Wenceslas Square in Prague
- Paddy's Bar
Wenceslas Square in Prague is a vibrant area of hotels , apartments , restaurants , bars and nightclubs . There are also banks and local and international shops . It is the entertainment and nightlife centre of Prague, and the main shopping and commercial district begins here.
Wenceslas Square (Vï¿½clavskï¿½ nï¿½městï¿½) is one of the two main squares in Prague, so is a popular place for visitors to stay (the Old Town Square is the other square, just 5 minutes walk away).
Wenceslas Square lies at the heart of the New Town (Novï¿½ Město) - the word new is misleading though, as the area was actually laid out in 1348 by Charles IV.
While there is plenty of history in this part of town for the visitor to immerse themselves in, it is also easy from here to walk anywhere in the city centre, to visit all of the Prague sights and attractions.
Wenceslas Square is really a boulevard, measuring 750m long by 60m wide. It was originally laid out as the Prague horse market 650 years ago.
Ever since is has been a parade ground for all kinds of organisations and political parties. From anti-communist uprisings to celebrations of national sporting achievements, Wenceslas Square is where the Czechs gather to let off steam. The square can hold up to 400,000 people!
At the top of Wenceslas Square is the monumental National Museum , and just off to the left is the Prague State Opera .
In front of the National Museum, a statue of St. Wenceslas on his horse cuts a striking figure. This is good King Wenceslas (Svatï¿½ Vï¿½clav) himself, murdered a thousand years ago by his brother, and the patron saint of the Czech Republic.
There are two plaques on the ground near St. Wenceslas which commemorate those killed during the communist era. One is dedicated to Jan Palach, who set himself on fire in protest at the Soviet invasion.
'By the horse' is a popular place for Czechs and tourists to arrange to meet each other.
Overall, Wenceslas Square is an ideal base for visitors to Prague. It has history and culture, and more amenities than anywhere else in the city. All three metro lines intersect at Wenceslas Square, and trams run through its centre.
To discover more about Wenceslas Square, take a Prague tour: