Wenceslas Square in Prague. Wenceslas Square in Prague is the center of public life in the capital
Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) is one of the largest and most famous squares in Prague. It is located in the central part of the Nové Město district and is named after St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech Republic. With its elongated shape, Wenceslas Square is a bit reminiscent of a boulevard, in the central part of which there is a pedestrian area with many benches and a small cafe “Tram”, where you can have a snack or drink coffee. On both sides of the “boulevard” there are famous, respectable hotels, night bars, restaurants, cafes and business centers.
Wenceslas Square is full of people at any time of the day and, unlike most historical ones, you will meet not only tourists, but also residents of the capital. Wenceslas Square is the business and cultural center of the city; traditional state and city events - holidays, rallies and fairs - are often held here. The residents of Prague even have their own name for Wenceslas Square, they call it Wenceslas.
A little history
Wenceslas Square was founded in the mid-14th century, when King Charles IV founded Nové Město. At first, the square was a horse market and horse fairs were held there, then grain, fabrics and weapons began to be sold here. Also in the Middle Ages, gallows were erected at both ends of this trading area and executions were carried out. Over time, merchants and small artisans began to build houses around the square.
The area of modern Wenceslas Square remained a market until the mid-19th century, when gas lamps were installed on Wenceslas Square and gas lighting appeared. At the very end of the 19th century, the main architectural dominant appeared on the square - the building of the National Museum, electric lighting and an electric tram, and, at the beginning of the 20th century, Wenceslas Square began to take on its modern shape. New buildings began to be erected, banks, restaurants, hotels and shops appeared. The old buildings were rebuilt; the historical unique facades, unfortunately, were not preserved. However, for connoisseurs of architectural styles, Wenceslas Square today can become a living illustration to the encyclopedia of architecture - here you can see buildings in a variety of styles: constructivism, art deco, futurism, cubism, neoclassicism, baroque, neo-baroque and others.
Wenceslas Square in the 20th century
It so happens that Wenceslas Square is a place of significant historical and social events, a place where the history of the Czech state is written. The Proclamation of Independence of Czechoslovakia was read out on Wenceslas Square in October 1918. Mass demonstrations were held here during the German occupation during World War II, and in 1945 it was on this square that it was announced that the war was over. Wenceslas Square saw the events of the Prague Spring and Soviet tanks that participated in the entry of Warsaw Pact troops into Czechoslovakia. Then, in armed clashes with opponents of the invasion, the building of the National Museum received damage that remains to this day.
At the beginning of 1969, two students, Jan Palach and Jan Zajic, who opposed the occupation of Czechoslovakia, committed self-immolation on Wenceslas Square. After the Velvet Revolution, a memorial was opened in front of the National Museum in honor of Palach and Zayits, which is an imitation of a wooden cross scorched by fire and embedded in the pavement.
Here, on Wenceslas Square, the “Velvet Revolution” began, Gagarin was greeted with the Peace Mission, and the American president rang the freedom bell. And it is here, on Wenceslas Square, near the sculpture of St. Wenceslas, that Prague residents prefer to celebrate the triumphs of the national hockey team.
Czech Olympic team uniform in ice cubes
The main attraction of Wenceslas Square. This sculpture was installed at the very beginning of the 20th century, it replaced the first statue of St. Wenceslas, dating back to 1680 and now located in. 
The author of the bronze monument, Joseph Vaclav Myslbek, depicted the patron saint of the Czech lands on a pedestal, riding a horse, surrounded by saints. On the pedestal of the statue there is an inscription - “Svatý Václave, vévodo české země, nedej zahynouti nám ni budoucím”, it reads: “St. Wenceslas, governor of the Czech land, do not let us or our children perish.”
Saint Wenceslas was a Czech prince, head of the Czech state, who spread Christianity among his people, killed by his brother and revered as a martyr saint and patron saint of the Czech Republic. Over his tomb in, preserved from the 10th century, Petr Parler in the 14th century erected a chapel, which is considered not only one of the most significant monuments of Czech architecture and the most beautiful chapel in the cathedral, but is also perhaps the holiest place in the entire Czech Republic.
Rallies and meetings are held at the monument to St. Wenceslas on Wenceslas Square. If the Czech people want to convey something to their government, this is where they come. Guests of the capital from all over the world also like to meet here, because from the foot of the St. Wenceslas Monument not only does the best view of Wenceslas Square open, but it is also one of the traditional gathering places for tourists going on numerous excursions, which received the ironic name “At the Horse” or "Under the Tail."
