| Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) is the most vibrant, dynamic area of Prague; a centre for a wide range of leisure and commercial activities.
It is one of two main squares in Prague (the other is the Old Town Square, 5 minutes walk away).
Wenceslas Square lies at the heart of the New Town (Nové Město), although the word 'New' is misleading: the area was laid out by Charles IV in 1348, with Wenceslas Square as the Horse Market.
The main Prague shopping district begins at Wenceslas Square. Most of the city's department stores are located here, and shops of all kinds can be found in the square and the streets leading off it.
Entertainment and nightlife is all around. There are nice restaurants to dine in,
plenty of pubs, bars and smart cafés to enjoy a leisurely drink at, both inside and outside on terraces, and you can party till dawn at one of the clubs. For the quick and easy crowd, there is an ever-growing number of coffee shops and fast food outlets.
Wenceslas Square is also the main centre for commerce and banking in Prague; major banks with ATMs and currency exchange outlets are sited here.
There square has good transport connections too. There is a metro station at either end (Muzeum at the top, Mustek at the bottom). Trams run through the centre of the square every few minutes. And the Main Train Station (Praha Hlavni Nadrazi) is just 5 minutes walk away.
From Wenceslas Square it is easy to walk or take public transport to reach all the sights and tourist attractions in Prague.
The best facilities in the city and its central location make Wenceslas Square a popular place for tourists to stay. A lot of hotels and apartments are located either in or around the square.
Measuring 750m by 60m, Wenceslas Square is more of a boulevard than a square. It can hold up to 400,000 people, and consequently is the place where Czechs gather to let off steam. Over the years it has been a parade ground for all kinds of organisations, political parties and events, from anti-communist uprisings to celebrations of national sporting achievements.
Revolution and demonstration will be forever connected with the square - imagine Nazis marching up the square, Soviet tanks rolling in, the Prague Spring and the Velvet Revolution. The most significant sight in Wenceslas Square is right at its top, the monumental National Museum. Nearby is the Prague State Opera.
In front of the National Museum is a statue of St. Wenceslas on his horse. Cutting a striking figure, this is good King Wenceslas (Svatý Václav), the patron saint of Czechia, who was murdered a thousand years ago by his brother. Two plaques near the horse commemorate brave demonstrators killed during the communist era. One is dedicated to Jan Palach, who set himself on fire in protest at the Soviet invasion in 1968. A piece of local knowledge: St. Wenceslas on his horse is so striking that 'By the Horse' is a popular place for Czechs to arrange to meet each other. -----------------------------------------------
To explore the sights in Prague, take a Prague tour. | 
