Náměstí Vítězslava Nováka

náměstí Vítězslava Nováka is a small square in Ostrava-Poruba, one of the city's largest districts, well known for its postwar residential architecture and generous green spaces. The square takes its name from Vítězslav Novák, a respected Czech composer active around the turn of the 20th century, after whom many streets and squares across the Czech Republic are named. Rather than a grand civic plaza, this is a quiet neighborhood park-square — a resting spot for locals and an interesting stop for visitors exploring Poruba's socialist-era urban planning.

What makes this square worth knowing about?

In recent years the square went through a thorough revitalization, part of a broader, multi-stage plan to renew public spaces in Poruba based on a wider urban concept study. Before the works, the area had grown overgrown and neglected, giving it a somewhat uninviting feel after dark. The redesign was prepared by landscape architect Magda Cigánková, and one of its defining features was a participatory planning process — residents of Poruba were consulted and their input shaped the final layout.

The project involved thinning and pruning the existing trees to open up and brighten the park, repairing the footpaths, and adding two new diagonal walkways to make crossing the square quicker. New benches, waste bins and seating areas were installed, along with flower beds planted with perennials, ornamental grasses and bulbs meant to bloom in spring. The works also added extra legal parking spaces for people living in the surrounding apartment blocks.

Where exactly is it located?

The square sits in Ostrava-Poruba, in the western part of the city, an area distinguished by its characteristic residential architecture from the 1950s and 1960s, parts of which are protected as a heritage zone. Like much of Poruba's urban layout, the square functions as an inner courtyard framed by apartment blocks — a local meeting and resting point rather than a tourist-oriented city center square.

Who should visit this square?

náměstí Vítězslava Nováka will appeal most to anyone interested in postwar Czechoslovak urban planning and architecture, or to travelers wanting to see everyday life away from Ostrava's tourist core. It also makes a pleasant short break during a longer walk through Poruba, thanks to its benches, greenery and calm residential atmosphere. It is not a destination in itself, but a worthwhile stop on a broader route through this part of the city.

Frequently asked questions

Are there benches or places to rest on the square? Yes, the revitalization added new benches, waste bins and additional seating areas.

Where does the square's name come from? It commemorates Vítězslav Novák, a well-known Czech composer, after whom many public spaces in the Czech Republic are named.

Is parking available nearby? Yes, the revitalization project added extra legal parking spaces for residents and visitors.

Who designed the square's revitalization? The project was prepared by landscape architect Magda Cigánková, with the planning process shaped by consultations with Poruba residents.

Is this a good stop for a longer walk? The square itself is small, but it works well as a resting point during a walk through Poruba and its postwar architecture.