This Wednesday, March 27th, Prague commuters are in for a delightful Easter surprise!

For a few hours, between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM, the Hradčanská tram stop (heading away from the city center) will be transformed into the “Velikonoční (Easter) stop”.

Filip Drápal, spokesperson for Ropid, the organization responsible for public transport planning in Prague, announced the festive event. Passengers waiting at the specially decorated shelter will be greeted by a friendly Mr. Hare who will be handing out chocolate eggs.

But that’s not all! To partake in the Easter merriment, passengers can sing a classic carol, make a wish, or even paint their own special Easter eggs. Additionally, everyone will receive a commemorative spring badge and informational brochures about public transport in Prague.

This Easter-themed event follows the success of Ropid’s previous “Dreamy” and “Christmas” tram stop makeovers organized last year.

“We plan to continue hosting these enjoyable one-day events throughout the year,” Drápal revealed. “Upcoming events are expected in early May and early summer.”

“These events are part of our ‘My Time’ campaign,” he explained. “Our goal is to showcase public transport in a new light, highlighting its benefits and making daily commutes more enjoyable for our passengers.”

“These events are part of our ‘My Time’ campaign,” he said. “Our goal is to showcase public transport in a new light, highlighting its benefits and making daily commutes more enjoyable for our passengers.”

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The Czech Parliament’s upper house, the Senate followed the lower house on Wednesday to approve changes in the gun law that tighten requirements for owning a weapon following the worst mass killing in the nation’s history.

The legislation now must be signed by President Petr Pavel before becoming law, which is expected.

On Dec. 22, a lone shooter killed 14 people and wounded dozens before killing himself at a Charles University building in downtown Prague. The assailant was a 24-year-old student who had a proclivity for firearms and a license to own eight guns, including two long guns.

Authorities said he had no criminal record and therefore did not attract the attention of the authorities.

The lower house gave the green light to the new law on Jan 26.

Under the new law, gun owners would have to undergo a medical check every five years, not every 10 years, as they do now.

Businesses would be required to report suspicious purchases of guns and ammunition to the police, while doctors would gain access to databases to find out if their patients are gun owners.

Parliamentary debate on the legislation had already begun before that shooting. Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said it was hard to speculate whether the new rules would have prevented it if they had been in effect before it took place.

In the 81-seat Senate, lawmakers approved the legislation in a 66-1 vote.

Once approved by the president, the law would make it possible for the authorities to seize a weapon from a private owner on a preventive basis.

In Czechia, 314,000 had a gun license at the end of 2022 and owned almost a million weapons of various types.

From the beginning of March, residents of Prague can enjoy the return of their favorite farmers’ markets in most districts.

The season kicks off on Saturday, March 2nd, at Vítězné náměstí in Prague 6. This popular market offers not just regional food, herbs, and flowers but also fun events for children, including educational programs on rural traditions and making traditional Easter decorations.

Other notable markets opening in March include:

• Prague 2: Tyl Square and Rašín Embankment
• Prague 3: Jiřího z Poděbrad Square (starting February 28th)
• Prague 7: Řezáčovo Square (Heřmaňák market)

The markets at Vítězné náměstí will be held every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Additionally, the popular Jiřího z Poděbrad Square market will resume operations on Wednesdays from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturdays until 2:00 PM during the ongoing revitalization of the square.

Other markets in Prague 2, 4, and 7 also offer a diverse selection of fresh produce, flowers, local crafts, and prepared food, making them a delightful destination for locals and visitors alike.

“To commemorate the 15th anniversary of Prague’s first major farmers’ markets, we’re unveiling a revamped concept with a focus on showcasing Czech regional cuisine and its producers, sustainability, and educational initiatives, particularly tailored for children,” stated Miroslav Dušek, representing the market organizers.

He further noted that this year, through the Little Farmer program, children can delve into rural traditions, cultivate their own produce, participate in quizzes, and gain insights into the journey of food from farm to table.

