Our Bohemian adventure : Prague : Part 6 - Wencelas Square and New Town

We were staying in an apartment on Wenceslas Square - Václavské náměstí

In 1348, Bohemian King Charles IV founded the New Town of Prague. The plan included several open areas for markets, of which the second largest was the Koňský trh, or Horse Market. At the south eastern end of the market was the Horse Gate, one of the gates in the walls of the New Town

During the Czech national revival movement in the 19th century, a more noble name for the street was requested. At this time the statue was built, and the square was renamed - Václavské náměstí

During the Prague Uprising in 1945, a few buildings near the National Museum were destroyed. They were later replaced by department stores.

During what became known as the Prague Spring (March-August 1968), Alexander Dubcek, the Czech leader, attempted to reform the Communist Party and provide "socialism with a human face." His reforms were intended to transform the lives of all Czechs but he was also aware of what had happened during the 1956 Hungarian uprising.

He made several speeches (including one from the balcony of 36 Wenceslas Square - now Marks and Spencer) where he attempted to allay fears that Czechoslovakia would leave the Warsaw Pact and end its alliance with the Soviet Union. However his liberal reform package caused great concern throughout the Eastern bloc nations who saw their own regimes under threat if the Czechs succeeded. Soviet Premier Brehznev was not convinced and on 21 August 1968 Warsaw Pact forces, led by the Soviet Union, invaded the country. Realising the futility of their position the Czech government ordered its armed forces not to resist this invasion and thereby to avoid pointless bloodshed.

From 1928 until 1941, a monument to Woodrow Wilson stood in front of Prague’s main railway station. It was a mark of gratitude to the man who played a crucial role in the country’s independence.  In 1941, Wilson’s statue was torn down by the Nazis after Germany declared war on America. A new statue of Wilson was installed in 2012

Praha hlavní nádraží - Prague's main railway station - was originally opened in 1871 and named Franz Josef Station after Franz Joseph I of Austria. During the First Republic and from 1945 to 1953 the station was called Wilson Station (Czech: 'Wilsonovo nádraží') after former President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson

As well as a comprehensive rail network, Prague also has a wonderful tram system

The horsecar trams started to operate in September 1875. In 1891 the first electric tram line was opened in Letná and in the early 20th century they began to electrify the horse tram routes. In 1905, the electrification works were finished

Nowadays the tram network includes 22 day and 9 night routes with over 900 trams covering over 300 route miles

Finally, we saw this metronome from a distance. One of the largest Joseph Stalin statues ever erected, once stood here in Letna Park. It was completed in 1955 and razed in 1962. In its place this massive kinetic sculpture, a 75 foot fully functional metronome, was erected. It was designed by Czech artist Vratislav Novak and constructed in 1991. The metronome is meant to be a steady reminder of the history of Prague — its days as a Soviet satellite and its eventual rebirth as an active democracy.

This was our first visit to Prague - it is a superb city and well worth visiting