The Main Railway Station, Prague’s largest station, is both a major public transport hub and an important monument. On platform 1, you can admire a monument to Sir Nicholas Winton, who in 1939 saved the lives of 669 Jewish children who were to be deported to concentration camps.
Built in the second half of the 19th century, the neo-Renaissance station building was originally located on the outskirts of the city. Today, it stands in the heart of the city centre, just a few hundred metres from Wenceslas Square. The current building, with its two elegant arched structures, was created during renovation work carried out between 1901 and 1909. The Art Nouveau motifs that adorn the building are the work of the architect Josef Fanta, whose name the old part of the station bears today. The building has recently been renovated, and you can admire the results in the Café Fanta.
In the 1970s, another building was added to the first, and the entire complex was connected to the Prague metro. This new building is in the style of Czech “Brutalism” and is still the subject of much controversy: some find the concourse too cold, too angular and too grey, while others appreciate its design and technical concept. The new concourse has recently been renovated and adapted to the needs of a major 21st century station. A variety of shops, cafés and restaurants have been added.
