Hradčany, the Castle District is the smallest of Prague's four historical villages and lies to the west of the castle, along a spur dominating Malá Strana to the south and Stag Moat (Jelení Příkop) to the north. It has never undergone intensive development and has barely changed since the 18C. A stroll about this pedestrianised area, which has been spared from being engulfed in commercial ventures, takes visitors back more than two centuries, to the heart of a nostalgic and provincial Prague.