The historical center of Prague and Wenceslas Square. Wenceslas Square in Prague Wenceslas Square get there

Wenceslas Square is more of a boulevard. And it begins with the monument to St. Vaclav. It's 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 in 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 – allegorical image The Czech Republic, consisting of three parts - the Czech Republic, Silesia and Moravia, and 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 the street in Ve Smečkách, on the opposite edge of the square stands 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. “Lucerna” – 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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The main square of Prague is Wenceslas Square or, as the Czechs themselves call it, Wenceslas Square. Anyone who was in Prague simply could not help but visit here. Numerous cafes, shops, banks, exchange offices, hotels, offices, information centers, etc., add to this a variety of architectural styles - from Baroque to Art Nouveau, and then you can get an idea of ​​this place.

Wenceslas Square Prague

What makes Wenceslas Square stand out?

Wenceslas Square is not a square in in the usual sense words, but rather a boulevard with a pedestrian and roadway, stretching 750 meters in length and 60 meters in width. It received its current name only in 1848, and previously there was a huge horse market on this site. Many events took place here political life Czechoslovakia in modern times. It was here that the famous Prague Spring of 1968 began and it was here that clashes between protesters and Soviet tanks took place; on Wenceslas Square, student Jan Palach committed an act of self-immolation in protest against the introduction of Soviet tanks, and then his act was repeated by Jan Zayic, and this is where the "Velvet Revolution" of the late 80s. So this place for Czechs, like no other, is associated with the concept of freedom.

Wenceslas Square Prague

Wenceslas Square offers one of the most beautiful and famous views of the city - the equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas against the backdrop of the majestic building of the National Museum, whose architect was Joseph Schulz. By the way, for some reason many people call this building the Czech Parliament; even during the suppression of the Prague Spring, Soviet tank crews, mistaking it for the Parliament building, fired several shells at it.

Wenceslas Square Prague

Sights of Wenceslas Square

Of course, the main attraction, if one can say the “epicenter” of Wenceslas Square, is the monument to St. Wenceslas - legendary personality in the history of the Czech Republic. This is one of the most revered saints, the “patron” (patron) of the Czech state. In the 10th century, he was the prince of a unified Czech early medieval state from the first Czech Přemyslid dynasty; being the grandson of Prince Borzivoj, who accepted Christianity from Methodius, Vaclav persistently spread Christian faith among his people, which caused discontent among many supporters of the old faith. He was killed by conspirators led by his own brother, Boleslav. It is symbolic that they killed him at the entrance to christian temple as he took hold of the door ring to enter the church. To this day, this door ring is kept as a most valuable relic in the Cathedral of St. Vita. After this, Boleslav received the nickname Cruel, but soon repented and until the end of his days regretted the terrible crime of fratricide.

Wenceslas Square Prague

Next to Vaclav, seated on a horse, the sculptural group includes monuments of locally revered saints - patrons of the Czech Republic: Vaclav's grandmother and teacher - Saint Lyudmila (Borzhevoy's wife, a zealous Christian), strangled by supporters of paganism; Saint Agnes of Bohemia, founder of the first convent in Prague, who also came from the Premyslid family; Saint Procopius of Sasau - the first Czech saint who was canonized by the Pope; and the first Bishop of Prague, Adalbert. There are always a lot of people at the monument. The fact is that this is one of the traditional gathering points for tourists on various excursions. Here you can see tourist groups from the most different countries world, various tours and excursions are also offered here. But I still wouldn’t advise you to buy a tour “in private”, as you might run into scammers. It is better to contact any information center, they are located nearby, and arrange a tour there. The meeting place itself is ironically called “by the horse” or “under the tail.”

Wenceslas Square Prague

In addition to the fact that you shouldn’t buy excursions “from hand,” I don’t advise you to change money at the local exchange offices, and in general, Wenceslas Square, along with Charles Bridge and Old Town Square, is the place where you need to take care of your wallet and be on your guard, although in general, the Czech Republic is one of the most crime-free and calm countries in Europe.

