In 2024, Prague City is set to undergo a remarkable transformation with a flurry of development projects that span brownfields, historic landmarks, and green areas.

 

Negrelli Viaduct’s Arch Revitalization

One of the significant projects in motion is the reconstruction of the Negrelli Viaduct, a historic railway bridge connecting New Town, Karlín, and Holešovice. Approval has been granted to repurpose the viaduct’s arches, with the first one set to host cafes, shops, and offices. The innovative use of this space aims to breathe new life into the structure, and a city information center is slated to open in spring 2024.

Savarin Palace

The iconic Savarin Palace, near Wenceslas Square, is undergoing a transformation into a commercial complex. The project encompasses the restoration of the palace and its connecting passages, to introduce a mix of commercial and office spaces, alongside public amenities like gardens, cafes, and restaurants by 2024.

Masaryk Railway Station’s Expansion

The Masaryk Railway Station is poised for a substantial makeover, with an estimated cost of 3.39 billion crowns. The ambitious project involves expanding the station from seven to nine tracks and building a new pedestrian platform connecting Florenc and the station.

Žižkov Freight Station’s

The redevelopment of Žižkov Freight Station, one of Prague’s largest brownfields, is set to reintroduce residential life to the area. Led by the Central Group, the project aims to open the first residential block in mid-2024, part of a larger plan to construct 2,500 apartments. Developers like Penta Real Estate, Sekyra Group, and Finep are also seeking building permits, while the city explores purchasing the historic freight station from Czech Railways.

Rohan Island

Sekyra Group and J&T Real Estate are collaborating on the development of Rohanský Island. The mixed-use project includes around 1,000 apartments, offices, and retail spaces. The first phase is scheduled to commence in 2024, distinguishing the quarters as Rohan City and Nový Rohan.

Prague 9’s Construction Hub

Prague 9 is witnessing a construction boom, with the Tesla Hloubětín project by Central Group leading the way. This extensive residential project on a former radio and television manufacturing plant brownfield aims to create over 2,500 apartments by 2030. Penta Real Estate and other developers are also planning significant projects in the area.

Vítězné Square

Vítězné Square, affectionately known as Kulaťák, is set for a major facelift with the Victoria Palace project by Penta Real Estate and Kaprain. The project will introduce residential, commercial, and retail spaces, reshaping the square’s landscape in 2024.

Šárka’s Residential Renaissance

Crestyl Group plans to transform the former Aritma industrial area near Šárka forest into a new residential quarter. Envisioned as a mix of villas, apartments, a kindergarten, and retail spaces, this development aims to enhance living options in Prague 6.

City Housing Initiatives

Prague Development Company, under the city council, is gearing up for new projects in 2024. In Prague 5, plans include a six-story residential building with 56 city rental apartments and retail spaces, strategically located between V Botanice Street and Matoušova, near the renowned brutalist bank building designed by architect Karel Prager.

Infrastructure Focus: Prague Bridges

The city’s commitment to improving infrastructure continues, with the anticipated completion of the Branický Railway Bridge in 2024. Additionally, progress is expected in the reconstruction of the Barrandov Bridge following the proposed construction stage mergers.

In the upcoming year, Prague’s residents are set to experience a rise in their water bills. The water and sewage fees will increase to 144.88 crowns per cubic meter, marking a 13 percent upturn from the previous year.

City councilors, in February 2022, approved a strategy extending until 2028, enabling the city to annually increase water and sewage fees by two percent above inflation.

Consequently, this year witnessed a 13 percent escalation, with the amount climbing by nearly 17 crowns, from 128.18 crowns to 144.88 crowns per cubic meter.

The municipal company Pražská vodohospodářská společnost (PVS) oversees Prague’s water management infrastructure, leasing it to Pražské vodovody a kanalizace (PVK) until 2028.

Next year, PVS is set to collect approximately 3.55 billion crowns in rent, an increase of about 584 million from the previous year.

The year-on-year increase translates to around 56 crowns per month per person for all water management services, totaling an annual increase of 671 crowns per person.

