Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP SIGHTS
WENCESLAS SQUARE
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More a broad boulevard than a typical city square, Wenceslas Square has wit-
nessed a great deal of Czech history - a giant Mass was held here during the re-
volutionary upheavals of 1848; in 1918 the creation of the new Czechoslovak Re-
public was celebrated here; and in 1989 the fall of communism was announced
here. Originally a medieval horse market, the square was named after Bohemia's
patron saint during the nationalist revival of the mid-19th century.
Velvet Revolution
Following a police attack on a student demonstration on 17 November 1989, angry
citizens gathered in Wenceslas Square by the thousands night after night. A week
later, in a stunning mirror image of Klement Gottwald's 1948 proclamation of com-
munist rule in Old Town Square, Alexander Dubček and Václav Havel stepped onto
the balcony of the Melantrich Building to a thunderous and tearful ovation, and pro-
claimed the end of communism in Czechoslovakia.
St Wenceslas Statue
At the southern end of the square is Josef Myslbek's muscular equestrian statue of St
Wenceslas (sv Václav), the 10th-century pacifist Duke of Bohemia and the 'Good
King Wenceslas' of Christmas carol fame. Flanked by other patron saints of Bohemia
- Prokop, Adalbert, Agnes and Ludmila - he has been plastered with posters and
bunting at every one of the square's historical moments.
Memorial to the Victims of Communism
Near the statue, a memorial to the victims of communism bears photographs and epi-
taphs to Jan Palach and other anticommunist rebels. In contrast, the square around the
shrine has become a monument to capitalism, a gaudy gallery of fast-food outlets and
expensive shops.
DON'T MISS...
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St Wenceslas Statue
