Prague’s public transport network will operate with reduced service during the Easter holidays, as confirmed by Filip Drápal, spokesperson for ROPID.

On Maundy Thursday, services will follow “half-holiday” schedules, meaning longer intervals between buses and trams, particularly during morning and afternoon rush hours. However, the metro will continue to run on its regular weekday timetable.

Public transport on Good Friday will follow Saturday schedules, while on Easter Monday, services will operate according to Sunday timetables.

School lines and designated school services on regional and suburban routes will be suspended throughout the Easter period.

“Because the half-holiday timetables are only valid for a single day, they won’t be posted at individual stops,” said Drápal. Instead, passengers are advised to check the current schedules on the official website www.pid.cz or via mobile transit apps.

The changes are standard for public holidays in the Czech capital, and commuters are encouraged to plan their routes accordingly to avoid delays.

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Wednesday, April 16, marks the first official summer day of the year in the Czech Republic, defined by temperatures exceeding 25°C.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) confirmed the seasonal milestone and noted that temperatures are expected to continue rising throughout the afternoon.

Measurements from meteorological stations in the Moravian-Silesian, South Moravian, and Pilsen regions confirmed the temperature threshold had been reached.

Compared to last year, summer arrived later. In 2023, the first summer day fell on April 1, followed by the first tropical day—a day with temperatures above 30°C—on April 7.

According to climatologist Pavel Zahradníček from the Institute for Global Change Research (CzechGlobe), tropical days in April are relatively rare.

“On average, April sees a tropical day every two years, although lower elevations experience them more frequently,” he explained.

More Summer Days Bring Environmental Risks

While warmer days might seem like a welcome change, they come with serious downsides. “Higher temperatures lead to faster soil drying, lower milk yields in cattle, and greater wildfire risk, especially when combined with strong winds and dry soil conditions,” said Zahradníček.

The climatologist noted that the fire-risk period has increased by 20 to 25 days annually, starting earlier in the year than before.

This week, meteorologists issued a fire warning, citing an ongoing precipitation deficit and moderate to fresh winds. The alert remains in place until Friday noon, affecting most of Bohemia and western Moravia.

 

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Just off Národní třída, on Prague’s Jungmannova Street, a new restaurant draws attention — but it’s the smell of smoked meat that really pulls you in.

Isaac’s BBQ is the latest venture from the man who helped introduce authentic American barbecue to Prague’s street food scene.

Isaac Starobin is no stranger to the grill. For the past decade, his Dirty Dog BBQ stand has served American flavors at Manifesto Market.

He honed his craft while working in New York and Berlin. But Isaac’s BBQ, which opened on January 21, 2025, and seats around 50 guests, is his first brick-and-mortar restaurant — a dream realized after years of building customer loyalty at Manifesto.

The first evenings were fully booked, with many familiar faces from Dirty Dog showing up to support Isaac’s new chapter. He believes Prague’s food scene still has room to grow — and his goal is to surprise and strive for perfection.

The story behind the location is almost poetic. Isaac visited the space six years ago and immediately thought: this is where I want to open a restaurant. After more than a year of searching, it finally became available. The space had previously housed a minimalist Asian eatery — so stark, Isaac says, it reminded him of a dentist’s office.

He spent six months turning it into a place that reflects his own personality. Now, the restaurant features exposed brick walls, a neon sign reading “Don’t Stop Meat Now,” and what Isaac calls a touch of “sexy rustic.” An iron cow skull hangs above the long bar, where guests can sip drinks while listening to classic American rock.

The menu brings that same energy to the plate — authentic American BBQ with meat smoked for hours at low temperatures. But it’s not all traditional: the menu nods to Mexican and Asian influences too. Still, fall-apart brisket, juicy picanha, and fried chicken in buttery buns steal the spotlight.

“Fusion, not confusion,” Isaac says, embracing global inspiration. He cites chefs like Zach Palaccio, who blends barbecue with Malaysian flavors, and Adam Perry Lang. Staying rooted in tradition while pushing boundaries is central to his vision: “I love tradition. But there’s room to surprise — to move forward,” he says.

All the beef, pork, and chicken come from Czech producer Maso Klouda. Aside from a few herbs, everything is locally sourced. Isaac is clear on this point: he has no interest in being the cheapest.

 

 

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Leaving the street food scene wasn’t about abandoning it — Dirty Dog is still going strong at Manifesto Market. But a permanent space offers fewer limits, more room to experiment, and the freedom to set prices without fighting street food stereotypes.

Isaac also wants to broaden how people see American cuisine — it’s not just burgers and fries. Still, he admits that when homesick, nothing beats a cheeseburger and a Budweiser. That’s why you’ll find Coors Light, Miller Genuine Draft, and other American classics on the menu — comfort food for expats or anyone who’s had enough goulash for one trip.

