Wenceslas Square
Václavské náměstí
The long main square of the New Town and a stage for modern Czech history. The Prague Spring of 1968 and the Velvet Revolution of 1989 both took place here.
Wenceslas Square is about 750 metres long. It evolved from the horse market of Charles IV's era, and at its top stand the equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas and the National Museum. In 1969, student Jan Palach set himself on fire here to protest the Soviet invasion. In 1989, hundreds of thousands of people gathered here to push for the Velvet Revolution, and a memorial stands at the foot of the statue. Flanking the square are Lucerna Palace, home to David Černý's sculpture of an upside-down horse, and the Art Nouveau Hotel Evropa. Today it is a shopping and dining street; at night, watch out for touts and pickpockets. Můstek metro station (Lines A and B) is right here.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Mucha Museum
- National Museum
- Head of Franz Kafka
- Municipal House & Powder Tower
- Havelské tržiště
- Old Town Square & Astronomical Clock
- U Fleků
- Josefov (Jewish Quarter)