According to the document approved by Prague councillors on Monday, the socially sustainable water price calculated for the city of Prague in 2024 is 235.47 crowns per cubic meter.

Despite the increase, the price of water and sewage in Prague remains below the socially sustainable threshold. The cost for one liter of produced and delivered drinking water, inclusive of subsequent disposal and ecological cleaning, is less than 15 Czech haléř.

The rental fee for water management infrastructure, paid by PVK to the municipal company PVS, will also witness a year-on-year increase. Compared to last year, it is projected to rise to about 3.55 billion crowns, while this year’s rental fee is set at approximately 2.96 billion.

Most of the collected funds, over 3.3 billion, will be allocated by PVS for investments in the renewal of water and sewerage systems.

The amount of rent is influenced by factors such as the increase in operational and uncontrollable costs, as well as the change in the VAT rate for water approved by the government.

Veolia owns 51 percent of PVK, with the remaining 49 percent owned by the city through PVS. The company manages a water supply network that spans 4,444 kilometers and a sewer network covering 4,760 kilometers.

Last year, it served 93,521 contract customers.

Prague 7 (or as we could refer to as Prague 007) is currently showcasing over 75 original exhibits from James Bond movies.

Legendary cars, as well as planes, helicopters, and maritime and space vessels used by Her Majesty’s agents, from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, can be found in the 3,000 square meters space.

Each exhibit comes with not only a description but also a screen showing how the particular vehicle or prop was used in the film. And of course, there is a bar where they mix Bond’s favorite Martini for you. So, shake, not stir! And let’s look into four examples of vehicles that await you at the exhibition.

1) BMW R1200C (Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997)
One of the vehicles you can look forward to is the BMW R1200C motorcycle, which comes to you straight out of the iconic motorbike chase sequence of the film. Stunt man Jean-Pierre Goy used it to jump an incredible 12-metre jump without a helmet or any protection, risking it all only to make a triumphant landing, receiving a great round of applause from the cast and crew of the film. This addition to the exhibition was recommended by Meg Simmonds, Director of the EON Productiction Archive.

2) Land Rover Defender (Skyfall, 2012)
The James Bond films have an interesting connection to Prague, as Casino Royale was filmed here with Barrandov film studios. The Land Rover Defender was recommended to the exhibition by stunt coordinator Lee Morrison, who has worked on four other James Bond films, as well as the Indiana Jones series, Tomb Raider, The Avengers, Wonder Woman and Dune: Part Two.

Lee Morrison adds, “I remember when we filmed Casino Royale here in Prague. We collaborated with the team from Barrandov, who were amazing people. Almost everything I see here evokes strong emotions in me, and I have some connection to it, having experienced something or had some extreme adventure. Probably the most striking exhibit is the Land Rover from Skyfall. Above it is the Honda I jumped off a roof with, and in the background of the photo is the Audi I drove. It’s like my dream living room here, a piece of my life and emotions in every view.”

3) Aston Martin DB5 (Goldfinger, 1964)
The Aston Martin DB5 was an addition made to the exhibition by actress Maryam d’Abo, who played a musician from Czechoslovakia, whom James Bond (Timothy Dalton) falls in love with and rides down a snowy slope in a cello case, in the film The Living Daylights.

“Yes, there’s also that cello case with which I have strong emotions connected; we filmed the scene without stunt doubles, and that thing was completely uncontrollable. Nevertheless, my favorite is still the Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger with Sean Connery. It’s just a beautiful car,” she says.

4) Rotating Device Range Rover & Aston Martin (Die Another Day, 2002)
Special Effects Supervisor, Chris Corbould, recommended the Rotating Device Range Rover and Aston Martin for the exhibition. Corbould’s work represents the core of James Bond Films as he is the real-life Q, who invents gadgets for the agent and ensures a jaw-dropping impact on viewers. His team holds two Guinness World Records for the most cannon rolls in a car (7 in Casino Royale) and the largest explosion.