You can check it out at Jungmannova 10, Prague 1, Tuesday through Saturday. Reservations are recommended.

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Prague is now home to the most modern animal hospital in Europe, a state-of-the-art wildlife rescue center capable of treating up to 10,000 injured or stray animals each year.

The new facility, located in Jinonice, cost more than 400 million CZK and offers comprehensive veterinary care for a wide range of wild species. But it’s not just a hospital — it also doubles as a space for public education and school programs.

Common patients include swans, owls, otters, squirrels, and even larger species such as roe deer, mouflons, fallow deer, and beavers. After recovery, most animals are released back into their natural habitat.

The hospital’s Jinonice location features a surgical suite, intensive care unit, veterinary clinic, treatment aviaries, feed preparation room, isolation units, and recovery enclosures.

It also includes a lecture room designed for educational programs aimed at school groups and the general public.

The rescue station employs 24 specialists who care for around 1,000 animals at any given time. Currently, about 150 wild creatures, mostly birds and hedgehogs, are preparing for release.

The head of the rescue station, Veronika Kraslová, says the success rate is impressive: over 60% of adult animals and nearly 90% of young ones survive thanks to early intervention.

“Even if the odds are slim, we try. But unfortunately, some animals are too traumatized to be saved.”

What To Do If You Find an Injured Animal

Kraslová urged Prague residents to always contact experts first. “If you find an injured animal, call our emergency line at 773 772 771. We’ll guide you on what to do,” she said. “Sometimes well-intentioned actions, like moving the animal, can cause more harm. It’s crucial to consult us first.”

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Moravská Třebová has won the title of Historic City of the Year 2024, a reward for using money from the Ministry of Culture’s programme for the restoration of monuments.

The award, which comes with a one-million-crown cheque, honors those towns and cities that have excelled in preserving and renewing their cultural and architectural heritage.

The “Historic Town of the Year” competition is organized annually by the Association of Historic Settlements in Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia along with the Ministry of Regional Development.

Moravska Trebova, in the Svitavy district, is a town of almost 10,000 inhabitants.

The town has made its Renaissance town hall accessible and created a new information system. At the same time, it acquired the Renaissance church from the local parish, which it is trying to repair and make accessible.

The Ministry for Regional Development’s award, which carries a prize of CZK 100,000, went to Nove Mesto nad Metuji in the Hradec Kralove Region and Prague 1 for its outstanding implementation of the programme for the rehabilitation of heritage reserves.

A special award was given to Horni Slavkov in the Karlovy Vary Region for the restoration of St. George’s Church, and the town of Lipnik nad Becvou in the Olomouc Region for the restoration of its town hall, fortifications, and castle.

According to Jiri Vajcner, Director of the Ministry’s Department of Heritage Protection, the state programmes for the rehabilitation of reserves and zones should have an annual fund of CZK 700 million.

Above that, the government managed to allocate CZK 1.4 billion for the restoration of the fortress towns of Terezin and Josefov. “I am convinced that the time of less abundance is over,” Vajcner said yesterday. He said the Culture Ministry had also begun to put emphasis on plans to protect heritage reserves and zones.

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The American fast-food chain Popeyes is accelerating its expansion in the Czech Republic, announcing plans to open ten new locations across the country in 2025.

While continuing to strengthen its presence in Prague, the brand will move into new territories, with branches confirmed for Brno, Pardubice, and Pilsen.

“In most cases, these will be restaurants located in shopping centers. This year, we may also launch a drive-thru and a highway stop,” said Jiří Petrovič, Chief Development Officer for Popeyes in Czechia, Poland, and Romania. “I won’t disclose more details yet, as some sites are still under construction. But I believe we’ll make a lot of Louisiana chicken fans happy this year.”

According to Petrovič, at least six additional branches will launch by the end of the year or in early 2026.

In Prague, Popeyes currently operates three outlets. Outside the capital, fans can visit the location in Stehelčeves, near the D7 highway, and, since April 1, the chain’s latest branch in České Budějovice.

Popeyes entered the Czech market in 2023 with its debut restaurant on Wenceslas Square, where it sold over 100,000 portions in its first year. That opening drew massive crowds, with some eager customers waiting up to 26 hours to get a taste. A similar turnout was seen in České Budějovice this spring.

By 2033, the company aims to operate 60 restaurants across the country, including new locations in Central Bohemia and Moravia.

“It’s generally easier to open restaurants in food courts. This model supports faster expansion and helps us scale more quickly,” Petrovič explained. Compared to standalone venues, food court locations reduce build-out times and simplify operations. However, because each site presents different challenges, Popeyes has yet to release specific opening dates.

In Pilsen, the company confirmed a new branch will be built at the site of the former Carimex building near Rokycanská třída. The previously controversial glass building—nicknamed “Glass Hell”—was recently torn down to make room for a new Úslava Shopping Center.

