Have You Explored the New World, the Stone Quarter, or Liebieg’s Town?

Prague and the New World

There are places in the world that feel forgotten: the New World is just a short walk from Prague Castle. Unlike the bustling areas like Kampa, Mala Strana, and Hradčany, the quiet streets of Nový Svět feel like they are all yours, along with maybe a few other solitary strollers. Perhaps it’s because the tiny neighborhood, nestled beneath enormous Baroque walls, isn’t the easiest to find. Where did this New World come from? Back in medieval times, it was part of Hradčany, with its first homes built along the path by the Brusnice stream, which we now call Nový Svět street. Besides this main road, Nový Svět features Černínská alley, branching from Loreto Square between the tall walls of the Czernin Palace gardens and the Capuchin Monastery. There’s also a short alley called On the Embankment and Kapucínská alley that comes from another corner of Loretánské náměstí. That’s about all there is: at the corner known as Canonical, where a gate once separated this area from the rest of Hradčany, the New World comes to an end.

Walking down Černínská Street, you will stumble upon Prague’s last remaining timber-framed building with a shingle roof, currently the Romantik Hotel U raka, and just a bit further, you’ll find the inviting Nový Svět café perfect for taking a break. Most importantly, you are tracing the steps of the famous: historical figures like Tycho Brahe and Jan Kepler lived here. The house known as the Golden Acorn belonged to the Santini family at the start of the 18th century—this esteemed family included the notable architect Jan Blažej, along with painter Jan Zrzavý, director and animator Jan Švankmajer, film directors Jindřich Polák and Karel Kachyňa, artist Milan Knížák, glassmaker Bořek Šípek, and graphic designers Jiří Anderle and Vladimír Suchánek.

Liberec and Liebieg’s town

Among the most beautiful locations, Liberec is home to Liebieg’s town, a distinctive housing area designed for workers of the textile factory Johann Liebieg & Co.. Construction began in the mid-19th century, but it wasn’t until the young architect from Nuremberg, Jakob Schmeissner, created a cohesive style inspired by historic and Art Nouveau elements in the early 20th century. This “town within a town” features smaller family homes with cozy apartments, with its centerpiece being the Square Under the Gate. This square was named after the gateway building that once enclosed its northern end.

This complete Garden City, which boasts its own kindergarten, school, church, pub, and shops, continues to represent Liberec’s reputation as a great place to live. It has everything you want on your travels: an intriguing history, a unique atmosphere, and picture-perfect spots. The community gradually expanded until 1929, with the individual buildings showcasing intricate carving work on their doors. Share photos of this town with your friends and challenge them to guess where you visited: who can guess Liberec?

Brno and the Stone Quarter

A popular spot for strolls—if you’re okay with people walking right by your door, through your yard, or just outside your window—is Brno’s Stone Quarter, also referred to as Stone Colony or Kamenka, located in an old quarry above the Svratka River. During the economic downturn in the 1920s, the first homes were built here by workers from the Kohn and Jílka brickworks, followed by artists and free spirits moving in a few decades later.

Today, this charming settlement comprises around 130 small houses linked by narrow alleys and paths. The main thoroughfare is known as the Stone Quarter, winding through the area, while another street with a nearly symbolic name leads you to Kamenka: Kamenná.