Wilson Building - Prague Main Railway Station

Wilsonova budova hlavního nádraží (Wilson Building of the Main Railway Station), a beautifully restored architectural gem, lies hidden behind the modern bustle of Prague’s main railway station. This historic section of the station was designed by Josef Fanta and opened in 1909 as a grand gateway to the city, showcasing rich Art Nouveau details, soaring arches, and intricate stained glass.

Though much of the original station was obscured by a concrete overpass and new terminal added in the 1970s, recent renovations have brought the historic dome and central hall back to life.

Originally named after Emperor Franz Josef, the building was renamed in 1918 to honor U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, a strong supporter of Czechoslovak independence after World War I. This very station was also the departure point for the Kindertransport trains organized by Nicholas Winton, which saved hundreds of Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia.

Today, visitors can admire the elegant design, pause for coffee in the stylish Fanta’s Café under the grand dome, and appreciate a piece of Prague’s layered past that many travelers overlook as they rush through the station.

💡 Top Tip 💡

Before you leave, make time for two special stops: on Platform 1, find the moving bronze statue of Sir Nicholas Winton, who helped save 669 children from the Nazis. Then take the escalator up to Fanta’s Café, set beneath the soaring dome of the historic Art Nouveau hall. With its elegant pillars, curved balconies, and original decorative details, it’s a beautifully atmospheric place to pause over coffee and take in the grandeur of a bygone era.

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🍴Where to eat : 

(All suggestions are within 7 min walking from your current location)

 

[$]

Fanta’s Café (Art Nouveau Café in Historic Train Hall) 4.4 ⭐  

Foyer Café (Elegant Café in Historic Waiting Room) 4.5 ⭐

  

[$]

Výtopna Railway Restaurant (Burgers & steak with a twist) 4.1 ⭐  

Tiskárna Jindřišská (Traditional Czech) 4.6 ⭐  

Las Adelitas V Jámě (Authentic Mexican Cuisine) 4.5 ⭐  

 

[$$]

Fat Cat Downtown (Burgers & Craft Beer) 4.6 ⭐  

Restaurant Talíř (Modern Czech Cuisine) 4.7 ⭐  

K – The Two Brothers (Elegant Indian cuisine in a regal setting) 4.5 ⭐

  

[$$]

Le Petit Beefbar au Grand Café (Modern Steak Bistro) 4.7 ⭐  

Čestr (Modern Czech Steakhouse) 4.6 ⭐