“For now, I can confirm the new center will include a Billa supermarket and also Popeyes—the first restaurant of its kind in the Plzeň Region,” said Ivan Hlaváček, Executive Director of InterCora, in a March statement.

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At first glance, it sounds like progress paused. This year’s Equal Pay Day in the Czech Republic fell on March 25, marking the 65th day into the year — a symbolic reminder of how much longer women must work to earn what men made in 2024 alone.

That figure translates into an 18% gender pay gap, one of the widest in the European Union.

The issue took center stage last month at the Equal Pay Day 2025 Conference in Prague, hosted by Business & Professional Women CR (BPWCR), an organization that has long been at the forefront of gender equality advocacy.

The event gathered corporate leaders, policymakers, and researchers to confront a familiar but stubborn reality: Czech women continue to earn less — even when qualifications and roles are the same.

The next event will be on  26. and 27. March, 2026. Here is the link to buy tickets.

A Reversal in Progress

The pay gap had narrowed in previous years, dipping to 15% in 2021, thanks in part to government interventions like minimum wage hikes and targeted raises in female-dominated fields such as education and healthcare. But those improvements, experts warn, were short-lived — temporary fixes rather than structural reforms.

“We need sustainable, long-term measures. What we’re seeing now is a regression, not stagnation,” said Lenka Šťastná, president of BPWCR.

The disparities are particularly stark in leadership, academia, and technical fields. Despite women surpassing men in university graduation rates, the pay gulf only widens at the top end of the professional ladder.

Motherhood and the Career Gap

The wage gap peaks between the ages of 35 and 44, when many women return to work after maternity leave. That’s where the financial penalties for parenthood become especially clear — fewer promotions, limited access to part-time roles, and a childcare system still playing catch-up.

Even though Czech law allows for shared parental leave, cultural norms often keep fathers at work and mothers at home. Flexible roles remain rare, and remote work policies are only slowly being adopted.

Some recent steps have tried to address this. The government has expanded support for “neighbourhood childcare groups”, a more flexible alternative to traditional kindergartens. Updates to the Labour Code have pushed employers to offer hybrid work models, and since 2022, companies providing part-time jobs have been rewarded with insurance discounts.

Tools for Change, But Are They Used?

The Czech Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is also promoting equity through its “Rovná Odměna” (Equal Pay) project. The program offers tools like the Fair Pay Calculator, allowing companies to evaluate compensation gaps by job role and employee characteristics. The initiative was also a formal partner of this year’s Equal Pay Day conference.

But tools alone won’t fix the problem.

“Data doesn’t change things unless leadership is willing to act on it,” said one HR director attending the conference, who asked not to be named.

Several large employers — including Philip Morris, Allianz, LEGO, Mars, and Danone — participated in the two-day event, sharing strategies around transparent pay structures, inclusive leadership, and equitable hiring practices. Their message was consistent: fairness is no longer just a moral imperative — it’s also a business one.

The Czech branch of BPW International, active in more than 100 countries, has also helped companies align with global standards such as the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). In recent years, firms like GasNet, HOPI Holding, and Allianz have publicly signed on.

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Since last year, Prague City has been working on a new system to regulate shared transport.

The new regulations aim to address concerns related to bikes and e-bikes in the city, ensuring that these vehicles are parked in designated spots.

Importantly, e-scooters will be excluded from the system and will no longer be allowed to park in public spaces.

“Anyone who does not have a contract with us cannot operate and park scooters. If they do, we will remove them,” said Petr Hájek, director of the Technical Administration of Roads. According to Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates), while operators might theoretically establish parking stations on private property, this would be complex, and the city does not anticipate such arrangements.By the end of May, the city council is expected to approve the administration’s proposal, granting the authority to issue contracts with individual bike operators.Under the new rules, operators will be required to pay 25 CZK per month for each bike or e-bike parked in designated areas. Operators who fail to comply with parking regulations will face a fine of 100 CZK, with the fine rising to 1,000 CZK if not rectified in time.

If operators persist with improper disposal, the administration will remove the bikes and only return them once the fine is paid. These designated parking spots will also be available for use by Prague residents who want to park their personal bikes.

After the contracts are signed, operators will have a period to remove any e-scooters from the streets.

“We don’t anticipate mass violations of these regulations, as other cities with similar systems have shown good results,” said Hřib. However, Hájek noted that for the first year, the administration will monitor the system manually. From the following year, it will be automated, using GPS data from bike providers.

The exclusion of e-scooters from the system comes in response to long-standing complaints from both residents and city districts, particularly in central Prague.

Critics have voiced concerns over scooters being abandoned in obstructive locations and the danger posed by riders on sidewalks. “E-scooters account for nearly double the number of violations compared to bikes, and almost five times as many fines,” explained Hájek.