Organizers are prioritizing expanding the dining and event spaces and scheduling seasonal activities, as per Mark Zeman, spokesperson for Prague 6.

Starting March 11th, the markets at Tyl Square in Prague 2 will feature a variety of traditional products such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, seedlings, alongside new offerings like carp products, ceramics, garden ornaments, oriental spices, vegan dishes, and vegetables from South Bohemia.

The official start of the Masaryk railway station’s reconstruction in Prague took place today.

The project includes the installation of an elevated platform above the tracks, improved connections with Florenc, and an expansion from the current seven tracks to a total of nine.

Additionally, a new vestibule and rest area will be introduced. The completion date for this extensive redevelopment is 2027, with a total cost estimated at CZK 3.39 billion.

Transport Minister Martin Kupka (ODS), Director General of the Railway Administration (SŽ) Jiří Svoboda, and various representatives from the capital, construction firms, and Penta, the owner of surrounding buildings, inaugurated the renovation today.

The companies STRABAG Rail and STRABAG are the appointed contractors for the project. Notably, SŽ secured nearly 84% of the funding required for the station’s reconstruction from European funds.

Masaryk railway station, the oldest in the capital, serves up to 30,000 passengers daily.

Following the completion of the Prague to Kladno and Václav Havel Airport in Ruzyně line reconstruction, the station will become the launching point for the railway to the airport.

Older than 150 years Masaryk Station, the oldest railway station in Prague, has a rich history. The first train arrived there on August 20, 1845, marking the start of railway transportation in the city. Before that, the station only served as a terminus for horse-drawn carriages in 1831.

The station was designed by Jan Perner, with building architect Antonín Jüngling, and was built by a consortium of Vojtěch Lanna and the Klein brothers between 1844 and 1845.

It initially served as the final stop for the railway from Olomouc and Vienna to Prague.

In early December, a significant milestone was reached in constructing Prague’s metro line D.

The first section of the new line, spanning from the future Olbrachtova station to tunnel behind the future Pankrác D station, was officially connected as a wall between them came down.

Simultaneously, Prague City is taking steps towards the E metro line by appointing a coordinator for its planning.

Despite being previously referred to as Line O, the E line differs significantly, intending to form a circular route around the city center, linking Prague’s districts.

Zdeněk Hřib, deputy minister for transport, emphasizes the need for a thorough feasibility study to determine the route, technology, and approximate cost of this ambitious project.

“The current transport system will not suffice for Prague residents or visitors in the coming decades,” Hřib stated on Facebook. The E line aims to serve districts anticipating substantial construction development, particularly between Smíchov and Budějovická, as well as Prosek, Vysočany, and Žižkov.

“Imagine that the whole of Ostrava or even almost the whole of Bro moves to Prague. […] If we do not start tackling the radical strengthening of underground public transport in time, Prague’s streets will be overwhelmed, and Prague will suffocate. The streets are not inflatable and more cars or, for example, buses cannot fit in them,” the representative of the City of Prague Adam Scheinherr added.

The new line would be 36 kilometres long, with 23 stations, and potentially transport over 150,000 passengers a day and around 100 million each year.

According to earlier information provided by City Hall, it would lead from Nádraží Podbaba through Dejvice, Smíchov, Dvorce, Budějovická, Vršovice, Žižkov and Vysočany to Čakovice in the north of Prague.

In the second phase of construction, the line would then re-connect with Podbaba, with five further stops being added across the north of the city.

Autumn this year was the warmest since records began at the weather station at the Clementinum complex in central Prague, according to data released on Tuesday by the Czech Hydro-Meteorological Institute.

The average temperature between September and the end of November was 13.6 degrees Celsius.

September and October were the warmest seen since records were first made in 1775; November’s temperatures were 1 degree Celsius above the average for the time of year.

The second-warmest autumn ever recorded was in 2006, with an average temperature of 13.2 degrees.

In 1752 the first regular meteorological measurement was initiated at Klementinum and it has been continuing until now.

