Jan Palach Square
Square in Prague
Unlike many of Prague’s more ancient and storied squares, Jan Palach Square has a relatively modern identity, shaped by the city’s 20th-century struggles and transformations. Located on the right bank of the Vltava River in the Old Town, not far from the Jewish Quarter, the square was originally known as the Square of the Red Army—named in tribute to Soviet soldiers who died during the liberation of Prague in 1945. However, in the wake of Jan Palach’s tragic self-immolation in 1969, which he carried out in protest of the Soviet-led invasion that crushed the Prague Spring, the square was briefly renamed in his honor. The name became official in 1989, symbolically coinciding with the Velvet Revolution and the fall of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia.
Jan Palach Square is surrounded by striking architecture and offers some of the most scenic river views in the city. To the west, the square opens toward the Vltava River, providing a sweeping panorama that includes the Charles Bridge and the grand silhouette of Prague Castle. The Mánes Bridge, which connects this side of the river to the Lesser Town, adds to the charm and accessibility of the area. Directly north of the square stands the Rudolfinum, home to both a world-class concert hall and an art gallery, making the location a hub for both civic remembrance and artistic expression.
To the south, you’ll find the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design—a modernist structure that houses some of the country’s brightest creative minds. To the east is the imposing yet graceful building of the Charles University Faculty of Arts, reinforcing the square’s academic and intellectual atmosphere. Jan Palach was himself a student of philosophy here, adding a poignant sense of place to the square that now bears his name.
Two statues anchor the square’s artistic heritage: one of composer Antonín Dvořák graces the area in front of the Rudolfinum, and another of painter Josef Mánes—best known for his intricate designs for the Prague Astronomical Clock—stands by the riverbank. While there’s no grand memorial to Jan Palach here, his presence is deeply felt in the square’s atmosphere. For those seeking a direct tribute, a commemorative plaque lies further afield in Wenceslas Square, near the site of his final protest. Still, this riverside square, with its blend of beauty, intellect, and remembrance, stands as a quiet and powerful tribute to a young man whose sacrifice still resonates through Czech history.
The Jan Palach Square appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Prague!
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Visiting Jan Palach Square
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Town Hall in Prague
