Náměstí Jana Palacha — Palach's Suppressed Code
Decode the secret message Jan Palach encoded before his fiery protest against Soviet occupation. Uncover clues hidden across cultural landmarks to expose the censored conspiracy that threatened the regime.
📱 1 to 10 phones · 1 team per phone · Independent codes
In January 1969, Jan Palach, a philosophy student at the nearby faculty, set himself ablaze on Wenceslas Square to protest the Soviet invasion's stifling of the Prague Spring
Náměstí Jana Palacha — Palach's Suppressed Code
You are a young Prague archivist, in January 1969, tasked with uncovering the final wishes of Jan Palach, the student whose self-immolation on January 16,
Dive into the heart of Prague, following the footsteps of a sacrifice that ignited Bohemia and altered the course of Czech history in 1969.
« Praga caput regni / Pražský orloj mechanický »— Historical motto of Prague, attested since the Middle Ages
The story that haunts this land
Your quest begins in Václavské náměstí, at the foot of the Saint Wenceslas statue erected in 1912. It is here, on this iconic Prague square, that the Jan Palach Memorial marks the exact spot of his sacrifice on January 16, 1969. This bronze cross on the ground, installed in 1989 after the Velvet Revolution, is an annual rallying point for commemorations and symbolizes Bohemia's resistance. Approximately 1.2 km on foot from Náměstí Jana Palach, this place plunges you directly into the intensity of the events of this troubled period in Prague's history. Here you collect the first clues of your investigation, echoes of a time when individual courage defied oppression.
Your journey then takes you to the Philosophische Fakultät Univerzity Karlovy, at 3 náměstí Jana Palacha, in the Vinohrady district. This Art Nouveau building, constructed between 1911 and 1914, was where Jan Palach studied philosophy before his desperate act. Part of the main campus of Charles University, founded in 1348 by Charles IV, this faculty of philosophy is a pillar of education in Bohemia. As you approach its decorated facade, clues materialize, revealing the ideals and doubts that animated the young student. It is about 2 km from Václavské náměstí that you uncover the secrets of his intellectual formation and commitment.
On your way to Staroměstské náměstí, you pass through the district where the Hlavní pošta Praha, Prague's main post office, stands. Built between 1972 and 1979 in the Brutalist style, this 9-story, 40-meter-high building, with a ground area of 10,000 m², testifies to the architecture of the post-Soviet occupation period. Although not directly linked to Palach, this building is a temporal and urban marker of Prague at the time. Its imposing structure contrasts with the historical heritage you are exploring, highlighting the weight of the regime and the city's transformations.
Your itinerary then leads you to Staroměstské náměstí, the Old Town Square, the historical heart of Prague and a UNESCO site since 1992. This place, 1 km from Václavské náměstí, was the scene of the first Defenestration of Prague in 1419, triggering the Hussite Wars. The Astronomical Clock (Pražský orloj), installed in 1410 and restored in 1948, as well as the Church of Our Lady before Týn, founded around 1360 with its 80-meter Gothic tower, are silent witnesses to past struggles. Palach's messages resonate with the memory of this square, where resistance and the quest for freedom have always marked Bohemia's history.
Finally, you reach Karlův most, Charles Bridge, built from 1357 to 1402 by Peter Parler. 516 meters long, with 16 arches and 30 Baroque statues, including that of Saint John of Nepomuk (1683), this bridge connects the Old Town to the Mala Strana district and is also a UNESCO site since 1992. It is 1.5 km from Václavské náměstí via Staroměstské náměstí. This iconic Prague monument, crossed by generations of Praguer and visitors, embodies perseverance and the connection between different eras of the city. Your journey across Charles Bridge symbolizes the transmission of Jan Palach's memory, a call for vigilance and the defense of freedom, etched into Bohemia's heritage. You take with you not only the resolution of the investigation but also a profound understanding of the values that animate Prague.
A game, a guided tour and a heritage guide — all in one
You're not just buying an escape game. You're carrying a living guide — historical anecdotes, forgotten legends, key monuments, hidden architecture — unfolding as you go.
At each stop, places ordinary guides miss — secret façades, sculpted crests, alleys steeped in history.
Every riddle is rooted in a real historical fact or local legend. You leave with dozens of stories to tell.
Learn to read buildings — flamboyant Gothic, Baroque, Art Deco — like a real art historian, while having fun.
Walk through the city like a novel's character — every alley becomes a stage, every square a theatre.
A voice walks with you at every step, tells the story of each place, reads clues, adds a cinematic feel.
Keep access to the guide & game for 1 year. Come back any time, share it with friends.