In addition to Bond films, he has worked on movies from the Mummy, Tomb Raider, X-Men, The Dark Knight, and Star Wars series. He is an Oscar winner for the film Inception. “I worked on a total of 15 Bond films. The ones that impacted me the most were probably GoldenEye because there was a long break in filming before it, No Time to Die, and certainly Casino Royale because it was the first Bond film with Daniel Craig, marking a new era for Bond films for me,” he adds.

The exhibition is a must-go for Bond fans, and cinephiles alike, but also for car enthusiasts who would like to look into the long-running relationship between cars, motorbikes, and the Bond films. Each vehicle represents a finely chosen instrument for the films and carries with it a history of its own.

• When: December 7, 2023 – March 31, 2024.
• Where: Křižíkovy Pavilions B and C at Výstaviště Praha
• Admission: Prices range from 95 – 1495 CZK, adult tickets 445 CZK, family tickets 995 CZK.

A recent ranking by OLBG has unveiled the European cities with the most vibrant nightlife, a placement many did not expect for Prague.

The list was compiled based on sources such as TripAdvisor and AirDNA, looking into factors such as reviews, beer prices, hotel rates, and taxi fares, while also taking into account the number of nightclubs, bars, and casinos.

With a score of 8.44 out of 10, Prague grabbed the top spot. The city boasts one of the cheapest domestic beers in Europe, a plethora of activities and events, and secured its position as one of the safest cities on the list.

Bratislava secured the second spot with a score of 8.16 out of 10. The Slovak capital received high ratings across all categories, benefiting from low Airbnb prices, affordable domestic beer, and taxi services.

According to the survey, Warsaw offers the lowest Airbnb prices in Europe, with an average nightly cost of around 1,804 CZK. Some Airbnb options are even available for approximately 700 CZK per night.

Istanbul provides the most economical taxi services in Europe, with an average fare of just under 11 CZK per kilometer. The authors of the study also labeled the Swiss city of Bern as the safest city in Europe.

It is no wonder beloved Prague takes the first place as there is never an absence of activities in the vibrant city. The Prague nightlife has opportunities for all with pub crawls, nightclubs, karaoke bars, rooftop bars, and live music venues in every corner of its historical streets.

Those seeking a more scenic night can also enjoy a nice evening of beer gardens, evening cultural events, boat parties with a gorgeous view, and of course strolls in the picturesque city at any time of the hour. For the adventurous and risky, you can enjoy a night of fun and edge at one of the many alternative and underground clubs and scenes, or test your luck at one of Prague’s many casinos.

Prague has just the perfect amount of fun, adventure, and serene nighttime scenery to make it a top contender for the list.

Top 10 European Cities with the Best Nightlife:

1. Prague, Czech Republic
2. Bratislava, Slovakia
3. Krakow, Poland
4. Valencia, Spain
5. Lisbon, Portugal
6. Madrid, Spain
7. Warsaw, Poland
8. Budapest, Hungary
9. Helsinki, Finland
10. Istanbul, Turkey

In the Czech Republic, one of the perks of driving an electric car has been the ability to park for free in paid zones.

However, Prague City is set to make significant changes by discontinuing this privilege.

Originally scheduled to end by the close of the current year, the cessation of free parking for electric cars in Prague is now scheduled to begin on October 1st of the following year.

After that, electric cars will still have the benefit of free parking in paid zones, but only at charging stations and exclusively during the charging process. In other areas, standard parking fees will apply.

“We will have to end support for electric cars that park for free. It is something that made sense in the past, but now it no longer makes sense. An electric car takes up space like any other car,” Prague Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib said.

The change will most impact commuters from outside of the city, who in recent years have become accustomed to parking their electric cars in Prague without restrictions. Many of them will now either have to pay for parking or commute by other means.

The idea of free parking for electric cars came during the administration of Mayor Adriana Krnáčová, who promoted the idea of emission-free transport in the capital by 2025. The regulation came into effect in 2019.

While free parking is coming to an end, electric car owners in Prague will have the option of discounted annual parking permits for designated purple zones.

These zones are reserved for residents with permanent residence, property owners, and entrepreneurs. Open to anyone for a maximum of 24 hours after payment, residents receive additional benefits.

Electric car owners, including those in taxis or delivery vehicles, will also enjoy additional perks. They will be able to park for free for 15 or 30 minutes in blue zones.

