Wenceslas Square (Czech: Václavské nám?stí; German: Wenzelsplatz) is one of the main city squares and the centre of the business and cultural communities in the New Town of Prague, Czech Republic. Many historical events occurred there, and it is a traditional setting for demonstrations, celebrations, and other public gatherings. It is also the place with the busiest pedestrian traffic in the whole country. The square is named after Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia. It is part of the historic centre of Prague, a World Heritage Site.
Formerly known as Ko?ský trh (Horse Market), for its periodic accommodation of horse markets during the Middle Ages, it was renamed Svatováclavské nám?stí (English: Saint Wenceslas square) in 1848 on the proposal of Karel Havlí?ek Borovský.
Less a square than a boulevard, Wenceslas Square has the shape of a very long (750 m, total area 45,000 m²) rectangle, in a northwest–southeast direction. The street slopes upward to the southeast side. At that end, the street is dominated by the grand neoclassical Czech National Museum. The northwest end runs up against the border between the New Town and the Old Town.
Wenceslas Square is lined by hotels, offices, retail stores, currency exchange booths and fast-food joints. A lot of entertainment is operated around Wenceslas Square. Wenceslas Square is also a popular place to spend the New Year‘s celebrations, another popular option are terraces near the river. The Christmas markets (Váno?ní trhy) are held here every year from early December to the first week of January.
A reconstruction of the Wenceslas Square has been underway since 2020. The lower part was completed in 2023. Construction of the new upper part (from Vodi?kova street) is to begin in June 2024. It will include wider sidewalks, tram tracks, bicycle paths, new alleys and reduction of the space dedicated to motor traffic. Full completion is scheduled for summer 2027. The expected cost is 1.24 billion Czech crowns.
