Jan Palach Square, Prague

Among Prague’s many historic places, this one stands out not for its age, but for the emotional weight it carries. Originally named Square of the Red Army, it honored Soviet soldiers who died during the liberation of Prague in 1945. But in 1970, something shifted. The square was informally renamed after Jan Palach, a philosophy student who, in an act of protest against the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia, took his own life by self-immolation. His action resonated deeply with a nation under pressure, becoming a symbol of defiance. After years of quiet resistance, the name was officially adopted in 1989, just as Communist rule was coming to an end.

The square itself is beautifully situated, with the western side opening up to sweeping views of the Vltava River, Charles Bridge, and the silhouette of Prague Castle. The Mánes Bridge links the area to the Lesser Town, offering a picturesque crossing point. Look to the north, and you’ll see the stately Rudolfinum—a Neo-Renaissance concert hall and gallery that hosts the Czech Philharmonic. To the south is the Academy of Arts, Architecture, and Design, a hub of creativity and academic tradition. On the eastern edge stands the Faculty of Arts, part of Charles University, where many of the city’s intellectual movements took shape.

The space is also dotted with tributes to Czech cultural giants. In front of the Rudolfinum, you’ll find a statue of composer Antonín Dvořák, while near the river, another sculpture honors Josef Mánes, the painter behind the beloved calendar medallions on the Astronomical Clock. And not far from the Faculty of Arts, the memory of Jan Palach is honored through two striking sculptures: “The House of the Suicide” and “The House of the Mother of the Suicide”. Designed by American architect John Hejduk, these stark, solemn, and powerful structures, installed in 2016, capture the depth of a personal loss that became a national wake-up call.