Additionally, Prague City Hall is actively working on transitioning the entire taxi service system to electromobility. This change will impact both traditional taxis with rooftop signs and alternative taxi vehicles from companies like Bolt or Uber.

The Czech Republic is on the brink of an epidemic. Numbers of COVID, respiratory infections, and flu are rising. How to distinguish between them?

As EuroZprávy.cz reported last week, the number of people with respiratory illnesses has increased by approximately 13 percent, while flu cases have risen by 125 percent.

The Czech Republic’s Hygiene Service on the X network stated that the country is at the beginning of an unfavorable epidemiological situation. What are the most common respiratory diseases, and how can they be distinguished from each other?

The number of people infected with COVID is also increasing. According to the Ministry of Health data, more than 2,800 cases of COVID-19 were recorded on Monday, the highest number in the last year and a half.

The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients is almost 650, with 38 of them requiring intensive care.

According to the chairman of the Czech Vaccinology Society Roman Chlíbek, the number of infected people is likely to be about four to five times higher than the number of those who tested positive.

Health officials noted that the current values correspond to the seasonal period, and the number of flu cases has reached the threshold of the beginning of an unfavorable epidemiological situation.

Doctors report approximately 1,300 cases of acute respiratory infections per 100,000 inhabitants in the statistics.

The number of positive tests for COVID-19 continues to rise. While the first Monday in September recorded 199 positive tests, the first Monday in October had 857, the first Monday in November had 1,528, and this week’s Monday had over 2,800.

 

The Czech Republic is grappling with a 34% drought impact, accompanied by a decline in groundwater levels.

Over the last decade, the monthly discharge of springs has seen a worrisome 127% decrease, according to data from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute.

Groundwater, vital for daily life as a key drinking water source and for soil fertility, is facing challenges. However, insights from the Czech Republic in Data journalism project highlight that scientific initiatives like Smart Landscape may offer solutions.

Continued water scarcity and extreme weather conditions pose a threat to crops, jeopardizing the country’s food supply. Currently, the Czech Republic’s drought affects 34%, correlating with over 30% agricultural losses.

“The primary cause of this decline is the increased evaporation of water from the ground due to rising temperatures. While precipitation during this period was 5% less than the long-term average, the main issue lies in its uneven distribution. Most waterfalls during heavy rains, running off the surface without penetrating the ground,” explains Alexandra Cholevová, an analyst for Czechia in Data.

Would an upswing in rainfall positively impact water reserves?

One might argue that the groundwater shortage stems from drought and insufficient rainfall. However, the crux lies in the evolving climate, resulting in more frequent fluctuations and rising temperatures.

This means an observed increase in the rate of evaporation. Between 2015 and 2019, water vapor values were up to 17% higher than between 1981 and 2010. With heightened evaporation, the loss of water from watersheds and soil will escalate, making a mere increase in precipitation insufficient to rectify the situation.

Addressing the drought challenge

Addressing the decline in groundwater levels presents a formidable challenge with potential diverse solutions. For instance, the Czech University of Life Sciences (CULS) has initiated the Smart Landscape project, leveraging technology from T-Mobile.

As part of the project, several installations monitor the impacts of extreme weather fluctuations on surface and groundwater. Collaboration with T-Mobile marks a significant stride in enhancing data collection for the project, providing a private 5G network enabling continuous, weather-independent data collection on water conditions, eliminating the need for manual readings.

The Christmas season in Czechia is generally seen as a happy event, but it has a darker side. While St. Nicholas rewards good children, in much of Central Europe a horned demon named Krampus comes for the bad apples.

He beats them and drags them off in a sack to only he knows where. Every year, Krampus becomes more popular. People who want to kick off the holiday season with a glimpse of him can go to Výstaviště’s Malá Sportovní Hala on Saturday, November 26, for two large Krampus shows.

Over 130 Krampuses from Austrian and Czech cosplay groups will make the blood of even the most hardened visitors freeze. Masked figures with giant horns will clank heavy chains while wearing shaggy fur coats and cow bells – the traditional garb of the demon.