National Museum building
Behind St. Wenceslas is the majestic National Museum (Národní muzeum). This monumental neo-Renaissance building exceeds seventy meters in height, and the length of its facade is almost one hundred meters. The National Museum was built on Wenceslas Square at the end of the 19th century according to the design of the architect Josef Schulz; it is the largest museum in Prague and an architectural symbol of the Czech national revival. On its façade, above the windows, you can see the names of prominent figures in Czech history written in gold letters. At the entrance to the National Museum there is one of the most remarkable, it is decorated with sculptures representing the regions of the country: Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. 
A stone's throw from Wenceslas Square
When talking about Wenceslas Square, it is impossible not to mention the numerous passages located along it. Turning from Wenceslas Square onto some street and entering almost any courtyard, you will find yourself in a cultural, entertainment or shopping arcade with souvenir shops, shops, restaurants, cinemas and cafes. One of the most famous passages of Wenceslas Square is the Lucerna passage. 
Lucerne means “lantern,” and the passage owes its name to the wife of the chief builder. Having seen the design of the facade, the lady said: “It’s all made of glass. Like a lantern! The passage is interesting not only because it was built by the grandfather and namesake of the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel, but also because, in addition to shops, restaurants, a theater and a concert hall, it contains a parody of the equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas. The author of this object, a Czech architect known for his controversial creations, depicted the patron saint of the Czech Republic as follows: a rider sits astride the belly of an inverted horse suspended from the ceiling.
Walking through the passages parallel to the noisy Wenceslas Square, you can unexpectedly emerge into a quiet and peaceful
The largest square in the center. This place is loved not only by tourists, but also by Prague residents themselves. It is here that they celebrate national holidays and organize demonstrations. It is included in the version of our website.
Once upon a time, on the site of this square there was a Horse Market, where horses were traded, but, starting from the mid-19th century, the square was renamed St. Wenceslas, in honor of the patron saint of the country. This area is atypical. It looks more like a wide boulevard with an area of 45 thousand square meters. m. and a length of almost 1 km. In the northern part of the square there is a border with the Old Town, and in the southern part there is the National Museum.
Today, Wenceslas Square is the center of city life, where many companies, hotels, luxury shops, casinos and restaurants are located. Near the equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas, young people make dates. A characteristic feature of the buildings on the square is the presence of passageways connecting to other streets.
The best way to get to Wenceslas Square is by metro to Mustek station. Trams 3, 9, 24, 14, 91 also go there.
Wenceslas Square (Prague, Czech Republic) - description, history, location, reviews, photos and videos.
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Wenceslas Square in Prague is a favorite place not only for tourists, but also for Prague residents themselves. Travelers who come to the capital of the Czech Republic will sooner or later end up in this square, even if they don’t set such a goal for themselves. The fact is that Wenceslas Square is located in the very center of Prague and is connected to many other attractions.
It is of great importance for Prague residents - historically, it was here that all sorts of demonstrations, holidays and public meetings took place and take place. For example, in 1945, the end of the war was announced on Wenceslas Square, Gagarin rejoiced here, the Dalai Lama bowed and the American president rang the freedom bell.
A little history
The place is named after St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech Republic. It is interesting that the buildings on the square are built in such a way that they form numerous passages - walk-through courtyards connecting Wenceslas Square with many busy streets of the city. Residents of Prague often call it Václavák Square for short.
Nove Mesto, part of which was to become Wenceslas Square, was opened in Prague in 1348; several markets were located here, in particular Skotny - modern Charles Square, Sennaya - Senovazhnaya Square, and Horse Market, which was actually renamed in 1848 to Wenceslas Square.
Wenceslas Square in Prague
Until 1848, Vaclavak was called the Horse Market, since horse fairs were held at this site in the Middle Ages. The square took on its modern shape only closer to 1920. At this time, shops, banks, restaurants and hotels appeared here. A little later, the shopping and business center of the city was formed - the so-called “Golden Cross” - Wenceslas Square and the adjacent streets 28 October and Na Přikope.
The main attraction of the square is the equestrian sculpture of St. Wenceslas, installed in 1912. The author of the monument is Joseph Vaclav Myslbek. It is “under the tail” of this monument that local residents and tourists make appointments.
Wenceslas Square resembles a boulevard - it is almost a kilometer long.
Behind Wenceslas is the building of the National Museum, built in 1890 by Joseph Schulz. The museum looks very majestic. On its façade, tourists can see marble plaques with the names of Czech scientists and artists. By the way, this museum houses a huge library, including 1.3 million books and 8 thousand manuscripts.
In the building of the Lucerne shopping gallery there is a parody of the monument to St. Wenceslas. The author David Cherny depicted the patron of the Czech Republic in a very ambiguous way - the horse hangs upside down, and Vaclav sits on his stomach.
