Wenceslas Square - Prague

The Czech name for Wenceslas is Vaclav.  

The Czech name for Wenceslas Square is Vaclavske Namesti.

Wenceslas Square was named in 1848 in honor of St. Wenceslas (also known as Good King Wenceslas), the patron saint of Bohemia.  During Medieval times, beginning in 1348, this area had been a horse market.

Looking up Wenceslas Square, which is actually

more of a boulevard than a square.

There is always some sort of exhibit in the center of the Wenceslas Square.

Pam is enjoying this blanket of yellow tulips.

Tulips and pansies

Artistic arrangements draw pedestrians up the six block walk to the National Museum at the top of Wenceslas Square.

Pansies

The current beauty of Wenceslas Square is deceiving.

This small marker honors two young men who burned themselves to death in protest of the Soviet invasion of Prague in 1968
(commonly referred to as Prague Spring).

Jan Palach set himself on fire at the top of Wenceslas Square in front of the National Museum on Jan. 16, 1969.  He died three days later after issuing a statement that he set himself on fire to protest the Soviet occupation.

One month later Jan Zajic became the second member of a small suicide pact.  The members of this pact promised to give their lives in protest of Communism.

Grand Hotel Europa
Built in 1905
Wenceslas Square is lined with stunningly beautiful buildings.

At the top of Wenceslas Square is a bronze equestrian statue of Good King Wenceslas (built in 1912).

Equestrian statues tell how the rider died.
If both of the horse's front legs are in the air, the rider died in battle.
If one leg is raised, the rider died from injuries received in the line of duty.
If all four legs are on the ground, the rider died of natural causes.
Good King Wenceslas was murdered by his brother.

Wenceslas was the second ruler of Bohemia.
He became king in 922 at the age of 15.
In 929, on his way to mass, King Wenceslas was murdered at the church door by his younger brother Boleslav.
The remains of St. Wenceslas are entombed in St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle.

Behind Wenceslas, you can see the cupola of the National Museum.

Vantage point from St. Wenceslas equestrian statue,
looking down Wenceslas Square.

The statue of St. Wenceslas has always been a gathering place.

National Museum
Top of Wenceslas Square
Completed in 1890

Radio Free Europe (until 2009)
Next to National Museum

View of Wenceslas Square from the National Museum

Fountain in front of the National Museum

Memorial to Jan Palach in front of the fountain

Twenty years after the death of Jan Palach,
Wenceslas Square was the centerpiece of the 1989 Velvet Revolution.
One of the largest demonstrations during those November days drew an estimated crowd of 250,000 Czech citizens.
The Soviet occupation, which had begun in 1948, was finally over.

Jeannette