How about a journey through time at Vysočanské náměstí? This square in Prague 9 has seen many transformations. It’s more than just a location. It’s a place with a past.
Vysočanské náměstí wasn’t always this way. In the mid-1950s, this area was redeveloped. Old residential and farm buildings were replaced. A park emerged in their place.
Let’s rewind further. The stable cadastre shows that in 1842 several buildings stood here. Špitálský dvůr and Vysočanská fortress were among them. In 1896, Křižík’s electric railway extended here. Vysočanská mlékárna was founded on the square’s west side.
Even before the First Republic, there were plans to rebuild Vysočany. However, only some were realized. Apartment buildings and a school complex were built. These were on the east and south sides of the square. The fortress and dairy suffered heavy damage. This happened during Allied bombing raids on March 25, 1945.
Further changes came in the 1950s and 1960s. Some original buildings were demolished. A park replaced them. From 1955, this space was called náměstí Lidových milicí. This likely commemorated the march of the People’s Militia members in February 1948.
In February 1973, a monument to the Milicionář was unveiled. It stood in the square’s north part. Jan Simota created it. After the Velvet Revolution, the statue disappeared. Its current whereabouts are unknown.
In the 1980s, houses in the west and southwest were demolished. This coincided with the renaming of Emanuel Klíma Street. Only house number 25 remains standing.
After the Velvet Revolution, the square ceased to exist. Existing addresses were transferred to adjacent streets. The space remained nameless until 1995. Then, the current name, Vysočanské náměstí, was introduced.
However, the addresses weren’t changed again. Today, only one address exists on the square. It belongs to building 844/1. Komerční banka previously used this building.
In 1998, the east vestibule of the Vysočanská metro station opened. It leads to the square. A decade later, the Fénix shopping center was completed.
In 2020, reconstruction of the square’s north part was planned. CPI Group intended to build a complex of residential and office buildings in the park. A petition against this plan gathered over 3,500 signatures.
Today, the north side of Vysočanské náměstí features buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Ladislav Klíma lived in house number 178 from 1915 to 1927. His bust adorns the building. A road junction and a tram loop are also in the north part.
Apartment buildings from the 1930s line the east side. Gymnázium Špitálská and office buildings occupy the south side. The west side features a dilapidated house and the Fénix shopping center.
A monument to Emil Kolben stands near the intersection. It honors other Vysočany victims of Nazi occupation. Replicas of a bell tower and cross are in the park. These originate from the Vysočany fortress.
So as you stand here at Vysočanské náměstí, remember its journey. From a residential area to a park and a modern square. It reflects the evolving story of Prague 9.