Wenceslas Square

Wenceslas Square is a vibrant area of hotels, apartments, restaurants, bars and clubs. There are also banks and an array of local and international shops. This is the nightlife and entertainment centre of Prague, and Prague's main shopping district begins here. Originally named as Horse market it was founded in 1348. by Charles IV. as a part of the New Town of Prague. The most dominant feature of the Square is the building of National museum and the equestrian statue of Saint Wenceslas, the saint patron of Bohemia. During dark times of Czech history the Square represented a place where people used to gather very often, for instance in November 1989 the Square was a witness of massive demonstrations against the communist regime. Also in October 1918 a declaration of the newly formed Czechoslovakian state took place here.

One of the significant changes from the recent history that has modified the complete structure and character of the Square might be considered the permanent shutdown of the tram traffic in 1980. At present you can find at Wenceslav Square benches and flowerbeds which form a central part of the Square.