Wenceslas Square
A Mixed Bag of Sights and Sounds
Wenceslas Square is one of many impressive Prague attractions. But, it's a big area that can be a bit overwhelming. So, what's the best way to see this part of Prague? Or, should you skip it altogether?
This page covers the basics, a few of my tips and includes a short video I shot of the area.
But first, let's cover just the basics. These short descriptions give you some basic background information about this famous Prague square.
Wenceslas Square is...
- named after Saint Wenceslas - the patron saint of Bohemia. The square is called Václavské náměstí in Czech.
- a historical landmark and has been the scene of numerous demonstrations - some that famously defied communist regimes.
- more of a long boulevard than an actual "square." It connects Old Town with New Town and is bordered by the stunning National Museum. The northern end includes Mustek metro station and the smaller streets of Old Town.
- the commercial and shopping center of Prague. If you want to do any shopping while you're here this is the place to start.
- the square is also the epicenter of Prague nightlife. It includes plenty of restaurants, dance clubs, bars, strip clubs, and cinemas. So, at night it can be a bit edgy.
- the transportation hub of Prague. The two busiest metro stations flank the square - Muzeum at the southern end and Mustek at the northern end.
What to See
The two iconic sights of the square are: the National Museum and the Wenceslas Monument. Both are located at the southern end of the square. The National Museum is home to displays of natural history. And, personally I think the building is more interesting than the rocks and stuffed animals you'll find there.
The Wenceslas Monument sits just below the National Museum and is a symbol of the Czech nation with a mounted St. Wenceslas. This is a great meeting point and a great place to just people-watch and take photos of the square.
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The rest of the square is bordered by shops, casinos and hotels. But, there are a number of notable buildings bordering the square as well. These aren't of the same historic nature as the architecture in Old Town and Mala Strana so I think it's enough to just walk through while admiring the facades.
At about the midway point, you should peek into the passagway of Lucerna Palace. It's a remarkable Art Nouveau complex that includes a cinema, cafes and restaurants. And, as seen in the video, there's a satirical take on the famous Wenceslas Monument hanging from the ceiling.
MY TIP: Just north of the Lucerna Palace and just beyond Wenceslas Square you will find two splendid hidden sights. Františkánská zahrada (Franciscan Garden) This is a peaceful garden with benches and lots of roses. A great spot to just relax and eat ice cream in the summer. Take the center sidewalk along the street and avoid the sidewalks next to the buildings. This will give you a better view and less crowds. The Church of Our Lady of the Snows This gorgeous church towers above the garden and is nearly always empty yet just steps from Wenceslas Square.
What to Do
Wenceslas Square is best known for shopping, nightlife and crowds. So, if these aren't your cup of tea try these:
- Climb the steps to the National Museum. Okay, this is obvious, but it's really worth taking a couple of minutes to cross the street and actually go up to the museum to experience the view down the square. And, it's a great spot for taking photos.
- Have a cup of tea. Prague has a number of wonderful tea rooms (cafes). And, one of the best is Dobrá Čajovna located just off Wenceslas Square. Address: Václavské náměstí 14.
- Take in a film at the art house cinema Kino Světozor. This cinema offers an eclectic variety of films from around the globe. And, there's an adjacent cafe for good beer, WiFi and Kofola (the Czech version of Coke) on tap.
- Visit Františkánská zahrada and Church of Our Lady of the Snows as mentioned above in MY TIP.
- Buy a cheap Fried Cheese sandwich from a street vendor on the northern end of the square. Fried Cheese is an essential staple in Prague's pubs. But, here you can get one and sit on a bench and just enjoy the scene.
- If fried cheese isn't your thing, buy a copy of the Prague Post or another publication at the news stands nearby and sit in one of the outdoor cafes at the northern end of the square.
- Visit the Museum of Communism. It's a bit expensive, but their exhibition will give you a comprehensive historical look at communism in Czech lands before the fall of the Iron Curtain. Address: Na příkopě 10.
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When to Visit
The square is nearly always filled with people. So, it's hard to pick a good time to visit. It's the business center of Prague and there's always a chance of feeling crowded. But, I particularly like to see the square in the morning or evening near dusk. These are great times to stand near Wenceslas Monument and watch the city change.
I tend to avoid Wenceslas Square late at night. It can get a bit repulsive with drunks, noise and the occasional prostitute.
Nearby Attractions
Not far from the Wenceslas Square you'll find a few other
Prague
attractions. These are a few of my favorites.
• Prague City Museum. Address: Na poříčí 52.
The museum houses a beautiful model of Prague as it looked between 1826 and 1834.
• Municipal House (Obecní Dům). Address: Náměstí Republiky 5.
An astounding building with incredible detail and design elements. It houses concert halls, exhibition space, restaurant and cafe.
• Jindřišská Tower. Address: Jindřišská 1.
A Gothic bell tower with lookout, cafe, restaurant and gallery space.
Wenceslas Square: Final Thoughts
The square is truly a mixed bag of sights and sounds. It's kind of stuck between old and new Prague - literally and figuratively. But, it's definitely worth seeing.
To avoid feeling overwhelmed, I suggest picking a few places to visit and otherwise just enjoy the walk up and down the square via the central sidewalk.