Fire, sulfur, heavy chains, stinky fur coats, giant horns, cowbells, and other hellish masks of the devil’s servants will provide a terrifying spectacle.

The Krampus Family Show is from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

• 3:30 pm: open door
• 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm: parade and show

The early show is suitable for families with children aged 3 to 10 years old. Children who do not have their own masks can turn into little devils in the hands of experienced painters.

Krampus Night Show from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm.

• 7:30 pm open door
• 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm: parade and show

The event is intended for adults and children aged 15 and older. Organizers really do not recommend it for anyone younger, even within the well-intentioned education of naughty children.

Just like in the afternoon show, you can prepare at home for the evening and make your own original masks that will shine on the 800-meter route parade. The evening will be accompanied by a DJ.

The refreshment zone will be open until the end of the event, during which, it will be possible to purchase glowing devilish horns and other accessories.

Price:

• Family show from 120 CZK to 690 CZK
• Night show from 150 CZK to 250 CZK
• Photoshoot with Krampuses: 250 CZK

If you’re a fan of draft beer and find the prices in the Czech Republic too high, head to Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, or Romania.

While in local pubs in July, the price averaged around 54 crowns, according to data from the Dotykačka cash register system, in the above-mentioned neighbouring countries it ranged from 25 to 40 crowns.

It has become almost a tradition that during the summer months, the Czech Republic, especially Prague, is flooded with tourists from the Nordic European countries, not for sightseeing, but for cheap beer.

However, if they were to read the comparison of prices for a pint across Europe, compiled by the British tabloid Daily Mail, they would avoid the Czech Republic in the future and find alternatives elsewhere.

The UK’s widely read newspaper has come up with a comparative map of pint prices across Europe and has compiled a top ten.

The cheapest beer in Europe is offered in Debrecen, Hungary, where a pint of beer costs an average of 92 pence or 25.89 crowns.
Moldova’s capital, Chisinau, is second on the list, where you will pay a mere 31.86 crowns. In third place is Szeged, Hungary, where visitors can cool off with a pint for 32.36 crowns.

The Daily Mail awarded the fourth place, or as we say in Czech, the potato medal, to Poland’s Szczecin, where a pint of beer costs 33.23 crowns. In fifth place is Prešov, Slovakia with 34.33 crowns, and the Bulgarian seaside town of Burgas, in sixth place, selling pints for 36.59 crowns.

If you go to Romania, go for a beer in Târgu Mureș, where a pint of beer costs 37 crowns (£1.32); earning it seventh place in the rankings. In a split eighth place are two places in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Mostar and Luka, where you can get a pint of beer for a reasonable 37.43 crowns.

The Romanian city of Sibiu in Transylvania rounds off the top ten, where visitors pay an average of 39.67 crowns for a pint.

Where not to go for a beer?

Price per pint

1. Reykjavik, Iceland – 231 Kč
2. Bergen, Norway – 227.7 Kč
3. Stavanger, Norway- 218 Kč
4. Espoo, Finland – 215 Kč
5. Trondheim, Norway – 207 Kč
6. Oslo, Norway – 206.8 Kč
7. Geneva, Switzerland – 203.7 Kč
7. Lausanne, Switzerland – 203.7 Kč
7. Curich, Switzerland – 203.7 Kč
8. Basel, Switzerland – 203.5 Kč

The Czech Technical University (ČVUT) campus in Prague opened a training and research centre for simulated space missions on Tuesday, which was also attended by Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli.

The Little Moon City project will provide facilities and conditions for scientific, university and commercial research. The entire concept is to allow testing of instruments, materials, procedures, or human crews in conditions resembling space.

Little Moon City consists of a deep-sea station called Deep Lab H03 by the Hydronaut project. It is designed for long-term stays of small diving crews underwater, as well as on land, and can also simulate a stay in the space shuttle.

The station has been designed for a wide range of research, from the effects of isolation and extreme environments on the human psyche, to testing the functionality of technologies under extreme pressure.

