After years of planning, Prague is on the cusp of a transformation.

New districts are beginning to emerge, famous squares are getting facelifts, major railway stations are expanding, and a new bridge will soon span the Vltava River.

According to the Institute of Planning and Development, Prague’s population could reach 1.67 million by 2050. The number of foreign residents is expected to nearly double, and tourism is likely to keep growing. To accommodate this, the city will need to expand its housing, public transport, and cultural amenities—and this is no distant future.

Entire new districts with residential and office spaces are already under construction in Smíchov and Rohanský ostrov, with potential developments in Bubny and Žižkov on the horizon.

Wenceslas Square:
Trams are making a comeback to the upper part of Wenceslas Square. The new tracks will link the Main Railway Station with Vinohradská Street, offering residents another option for traversing the city’s districts, which were once divided by a major thoroughfare. Work on the 550-meter-long tram line from the National Museum to the middle of the square began this summer and is expected to take three years, with an estimated cost of CZK 1.24 billion.

 

Savarin Palace:
Located just steps away from Wenceslas Square, the Baroque Savarin Palace on Na Příkopě Street is nearing the completion of a major renovation by the developer Crestyl. The project is expected to be finished by the end of the summer, with shops opening in the fall. In the next phase, the company plans to create a retail and office complex with arcades and underground spaces around the palace, connecting Na Příkopě, V Cípu, and Jindřišská streets with Wenceslas Square.

 

Prague Main Railway Station:
Prague’s Central Station is at the center of significant investment by the state, city, and private sector. The most debated project involves the Railway Administration’s plan to rebuild the check-in hall, which is currently in poor condition and inadequate for future needs. However, the design by Henning Larsen Architects of Copenhagen has faced criticism.

 

Masaryk Station:
Recently, excavators began work on dilapidated buildings along the existing tracks at Masaryk Station. The Railway Administration plans to build new tracks here to accommodate trains arriving from the airport. One of the most notable changes will be the roofing over part of the track, allowing pedestrians to walk from Florenc to Hybernská Street.

 

Smíchov City:
New office and residential buildings are already under construction near the Na Knížecí bus station. In June, the developer launched the next phase in the southern part of the brownfield site, including the new headquarters of Česká spořitelna. A pedestrian boulevard connecting Smíchov railway station with Na Knížecí will be named after Madeleine Albright.

 

Dvorecký Bridge:
A new bridge is rising over the Vltava River near Smíchov, linking Prague 4 and Prague 5. Construction of the Dvorecký Bridge is progressing rapidly, with the horizontal section, or bridge deck, already being prepared for concrete pouring. The bridge will have five piers, two of which will be in the riverbed. It will serve public transport, pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency vehicles. It is expected to open by the end of next year.

 

Vltava Philharmonic Orchestra
The Vltava Philharmonic Hall is one of the most anticipated architectural projects in Prague in the coming decades. It will become the main initiator and accelerator for the development of the neglected area of Bubny-Zátory. The building will be home to the Czech Philharmonic, the FOK Prague Symphony Orchestra and the Music Department of the Prague Municipal Library.

 

Rohan Island
Two developers are working on Rohanský ostrov – Sekyra Group with its Rohan City project and J&T Real Estate with its Nový Rohan project. Apartment buildings and office buildings are being built here. The fact that the location is extremely attractive is proved by the recent announcement of Creditas Bank, which has decided to buy the office building project from Sekyra. The adjacent area near the river is to be turned into a large park, in which the municipality is investing for a change.

 

Žižkov Freight Station
Over the hill from Karlín is another large development area. The municipality wants to buy the historic building of the station, where commercial, retail and office space could be built, and possibly also apartments. A decision on the purchase of the listed building could be made as early as this year. A tram line will run through the new district.

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A Ukrainian Culture Festival will be held in Prague, offering a rich blend of cuisine, culture, and music.

The event will take place at the Cross Club in the Holešovice district on Sunday, August 18, from 11:00 to 21:00.

The festival celebrates the diversity and creativity of Ukrainian culture, bringing together entrepreneurs, chefs, artists, and performers. Attendees can explore exhibitions, enjoy a variety of traditional Ukrainian dishes, and attend engaging lectures.

Throughout the day, visitors will be entertained by singers, musical groups, and other performers on stage.

