues out of Prague towards the west and southwest to Santiago de Compostela. Alternative route through Prague – via Malá Strana, Prague Castle and Petřín Hill This alternative route along the Prague section of the Way of St. James is intended for pilgrims who have time and want to walk through one of the most important and impressive parts of Prague. The Prague variant of the Všeruby Way of St. James begins at the Church of St. James the Greater in Old Town, founded by King Wenceslas I in 1232. The church acquired its present appearance after a devastating fire at the end of the 17th century, thanks to a Baroque reconstruction that culminated in 1702. Its stucco façade is one of the most beautiful Baroque façades in the city. Next to the church stands the Minorite Monastery with preserved Gothic elements, which hosted the wedding feast of King John of Luxembourg and Beatrice of Bourbon in 1337. Opposite the cathedral, the route leads into the Ungelt courtyard – a place with a history dating back to the 11th century, when it served as a fortified market and later as a customs house. There was an older church dedicated to the Virgin Mary with a hospital for foreign merchants in front of its entrance, which was later replaced by the monumental Church of Our Lady before Týn, completed just before the Hussite Wars. The church became the centre of spiritual life for the reform movement and the main city church of Hussite Prague. Further on, the route arrives at Old Town Square, one of the most historically significant places in the Czech Republic. In addition to the Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Hall, its main landmark, there are many other architectural gems to be found here. It continues across Malé náměstí (Small Square) along Karlova Street to Charles Bridge – a unique medieval structure that forms a natural crossing to Malá Strana (Lesser Town). After crossing the bridge, the route follows Mostecká Street to Malostranské náměstí Square, dominated by the monumental Baroque Church of St. Nicholas by Kryštof Dientzenhofer. From the square, it climbs up the winding Nerudova Street, lined with historic palaces, to Prague Castle, the seat of Czech rulers. Charles IV had the Cathedral of St. Vitus, Wenceslas and Adalbert built here in the 14th century, which became not only a coronation cathedral but also a symbol of Czech statehood. Nerudova street | Source: Prague City Tourism From Hradčanské náměstí Square, Loretánská Street leads to Loretánské náměstí Square with the Černín Palace, now the seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Opposite stands Prague’s Loreto with its Baroque carillon and a replica of the Holy House – the supposed home of the Virgin Mary. The Loreto is an important pilgrimage site, as is the nearby Capuchin Monastery, which still offers accommodation to pilgrims today. From here, the route leads to Strahov Monastery, founded in 1140. The extensive grounds of the Premonstratensian monastery are particularly well known for their library, one of the most valuable in Bohemia. The courtyard in front of the monastery offers a beautiful view of the whole of Prague. From there, the route leads through Petřín Hill, passing by the tourist restaurant and descending through the Seminary Garden to Helichova Street. In Karmelitská Street, turn left towards the Church of Our Lady Victorious, where the famous statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague, donated by Polyxena of Lobkovicz in 1628, is venerated. From the church, the route continues along Harantova Street via Maltézské náměstí Square to Kampa, where it crosses Čertovka and continues along the Vltava River to the Legion Bridge, which leads to the National Theatre building. Here, it again joins the main Všeruby route along the Vltava River via Emauzy, passing the historic Vyšehrad, associated with Czech myths and royal legends, and leaves the city centre. It continues along the Vltava River to Zbraslav, with a stop at the local Church of St. James the Greater. Here, the Way of St. James is already marked with a scallop shell, the symbol of all pilgrimage routes leading to Santiago de Compostela.