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Invading Warsaw Pact troops shelled the Neo-Renaissance building in 1968, assuming it was the Czechoslovak Parliament. The small entry fee is worth it, if only to see the museum’s marble stairway and pantheon of Czech cultural figures (see National Museum).

The Přemyslid prince sits astride a horse flanked by other Czech patrons in Josef Myslbek’s 1912 sculpture. The area “under the tail” is a traditional meeting place.

In front of St Wenceslas is a memorial to the victims of Communism, such as two men who died in protest against the Warsaw Pact invasion in 1968.

President Václav Havel’s grandfather designed and built this immense building on the square’s western flank. It is now home to an art gallery, cinema, cafés, shops and a ballroom.

Built in “Geometric Modernist” style in 1912, this “palace” became home to Turkish-style baths. Sadly, in 1997, it was taken over by a less romantic branch of Dunkin’ Donuts.

It’s gone to seed over the years, but the Art Nouveau building at No. 25 preserves its original façade and some original decor.

During the Velvet Revolution, Václav Havel addressed pro-democracy demonstrators from the balcony of the Svobodné slovo newspaper building. When the deposed Alexander Dubček joined him, the crowds knew that Communism was over.

A stone’s throw from the bustle of Wenceslas Square, these former monastery gardens provide much-needed peace from downtown.

Founded by Charles IV upon his coronation in 1347, this lovely church was to have been more than 100 m (330 ft) long, but it was never completed.

Hanging in the central passage of the Palác Lucerna is David Černý’s take on the Czech patron saint. Vandals repeatedly remove the horse’s tongue.