The right bank of the Vltava holds the densest concentration of locations that drew Dan Brown to Prague. This walking route passes through the very heart of the city's historic labyrinth of squares, courtyards, and passageways, tracing the path along which Robert Langdon peels back the layers of secrets embedded deep in the city's stones. The entire route can be completed without public transport — all you need is comfortable shoes and time.
Stops
Charles Bridge
The Gothic bridge built during the reign of Charles IV opens both the route and the novel. Its thirty-three Baroque sculptural groups line a passage between two worlds — the Old Town and the Lesser Town — and in Brown's narrative the bridge functions as an opening scene and a recurring symbolic threshold. The bridge is accessible around the clock and is at its most beautiful in the early morning hours before the crowds arrive.
Josefov
The former Prague ghetto, today part of the Old Town, is one of the most historically charged locations in the city. The Old Synagogue, the Old Jewish Cemetery and its layered tombstones — everything here speaks of mystery, memory, and survival. Brown draws on these themes in full in the novel. Entry to the Jewish Museum complex is ticketed; purchasing online in advance is strongly recommended.
Mariánské náměstí
A small square enclosed by the façade of the New Town Hall and adjoining the Clementinum directly. In the novel it forms a natural transition between scenes and serves as an orienting landmark within the maze of Old Town streets. The square is freely accessible at all times.
Clementinum
The second largest architectural complex in Prague — after Prague Castle — conceals a Baroque library hall and an astronomical tower that serve as the setting for pivotal revelations in the novel. The ornate interior of the Baroque Hall, surrounded by thousands of gilded volumes, provides one of the most striking visual images in the entire story. Entry is by guided tour only and requires advance ticket booking; tours regularly sell out well ahead of time.
Old Town Square
The square where the city's history, architecture, and tourist flow converge brings the first route to a close. The Astronomical Clock, the Church of Our Lady before Týn, and the Old Town Hall form a panorama that Brown uses as an open stage with many onlookers — and hidden players. Entry to the square is free; the Town Hall tower and the Týn Church are ticketed separately.
Practical Information
Distance: approximately 3 km on foot | Elevation gain: minimal, the route is entirely flat | Recommended time: 3–4 hours (without interior visits), 5–6 hours with stops inside | Start: Lesser Town end of Charles Bridge (tram stop Malostranské náměstí or Újezd) | End: Old Town Square (Metro A, Staroměstská station)
Tip: The Clementinum requires tickets purchased in advance. Josefov is best visited early in the morning when the complex is less crowded. The route can equally well be walked in reverse — from Old Town Square to Charles Bridge.