Maltese Square, Prague

This square stands as one of the charming gems nestled between Karmelitská and the riverbank. At its northern terminus rises a plague column, crowned by the statue of Saint John the Baptist, yet its appellation derives from the Order of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, known today as the Maltese Knights. In 1160, they erected the nearby church of Saint Mary Below-the-Chain, so named for their vigil over the Judith Bridge (the precursor to Charles Bridge). While only two stout Gothic towers endure, and the apse has undergone a thorough Baroque transformation, the nave remains in a state of perpetual incompleteness, exposed to the elements.

Within the confines of the square stands Nostitz Palace, an exemplar of early Baroque architecture featuring a resplendent Rococo portal. Formerly the abode of the Nostitz family, patrons of burgeoning artists and musicians, it presently serves as the headquarters of the Ministry of Culture. Within its confines lies a repository housing a vast collection of over 15,000 volumes.

Tip:
Among the charming Na břehu Rhôny wine bars dispersed throughout Prague, the Maltese Square locale stands as a paragon, particularly owing to its scarcity of rivals in the immediate vicinity. Whether savoring a chilled glass of white amidst the courtyard's summertime allure or indulging in a robust red within the cozy confines during colder climes, this establishment reigns supreme as the quintessential haunt of this district.