Wenceslas Square ("Václavské náměstí", shortened as "Václavák" by the locals) was established as the Horse Market (Koňský trh) by Charles IV in 1348 and received its present name during the Czech National Revival in 1848. The square has held great historical significance as the center of gatherings, demonstrations and important events of Czech history since the Middle Ages. Some of the events that took place on Wenceslas Square were the declaration of the First Czechoslovak Republic in 1918, protests against the Soviet invasion in 1968, and the fall of Communism in 1989.

A Town Square or a Street?

Václavské náměstí is not a typical town square. The wide, sloping boulevard is about 700 meters (0.4 mile) long and 60 meters wide, a size almost unheard of at the time it was built. It is now a busy array of stores, hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs. During the day, Wenceslas Square is bustling with locals, tourists and traffic (watch out for pickpockets!). At night, it becomes the center of entertainment as people stream into the many nightclubs, discos, and movie theatres that line both sides of the square.


St. Wenceslas Statue

The equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas at the top of the square was created by Josef Václav Myslbek and placed there in 1912. It is the locals' popular meeting spot - "at the horse" (u koně) or "under the tail" (pod ocasem). The statue is a historically important monument. A plaque nearby is dedicated to the victims of Communism.

Passages

The buildings around the upper part of Wenceslas Square are interconnected with a system of passages, the most famous of them being the Lucerna (Lantern) Passage. It was built in 1907 - 1921 and one of the architects was the grandfather of former president Václav Havel. The large passage connects Vodičkova and Štěpánská streets and houses many stores and restaurants, a movie theatre, music bar, and a prestigious concert hall - the Grand Lucerna Hall.

	The ICON Hotel & Lounge V Jámě 6, Prague 1 – New Town The trendy ICON Hotel & Lounge near Wenceslas Square features a Thai massage centre and international cuisine at Jetset Restaurant. All rooms have extra-wide Swedish Hästens beds. There is a direct dial telephone with Skype set-up and biometric safes. The Junior Suites offer a home-theatre system.
	Exe City Park Hotel Opletalova 960/33, Prague 1 – New Town The Exe City Park Hotel is centrally located across from the main train station and 300 metres from Wenceslas Square. Free wireless internet is provided in the lobby and a computer with a printer is available in the business corner. The rooms are soundproof. This is a great location if you plan on traveling by train.