Planning a trip to Prague meant more than just scouting hotels and landmarks—it meant diving into the city’s history and atmosphere through literature. My research led me to two books that, in vastly different ways, enriched my time in the Czech capital: a powerful work of non-fiction and a thrilling Dan Brown novel. Both gave me a deeper connection to the country and its people.

1. A Glimpse Behind the Walls: The Last Palace by Norman Eisen

This non-fiction book provided a profound historical grounding for my visit, focusing on one magnificent building and the seismic shifts of the 20th century it witnessed.

The Last Palace tells the story of the Petschek Palace, a stunning symbol of Prague’s history, and five key individuals who lived within its walls:

• Otto Petschek: The Jewish banker who commissioned the palace in the 1930s, leaving before it fell to the German occupation.

• Rudolf Toussaint: The German general who occupied the residence yet courageously risked his life to save the palace and the city of Prague from destruction.

• Laurence Steinhardt: The first post-war US Ambassador who secured the palace, keeping it out of Communist hands.

• Shirley Temple Black: The former child star who witnessed the 1968 Soviet invasion and later returned as the US Ambassador during the 1989 Velvet Revolution.

• Frieda Grunfeld Eisen: Whose mother was a Czech Jew who survived the Holocaust, connecting the palace’s history to the personal experience of the author.

My Literary Pilgrimage to the Palace

I found myself circling the imposing Petschek Palace. While public access is restricted—it remains the official residence of the US Ambassador—seeing the American flag flying there was a powerful reminder of its enduring historical significance.

I also made a pilgrimage to Wenceslas Square, the site where the anti-Communist protests culminated in the peaceful Velvet Revolution. Seeing the square bustling with the joyous Christmas Market instead of citizen protestors was a vivid juxtaposition, showcasing Prague’s journey from a stage of political upheaval to a place of peaceful, modern celebration.

2. Chasing Secrets: Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown

If The Last Palace was my history primer, Dan Brown’s thrilling novel was my action-packed sightseeing guide. This, the sixth book featuring Harvard professor of Symbology, Robert Langdon, is a race against time set against Prague’s most iconic backdrops.

The story follows Langdon as he searches for Katherine Solomon, a noetic scientist whose research threatens a powerful organization. It’s a classic Brown formula: a thrilling chase involving futuristic science, occult lore, and a shocking revelation about the mind and afterlife, all rooted in Prague’s historical locations and modern tech.

Following Langdon’s Footsteps

The novel takes you to dozens of specific locations, making it a perfect read for a first-time visitor.

• Charles Bridge: Naturally, my first stop. I joined the crowds among the 30 statues, making sure to touch the bronze figure beneath the St. John of Nepomuk statue for good luck—a fun suggestion from the book! I even passed the Four Seasons Hotel, Robert’s fictional base during his dramatic escapades.

• Prague Castle: Inside, we located St. Vitus Cathedral and the door rumored to have seven locks that secure the Bohemian Crown Jewels—a detail that sparks the imagination.

• Petřín Hill: I climbed the 299 steps of the Petřín Lookout Tower, the mini-Eiffel Tower designed by a colleague of the Parisian original’s architect. Even more fun, I followed Robert Langdon’s suggestion on how to navigate the adjacent Petřín Mirror Maze—you have to read the book to find that trick!

• Hidden Gems: I even sought out the atmosphere-rich location of the Black Angel bar, adding a layer of intrigue to my evening strolls.

A Different View of the Classics

The world-famous Prague Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square was another stunning location that Langdon features. Just like Wenceslas Square, it was packed with the festive Christmas Market, with crowds gathering hourly to see the 615-year-old clock’s famous Walk of the Apostles.

Overall, using these two books as a guide transformed my trip. It’s immensely fun to look for the setting of a dramatic scene, and it truly adds history and deeper meaning to every location you visit. Even my favorite YouTube Prague Guide has a video dedicated to “Dan Brown’s Prague”! Travel to a place colder than your home town is a bit hard, but travel keeps a old heart young with adventure.

I also learned of a movie about that was filmed in Prague 2015 from the two books. Its about an incident that occurred here during WW2 called Operation Anthropoid about the assassination of Reinhard Heyrich, the architect of the Holocaust. I can’t wait to watch it and see what location I have visited that are in the film.

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Anthony “Tiger” Liu is an American expat and the operator of Golden Mermaid Villa and Longevity Habit retreat, where he shares a passion for the vibrant culture and nourishing lifestyle of São Miguel.