Wenceslas Square Prague

Wenceslas Square Prague

The central part of Wenceslas Square is a pedestrian boulevard, there are a lot of benches and benches, although it is very difficult to find a free one - life is always in full swing here, there are always a lot of people - walking or rushing, waiting for someone or just relaxing. You can go to the popular Tramway cafe and drink coffee or have a light snack. There is a popular Starbucks on the square, but I would definitely recommend going to the Paul confectionery. This is a French chain and has some amazing baked goods, I especially love the blueberry pie. Prices here are quite moderate, despite the location - after all, it is the central part of the city.

Wenceslas Square Prague

Wenceslas Square Prague

Also on Wenceslas Square there are many street musicians and artists, sometimes whole performances are staged here, in a word, life is in full swing and in full swing. But not all tourists know that many interesting things can be seen in the immediate vicinity of the square. As one friend who has lived in Prague for a long time told us, feel free to go into any alley and you may come across something unusual. Prague likes to unexpectedly open up to strolling tourists with unusual side. For example, what are these worth? Street lights in the shape of light bulbs in a small park in the immediate vicinity of Wenceslas Square. It is from such details, imperceptibly adjacent to ancient monuments, that an unforgettable image of Prague is formed.

Wenceslas Square Prague

Thus, numerous streets crossing the square are connected to each other by internal passages or passages. You just have to turn from Wenceslas Square onto another street and go into any courtyard - almost every one of them is a shopping, cultural and entertainment arcade with shops, souvenir shops, exhibition halls, cafes, restaurants and cinemas. The most famous of the passages near Wenceslas Square is the Lucerne passage.

Wenceslas Square Prague

Wenceslas Square Prague

Here, waiting in the wings, is a very interesting and ambiguous object - a statue of a horseman sitting on an inverted dead horse. This is a kind of kitsch, a parody of the famous equestrian statue - the statue of St. Wenceslas. What time is this work waiting for? contemporary art? The fact is that the owner of the Lucerne passage purchased this statue from the sculptor David Cerny, known for his controversial creations, on the condition that it would “hang” here until the time when the monarchy was restored in the Czech Republic. And since there are no prerequisites for this in the Czech Republic and most likely will not appear in the near future, it will hang around here for a very, very long time.

Wenceslas Square Prague

Passing through the passages parallel to Wenceslas Square, you can quite unexpectedly come to the medieval Franciscan monastery with big building Church of the Virgin Mary of the Snows. The name of this temple is associated with a beautiful legend: supposedly one of the rich residents of Prague had a dream that the Virgin Mary appeared to him and ordered him to build a temple in the place where the snow would fall. It was summer, but the snow really started to fall in one corner of the city and did not melt until this man saw it. So, according to legend, the Virgin Mary herself chose the place to build the church.

Wenceslas Square Prague

Wenceslas Square Prague

Since the Middle Ages, the monks from this monastery have been producing medicines, healing tinctures and potions from herbs that were grown at the monastery. Today, next to the monastery right in the city center, a stone's throw from Wenceslas Square, there is a small garden with fruit trees and a vegetable garden where medicinal plants are also grown. This place is called Franciscan Gardens, but, of course, the territory allocated for this vegetable garden and the scale of medicine production are tens of times smaller than in the Middle Ages, but the place itself is very cozy, both the Czechs themselves and knowledgeable tourists like to relax here. It is surprising that no one has “enclosed” already ripe apples or flower beds with medicinal herbs; unfortunately, it is difficult to imagine such a thing in the very center of any large Russian city.

Wenceslas Square Prague

Wenceslas Square Prague

Wenceslas Square Prague

Having walked around the monastery courtyard, you can return to Wenceslas Square. For those who know little or do not know the city at all, but want to get to know its sights on their own, it is most convenient to start the excursion from here. Firstly, it is easy to get here from almost any area of ​​the city, since two metro lines open onto the square (Metro and Mustek stations), and many trams run here (not along the square itself, but cross it).

