Golden Lane (The), Prague

This is an alley of miniature 16th-century cottages in a variety of colors built originally for the Palace Guard. However, by the 19th century the lane had become home to artists and craftsmen, and then in the early part of the 20th century, several well-known personalities came to live here. No. 22 is where Franz Kafka's sister lived and for a time in 1917, Kafka himself used the premises to write some of his stories. In 1951, the Communists threw out the residents and turned the lane into a souvenir street for tourists. Running along the roofs above the shops is a gallery containing an exhibition of armor and period costumes (entry from no 24). Chalk this one up as a must see when visiting Prague.