“Our goal, among other things, was to enable people who don’t have diving training to work in the habitat. We could observe how a biologist or zoologist, for example, would work in such an environment. Getting such people into the module when it is ten metres underwater is a problem,” said project leader Jiří Schneider.

The module is less than ten cubic metres and has an area of eight square metres. It is designed for a crew of two to three and is equipped with the latest technology available for environmental control, communication and data collection.

From the control tower, it is possible to analyse machine and crew data, create documentation and work remotely with other sites. In addition to simulating space missions, the module can also be used to practice complex rescue situations. The entire simulator can then be carried on a mobile basis.

In addition to the module, the deepwater training station itself also includes a control centre and information and project infrastructure from Hydronaut.

The software and data transfer are handled by a communication and project system called Common Tongue from the 1st Cloud Republic. The system is designed to allow scientists to implement any additional parameter to meet the needs of the specific research being conducted.

The project also involves the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague, and the Department of Psychology of the Faculty of Arts of Palacký University in Olomouc.

According to the representatives of Hydronaut, connecting Little Moon City with the university world creates a unique combination of science and education, with great commercial potential.

At the same time, students and graduates of the newly opened study field of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Czech Technical University will be able to find employment in simulated space research.

The Czech Republic has been elected to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Paris, and will serve from 2023 to 2027.

“The Czech Republic has just been elected to the UNESCO Executive Board,” the Foreign Ministry said on the social network X.

Adding that one of the topics the Czech Republic will focus on, during its mandate, will be the transformation of education, and the protection of cultural and natural heritage.

The Executive Board, together with the General Conference, is UNESCO’s governing body and is made up of 58 member countries, elected by the Conference according to their respective electoral groups.

The last time the Czech Republic was a member of the Executive Board, within the Central and Eastern European Group, was between 2012 and 2015.

UNESCO was founded shortly after World War II to develop cooperation in education, science, and culture. In the latter area, it is best known for its World Heritage List, in which the organization includes the world’s most important sites.

As for the Czech Republic, its first additions to the UNESCO World Heritage List were the Historic Centre of Prague, the Historic Centre of Český Krumlov, and the Historic Centre of Telč; all added in 1992.

Since 2023 the Czech Republic has 17 sites inscribed on the list and 13 additional ones on the tentative list.

 

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Oil, flour, and sugar have recently become cheaper, but prices still remain higher than before the pandemic, according to a price comparison on the Seznam Zprávy website.

Journalists looked at goods from Tesco, Albert, Lidl, and Penny Market supermarkets and found that it is still possible to save significant money by avoiding products whose prices have not changed – for example, chocolate and sweets in general, juices, rice, meat, or canned food.

Flour, some dairy products, and sugar have become cheaper. Cheese, for example, has decreased by sometimes up to nine crowns per pack, and that’s without considering discounts that can save even more.

It is important to note that it is a good idea to look for discounts, especially at private-label supermarkets. In some instances, however, the price adjustment is only cosmetic or in units of crowns, for example, for yogurt.

Regardless, it is unreasonable to believe prices will adjust to that before the pandemic. As far as this year’s most expensive products are concerned, we are mainly paying big bucks for smoked meat, branded pasta, rice, or muesli.

The record price is said to be set by Granko, which has risen by 50 percent in Lidl, in less than a year.

Temporary Cuts

There are several reasons for the price cuts, such as lower prices for energy and raw materials. Even though the price of wheat has decreased, bread prices remain the same.

This is largely due to bakeries not being able to cover the earlier extreme rises in costs. The only products where somewhat cheaper prices are expected are soya, lentils, or oats.

There are reported trend changes in the price of cheap raw materials, meaning we will begin to see slow rises in prices, resulting in the prices of the above-mentioned products soon increasing too. This may be reflected in products such as milk, wheat, and other essentials; which may also face additional increases due to the winter costs for electricity and gas.

While experts say that the price increase of discounted goods won’t be so drastic, it is important to prepare.

This is a result of both the increase in the regulated price for wholesale consumers, as proposed by the Energy Regulatory Authority, and the government’s consolidation package. For example, electricity prices may increase by tens of percent for food producers; who are large consumers of it.

 

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