Renowned Prague restaurants and Ukrainian bistros will prepare special dishes for the event, promising a diverse menu that reflects the richness of Ukrainian cuisine.

The creative zone will showcase art and fashion, with handmade clothing and accessories from emerging Ukrainian designers available for purchase.

Children will also have their own entertainment area, complete with a play corner, fun contests, and more.

Tickets are required for entry. The first 100 tickets are available in presale for CZK 100, the next 300 tickets for CZK 150, and the remaining tickets will be sold for CZK 200 crowns.

For more information about the event, including the latest list of participating restaurants, artists, and craftspeople, visit this Facebook page.

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Former North Dakota lawmaker Ray Holmberg pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to a charge that he traveled to Europe with the intent to pay for sex with a minor.

Ray Holmberg, 80, admitted in court that he had paid young male masseuses, with some of whom he had sexual contact, during multiple visits to Prague, though he said he did not know for certain how old they were.

Holmberg was indicted in October 2023 for travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual activity and receipt and attempted receipt of child sexual abuse material. The Republican served more than 45 years in the North Dakota Senate before resigning in 2022.

Under a plea agreement he signed in June, Holmberg agreed to plead guilty to the former charge, and prosecutors would move to dismiss the latter and recommend a sentence at the low end of the guideline range.

Judge Daniel Hovland accepted his plea and allowed Holmberg to remain released, with restrictions, until a later sentencing hearing. Wearing a dark suit, the disgraced former lawmaker declined to comment after the hearing.

The travel charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervised release.

Holmberg made 14 trips to Prague from 2011 to 2021 and frequented a villa that one travel companion described as a brothel that had teenage male masseuses. Another travel companion told investigators that he paid for the nights at the villa because Holmberg did not want his name on the register, Puhl said.

Holmberg, a retired high school counselor, said, “It was just something — I don’t want to say fell into … that I did,” and “it was after retirement before any of this activity occurred.” He retired in 2002. He said he had been to Prague a few times before 2011, liking opera and castles. He said he generally traveled by himself.

Holmberg said he became aware of the villa after possibly seeing it online, but said he wasn’t sure how old the masseuses were or how many encounters he had with them. Sexual contact occurred with “some of them,” he said. He noted that the Czech Republic has a younger age of consent than the U.S. does and said he didn’t recall traveling to other countries for the same purpose.

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Manifesto Market Anděl is excited to announce a lineup of entertaining events and cultural festivals for August.

Guests can look forward to a summer full of live music, cultural celebrations, and unique themed parties in an energetic and vibrant atmosphere.

Gay Pride Week (August 8–11)
Celebrate love, diversity, and inclusivity with a series of events at Manifesto Market Anděl.

● Drag Queen show by Queendom.cz (Thursday 20:00–22:00)
● Performers: Fatale Vanity, Monstera Meduza, Melancholia Blackbile, Janny Jill
● DJ Lil Autotune (Friday 19:00–21:00)
● Disco Hits Party (Saturday 18:00–22:00)
● Pop-up stalls from LGBTQ stores: Blackbile, Queendom

 

Adopt a Shelter Dog (August 18)
A local shelter will bring some of their adorable dogs that you can cuddle and register for adoption. We will also have shops selling various pet products.

● Dočasky Dede shelter will present their dogs (11:00 – 17:00)
● Pop-up shop from ZOLLY DOG BAKERY – Fantastic bakery for dog treats

 

Street Food Weekend (August 23–25)
Get ready for an unforgettable gastronomic experience during our Street Food Weekend. The event includes:

● DJ Zolan (Friday 19:00–21:00)
● Dance performances (Saturday)
● Live music (Sunday)
● Specialties like Neapolitan pizza, Turkish and American grill specialties, Takoyaki Bar, toppoki, bibimbap, Korean sweet pancakes Hotteok, Taiyaki, and Korean ice cream.

 

Latin and Caribbean Festival (August 29–31)
Join us for a celebration of Latin American and Caribbean culture. The event includes:

● Mariachi Band (Thursday)
● Latino DJ (Friday)
● Dance performances and lessons (Saturday)
● Pop-up flower shop Bukèt all weekend
● Specialties from restaurants featuring Colombian, Peruvian, Venezuelan, Mexican, and Brazilian cuisine

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Even though the popularity of names shifts from year to year, some names consistently remain favorites.

The Czech Statistical Office has recently published the latest list of popular baby names in the country.

For the thirteenth year in a row, Jakub secured the top spot among boys’ names. Matyáš came in second, narrowly edging out Jan, who took third place. Dominik made the most significant leap in the top ten over the past 13 years, climbing from 15th to 7th place.

Top 10 Boys’ Names:

• Jakub
• Matyáš
• Jan
• Adam
• Vojtěch
• Dominik
• David
• Tomáš
• Filip
• Daniel

Among girls, Eliška has been the most popular name since 2012, when it replaced Tereza. Viktorie took the second spot this year, a significant jump from 16th place back in 2010. Anna secured the third position.

“Interestingly, the top ten girls’ names have remained mostly unchanged from the previous year, with the only exceptions being Emma and Adéla swapping places, and Julie breaking into the top ten, pushing Nela out,” noted the Czech Statistical Office.

Top 10 Girls’ Names:

• Eliška
• Viktoria
• Anna
• Sofie
• Natálie
• Tereza
• Emma
• Adéla
• Amálie
• Julie

The name Isabela made the most impressive leap among girls, climbing 52 spots from 143rd to 91st place. For boys, Teo and Vilém both jumped 22 places. On the flip side, names like Monika, Melanie, Vladimír, and Ivan saw the most significant drops.

The office also tracked names that are frequently passed down through generations. Among boys, Antonín, Václav, and František are the most commonly inherited names. For girls, the name Marie is the most commonly inherited, followed by Zdeňka and Natálie. Interestingly, mothers are less likely to pass on their names to their daughters compared to fathers passing on their names to sons.

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The B line of the Prague metro is currently interrupted after a tragic accident at Křižíkova station.

A blind man in his 50s fell onto the tracks and was fatally struck by an oncoming train. The incident occurred around 5:47 PM, and metro service between Florenc and Českomoravská has been suspended.

An alternative tram service, XB, is now operating between Florenc and Vysočanská. The Prague transport company has not provided an estimated time for when regular metro service will resume.

Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, with rescue teams confirming that the man did not survive his injuries. A medical examiner has been called to the site.

Police spokesman Jan Daněk stated that investigators are working to determine whether the incident was an accident or a suicide. Prague firefighters were also alerted to the scene shortly after 6 PM.

The exact circumstances of the man’s fall are still under investigation.

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A tragic incident occurred on Lazarská Street in Prague 1, where a piece of a building’s ledge fell on a man waiting at a tram stop.

Despite the quick response from rescue services, the man died on the scene. Firefighters later secured approximately 100 kilograms of additional loose material that posed a further risk. The street was closed for nearly two hours.

The Prague Police reported the incident on the social media platform X, stating, “We are currently responding to an incident on Lazarská Street in Prague 1, where a piece of cornice has likely fallen from a roof. Resuscitation efforts were made on the spot, but tragically, they were not successful.”

Jana Poštová, a spokeswoman for the rescue services, confirmed that a team of paramedics, a doctor, and an inspector were on the scene within four minutes of receiving the call.

The victim, a man in his fifties, suffered severe head injuries. Despite all efforts, his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

According to police spokesman Jan Daněk, five to six people were present at the tram stop when the ledge fell. Criminal investigators are currently examining the scene to determine whether negligence or other factors contributed to the incident.

They are also investigating the cause of the collapse.

Reports from aktu.cz indicate that the piece of ledge fell through a glass roof and struck the man who was sitting on a bench, hitting him directly on the head.

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On Thursday, September 5th, 2024, the PIZZA! PIZZA! Pop Up festival will take over Holešovice Market from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

This one-day event offers the best of Italian cuisine, featuring everything from traditional pizzas to lesser-known delicacies like baked piadina, fresh pasta, and fried stuffed olives.

The festival is free to enter and promises a day filled with authentic Italian tastes, great coffee, fine wines, cocktails, and live music, all in the open air.

“We aim to offer visitors a taste of something authentic, something new, all within a relaxed atmosphere,” says Aleš Víšek from the Holešovice Market program team. “PIZZA! PIZZA! Pop Up embodies this, providing an opportunity to enjoy the flavors of Italy and escape the daily grind, even if just for a while.”

