Wenceslas Square - the main meeting place in Prague - SKIP

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Wenceslas Square is a 700-meter long and 60-meter wide boulevard in Prague’s Novo Mesto district. This square is the ideal place to recharge your batteries after completing the obligatory program in the Old Town and Prague Castle…

It used to be called the Horse Square because farmers used to come here and sell their horses to the king’s guard. The square was built in the Middle Ages by order of King Charles IV. Only in the 19th century did it change its name and become Wenceslas Square after the patron saint of the Bohemian Empire.

This is one of the two most important squares in Prague. The second is in the old center and is only a 5-minute walk away.

History of Wenceslas Square

Various celebrations, demonstrations, and proclamations took place here. In 1918, the founding of the Czechoslovak state was proclaimed here. Almost 400,000 people watched the creation of the new state together with the first president, Thomas Masaryk.

Demonstrations also took place here. The plush revolution started on this square in 1989.
When the Czech hockey team defeated the absolute favorite team of the Soviet Union. Almost 1.5 million people gathered in Wenceslas Square to celebrate.
Also, the New Year celebration is organized here.

Getting around Wenceslas Square is not complicated because it has excellent connections with all parts of the city. The two most important metro stations are located here. The upper one is called the Museum and the lower one is called Mustek. The main train station is 5 minutes from here, and the tram passes through the square very often and regularly. From here you can reach all the main attractions in the city on foot.
If you are a person in a wheelchair due to the slight slope, it is best to go around the square from top to bottom. You will also pass by the Main Railway Station.

What to see on Wenceslas Square?

National Museum
The most famous building on Wenceslas Square is certainly the monumental building of the National Museum in neo-classical style, which dominates the surroundings.

It is a museum with mixed exhibits, which I wrote about in more detail here. The interior of the museum is a story in itself, so it’s no wonder that it was featured in some movies such as James Bond.

Be sure to visit both museum buildings, which are connected by a very interesting underground tunnel.

The tunnel is fully accessible for people in wheelchairs.

The Horseman
In front of the National Museum there is a famous monument, which represents Saint Wenceslas on a horse.

Saint Wenceslaus is the patron saint of Bohemia, who was killed by his own brother a thousand years ago. The monument was built between 1887 and 1924. It is 7.7 m high and weighs 5.5 tons. It was made by the famous Czech sculptor Josef Václav Myslbek. Later, the monument was supplemented with some more Czech saints so that there is a statue of St. Ludmila on the left side, then a statue of St. Agnes, and on the right there is a statue of St. Prokop and St. Adalbert.

If you pay attention, the legend says that the face of St. Prokop was modeled after the author’s face, while the military horse Ardo served as the horse model.
The decorative bronze chain was installed in 1979.
There is a plaque on the monument, on which is written: “Saint Wenceslas, leader of the Czech Republic, our prince, do not let us or our descendants die.”

Here you can find some other signs of the turbulent Czech history. Jan Palach is a student who set himself on fire in protest of the Soviet Union’s invasion of Prague in 1968. Then the Soviets marched on Wenceslas Square with tanks and on that occasion they also targeted the museum building, thinking it was the building of the Czech Radio and Television. Those were challenging times for the Czech Republic, and the monument to Jan Palah was erected in 1989.

With a further walk, if you have time, you can wander into various picturesque passages where you can find more interesting things.
So, for example, you can come across Henry’s Tower, which has the highest free-standing bell tower in Prague.

Today, this building offers visitors a view from the tenth floor, a restaurant, a museum and a gallery.

Another unique feature is the set of ten cast bronze bells in the tower attic.

The passage Lucerne is also worth mentioning.

There is a very controversial sculpture by the famous Czech artist David Černy here.

The sculpture is called Kun, which means horse in Czech and is the opposite of the main statue in the square. The monument was erected in 1999, and the author himself did not reveal what he wanted to say.

There are various interpretations, and some believe that the message was addressed to the then president of the country, who left the people in the lurch. Here is also the oldest cinema in Prague from 1909, which is still in use. Concerts by Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong as well as many other artists were held under this roof. The building was designed by the father of Vaclav Havel, the first president of the newly proclaimed Czech Republic after its break with Slovakia.

The entire Wenceslas Square and its surroundings are a mixture of various architectural styles from different periods. There you will find examples of art nouveau style, neo renaissance, neo baroque and neo gothic style.

In addition, various galleries, cafes, and shops are located here. In numerous passages, which are used only by connoisseurs, you can also come across small parks such as the Franciscan garden. Here you can take a real break and rest from the noise.

What to do in the square?

Venceslas Square is best known for its food, shopping and nightlife. There are numerous hotels and restaurants here. Cafes are also numerous and famous.

What is Wenceslas Square famous for?

When you say “see you at the Horse” in Prague, everyone knows that the meeting place is at the statue of St. Wenceslas on a horse. We have something similar in Belgrade.
There are other things you can do in the square. You must go up to the gallery of the National Museum, which offers a view of the entire square.
If restaurants are not your thing, you can buy hlebiček and eat it in peace in one of the hidden passages.

You can go to an old cinema and then to one of the cafes and drink Kofola which is the Czech version of Coca Cola.
The lower part of Wenceslas Square is a pedestrian area full of people, where you can walk and enjoy.

You can also sit on one of the benches and and do a little people watching.

Conclusion

Wenceslas Square is the place where you can feel the real atmosphere of Prague. A lot of things happen here and if you have extra time you must visit this famous square. Since it is very close to all other attractions in the city, you will easily fit it into your plans. And it may also be that you will rest here after a long walk, in one of the numerous cafes and restaurants.
I refreshed myself by drinking this bubble tea with mango, which helped me get back in shape. I will also remember Prague because I tried bubble tea here for the first time.