« You will not leave this city the way you entered it. »
How does it work?
Explore the city on foot solving puzzles based on real historical facts. No locked room — the city is your playground.
No app to download. Play directly from your browser. Guided step by step, at your own pace.
One purchase per phone is enough. Play with family, friends or as a couple — everyone participates.
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears and speaks to you in your language. Golden letters magically write themselves on the wall to reveal the puzzle answer.
Stuck? Progressive personalised hints. The character repeats the puzzle on demand — at your own pace.
French, English, German, Spanish, Italian + 27 other languages auto-translated by AI.
Want to go deeper?
Places tied to your adventure — optional entries, totally up to you · per person
The Route
8 stages through the city
The gameplay: AR, camera, hidden clues
At each stop, open your phone camera: an augmented reality character appears on the façade and speaks your language. Hunt the clue — it materializes as golden letters on the real wall or floats in front of you. When you find it, the phone vibrates, an AR chest opens and reveals your answer fragment. 8 stops, 8 clues to find with the camera, 1 final code.
The stops on your route are a surprise. You'll discover them one by one, guided by your phone, starting from the meeting point.
How does it work with a group?
One phone = one team. Pick the number at checkout (1 to 10).
Solo, or a group sharing the screen. One team, one code.
Family, couple, or 2-3 teams competing. Each phone has its own code and its own score.
Friends, bachelor/bachelorette, small office outing — each their own code, each plays at their own pace. Tiered pricing then €6 flat per phone from the 6th.
- ✓All codes are independent — play at the same time OR separately, each team advances at its own pace.
- ✓Leaderboard between your teams + global game leaderboard — each score appears in the public ranking.
- ✓More than 10 phones or need a personalized quest? Discover custom tours.
Ready to live this adventure?
Get my code · 12€No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒 Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
Practical info
Why this route?
The Sacrifice of a Hero
Relive the dark days of Soviet occupation through Jan Palach's poignant act.
A Message of Resistance
Unravel a "forgotten alphabet" left by Palach, a call for peaceful freedom.
Deep Historical Investigation
Explore the iconic sites of Prague that were silent witnesses to this crucial era.
« Silence is golden, but not when freedom is at stake. »
Jan Palach
9 features nobody else has
OddballTrip combines gamified play, augmented reality and AI. All our competitors deliver 1 or 2 of these angles. We deliver all 5.
AR treasure chest
A golden chest floats in front of the monument. Tap → opening animation → reveals a secret message.
AR narrator character
Point your phone at the façade: a knight, witch, monk, sailor, detective or ghost appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language with their dedicated ElevenLabs voice (each character has their own unique voice) — your living guide.
Magic golden letters
At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's the puzzle answer. An unforgettable visual effect.
Written + audio narration
Every puzzle available as text AND voice-over: read at your own pace or listen eyes-free while walking. Great in groups and for accessibility.
360° radar + vibration
A mini-radar shows the target even behind you, and the phone vibrates when you aim in the right direction.
Heritage storytelling
Every puzzle weaves in real historical facts (architecture, era, anecdotes). You learn by playing — like a gamified audioguide.
Progressive AI hints
3 levels of AI-generated help: vibe → where to look → answer format. You're never stuck.
AR selfie memento
At the end of the game, capture a selfie with OddballTrip banner + mascot, shareable on Instagram, TikTok.
Zero app to install
PWA technology: open the link, it plays in your browser. Same quality as an app, no App Store hassle.
Frequently asked questions
Q01Do I need to download an app?
No, never. You get a link, you click, it plays in your browser. That's the point of a PWA: same as an app, without the hassle.
Q02Does it work offline?
GPS yes (handled by your phone). Maps yes (tiles cached). AI and hints need an intermittent 4G connection.
Q03How long does a game take?
1 h 30 to 2 h 30 depending on your pace. The timer runs but only for the leaderboard — you play at your own tempo.
Q04What happens if I'm stuck?
You get 3 levels of hints per puzzle (increasing penalty). If truly stuck, you can skip the step (45-min penalty but you keep going).
Q05What's the age range?
From 12 without an adult, from 6 with an adult reading puzzles. Works for families, couples, friend groups, companies.
Q06What if my city isn't in the catalogue?
Pre-register or contact us — we'll email you as soon as your city is live.
Q07What is augmented reality exactly?
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language. At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's your answer. After each puzzle solved, a treasure chest floats in front of you. Seeing is believing.
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Your turn to play
Dive into the heart of Prague, following the footsteps of a sacrifice that ignited Bohemia and altered the course of Czech history in 1969.
1 purchase = 1 phone. Play several on the same device.
No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
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