Wenceslas Square Prague

And already from Wenceslas Square you can go on foot either to Old Town Square to see the famous Orloj clock, or to the Nove mesto district, where there is also a lot of interesting things, or take the metro station (at the top of the square, next to the museum) and take two stops to Vysehrad - "starting point" of the city's history, or you can walk along Na Prikope street (this is in the lower part of the square, along right hand, if you walk from the Wenceslas statue and the museum). There are numerous shops, boutiques, cafes, restaurants here, and you will follow it to the Powder Gate and Republic Square, not so famous among tourists, but, believe me, very interesting.
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Wenceslas Square(Václavské náměstí) is one of the central squares of Prague. Place of many historical events, demonstrations, rallies, celebrations and public meetings. The shape of the square is more like a boulevard - long and narrow (750x60 meters). This is where the Czechs like to celebrate the victories of the national hockey team.

Today, Wenceslas Square is a shopping, cultural and community Center Prague. All buildings have been rebuilt modern style, and there are no old unique or restored facades left. Next to the noisy square there is a quiet and calm Franciscan Garden, where you can “escape” from the bustle of the city.

Wenceslas Square dates back to 1348, when Charles IV founded Nove Mesto. It was originally called the Horse Market (Koňský trh), as it was used for trading horses. Later, shops with malt, grain, fabrics and weapons began to appear, and houses of merchants and artisans were built around the square. The territory was a market place until early XIX century. After this, the huge open space of the square became a convenient place for rallies and demonstrations (revolution in 1848, events after the First and Second World Wars, the Prague Spring in 1968, independence in the 90s).

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History of Wenceslas Square:

• 1680 - an equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas was installed, which was replaced in 1912 with a modern monument;
• 1848 - in the wake of the Czech rebellion against the dominance of Austrian rule, the area received modern name;
• 1865 - gas lighting appeared in the form of massive gas lanterns (candelabra);
• 1884 - the first horse-drawn tram route was launched in Prague. A horse-drawn carriage is a carriage on rails, pulled by a pair of horses driven by a coachman. The horse-drawn horse was the first public transport and something between a personal carriage and a tram car;
• 1895 - electric lighting appeared, and in 1900 - a tram;
• 1918 - The proclamation of independence of Czechoslovakia from Austria-Hungary was read. It is this event that is considered the most important according to population surveys;
• 1969 - students Jan Palach (January 16) and Jan Zajic (February 25) self-immolated in front of the Main Building of the National Museum, protesting against the entry of Soviet troops into Czechoslovakia. Now a discreet monument to the “victims of communism” has been erected on this site.

Monument to Saint Wenceslas- a monumental sculpture installed in 1912, replacing the statue of 1680. Prince Wenceslas is depicted sitting on a horse, surrounded by the four patrons of the Czech land (St. Ludmila, St. Vojtech, St. Anezka and St. Prokop). The inscription on the pedestal reads: “Saint Wenceslas, governor of the Czech land, do not let us or our children perish” (Svatý Václave, vévodo české země, nedej zahynouti nám ni budoucím).

The main attractions of the square are the Main Building of the National Museum (closed until 2015 for large-scale reconstruction) and the Hotel Europe (a house in the Art Nouveau style with neoclassical elements).

- group tour (up to 10 people) for a first acquaintance with the city and main attractions - 3 hours, 20 euros

- a walk through little-known but interesting corners of Prague away from tourist routes to feel the real spirit of the city - 4 hours, 30 euros

- bus tour for those who want to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Czech Middle Ages - 8 hours, 30 euros

The cultural and business center of Prague is Wenceslas Square. This is one of the most famous and visited boulevards in Europe and the most big square in a country that all residents of the capital simply call Vacl. 750 m long and 60 m wide, the square stretches in the New Town (Nové Město) from the National Museum to Na Můstku Street - the border of the Old Town. The square has witnessed important historical events. This is a traditional venue for demonstrations, celebrations, concerts and other public events. According to historian Dušan Třeštik, Wenceslas Square is the point by which the pulse of the entire country is determined; here is the place where the most significant signs modern Czech history.

