| 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 serving as the horse market.
The central Prague shopping district begins at Wenceslas Square: it is where the main department stores are, and all manner of shops can be found here and in the streets nearby.
Entertainment and nightlife is all around, with nice restaurants to dine in, and many pubs, bars and cafés to enjoy a leisurely drink at (either inside or out on the terrace). You can also party till dawn in one of the clubs. For the quick and easy crowd, there is an ever-growing list of coffee shops and fast food outlets to choose from: Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Popeyes, KFC, McDonald's, Bageterie Boulevard, PAUL and Salaterie to name but a few.
In addition, Wenceslas Square is the commercial and banking centre of Prague. There are several major banks with ATMs and currency exchange outlets.
Wenceslas Square has good public transport connections. There is a metro station at either end of the square (Muzeum at the top, Mustek at the bottom). Trams run through the centre of the square every few minutes. The Main Train Station (Praha Hlavni Nadrazi) is just 5 minutes walk away.
From Wenceslas Square you can reach all the sights and tourist attractions in Prague, either on foot or by taking public transport.
With its central location and boasting the best tourist facilities in the city, Wenceslas Square is a popular place for visitors to stay. A lot of hotels and apartments are located in and around Wenceslas Square.
Wenceslas Square measures 750m by 60m, so is more of a boulevard than a square. It can hold up to 400,000 people, and is the place where Czechs gather to let off steam. Over the years it has been a parade ground for all kinds of political organisations and events, from anti-communist uprisings to celebrations of national sporting achievements.
Revolution and demonstrations will be forever linked to the square - imagine Nazis troops marching down the square, Soviet tanks rolling in, the dramatic times of the Prague Spring, and the Velvet Revolution. The most significant sight in Wenceslas Square is at its top, the monumental National Museum. A short distance away is the Prague State Opera.
In front of the National Museum is the famous 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. | 
