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Legible Prague

Legible Prague () is a wayfinding system undergoing implementation in Prague. It is meant to replace older navigation systems across Prague and create one unified system that will be used in the Prague Integrated Transport, the Prague Metro, and on the streets of Prague.

The Legible Prague project aims to facilitate navigation throughout the city for individuals with physical, sensory, or other impairments, as well as for parents with strollers, travelers with luggage, senior citizens, and children.

Some elements of the system were criticized, like small text, or confusing pictograms. These concerns were addressed and enhancements were made.

History

The system originates from an international design competition, announced on 6 September 2021 and concluded on 31 January 2022. It is currently in its implementation phase and is undergoing testing in the streets. The system will replace outdated, inconsistent signage that dates back to the 1970s and 1980s.

Inspired by Legible London, it seeks to make wayfinding in Prague easier to understand both for tourists and locals. The first place to adopt this new schema was the western part of the Palmovka metro station, with Háje, Karlovo náměstí and Palackého náměstí.

Future developments

Some users initially disliked the black background of the signage, and the wheelchair access icons. Between late 2024 and early 2025, the metro car maps were replaced with the Legible Prague design. The full network diagram is now positioned above one door, while the map of the corresponding line appears above the opposite door. At selected doors, supplementary diagrams provide detailed information on the city centre and connecting tram lines. Their number should be doubled compared to the previous version. They replaced the "excerpt from the contractual transport conditions", which seems to have minimal benefit for passengers.

Components

Totems

Totems are large rectangular boxes placed on lampposts to indicate a metro or a train station nearby. They include the Prague Metro logo, and the "S" logo if they point out a commuter rail train station. At night, they are backlit by light in the color of the metro line, and white for trains.

Obelisks

Obelisks are vertical information stands usually placed on streets, and contain a map of the surroundings rotated relative to the obelisk, and information about near landmarks and walk time to them in minutes. The top of the obelisk is painted in bright orange and has the heading "Prague Walker".

Digital departure panels

These panels are mounted near bus or tram stops, and show the nearest vehicle departure times in minutes, if they are barrier-free, and in the summer months if the vehicle has air conditioning. The Prague's company THMP installs and services them. They can also be integrated into bus shelters in high-traffic areas.

Signposts

The new signposts are designed to replace the older, bulkier navigation used commonly in Prague, and their function is nearly identical, but they contain less clutter and focus on the destinations, include pictograms, and are in black. They also include the walking time to them in minutes.

Information boards

These are used as of now exclusively in the Prague Metro system, and replace the old boards used before in the system. The new graphical style aims to be easier to read at a glance.

Bus shelter vitrines

The vitrines contain a map of the bus stop surroundings, fare info, and information about transport irregularities if any. They are made of durable glass.

Future outlook

The 2026 plans focus on a large‑scale rollout of the unified navigation system across Prague's public transport, streets, and digital platforms.

Metro navigation upgrades

  • 10–15 stations will receive updated navigation graphics, including the newly reconstructed station Českomoravská.
  • New illuminated signage carriers will be tested at Palmovka.
  • Metro vestibules will gain new digital screens showing upcoming departures.
  • Updated maps, diagrams, and disruption information will be introduced across stations.

Improved pedestrian navigation

The city of Prague will install dozens of new Legible Prague components and signage across Prague, such as areas of the Prague Castle, Letná, Wenceslas Square, the newly built Dvorecký Bridge and the Petřín funicular.

Other improvements

Buses will receive new digital screen graphics, including transfer options at the next stop.

A full redesign of stop signage (except timetables) will be implemented across the city.

The "PID Lítačka" mobile app will be updated with new graphics.

The rollout of totems will continue, covering the remaining stations that do not yet have them.

See also

References