
Jan Palach Square, Prague
Compared to other squares in Prague, Jan Palach Square is relatively new. Found on the right bank of the Vltava river within the Old Town, not far from the Jewish Quarter, it was named the Square of the Red Army in commemoration of the Russian soldiers who fell liberating Prague in 1945. Between 1969 and 1970 the square was rather tentatively renamed Jan Palach Square after the young student who committed suicide by self-immolation in protest against the Soviet occupation of his country. The name stuck and was officially adopted at the end of 1989 after the Communist regime came to an end.
The West side of the square, adjacent to the river, affords a great view of the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle. Through the Mάnes Bridge it is connected to the Lesser Town.
To the North of the square, you can see the Rudolfinum Concert Hall and Art Gallery, and to the South – the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design. On the East side stands the Charles University Faculty of Arts.
In front of the Rudolfinum there is a statue of the Czech composer Antonin Dvorak, and by the river you will find a statue of Josef Mάnes, the Czech painter who is best known for the beautiful images of the twelve months (Calendar plate) that he painted for the Astronomical Clock in 1870. As for Jan Palach, a commemorative plaque to him is found in Wenceslas Square.
The West side of the square, adjacent to the river, affords a great view of the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle. Through the Mάnes Bridge it is connected to the Lesser Town.
To the North of the square, you can see the Rudolfinum Concert Hall and Art Gallery, and to the South – the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design. On the East side stands the Charles University Faculty of Arts.
In front of the Rudolfinum there is a statue of the Czech composer Antonin Dvorak, and by the river you will find a statue of Josef Mάnes, the Czech painter who is best known for the beautiful images of the twelve months (Calendar plate) that he painted for the Astronomical Clock in 1870. As for Jan Palach, a commemorative plaque to him is found in Wenceslas Square.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Prague. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Jan Palach Square on Map
Sight Name: Jan Palach Square
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Prague, Czech Republic (See walking tours in Prague)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Prague, Czech Republic
Create Your Own Walk in Prague
Creating your own self-guided walk in Prague is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Prague Introduction Walking Tour
Nicknamed “the City of a Hundred Spires,” Prague is home to a wealth of attractions, including more than ten major museums, numerous theatres, galleries, and plethora of historic sights.
The Czech name Praha derives from an old Slavic word práh, which means "ford" or "rapid", referring to the city's origin at a crossing point of the Vltava river. The legendary... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The Czech name Praha derives from an old Slavic word práh, which means "ford" or "rapid", referring to the city's origin at a crossing point of the Vltava river. The legendary... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
New Town Walking Tour
The youngest (established 1348) and the largest (three times the size of the Old Town), the New Town (Nove Mesto) of Prague is one of the five originally independent townships that today form the historic center of the Czech capital. Steeped in history, the district is traditionally dense with tourists.
Among the attractions found here there are Dancing House (named so for resembling a pair of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Among the attractions found here there are Dancing House (named so for resembling a pair of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour
The Staré Město (Old Town) of Prague is a former medieval settlement that is now a lively cobblestoned hub with landmark attractions.
The area was once separated from the outside world by a semi-circular moat and a wall, hugged by the Vltava river. The moat is now covered up by streets, which form the official boundary of the Old Town. One of them, called Na Příkopě (literally “On the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
The area was once separated from the outside world by a semi-circular moat and a wall, hugged by the Vltava river. The moat is now covered up by streets, which form the official boundary of the Old Town. One of them, called Na Příkopě (literally “On the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Hradcany (Castle District) Walking Tour
Hradcany, or the Castle District, is the area surrounding Prague Castle, said to be the biggest castle complex in the world. Going back in history as far as the 9th century, the castle has been the seat of power for Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, leaders of Czechoslovakia and is currently the President's official residence. Located nearby is St. Vitus' Cathedral, a symbol of Czech... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Old Town Souvenir Shopping
It would be a pity to leave Prague without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original. We've compiled a list of gifts and souvenirs, which are unique to Prague, that a visitor might like to purchase to reflect their visit.
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Lesser Town Walking Tour
Malá Strana ("Lesser Town") is a district of Prague, one of the most historically significant in the Czech capital. Back in the Middle Ages, it was predominantly populated by ethnic Germans and, in later years, largely retained its Germanic vibe despite prevalence of the Baroque style in architecture.
The most prominent landmark of Malá Strana is the Wallenstein Palace. There are... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
The most prominent landmark of Malá Strana is the Wallenstein Palace. There are... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
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