Thirty-three years of chosen weather characteristic measurements (temperature and air pressure) are unfortunately incomplete because they were often done by estimation.

So the year 1775 is considered the beginning of comprehensive succession. “Mannheim clocks” functioned as regular temperature measurements, according to which weather behaviour was noted always at 7 am,7 pm, and 9 pm.

Weather station Clementinum is the oldest weather observation considered unique in Central Europe.

In Clementinum there are two meteorological boxes – a slat and iron-plate. The slat box measures temperature and air moisture on the first floor of the north side of the south annex.

The iron-plate box is on the roof flat at the east annex where a technical library is located. The amount of rainfalls and duration of sunshine are noted every day with the help of an apparatus called a heliograph.

You can fly to Tallinn with Eurowings from 31 March, first three times, and from May four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

A direct flight between the Czech Republic and Estonia is set to commence, as German low-cost carrier Eurowings plans to launch a Prague-Tallinn route on March 31, 2024.

This announcement was made on Thursday by the press service of Prague Airport.

For the initial month, the carrier’s aircraft will operate between the cities three times a week, and starting from May, the frequency will increase to four times a week, specifically on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

The flight duration is estimated to be 2 hours and 10 minutes. Departure from Prague is scheduled for 13:25, while departure from Tallinn is at 17:15.

The historical heart of Tallinn is the medieval old town, Toompea, which was built between the 13th and 16th centuries when Tallinn was a thriving Hanseatic port. Today the entire quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is without question the city’s biggest attraction.

With its cobbled streets, narrow alleyways, half-hidden courtyards, colourful medieval houses and extravagant churches, this hilltop neighborhood is the perfect place to spend a day. And the fact that it’s all neatly packaged within a mostly intact city wall and dotted with guard towers gives it an extra dose of fairytale charm.

If you have more than a day to spend in Tallinn, there are other areas of the city that are well worth a visit. For a glimpse at the city’s Soviet days, check out Vabaduse Väljak (Freedom Square).

For contemporary Estonian culture, the Telliskivi Creative City near the city centre is a great place to check out bohemian cafes, vintage shops, Estonian design concept stores, and plenty of cool street art.

Czech start-up Bene Meat Technologies is the first to win European Union registration for laboratory-grown meat for use in pet food and plans to boost production to make up to several metric tons per day next year, the company said on Wednesday.

A number of firms are racing globally to develop commercially viable lab-grown meat and fish products to appeal to consumers concerned about ethical issues and the environmental impact of livestock farming, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

In the United States, Upside Foods and Good Meat won regulatory approval in June for their so-called cultivated meat, made from animal cells, for human consumption, a second place after Singapore. But large-scale production is yet to begin.

Bene Meat has turned its focus to the pet food sector to deliver a product that can be marketed to global pet food makers as a raw material for inclusion in their final products.

The product received certification in the European Feed Materials Register, the company said.

Bene Meat next plans to test how the product tastes to animals, while scaling up production at its current Prague lab and at new premises it is looking for.

The start-up, set up in 2020 and owned by Czech medical devices producer BTL group, has more than 80 researchers and developers and has invested “high single millions” of euros into development, Kriz said.

The firm, like others, used cells from live animals, which grow in a vessel known as a bioreactor, fed by a supply of nutrients. He declined to comment on details.

The company is in talks with pet food makers on supplies, but also aims to work with them to potentially set up production lines at their current facilities. It also plans to develop its own brand of final pet food products.

Prague’s public transport system has undergone a striking transformation! Say goodbye to the old metro plans and say hello to the maps.

Starting this Thursday, new navigation maps will replace the traditional ones on every metro line. What’s new? The maps boast fresh colors and a revamped layout, with Wenceslas Square positioned at the center horizontally.

Additionally, they feature prominent city landmarks and green spaces. However, it’s important to note that this change is currently in the testing phase, as confirmed by Prague Integrated Transport (PID).

