Jan Palach Memorial
Jan Palach Memorial
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Shrine to Jan Palach, a young Czech student who set himself alight on January 16 1969 as a protest against the Soviet occupation.
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Neighborhood: Nove Mesto (New Town)
Nearly 700 hundred meters long, Wenceslas Square represents the most frequent and buzzing crossroads of the city. The National Museum in the upper part of the square watches over your spending spree in countless shops and retail stores lining the entire square, which ends at Na Příkopě, the most famous shopping street. When tired or broke, you can explore the city's underpasses, which can take you to the Old Town or to the courtyards of art nouveau houses with secret gems of greenery, white benches and rose bushes that provide unexpected peace in the midst of the city. Be sure to pay a visit to the traditional cafés, classic Czech pubs, cinemas and theaters. National Theater near the river has a lot to offer to foreigners. Go to the river bank and enjoy live music and drinks while watching a sunset behind Prague Castle.
How to get there
- Museum • 2 min walk
- I.P.Pavlova • 6 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
189 reviews
Excellent
86
Very good
70
Average
28
Poor
3
Terrible
2
lomaro
Copenhagen, Denmark575 contributions
Apr 2023
This is a powerfull memorial over a powerfull incident. I din't realise until after I got back to the hotel that is was a memorial for Jan Palach but when you see it you instantly realize this is a strong memorial. And I like that you can feel that even when not knowing the back story.
Written April 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wenovo
Morris County, NJ2,030 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
We remember the Russian tanks rolling into Prague on August 21,1968. We remember that life changing moment for the Czechoslovak nation that experienced a short period of hope during the Prague Spring freedom that preceded this event.
Quickly it became clear, that the communist regime was to stay, the Soviets would make sure off that. The prosecutions of the people will begin. Thousands off people will emigrate. All the hope for freedom was gone. Noone will help this small nation it was clear.
The young student Jan Palach that is memorialized here, wanted to bring international attention to the Russian occupation.
I remember very well the day in January 1969 - Jan Palach set himself on fire. An act so desperate, courageous and shocking, that the whole nation (minus the communists) mourned him.
But most already knew, that his selfless act will not change anything. Twenty more years of the Soviet occupation followed...
I am sure that many tourists walk by and have no idea who he was. But for one moment in time he offered some hope to the oppressed nation.
I hope he is remembered by the younger generation too - forty five years later.
Quickly it became clear, that the communist regime was to stay, the Soviets would make sure off that. The prosecutions of the people will begin. Thousands off people will emigrate. All the hope for freedom was gone. Noone will help this small nation it was clear.
The young student Jan Palach that is memorialized here, wanted to bring international attention to the Russian occupation.
I remember very well the day in January 1969 - Jan Palach set himself on fire. An act so desperate, courageous and shocking, that the whole nation (minus the communists) mourned him.
But most already knew, that his selfless act will not change anything. Twenty more years of the Soviet occupation followed...
I am sure that many tourists walk by and have no idea who he was. But for one moment in time he offered some hope to the oppressed nation.
I hope he is remembered by the younger generation too - forty five years later.
Written October 31, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK185,662 contributions
Oct 2019
This memorial on Wenceslas Square is a memorial to Jan Palach and Jan Zajíc, two students who protested against the then communist government. The memorial features I think polished granite granite, engraved with portraits of the two. Around the memorial are flowers and tributes.
A nice tribute in a prominent location. The memorial is simple, but plus one for the sentiments.
A nice tribute in a prominent location. The memorial is simple, but plus one for the sentiments.
Written October 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lonewolf44
Kingston upon Thames, UK1,303 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
Jan Palach, a 21 yearold Philosophy student, doused himself with petrol and set himself on fire on this spot in front of Prague's Museum on 19 January 1969. It was the ultimate protest against the suppression of the 'Prague Spring' reforms of Alexander Dubcek. Palach died 3 days later and the burns specialist who treated him reported that he had complained that 'people were not only giving up, but giving in.' For years the Soviet Union and hardline Czech Communist Party tried to whitewash Palach from history: his body was exhumed in 1973 and cremated to prevent it from becoming a shrine. On the 20th anniversary of his death dissidents declared 'Palach Week' and staged demonstrations in Wenceslas Square to demand an end to censorship and one party rule. With Gorbachev refusing to sanction force this arguably paved the way for the Velvet Revolution, after which Palach was given the memorial. His death mask was also mounted outside Charles University - which is also worth a look if you're interested in the history of the end of communist rule.
Written July 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wenovo
Morris County, NJ2,030 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
In Memoriam.
Jan Palach - 20 years old Charles University student. He set himself on fire - in one man protest against the Soviet Invasion.
The world barely noticed, but he quickly became his nation's hero.
Unthinkable, horrifying and selfless act that took place on Wenceslas Square.
