This memorial in the center of the square commemorates the Protestant Reformation Leader John Huss. Huss (standing) is surrounded by a group of Hussite warriors and non-Catholics who were exiled from the country after the Battle of the White Mountain (8th November, 1620) which was the defeat of the second anti-Hapsburg rebellion. The Hapsburgs (the ruling family of Austria which controlled Bohemia at the time) were staunch Catholics and so after this harsh punishments, exile, and forced recatholization began in Prague for non-Catholics. (Also after having reasserted their power the Imperial court and state government was shifted to the Austrian capital of Vienna, leaving Prague to become more of a provincial town.)

This art nouveau memorial, made by artist Ladislav Šaloun, was unveiled on July 16, 1915, to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Huss in Constance, where he was burned at the stake for his beliefs.

John Huss Memorial