Wenceslas Square is located in Prague's New Town. Numerous cafes, restaurants and hotels are located on and around Wenceslas Square.
In the adjacent streets you can find a huge selection of stores and boutiques in different price ranges.
With a length of 750 meters, it is one of the largest squares in Europe.
What Can I Do at Wenceslas Square?
1. National Museum
The National Museum is the largest and oldest museum in the Czech Republic. In addition to the main building on Wenceslas Square, which consists of an old and a new part, the museum has a lot of exhibition rooms all over Prague. The ticket for the National Museum, which you can buy here, is valid for both the old and the new part.
2. Museum of the Cold War
The Cold War Museum is located in the basement of the luxury Hotel Yalta. The former secret nuclear bunker from the 1950s was intended to serve as a headquarters for the Warsaw Pact countries' crisis team in case of war.
In 2013, the museum was opened here. On display are, among other things, listening devices of the secret police, an old telephone exchange and fax, gas masks, newspapers, uniforms of border guards, as well as a machine gun from the 1950s.
Guided tours can be booked at the reception of Hotel Yalta.
3. Jan Palach and Jan ZajĆc Monument
On January 16, 1969, twenty-year-old student Jan Palach doused himself with gasoline, lit a match and ran as a human torch from the steps of the National Museum to Wenceslas Square. He wanted to protest against the suppression of the Prague Spring and the dictates of the Soviet Union. Four days later he succumbed to his burns.
On February 25, 1969, Jan ZajĆc, who is therefore also called "Torch No.2", did the same, he died instantly.
On the ground in front of the National Museum there are memorials to the two students.
4. The Prague State Opera - StĆ”tnĆ opera Praha
The Prague State Opera, with its large auditorium, spacious stage and neo-Rococo ornamentation, is one of the most beautiful theater buildings in Europe.
The theater was opened in 1888 with Wagner opera, "Die Meistersinger von NĆ¼rnberg," as Prague's German stage. The State Opera is part of the National Theater, and opera and ballet ensembles perform on its stage.
The schedule of the State Opera is available here.
5. St. Wenceslas Monument
Saint Wenceslas, who gave name to the square, ascended the Bohemian throne in 922, and was assassinated by his brother on September 28, 935. His exact dates of birth are not known to this day.
Today, a huge bronze horseman statue commemorates the Bohemian politician. It dates back to 1913 and was created by the artist, Josef VĆ”clav Myslbek. In addition to SvatĆ½ VĆ”clav, St. Wenceslas, who is depicted as a patron saint in armor and is considered a Czech national hero, the four patron saints were also modeled: Ludmilla, Prokop, Agnes, and Adalbert.
6. Architecture
Around Wenceslas Square there are very many well-preserved Baroque houses and buildings with facades in the Art Nouveau style.
The many cafes and restaurants on and around the square invite you to stay.
Christmas Market
Every year during Advent, the second largest Christmas market in Prague is held at the lower end of Wenceslas Square.
Most of the goods offered there are handmade, especially noteworthy are the wooden toys, glasswork, and works of art made of iron and steel by the blacksmiths.
The lovingly crafted nativity scenes made of wood or gingerbread are also not to be missed.
The trees around Wenceslas Square are decorated with countless fairy lights, creating a Christmas atmosphere.
How Do I Get to Wenceslas Square?
You can get to Wenceslas Square by metro, green line A or yellow line B, MÅÆstek stop or via Muzeum stop, yellow line A or red line C.
Velvet Revolution on Wenceslas Square
The last great event of the century that took place here was the so-called Velvet Revolution in November 1989.
Thousands of demonstrators crowded into Wenceslas Square to join Vaclav Havel - later president of the Czech Republic - and Alexander Dubcek in demanding the resignation of the Politburo. They delivered their speech demanding the political transformation of the country from the balcony of House No. 56 on November 24, 1989.
Ringing keys became a symbol of freedom and, figuratively speaking, were meant to herald their own change. The gentle resistance led to the final overthrow of the communist government and ultimately to the fall of the "Iron Curtain".
History
Actually, Wenceslas Square is not a square, but a boulevard 60 meters wide and 750 meters long. Since the founding of the New Town in 1348, it has formed as a center. Since a horse market used to take place here, the square was originally called Rossmarkt (horse market), but it did not receive its current name until 1848.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the first structural extensions were made, and between about 1890 and 1930, the square essentially received its current development. Numerous burgher palaces were built during this period. Variously designed residential buildings were inserted between the commercial buildings.
As the most important political gathering place in the Republic, it was the scene of large demonstrations and often served as a backdrop for political rallies and manifestations.
On January 16, 1969, twenty-year-old student Jan Palach ran as a human torch from the steps of the National Museum to Wenceslas Square to protest the suppression of the Prague Spring. On February 25, 1969, Jan ZajĆc, who is therefore also known as "Torch No.2", did the same.
In November 1989, Wenceslas Square became the scene of the Velvet Revolution, which heralded the end of the communist regime in the Czech Republic.
Today, Wenceslas Square is one of the most popular and lively squares in Prague. Numerous restaurants, cafes and bars invite you to linger, and many hotels are located on and around the central square, which is very lively until late at night.
The Old Town Square and Republic Square are only 600 meters away.
Contact
- Address: VĆ”clavskĆ© nĆ”mÄstĆ, 110 000 NovĆ© MÄsto, Prague
- Public Transportation: Metro, green line A or yellow line B, MÅÆstek stop or yellow line A or red line C, stop Muzeum.
- Opening hours: The square is open around the clock.