Modern Wenceslas Square is one of the busiest places in Prague. Even at night the square is full of people, both tourists and locals. There are numerous shops, fashion houses, hotels and restaurants here. For example, the largest bookstore in Prague, Luxor, and the Czech jewelry store, Yablonex, beloved by all girls. Music lovers will be interested in music stores that have a large selection of vinyl records.
Architecture
Nove Mesto is a unique urban planning project both in size and in ideological content. Wenceslas Square itself was the size of an average medieval city. The plan of the New Place is a combination of complex sacred geometry and prominent placement in the actual terrain.
Nove Mesto consists of three rectangular cities separated by Wenceslas Square. The center of the southern part of New Place - Charles Square (Cattle Market) - was built according to the plan of the actual, historical Jerusalem to the extent that the dimensions of the temple site and the main streets are repeated here. The second half of the New Place, with its center on Senovazhnaya (Sennaya) Square, is “profane”, built with the poor in mind and does not differ in any sacredness.
The axes of the three squares of the New Place intersect at the site of the Church of St. Havel, which is considered the real center of Prague. And if Prague is the center of Europe, then Wenceslas Square is the center of Europe.
Architecture connoisseurs, having come to Wenceslas Square, will not leave here soon. A whole kaleidoscope of architectural styles and trends presented here will not let them go. Just think about it - art deco, constructivism, futurism, orientalism, cubism, baroque, neo-baroque, pseudo-rococo... And this is not a complete list! Such is the encyclopedia of architecture and architecture with an area of 45 thousand square meters. m.
But the main thing here is still the spirit of the people, who love Wenceslas Square like no other street, monument or church in Prague. That’s why everyone who comes to Prague should visit Wenceslas Square. Here he does not look at the sculptures, does not admire the panorama, he inhales the atmosphere not of the city, but of the capital. If Prague is the capital, then it is, first of all, on Wenceslas Square.
Wenceslas Square is more of a boulevard. And it begins with the monument to St. Vaclav. It is always crowded here, even late at night, life is in full swing, shops are open, restaurants are open.
If the streets are the blood vessels of the city, passing through the flow of people, then Wenceslas Square (Václavské námĕstí) is the heart of Prague. No matter what streets you walk along, you will still find yourself here, where it is always crowded, where even late at night there are a lot of people hurrying somewhere, life is in full swing, shops are open, restaurants are open. Streams of tourists visiting the sights intersect here with Prague residents going from work or to their favorite pub. The heart of the old city beats.
History of the square
There was once a horse market here. It began to be called Wenceslas Square in 1848, when the uprising against the Habsburg dynasty began. Since then, residents of Prague have gathered here for any reason. Celebrate or demand - here, on Vaclavak, as this square is popularly called. 1918 is a national holiday: the empire collapsed. 1948 - all power to the communists! 1989 - down with the communists! On December 18, 2011, Vaclav Havel, the first president of the Czech Republic, died - mourn at Vaclavak! The Czech national team won the world hockey championship - celebrate at Vaslavak! The government removed the popular TV announcer from protesting at Vaclavak!
Monument to Saint Wenceslas
National Museum and Monument to Saint Wenceslas
This is, in fact, not a square, but rather a boulevard. And it begins with the monument to St. Wenceslas. The saint sits on a horse, “under whose tail” meetings and appointments are traditionally made. The monument was erected here in 1680, but the saint was replaced at the beginning of the 19th century. The competition was won by the famous Czech sculptor Josef Vaclav Myslbek. Since 1812, Wenceslas, made of bronze, sits with a spear in his hand, surrounded by four other saints - Vojtech, Prokop, Ludmila and Anezka.
National Museum
Since 1890, behind Wenceslas has stood the colossal building of the National Museum (Národní muzeum), built by Schulz. The building is richly decorated: on the ramp there is an allegorical image of the Czech Republic, consisting of three parts - the Czech Republic, Silesia and Moravia, and the two main rivers of the country - the Vltava and Laba. On the facade of the building there are marble plaques on which the names of famous figures of art and science are written. There are also turrets with allegories of various sciences. The building makes such a solid impression that in 1968, Soviet tank crews mistook it for parliament and tried to fire at it: traces of shrapnel still remain on the building.
Phoenix Palace
Palace "Phoenix" (Palac Fenix)
On the corner of Ve Smečkách Street, on the opposite edge of the square, there is an interesting building No. 56 “Phoenix” (Palac Fenix) (architect Josef Gochar). It is difficult to talk about the style of the building - by 1929, the architect, having tried all architectural styles, abandoned them all.
Hotel Yalta
Almost opposite is a hotel with a resort view and no less a resort name - Yalta, built by Tenzer in 1957. To the left of the hotel is the Grossmann passage. , where the Yalta cinema is located.