Location and layout

In the lower part, the square begins at the junction of three streets: the end of Na Můstku, 28 October (28. Října) and Na prikopě. Along Na Můstku Street there was once a bridge to the gate of the city wall through a fortification drain. Hence the name of the street On the Bridge. Perpendicular to Wenceslas Square and Na Můstku, to the right and left, there are streets 28. Října and Na příkopě. The lower bridge, like Charles Bridge, is replete with spectacular entertainment during the tourist season: puppeteers, potters, blacksmiths, jugglers, living statues, musicians demonstrate their skills. Here, local guides offer their services, and among them there are many who speak Russian well.

At the corner of 28. Října and Na Můstku there is the Mustek metro station, so getting to Wenceslas Square is not difficult. This is where the numbering of houses begins: even numbers are located on the right side and end with No. 66, odd ones - on the left with the last building at No. 59.

The middle of the square is a wide pedestrian area where exhibitions of contemporary art take place, and Czech artists showcasing their incredible oversized sculptures under open air. In the middle pedestrian zone there is a café-tram, an attractive establishment with an open area and a lounge for visitors in the tram itself. Approximately halfway along its length, the square forms an intersection with Vodičkova and Jindřišská streets. This spacious avenue ends with the building of the National Museum, the facade of which, combined with the equestrian monument of St. Wenceslas, has become the most recognizable symbol of Wenceslas Square in the photo.

On both sides of the avenue there are many coffee shops, restaurants, snack bars, exchange offices, shops, including jewelry stores with the famous Czech garnets. But you should know that the prices here are significantly inflated, and the currency exchange is not the most profitable. If you move from the street “Na prikope”, then it’s better to go to the bank there, where you can also see stunning murals

National Museum

Construction of the museum building, designed by Joseph Schulz, lasted 15 years and ended in 1890. A neo-Renaissance structure with a façade 100 m long and a height exceeding 70 m is located at the end of the square and dominates the layout of the entire surrounding area.

Above the façade fountain there are three sculptures symbolizing the historical regions of the Czech Republic. Average, most significant female figure patroness of the arts and sciences embodies Bohemia, an area that occupies half the country. The sculptures of a young maiden and an old man are allegories of Moravia and Selesia.

Above the museum windows of the façade, 72 names of prominent figures in the history of the state are inscribed in gold. And under the central glass dome there are sculptures displayed Czech figures culture. The National Museum consists of several branches located in different places in the city. This historic museum building on Wenceslas Square is considered the main one, housing a library, natural science and history departments. Particularly interesting are the archaeological exhibition on the second floor and the paleontological collection on the third.

Shrapnel damage can be seen on the façade masonry. These are commemorative marks of the battles of 1968, when Soviet troops were brought into Czechoslovakia, according to the Warsaw Pact. This museum building is located at Wenceslas Square 1700/68 Prague1, and its numbering refers to a single end number.

Monument to St. Wenceslas

Deep meaning has not only an equestrian statue of the canonized Czech prince, but general composition monument. St. Wenceslas is the main patron of the country. He is surrounded by four more canonized saints, the most important patrons of the Czech land: St. Agnes, St. Ludmila, St. Procopius, St. Vojtech. And this is symbolic both for the capital and for the entire state.

All sculptural figures were created by the brilliant Czech sculptor Joseph Myslbek, who in the person of St. Procopius embodied his sculptural portrait. The overall architectural design was carried out by Alois Driak, and the original ornamentation of the monument was carried out by Celda Kloucek. All bronze casting was carried out by Bendelmayer. Work continued for over 30 years, from the design to the installation of the monument. The composition was installed (1912) initially with three statues of saints, the fourth figure appeared only 12 years later, and the celebration on the occasion of the final opening of the monument took place in 1935.

In memory of Jan Palach

Just before the steps of the museum, you can see a cross on the pavement of Wenceslas Square, as if fused into the twisted cobblestones. This is a memorial site for the death of Prague student Jan Palach, who set himself on fire in 1969 in a fatal protest against the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia. His action led to mass outrage and demonstrations. After 32 years, Jan Palach was posthumously awarded the Order of the First Class

Sights on the even side of the square

Half of the houses in Wenceslas Square belong to foreign citizens from Austria, Great Britain, USA, Ireland, Russia and Germany. Most buildings are called palaces, that is, palaces. Moving along the even-numbered houses towards the museum, the first palace you see will be the newest building.