After the communist regime fell, memorial was installed on Wenceslas Square.
Simple cross raising from the ground.
Jan Palach is buried at Olsany Cemetery. We stopped by his well-kept grave on our last visit.
We will never forget his ultimate sacrifice...
Jan Palach - 20 years old Charles University student. He set himself on fire - in one man protest against the Soviet Invasion.
The world barely noticed, but he quickly became his nation's hero.
Unthinkable, horrifying and selfless act that took place on Wenceslas Square.
After the communist regime fell, memorial was installed on Wenceslas Square.
Simple cross raising from the ground.
Jan Palach is buried at Olsany Cemetery. We stopped by his well-kept grave on our last visit.
We will never forget his ultimate sacrifice...
Written August 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wenovo
Morris County, NJ2,030 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
In Memoriam - Jan Palach 1948 - 1969.
Jan Palach, young Charles University student committed suicide in protest of the Russian Invasion in January 1969. He set himself on fire in the crowded Wenceslas Square. He died 3 days later in excruciating pain suffering 85% burns on his body.
His dramatic protest was heard all over the world. His selfless heroic act energized the nation temporarily, but sadly in a long run, it did not change much. 20 years of oppression followed.
Had he lived, the twenty year old handsome student would turn seventy years old this year.
The monument - the simple rising cross from the sidewalk - is a powerful sight.
But it is easy to miss, and tourists are not often clear what it symbolizes.
His ashes were brought back to Prague after the fall of communism in 1990 and he is buried in Olsany Cemetery. His grave always has fresh flowers and candles when we walk by. Almost 50 years after his death.
The Jan Palach Square was named after him after the fall of communism. The location is beautiful, near the river, surrounded by Rudolfinum Concert Hall at one end and Charles University building and Academy of Arts building at another.
It is one of the much photographed Squares in Prague.
Jan Palach, young Charles University student committed suicide in protest of the Russian Invasion in January 1969. He set himself on fire in the crowded Wenceslas Square. He died 3 days later in excruciating pain suffering 85% burns on his body.
His dramatic protest was heard all over the world. His selfless heroic act energized the nation temporarily, but sadly in a long run, it did not change much. 20 years of oppression followed.
Had he lived, the twenty year old handsome student would turn seventy years old this year.
The monument - the simple rising cross from the sidewalk - is a powerful sight.
But it is easy to miss, and tourists are not often clear what it symbolizes.
His ashes were brought back to Prague after the fall of communism in 1990 and he is buried in Olsany Cemetery. His grave always has fresh flowers and candles when we walk by. Almost 50 years after his death.
The Jan Palach Square was named after him after the fall of communism. The location is beautiful, near the river, surrounded by Rudolfinum Concert Hall at one end and Charles University building and Academy of Arts building at another.
It is one of the much photographed Squares in Prague.
Written February 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mason M
Copenhagen, Denmark2 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
When people review this as a 'minor' attraction and give it less than 4 stars it really annoys me.
This man set himself on Fire during a time of desperation for his country. He thought his country had give up hope and we're settling in they're new 'life', he took action.
Yes the 'attraction' of the memorial may not be big, gold and fancy. But atleast do your research before commenting on what is a great memorial and part of history for the Czech's.
This man set himself on Fire during a time of desperation for his country. He thought his country had give up hope and we're settling in they're new 'life', he took action.
Yes the 'attraction' of the memorial may not be big, gold and fancy. But atleast do your research before commenting on what is a great memorial and part of history for the Czech's.
Written June 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John L
Grand Bend, Canada2,180 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
The understated and subtle cross commemorating the event is very easy to miss/overlook amidst the crowds and hubbub of Wenceslas Square. It is also difficult to pay due respect given the noise and crowds. That said, it is an important part of Czech history, and should not be missed. Blot out the noise of the crowds in tribute to the sacrifice made for the cause of freedom.
Written July 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RealBudgetTraveler
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany51 contributions
Sep 2017 • Friends
It is nothing more than a metal cross made to appear as wood in the grown with two mounds. It is where two students self-immolated to protest Soviet/Warsaw Pact occupation during the Prague Spring.
The memorial is very fitting for what happened at this location, and people still lay flowers here. Tour guides will often mention what happened while taking tourists through the square, but they seldom stop here to show you what the memorial is. It is very powerful to see.
The memorial is very fitting for what happened at this location, and people still lay flowers here. Tour guides will often mention what happened while taking tourists through the square, but they seldom stop here to show you what the memorial is. It is very powerful to see.
Written November 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elena O
Kyiv, Ukraine784 contributions
Sep 2017 • Solo
This memorial commemorates not only Palac, but Jan Zajic as well who self-immolated month later after Palach. Both were expressing protest against Czechoslovakia’s occupation by the armies of Warsaw Pact. Youth protest to awake nation.
Written September 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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