Cobblestone Sidewalks and Pavements in Prague

When in Prague, look high up at the beautiful facades, the Baroque and Art Nouveau details. Next time, also look down because the pavements are true works of art. Small natural stones form beautiful patterns. This mosaic sidewalk is one of the characteristics of the city. The decorative paving is not only located in Prague centre but also in residential areas.

Mosaic Paving

The tradition of mosaic paving began in the second half of the nineteenth century when sidewalks were constructed with paving laid in different patterns. The stones have the shape of a cube with ribs of 7 to 10 cm.

Initially, there were two colours: dark grey and reddish pink. However, white instead of pink stones were used on the sidewalks in front of government buildings, museums and churches. Nowadays, pink stones are rare because over time they were replaced by white ones.

Various Patterns

These small stones are ideal for laying patterns, often geometric but also figures, such as stars, crosses and letters. Companies often have the logo or initials of their firm set in stones on the pavement in front of their businesses, invariably in grey and white. The workmen lay the paving stones using moulds, but often also freehand if it concerns a simple pattern.

Cobblestones are Popular for Pavements

The stones are recyclable: if a pipe bursts or a cable needs to be installed, they can easily be broken up and then replaced.
That is one of the reasons why paving the streets with cobblestones is popular. They are also aesthetically pleasing.

Cobblestones and Maintenance

Mosaic paving requires maintenance. During communism, the stones were covered with asphalt almost everywhere. In 1990, its removal began and the cobblestones were exposed and restored. When new sidewalks are constructed, it is always with cobblestones as can be seen on Smetanova nabrezi, near Charles Bridge.

Where do the stones come from?

Most patterns are made with grey and white stones that come from the Jesenik region in the northeast of the Czech Republic near the city of Ostrava. Before work begins, the design must be approved by the heritage council.

Initially, the cobblestones were split manually to get the right size. Nowadays, it is done mechanically. That’s why all stones have the same size.

It is easy to determine whether the pavement has recently been laid because in that case all the stones are of exactly the same size, whereas in older pavements the stones are irregular. You can clearly see this on the sidewalks of Wenceslas Square where the size of each stone differs slightly.

The work is done entirely by hand. First a bed of sand is laid and then each stone is hammered into place. Finally, a layer of sand goes over it to fill in any gaps.

Why cobblestones for pavements and sidewalks?

Cobblestones are partly aesthetic, but they are also remarkably durable, more durable than concrete or asphalt. A cobblestone sidewalk can last a century or more. But even then, it is not the stones themselves that fail, but the underlying sand base that slowly subsides over time.

The best sights in Prague are under your feet!

next article: Zizkov Jewish Cemetery. and the monument  The Return of the Stones (Návrat kamenů) composed of  broken headstones of Jewish graves which were used as cobblestones to pave Wenceslas Square.

previous article: Spanish Synagogue: museum and concert hall

photos Marianne Crone