Palac Euro (No. 2). This is the last building built on the square, its construction was completed in 2002. It has a unique system of environmental control and changes in external lighting. The Euro Palace is an end structure, completely covered with glass, and looks especially interesting with evening lights.

At number 6, there is the Baťa Shoe House from 1929. This is the first reinforced concrete building in the country with a suspended glazed facade, an architectural monument since 1964. The once famous Czech shoe company is now owned by Bata & Co. (Netherlands, Canada).

Through the arched passage of Palác Alfa (No. 28) by the architect Ludwik Kisel, you can go to the Franciscan Garden and enter another world, separated from the hustle and bustle. Quiet, relaxing, seductive Franciscan garden overlooking the Church of Our Lady of the Snows (Panny Marie Sněžné) and the former Franciscan monastery complex. The Church of Our Lady of Mary was founded by the Czech King Charles IV in 1347 as a temple dedicated to the coronation. The church was to be larger than St. Vitus Cathedral and reach a length of 100 meters, with a nave height of 40 meters. The Hussite Wars disrupted the implementation of the bold project, and only the presbytery was completed. But even the current appearance of the church and its size can tell how magnificent this church is.

The most beautiful house of mercy

The corner of Wenceslas Square and Vodičkova Street is interesting. No. 32 is occupied by the Ligna Palace. In 1947, the Světozor passage was built here, adjacent to the Alfa passage, and facing the Franciscan garden. Bypass passages are a Prague architectural phenomenon, adapted to meet the needs of a modern metropolis in the context of old buildings, allowing the creation of new shopping and entertainment areas without claiming additional street space.

The next corner house (Václavské náměstí 34, Vodičkova 40) is perhaps the most beautiful on Wenceslas Square in Prague. The photo of the Vila House appears in all guidebooks of the Czech capital. Originally, there was an ancient building with a brewery, which was demolished by Antonin Vil, an architect and owner of many monumental buildings. On the site of the brewery, Vil in 1895-1896 built one of the most amazing houses of the Czech neo-Renaissance with a rich genre painting Mikolas Aleš and Josef Fanta.

One of the standout buildings is a complex of three multifunctional buildings forming the corner of Wenceslas Square and Štěpánská Street (No. 38; No. 40 - Štěpánská No. 65). This ensemble was built between 1912 and 1916, according to the designs of the Art Nouveau and Czech Cubist architect Emil Kralik. The complex is often referred to as Šupichovy domy. This building is characterized by Cubist geometry with Art Nouveau elements, expressed in contrast on the façade of the building: the separation of gray masonry, rough plaster surfaces and fine geometric finishes. Suddenly discovered inside the complex extensive system passages: the geometrically elegant Rokoko passage with a stunning umbrella dome; the Art Nouveau arcade Lucerna with the entrance to the cinema of the same name and a fantastic courtyard.

Odd side of the square

The opposite side of the square also contains many architectural attractions. Hotel Jalta (No. 45) was built in 1958 according to a design by Antonin Tenzer in the late socialist realism with the influence of functionalism. In late Socialist Realism, communist symbols were almost not used; ornamental geometric forms were used to a greater extent. In terms of design for its time, this building was very successfully completed. The hotel's underground shelter is unique with reinforced thick walls and a special coating, which were supposed to prevent the penetration of radiation after nuclear explosion.

Interior for the Titanic

No. 25 - Hotel Europe (Grandhotel Evropa) was formerly called the Grandhotel Schrubeck, and was originally built (1872) in the spirit of neo-Renaissance. The hotel was rebuilt in Art Nouveau style from 1905. In fact, these are two houses, one with a facade on the street, the other in the courtyard. It was a very prestigious, luxurious and modern hotel of its time, but its traditions suffered after nationalization in 1951. Since 2016, reconstruction has begun with the expansion of a new building in the courtyard to increase the hotel's capabilities. The Pilsen restaurant is located in the basement of the building. The hotel's Art Nouveau café is considered the most beautiful in Prague and served as a source of inspiration for the restaurant interior of the film Titanic. Also, the hotel’s richly decorated interiors have repeatedly become the backdrop for films, the most famous of which was the 1996 film “Mission: Impossible.”

