Step behind the Iron Curtain on this 3-hour Prague Communism tour. In the company of a historian, we'll dig into the history of 20th century Prague and the enduring influence of the USSR. As we cross the city with our local guide, from the memorial at Vitkov Hill to Wenceslas Square to the unassuming side streets of Prague's Old Town, the stories of life under Communism will come alive again. Together, we’ll discover how the legacy of the Iron Curtain is embedded in the fabric of Prague today.

Tracing history on our Prague Communism tour, we'll begin at Vitkov hill, where the gigantic equestrian statue of Jan Zizka, a symbol of Czech independence since the 15th century, looks down over the city. Nearby, we'll visit the Mausoleum of Klement Gottwald, the first communist Czechoslovak president, and discuss its over-the-top decoration and symbolic location here, meant to connect Communist Prague with Czech pride and identity.

From here, we’ll hop on a streetcar that will take us into central Prague, using that time to look at maps, archival images, and other supporting historical information to supplement our mental portrait of Communist Prague. We'll spend some time in Wenceslas Square, a critical gathering place during the 1968 Prague Spring revolt and the Velvet Revolution of 1989 that eventually ended Communist control. Here we'll search out key sites of these political events, such as the Jalta Hotel, National Museum, and former Communist Parliament. As we cast our imaginations back to 1968, we’ll piece together the events that lead to the Soviet crackdown and subsequent period of Normalisation.

(Looking for a more general look at Prague's history? Try our Introductory Prague Walking Tour.)

Our course may also take us to nearby Narodny Street, where student demonstrations in 1989 added ideological fuel to revolutionary fires, eventually bringing down Communism and restoring Czech democracy. We’ll explore the dynamics of the revolution and the many prominent artists and writers who played a role as it unfolded (which can be further explored on our Prague Cafe Tour).

Over the course of the tour, we'll have the opportunity ask plenty of questions and engage in a dialogue with our historian guide. Using Prague’s monuments and civic spaces, we’ll finish our time together with a firmer grip on how the Cold War played out and how it affects the city today.

Is it possible to adapt the route for people with limited mobility? 
The Memorial on Vitkov Hill is central to this tour and has limited accessibility for people with mobility issues. The memorial itself is not accessible by car and involves climbing a very steep hill with steps at two points. Therefore, the tour is unfortunately not recommended for people with limited mobility. Please contact us if you would like to discuss alternative options.