The square completely fulfils the Prague tradition of frequent renaming. Surprisingly, even after 1990, during mass changes of names of streets, squares and other areas, it has held its present name of I. P. Pavlov, after Soviet physiologist Ivan Petrovič Pavlov (1849-1936), a Nobel-prize winner.
Since modification of the square, after removal of remains of the Blind Gate, it was called the Square of Komenský in 1897-1925, after the bishop of the Church of Brothers, teacher, scientist and writer, Jan Amos Komenský (1592-1670). Since 1925-1942 it was named the Square of Peter the Saviour, in the honour of the first Yugoslavian king, who ruled during 1918-1921. Next change came during the German occupation in 1942-1945 with the name At the Blind Gate, as the gate of this name had been once standing in this place as a part of new town fortifications. After end of World War II the name of Peter the Saviour was returned, however in 1948-1952 it was the Square of October Revolution. Then the present name came.
Two branches of the North-south trunk road have been running along the western and eastern sides of the square. Furthermore, streets with very busy traffic, called Ječná and Jugoslávská, runs there. The fact that the Square of I. P. Pavlov is really one of the most important traffic junctions in Prague is even increased by several passing tram lines and mainly, as it was confirmed by the traffic survey in November 2008, by highly used underground station of route C of the same name.
The whole circumference of the square is surrounded by high buildings. It is interesting that in project preparation of build-up of C underground route, it was once counted on that buildings in the northern side of the square would be demolished.