The corner of Wenceslas Square no. 19 and Jindrisska streets no. 1 and no. 3 is occupied by Assicurazioni Generali. Here, in the building of a former branch of an Italian insurance company, Franz Kafka worked from 1907 to 1908. This “palace” was built (1848) in the neo-Baroque style by architects Bedrich Ochman and Osvaldo Polivki.

No. 5 - Ambassador Hotel with an arcade, the Alhambra cabaret, a cinema, a casino. The building was originally a department store, built in 1912-1913 according to the design of František Sötra, then rebuilt in 1922 into a late Art Nouveau hotel.

How to get there?

Wenceslas Square in Prague is located above the metro line, the two busiest stations of which, Muzeum and Můstek, leave at the beginning of the square and at the end (behind the museum). These stations form the shortest section of the capital's metro. Car traffic is allowed on the square, except for the northwestern pedestrian zone.

The heart of Prague - Vaclavak - is a place that is loved not only by tourists, but also by the city residents themselves. Wenceslas Square is more like a boulevard where life never stops; crowds of citizens and tourists constantly intersect here and each go about their own business.

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In the 14th century, Charles IV founded the New Place here. There was a horse market here, horse fairs were held, grain, beer and weapons were sold. Criminals were executed right there; for this purpose, gallows were installed on both sides of the square. Gradually, houses began to be built around, in which merchants settled and artisans opened their workshops. Back in 1680, a monument was erected here to the patron saint of the city - Saint Wenceslas, a prince who was treacherously killed by his brother in the 10th century. In 1812, a new monument, which stands to this day and remains one of the most beloved monuments among Prague residents.

Before mid-19th For centuries the square remained a market. At this time, gas lamps were installed here, lighting was installed, and soon a famous building National Museum. By the beginning of the 20th century, the square began to gradually take on its modern appearance. The square has witnessed all the dramatic moments in the history of the Czech people. Here in 1918 they celebrated liberation from Austro-Hungarian oppression, and in the spring of 1945 they rejoiced at the end of the war; in 1968, Soviet tanks stood here, and Prague students self-immolated at the monument to Wenceslas - now a scorched birch cross is laid out in this place right on the pavement. Here, even today, demonstrations take place, dates are arranged and victories of the national hockey team are celebrated.

Sights of Wenceslas Square

On the square itself and around it there are many most interesting places. Almost every building is an example of a certain architectural style. Here you can find architectural structures of all styles and trends - from Baroque to Constructivism. Expensive restaurants and legendary hotels built at the beginning of the 20th century in the Art Nouveau or Art Deco style, fashion shops, casinos - there are a lot of people here even at night.

National Museum

The museum building was built in 1885-1890 by Czech architect Joseph Schulz in the neo-Renaissance style. This main museum Prague, on the facade there are boards with the names of prominent cultural figures. The museum houses National Library a country that houses more than a million books and 8 thousand historical manuscripts.

Hotel Europe

Known even to those who have never been to Prague. The interiors of his Titanic cafe appear in the film Mission: Impossible. The hotel building itself was built in 1889 and is an example of Art Nouveau style. At that time it was called "At Duke Stefan's". Today it is one of the most famous and fashionable hotels in the city.

Passage "Lucerne"

A grandiose shopping complex, which is located next to Wenceslas Square. It received its name “Lucerne”, that is, “lamp, lantern, lamp” thanks to the wife of the main builder. Seeing this building made of glass and concrete, she exclaimed: “It’s just a lantern!” The architect of the building was Vaclav Havel, the grandfather of the future president. The palace was built from 1906 to 1927 and later modernized several times. At the beginning of the century, in addition to shops, there was also one of the most famous art studios in Europe. Exhibitions were held here, and Max Shvabinsky, who at that time was a professor at the Academy of Arts, had his own graphic school. The passage is famous primarily for the caricature copy of the monument to St. Wenceslas, which is installed here. The patron saint of the city sits here on the belly of his upside-down horse. The statue was made by David Cherny. Today there are many shops, cafes, restaurants, a cinema and even an ice palace.