Wenceslas Square

At first glance, it may seem like just any other boulevard. But don’t judge too quickly! 750 meters long and 60 meters wide, this historic square is the true center of Prague’s New Town, a place where many important events in Czech history happened. When Emperor Charles IV delimited its layout in 1348, the site was enclosed by two large gates, both gone since then. Yet, as you walk around the area, you notice the different architectural styles that succeeded eachother, where a mix of modern and historic buildings line the square. Wenceslas Square went through its most important transformation in the 19th century. Cafés, shops, and cinemas flourished, turning it into a thriving urban spot. But its glorious days were soon forgotten as Prague suddenly went through a series of historic events for both Prague and Czechia. In 1918, this very square witnessed the proclamation of the First Czechoslovak Republic. Decades later, in 1989, the fall of the communist regime was celebrated here. However, Wenceslas Square has sometimes been unfortunate too. In 1968, Czechs and Soviet fought here during the Prague Spring. And it’s not finished, because there will be another tragic event the following year, where student Jan Palach committed self-immolation in front of the National Museum. His letter was published in newspapers, where Palach explains that he committed such an act to awaken his fellow Czechs, as they were under Soviet dictatorship. A nobody for many until his death, he’s now seen as a symbol of rebellion against Soviet brutality. Today, a memorial in his honor stands at the very spot where he took his life.