Republic Square (náměstí Republiky) is the heart of Plzeň and one of the largest historic town squares in the Czech Republic. The square is roughly rectangular and lined on all sides with Renaissance and Baroque façades in various states of restoration. The overall effect is handsome without being as polished as Prague's Old Town Square — it feels like a working city centre rather than a tourist stage set.
The main landmarks on the square are the Gothic Cathedral of St. Bartholomew at the eastern end, the ornate Renaissance Town Hall (built 1554–1558) at the southern side, and the 1681 plague column in the centre. The square is a natural starting point for any walk through the city. On weekday mornings a small farmers' market sets up on the western side, and in December the Christmas market fills the square with mulled wine stalls and wooden craft booths. Cafes and restaurants spill onto the square in summer — drinking a beer here while looking at the cathedral spire is one of the more pleasant ways to spend an afternoon in Western Bohemia.