As in many medieval towns, the buildings in Prague haven’t always been identified by numbers. Instead, each building had a sign or symbol of some sort that was its unique identifier. Here, for example, is the Blue Lion.

And the Golden Chalice.

Street numbers were later introduced. At the Sign of the Raven, we can see their evolution.

First, there was the picture of the raven.

Later, street numbers were added (in blue). At some point there was a renumbering (in red), and just in case the passer-by wasn’t sure where he was, the name of the street and the city, and district number, were included in the red sign.

The numbers don’t match. I don’t know why.

At the Green Lobster, there is also a hand-painted number, which is different yet again. I can’t explain this–but I can, and do, enjoy it.

The poet Jan Neruda was born at the Sign of the Two Suns.

…and a beautiful sign it is, too!