Passage Lucerne
At the corner of Štĕpánská there is a building built in 1916 by the architect Matej Blechta. Previously, this house, decorated with stern antique faces, housed the Moravian Bank, and now it is the Lucerna arcade, built by Vaclav Havel’s grandfather and namesake. “Lucerne” – translated as “Lantern”, it received its name after Havel’s wife, having examined the design of the facade, said: “It’s all made of glass. Like a lantern! In the passage, of course, there are many shops, restaurants and bars, a theater and two cinemas and... a parody of the monument to St. Vaclav.
Viegla House
Wiehlův dům (No. 34) in the neo-Renaissance style is covered along the façade with frescoes of Fanta and Alyosha. The house is named after the architect who built it in 1896. The house today houses a bookshop, famous for its rich section of English literature.
Grand Hotel Europa
On the other side of the square is a hotel building with the respectable name Grand Hotel Evropa (N25). This building, which has not been restored either outside or inside, is recognized as one of the best examples of the Art Nouveau style in Prague. It was built in 1905 according to the design of three architects - Gipshman, Bindelmayer and Driac. The same Driac also developed the design of a narrow building in the Art Nouveau style, attached to the hotel. This is also a hotel, Meran.
Passage Svĕtozor
At the corner of Vodičkova there is the building of the Czech Bank (No. 32). It was built in 1916 by the architects Polivka and Sakarz, and the sculptor Bogumil Kafka decorated the façade with figures. Now the house houses the Svĕtozor passage, a cinema of the same name and a Turkish cafe.
Franciscan Garden
The passage has access to the Franciscan Garden (Františkánská zahrada), which used to be a garden at the monastery, and is now accessible to everyone; here is (Panna Maria Snĕžná), which was founded Charles IV on the occasion of his own coronation. It was supposed that this would be the largest Prague cathedral, but by the beginning of the Hussite wars in 1397, only the presbytery had been completed. Because of the wars, construction was suspended, radical Hussites settled in the temple, and it was here that the main speaker of the Hussites, Jan Zhelivsky, read his sermons. The wars ended, but construction did not resume. The church was not destined to become the largest, but it became the tallest - its ceilings are 33 meters high. Even higher just because of the height of the towers.
On the right side of Vaclavak, in the neo-baroque building no. 19, decorated with statues, the insurance office of Assicurazioni Generali was once located. Kafka worked here from October 1, 1907 to July 30, 1908. The even side of the square used to end with the Lindt department store, and now there is a bookstore and a Latin American pop club. Through this house and through the neighboring one, No. 6, you can go to Jungman Square.
Corona Palace
On the other side of the square there is a palace called “Crown” (Palác Koruna) No. 1, on the roof of which there is a large luminous crown. The architect Pfeiffer built it in 1914; the sculptures on the building were sculpted by Sturs and Suchard. Now the palace is a shopping arcade, where the city's largest CD store, Bonton, is located.
How to get there
Take metro lines A, C to Muzeum station, lines A, B to Můstek station,
by tram 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 14, 24, 41, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96 to the Václavské náměstí stop.
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St. Wenceslas Square in Prague (in the colloquial speech of Prague residents - Vaclavak) stretches, like a boulevard, for 700-750 meters from the Golden Cross to the National Museum.
In the Middle Ages, this place was called the Horse Market, as it was traditionally the center for horse fairs. The name Wenceslas Square was officially established in 1848.
In this always lively city square, which became the heart of the Nove Mesto district, the history of the city was partly made: noisy demonstrations, public meetings, and holidays took place.
The buildings on Wenceslas Square, which form its architectural ensemble, were mainly built in the 19th and 20th centuries.
At the top of Wenceslas, opposite the National Museum, stands an equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas surrounded by four statues of Czech saints.
How to get to Wenceslas Square in Prague
The routes of most tourists coming to Prague pass through Wenceslas Square in one way or another.
Metro at Wenceslas Square
Almost in the center of the boulevard square is the exit from the Mustek-A metro station.
To walk the entire square from the beginning, you can get off at the Mustek station on line B, located 160 meters from the “Golden Cross” - the intersection of the square. Jungman, 28 October Street, Na Mustka, Na Prškop and the beginning of Wenceslas Square. At approximately the same distance from the opposite edge of the long square there is the exit from the Muzeum metro station on lines A and C.
Trams and buses
City trams, Prague's traditional transport, conveniently transport passengers to the Václavské náměstí stop near the center of the square.
You can take buses No. 505, 511 to the National Museum (Muzeum stop), and then walk a little.
Exit from the metro at Wenceslas Square in Prague
Video about Wenceslas Square in Prague
