Jan Palach Memorial (Památník Jana Palacha)

In Wenceslas Square, a simple yet poignant marker commemorates a pivotal moment in Prague’s recent history. On January 16, 1969, Jan Palach, a student, set himself on fire to protest the Soviet Union’s invasion of Czechoslovakia. The memorial, a prone bronze cross, now stands as a tribute to the sacrifices made by Palach and another protester, Jan Zajic. Visitors can pause at this spot to reflect on the profound impact of these acts of defiance and the enduring legacy they left behind.