For years, Prague 1 has been calling for a ban on shared e-scooters, pushing for this measure to be incorporated into a municipal ordinance. Hřib noted that such a solution would need to apply to all vehicles, including privately owned ones that don’t cause issues.

The city’s decision to adopt a private law procedure was in line with recommendations from the ministries of transport, interior, and industry and trade.

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The Czech Republic is set to experience multiple waves of Saharan dust, which will remain suspended in the atmosphere until Easter.

Meteorologists warn that this dust intrusion could worsen air quality, trigger respiratory problems, and slightly reduce the expected warm temperatures across the country.

The dust, carried from the Sahara Desert, can cause a visible haze, reduce sky clarity, and lead to so-called “blood rain” — a phenomenon where rainfall carries dust particles, leaving dirty stains on cars, windows, and other surfaces.

At higher concentrations, these fine particles may settle on the ground and, when combined with pollen, significantly worsen symptoms for people with asthma or allergies.

According to meteorologists at Geosphere Austria, the first major dust wave is expected to hit on Tuesday, followed by another on Thursday. The deteriorated air conditions are likely to continue throughout the Easter holidays.

In addition to the health concerns, sunlight will be partly blocked, potentially reducing maximum daytime temperatures by a few degrees.

This atmospheric event is part of a recurring natural phenomenon that occurs during storms or low-pressure systems over North Africa.

Every year, the NASA Earth Observatory reports that winds blow up to 200 million tons of dust from the Sahara into the atmosphere. Under the right meteorological conditions, these particles are lifted into the upper layers of the atmosphere and transported thousands of kilometers, often reaching Central Europe.

The Sahara — the world’s largest desert, stretching across ten African countries from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea — is responsible for nearly half of all dust in the Earth’s atmosphere.

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The biggest Baroque celebrations on the water at Charles Bridge in Prague following a three-hundred-year tradition.

The NAVALIS Saint John’s Celebrations are a commemoration of the best-known Czech saint and Prague native, Saint John of Nepomuk, patron of all people of the water.

A mass is held with a procession and a Baroque water concert on the Vltava River beside Charles Bridge on the evening before the holy day of Saint John of Nepomuk (so-called vigilia).

Every year there are numerous special events, such as a folklore festival,  a regatta of historical and dragon boats, markets, lectures and exhibitions. Venetian gondoliers regularly take part in the event and amaze visitors with their captivating songs.

John of Nepomuk, the patron saint of Bohemia, is revered among the Catholic faithful as a protector from floods and drowning.

Legend has it that King Wenceslas IV had him tortured, killed and thrown into the Vltava River because he refused to divulge the queen’s secrets, told to him in confession.

Statues of John of Nepomuk, such as the one installed in 1683 on the north side of the Charles Bridge in Prague, were erected long before he became a saint, notes historian Jiří Louda.

“At the beginning of the 18th century, John of Nepomuk was already quite popular in Bohemia as a patron of confessional secrets. But he was beatified only in 1721 and canonized in 1729.”

Main program:

– saddling and decorating horses for a costumed procession will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Hradčanské náměstí;

– 17:30: solemn liturgy in the St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle;

– 19:00: costume procession from Hradčanské náměstí to the Charles Bridge;

– 19.45: the audience will be entertained by Venetian gondolas and historical Croatian boats, a “walrus” race and a parachute jump;

– 20:30: music concert on the floating platform.

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With birth rates falling faster than expected and an ageing population on the rise, Czechia faces urgent decisions to secure the future of its economy and social welfare system.

Angela Merkel, Germany’s longest-serving chancellor, will visit Prague for a rare public appearance and her first-ever live interview in the Czech Republic.

She will speak with Czech journalist Tomáš Lindner about her memoir Freedom and reflect on the state of democracy in Germany and Europe.

For sixteen years, Merkel led Europe’s most powerful country through an extraordinary period marked by financial crashes, the refugee crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine.

Her newly released autobiography offers a behind-the-scenes look at how key decisions were made during her time in office — decisions that helped define modern Europe.

In the book, Merkel also examines her East German upbringing and how life under communism shaped her worldview. In the Respekt-hosted interview, she is expected to expand on these themes and provide new insights into the complex realities of political leadership.

The discussion will continue the narrative laid out in Freedom, now available in Czech thanks to Práh Publishing, which is also partnering on the event.

Since its release, the Czech edition of Merkel’s memoir has gone into its third printing, underlining the strong interest in her legacy. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the venue.

Event Information:

The interview will be conducted in German, with simultaneous translation into Czech. Each ticket includes a pair of headphones for live translation. For those fluent in German, there is also an option to attend without headphones when purchasing tickets.

Due to enhanced security measures, doors to the venue will open at 5:00 p.m. to ensure all attendees can be seated comfortably in time. Timely arrival is strongly recommended.

All ticketing and logistical details are managed via GoOut.

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