From Mariánské Square, the story leads directly to the nearby Clementinum, where one of the most pivotal scenes of the whole book takes place.
The Location in Reality
Mariánské Square lies at the very heart of historic Prague, just a few steps from the busy Old Town Square. It is framed by four prominent institutions: the Prague City Hall (the New Town Hall), the Clementinum complex housing the National Library, the Municipal Library, and the Clam-Gallas Palace. Despite its proximity to the city's most frequented tourist routes, the square retains the character of a quieter, less crowded place.
The square takes its name from the now-vanished Church of the Virgin Mary Na Louži, which was demolished in the 18th century. Its older folk names — Ryneček u Matky Boží (Little Market of the Mother of God) or Plac Matky Boží — still recall the spiritual roots of this place. In the 19th century, the entire area underwent extensive urban renewal, during which historic houses and the U černého orla estate were demolished. The resulting open space then served as a car park for many decades. It was only in 2019 that the square was fundamentally transformed: a pedestrian zone was created with new street furniture, mature trees, and a regular cultural programme. In the summer months, a misting installation is set up here, giving the square an almost dreamlike atmosphere.
The Sculptures by Ladislav Šaloun
The two sculptures on Mariánské Square are the work of Ladislav Šaloun, the artist behind the famous Jan Hus monument on Old Town Square. The statue of Rabbi Löw, the creator of the legendary Golem, reflects the deep connection of this place with Jewish tradition and the mystical stories of old Prague. The statue of the Iron Knight — a mysterious armoured figure seemingly growing out of the wall of the City Hall — is one of the most enigmatic sculptures in the entire historic centre.
Šaloun was a committed spiritist and a scholar of the Kabbalah. His studio hosted séances attended by Prague's artistic and intellectual elite at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. This mystical background, together with the profound symbolism of both sculptures, is key to understanding why Dan Brown chose Mariánské Square as the setting for his chase scene.
The Fountain with Terezka
Against the wall of the Clam-Gallas Palace stands an unassuming yet charming Baroque fountain featuring a statue of a girl known as Terezka. The work of sculptor Václav Prachner dates from 1812. The seated female figure holds two jugs with water flowing from them, symbolising the two sources of the Vltava River. Five stars on her spring are a reference to St John of Nepomuk. The name Terezka is said to have come from a girl who used to fetch water from the fountain while gazing towards the Clementinum, where her beloved was studying. The statue thus became a quiet symbol of love that transcends time.
A more eccentric tale is also associated with Terezka: a retired cavalry officer, an eccentric resident of a nearby house in Linhartská Street, became so enamoured of the stone girl from his window overlooking the fountain that he bequeathed her ten thousand guilders in his will. The court eventually overturned the bequest.
The Surrounding Area
Directly on or immediately adjacent to the square stand several locations that also play important roles in The Secret of All Secrets. The Clementinum with its Baroque library is literally just a few steps away. The New Town Hall (Prague City Hall) forms the entire northern side of the square, and its interior conceals a unique paternoster — one of the few continuously moving cyclic lifts still in operation in Prague. The Clam-Gallas Palace on the eastern side of the square is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, its façade adorned with monumental atlantes.
Practical Information
Mariánské Square is located at Mariánské náměstí, 110 00 Prague 1, Old Town. The square is freely accessible at all times and entry is free of charge. The nearest metro station is Staroměstská (Line A), approximately a 5-minute walk away. The square lies along a natural walking route connecting Old Town Square with the Clementinum and Charles Bridge.