When people think of Prague, they often picture Charles Bridge, Prague Castle or Old Town Square. But few places tell the story of modern Prague quite as well as Wenceslas Square.
Today, Wenceslas Square is one of the busiest places in the city centre. People come here for shopping, culture and entertainment. But between its surrounding buildings and beneath the surface lies more than 600 years of history.
From Horse Market to Wenceslas Square
The story of Wenceslas Square begins in the 14th century. When Charles IV founded the New Town of Prague in 1348, a large marketplace was established here known as the Horse Market. As the name suggests, horses were the main goods sold here.
Over time, the square became one of the most important public spaces in Prague. In 1848, it was renamed after Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech lands, giving the square the name we know today.
Saint Wenceslas and the National Museum Prague
The dominant landmark at the upper end of Wenceslas Square is the statue of Saint Wenceslas on horseback, created by Czech sculptor Josef Václav Myslbek. The monument was completed in 1913 and has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Prague.
Behind it stands the monumental National Museum Prague, completed at the end of the 19th century. Together, the statue and museum create one of the most iconic views in the city.
The National Museum Prague is also closely connected to the modern history of the square. During the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia, its façade was damaged by gunfire.
Where History Was Made
Wenceslas Square is more than a historic landmark. For centuries, it has been a place where people gathered during moments of major change.
In 1918, crowds gathered here to celebrate the creation of Czechoslovakia. Fifty years later, the square became one of the symbols of resistance to the occupation of Czechoslovakia.
This period is also connected with the story of Jan Palach, a student who set himself on fire in January 1969 in protest against the occupation and the growing restrictions of the communist regime. Jan Palach died several days later, and his funeral became a major demonstration against the communist government.
November 17, 1989 and the Velvet Revolution
One of the most important chapters in the history of Wenceslas Square took place in the autumn of 1989.
Following the suppression of a student demonstration on November 17, 1989, protests quickly spread across Czechoslovakia and eventually led to the fall of the communist regime.
In the following days, Wenceslas Square became the main gathering place for demonstrations. Tens of thousands of people came here, while opposition leaders including Václav Havel addressed the crowds from the balcony of the Melantrich building.
The sound of keys jingling throughout the square became one of the symbols of the Velvet Revolution and the desire for freedom.
Did You Know?
- The original name of Wenceslas Square was Horse Market.
- It was established as part of the New Town of Prague, founded by Charles IV in 1348.
- The statue of Saint Wenceslas was created by Josef Václav Myslbek.
- The National Museum Prague is one of the most prominent landmarks at the upper end of the square.
- Wenceslas Square witnessed major events in Czech history in 1918, 1968 and 1989.
More Than Just a Square
When you stand beneath the statue of Saint Wenceslas today, it can be difficult to imagine that merchants once sold horses on this very spot. Prague has changed dramatically over more than six centuries, but the importance of this place has remained.
Wenceslas Square is not simply somewhere you pass through in Prague. It is a place where the city’s history unfolded in front of the eyes of its people.
And if you want to experience more than 1,200 years of Prague’s history in a single experience, take a journey through time at Back in Time Prague. In just 50 minutes, you will travel through eight themed scenes and discover the stories that shaped Prague.
⏳ Back in Time
🎡 Máj – House of Fun | 6. patro | Národní 26, Praha 1