Authentic Italian Street Food

MATE’S pizza truck will serve up true Neapolitan pizza, while the team from Pizza Therapy will showcase their passion for this iconic dish.

Picoška food truck will also serve pizzas made from traditional Napoletana dough, known for its long fermentation process resulting in a light and digestible crust. Francesco Gallucci from Le Pizze di Frankie will bring his expertise, preparing both classic and pizzas right from his bistro in Nusle.

But Italy offers more than just pizza. Visitors can explore the diverse flavors of Italian street food, like piadina, a thin flatbread filled with various ingredients, which has roots in ancient Rome and is now a staple of the Emilia-Romagna region.

You can also sample Ascolana olives, stuffed with meat and fried to a crisp, or try the lesser-known pinza, a relative of pizza made from a mix of wheat, rice, and soy flour.

Take Eat EZ will have homemade ham, porchetta, and traditional salsiccia sausage for those who love Italian sausages.

Petra, a participant from MasterChef, will present Italian classics from her iconic Yum-Yum Piaggio, including Tuscan tomato soup, homemade pasta, and Panna Cotta. Her tricycle-turned-food-truck adds a touch of Italy’s vintage charm to the festival.

La Mia Spritzeria stand will transport you to an Italian piazza with a selection of wines, cocktails, and other beverages. Enjoy a classic Aperol Spritz, a strong Negroni, or a refreshing Malfy gin and tonic.

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Prague’s hotels and other accommodations hosted more than 2 million guests in the second quarter of this year, a 6.8 percent increase compared to last year.

While foreign visitors increased, domestic tourist numbers fell. Total overnight stays rose by five percent, reaching 4.64 million nights, as reported by the Czech Statistical Office (CSO). This growth was largely due to the World Hockey Championship held in Prague and Ostrava in May.

In the second quarter, about 405,000 domestic guests stayed in Prague’s hotels, guesthouses, campsites, and other public facilities, a two percent decrease year-on-year.

In contrast, foreign tourists numbered around 1.68 million, marking a 9.2 percent increase from the same period last year.

Foreigners accounted for 3.97 million of the total overnight stays, while Czech citizens accounted for approximately 671,600 nights. On average, each guest stayed for 2.2 nights. Foreign tourists stayed an average of 2.4 nights, compared to 1.7 nights for Czech guests.

Germany provided the largest number of foreign visitors, with over 290,800 guests. The United States followed with about 138,760 visitors, and Poland with 110,580.

The hockey championship in May drew many international sports fans to Prague.

According to statistics, the countries with the highest year-on-year increase in tourists were Finland, Switzerland, and Canada. Finnish guests stayed an average of three nights, Canadians 2.7 nights, and Swiss visitors 2.5 nights.

Across the Czech Republic, a total of 5.954 million guests stayed in mass accommodation establishments in the second quarter, spending a total of 13.93 million nights.

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Starting in 2025, Airbnb landlords in the Czech Republic will face stricter regulations.

They will be required to register their guests through the e-Turista portal, and municipalities will gain more authority to regulate short-term accommodations via online platforms.

“Municipalities could enforce stricter regulations, such as limiting the months when short-term rentals are allowed. This approach is already in place in other parts of the world,” says Regional Development Minister Ivan Bartoš.

Prague has previously tried to regulate Airbnb and similar platforms without success. “This is a significant change. The government recognizes that the state loses nearly CZK 800 million in taxes annually due to insufficient regulation. Additionally, municipalities lose about CZK 55 million annually in residence fees,” explains tax consultant Michal Dvořáček.

Although exact figures are unavailable, the Ministry of Industry and Trade estimates that 40 to 70 percent of stays on these platforms go unreported in the Czech Republic.

Besides Airbnb, international companies such as Wimdu, Booking.com, and Vrbo operate in the local short-term rental market, while Czech companies like E-chalupy and Chata.cz focus on out-of-town stays.

Registration via the e-Turista Portal

The new amendment will require short-term accommodation providers to register guests through the e-Turista portal. Each accommodation establishment will need a unique registration number.

Providers must initially register their start date in this field, the location of the accommodation, the maximum number of beds, and their personal and contact details.

Those who fail to report guests via the online system could face fines up to CZK 100,000. Platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com could face fines up to CZK 10 million if they violate their obligations.