The goal is to ensure clear visibility of all lines and easy placement above carriage doors, making them visible to all passengers.

Given the intricate web of metro lines branching out in various directions, designing a coherent graphic has posed a challenge.

 

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PID will conduct user surveys directly in the metro carriages to focus on the legibility and clarity of the graphics, as well as the need for various types of additional information.

If the feedback indicates success, these innovative maps could be rolled out across all metro cars as early as next year.

Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair will start flying between Prague and the Sicilian city of Catania.

The direct airline will begin operations on Tuesday, 31 October.

The carrier’s aircraft will operate between the cities twice a week – on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The journey time will be 2 hours and 15 minutes.

The cost of a one-way flight on a standard fare starts from CZK 850. For some dates, you can still find promotional offers for CZK 369 (e.g., for 31 October).

Note that direct flights on this route are currently operated by another low-cost carrier, Hungarian Wizz Air. It also flies twice a week, on the same days.

The increased competition should have a favorable impact on ticket prices.

Czech nationals will have the chance to join Ukraine’s defence forces to battle Russia’s invasion without fear of punishment at home, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Thursday.

Under Czech law, it is illegal to join foreign armed forces without an exemption from the president who is the commander-in-chief of the Czech army. Violations are punishable by up to five years in prison.

CTK news agency reported this week at least 300 people had sought an exemption to answer Ukraine’s call for foreign volunteers to fight Russia’s invasion.

Fiala said after talks with President Milos Zeman on Thursday they had agreed to guarantee impunity for people who join Ukraine forces, rather than sort through individual requests.

The Czech Republic has been a NATO member since 1999.

The invasion of Ukraine, the biggest assault on a European state since World War Two, has caused unease in the former Soviet-era satellite states in central Europe, many of which border Ukraine and have seen an influx of refugees.

It has also prompted growing interest in joining domestic armies. The Czech defence ministry has reported a several-fold increase in the number of potential army recruits.

Are you looking for some new places to eat? Here is a list of newly opened businesses.

• Aux Merveilleux de Fred
• Address: Revoluční 8, Prague 1

​​If you have a weakness for the art of confectionery, head to the newly opened Prague branch of Aux Merveilleux de Fred for a tasting. Everything created here is under the guidance of the recipes of the French confectioner Frederique Vaucamps, who built a confectionery network with branches all over the world.

The goodies that have so far been enjoyed by guests in France, the USA, Canada and Japan are now also available to Czech guests. Be careful when you set out here – meringues, cakes, waffles, croissants and brioches in Aux Merveilleux de Fred are highly addictive.

• The Winery
• Address: Liborova 13, Prague 6

Bistro The Eatery, which has made it to the Michelin Guide thanks to its refined menu, has a freshly opened partner – a wine company called The Winery. 

The owner David Šindelář arranged cooperation with 29 winemakers from Bohemia and Moravia, Austria, Germany, France and Italy, and the result is this brand-new winery in Břevnov. Judging by the bar they set with The Eatery, it is recommended that you don’t delay too much when visiting the wine bar as it gets busy very quickly without a reservation. 

• Bistro & Bar Koule
• Adress: Milady Horákové 54, Prague 7

A new establishment in Letná, you can enjoy a variety of mixed drinks, beer, and cheese. Their famous cheese balls are round and fried, and already became a hit in the city! They have a total of 15 types of cheese balls and 9 home dips. Cheddar, goat and blue cheese pieces are among the absolute favorites so far, be sure not to miss them from your order. 

• Moje první vinotéka
• Address: Štítného 16, Praha 3

If you want to experience the exceptional atmosphere of the Moravian cellar in the city center- this is the place to go. You can have a drink in this Žižkov wine shop with a unique “underground” atmosphere.

They will offer you wines to drink mainly from Czech suppliers, as well as having the option to graze on pickled camembert, olives, or nuts. Soon, they are planning to expand the offer with a cheeseboard.