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Škroupovo náměstí (the Skroupa´s Square)

Close to the Žižkov television tower and Riegrovy Sady (Rieger Gardens) there is an unusual round square which is called after the noted Czech composer František Škroup. Let´s explore the history of this round shaped square.

All about: Škroupovo náměstí

The Skroupa´s Square – panoramatic picture
(drive your mouse over the picture – if you move the mouse pointer the picture will start to move)

The square used to have many names:
The square has had many names during its existence. It is interesting that all of them were inspired by music, mainly by the music representatives. In 1910, the square got the name Smetanovo náměstí after the significant Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. During the protectorate period, between 1940–1945, the square was renamed Sukovo náměstí according to the composer and violin player Josef Suk. After Prague´s liberation it got its original name Smetanovo náměstí back, however after 1947 the square was renamed for the last time. Its name Škroupovo náměstí was derived from the composer František Škroup, the music author of the Czech national anthem Kde domov můj (Where is my homeland).

Manifestation on the 40th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
On December 10th, 1988 the first officially authorized manifestation of the opposite groups in the normalization period took place in Škroupovo náměstí. The permission of the public demonstration on the 40th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was influenced by the visit of the French President François Mitterrand. The request for permit to hold a demonstration was submitted by five unincorporated associations: Charta 77, Výbor na obranu nespravedlivě stíhaných (Comittee for the Defense of the Unjustly Persecuted) , České děti (Czech Children), Hnutí za občanskou svobodu (Civic Freedom Movement) and Nezávislé mírové sdružení (Independent Peace Society). The request for permit required to hold a public demonstratiton in Václavské náměstí which was rejected. After long negotiations the authorities allowed to hold the manifestation in Škroupovo náměstí.

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Course of the demonstration:
The demonstration was attended by several thousands of people. After the beginning Václav Havel gave a speech and uttered his request concerning the discharge of the political prisoners. Further speeches were given by Ladislav Lis, Václav Malý and other dissidents. The Czech philosopher, sociologist and politician Rudolf Battěk had a speech, too, and he openly called upon the government of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSČ) to finish its functioning. Then the participants of the manifestation approved the declaration, which called upon to observe human rights, to accept the activities for independant groups and to discharge the political prisoners. The manifestation was finished by the anthem which was performed by Marta Kubišová.

Consequent events
Despite all permits which the manifestation had had it was qualified as illegal at last. The manifestation was watched by Special Response Units of Veřejná bezpečnost (Public Security) and Lidové milice (People´s Militias). The whole action in the square was recorded by the members of Státní bezpečnost (State Security). This demonstation was over  without any violent clashes with the security units. The manifestation continued by so-called Palachův týden (Jan Palach Week) in January 1989, during which all demonstrations were brutally suppressed. The series of the protest gatherings eventuated in November 1989, when the totalitarian regime in Czechoslovakia collapsed.

Address:
Škroupovo náměstí
Praha 3, 130 00

Transport connections:
Metro: A – Jiřího z Poděbrad
Tram: 11 – Jiřího z Poděbrad
Bus: 136, 175 Flora (from here tram Nr. 11 to the station Jiřího z Poděbrad)
From there along Slavíkova ulice (street), then follow Zvonařova street until you reach Škroupovo náměstí

Transport connection:
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GPS: 50°4’49.76″N, 14°26’54.764″E

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Monuments: Škroupovo náměstí - central

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