These platforms are already required to provide authorities with data on apartment owners and their short-term rental activities upon request, but the Ministry admits that they often avoid this obligation. “They prefer to risk administrative penalties, which they can easily circumvent because they are based abroad and have no seizable assets in the country,” says Tuček.

 

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Buying a home is increasingly difficult for Czechs. High mortgage rates and rising house prices complicate the situation.

Last year, the Czech Republic dropped in the international rankings, making domestic housing the least affordable in Europe.

“The affordability of owning a home in the Czech Republic remains poor and it doesn’t look like it will change yet,” said Miroslav Linhart, a senior partner in Deloitte’s financial advisory department.

Deloitte’s Property Index survey calculates the average income and the cost of a new 70-square-meter apartment. In the Czech Republic, it takes 13.3 annual salaries to buy such an apartment, the same as last year.

The Czech Republic now ranks alongside Slovakia, where people need to save for 12.7 years. In contrast, in Denmark and Norway, it takes less than five annual salaries to buy a home.

Among cities, Amsterdam is the toughest for purchasing a flat, requiring around 15 years’ wages. Prague is the second most expensive, where buyers need 13.5 years’ worth of savings.

Renting Instead of Owning

Expensive housing particularly affects young people, according to Martin Lux, a sociologist at the Institute of Sociology of the Academy of Sciences. “Many young people live in rented accommodation or stay with their parents. Without intergenerational assistance, only a third could afford their own housing,” Lux said.

The trend of renting is increasing. Nearly a quarter of the population now lives in rented accommodation, up from a fifth previously. This demand is driving up rents. In the second quarter, the average rent was CZK 305 per square meter per month. For a 70-square-meter flat, this means paying CZK 21,350 monthly, an 8.5% increase from last year.

Unaffordable housing is also a concern for large cities, impacting their ability to attract necessary workers. Prague plans to build several thousand urban rental flats with preferential rents to address this issue.

Steps Toward Affordability

Linhart from Deloitte suggests that faster construction by commercial developers could make housing more affordable. Simplifying building regulations and permits would help achieve this. The new construction law aims to speed up permitting, but issues with digitalization have raised concerns about potential delays.

Last year, the Czech Republic was in the European average for construction speed, but it has slowed this year. The Czech Statistical Office reported that 17,230 flats were started in the first half of the year, a 5% decrease from the previous year.

Greater availability of mortgages, which are currently expensive, could also help. Linhart supports more development projects aimed at affordable housing, noting that private developers are only marginally involved.

Rising Prices

The Czech National Bank predicted that home affordability would improve this year as wages rise faster than housing prices. However, strong demand for owner-occupied housing is pushing prices up faster than expected.

In the first quarter of this year, the average price for an apartment was CZK 99,300 per square meter, making a 70-square-meter flat cost nearly seven million crowns. This represents a 4% increase in the first three months of this year. The CNB had forecasted a 5% rise for the entire year.

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The annual NeverMore 68 festival, centered around themes of freedom and truth. This year’s sub-theme, “Women of Dissent,” offers a poignant look back at the brave women who stood against the totalitarian regime.

The aim is to engage in candid and factual discussions about historical events, both ancient and recent, ensuring they are remembered accurately and not distorted.

The third edition of the cultural and social festival is scheduled for August 21st, marking the 56th anniversary of the occupation of former Czechoslovakia. The event will unfold from 16:00 to 22:00 at the Exhibition Grounds.

NeverMore 68 encompasses a series of concerts, discussions, exhibitions, and screenings, and, above all, serves as a platform for communal dialogue and the celebration of freedom and truth.

Czech Radio’s Director of News and Editor-in-Chief of Radiožurnál, Ondřej Suchan, reflects, “August 21st holds deep significance for Czech Radio, not only due to Czechoslovak Radio’s pivotal role during the early hours and days of the occupation. Commemorating these events is crucial.”

The festival’s program and panel discussions also involve organizations like Gulag.cz, Against Memory Loss, Decommunization,.z.s., the Museum on the Demarcation Line in Rokycany, and Political Prisoners.cz.

Exhibits span thematic photographs and substantial artifacts, including a T-55 tank once part of the occupying forces.

Admission to the event is free of charge.

 

 

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