A new Food Bank branch is set to open its doors in the heart of Prague on Wednesday, April 3rd.

Located at 14 Řeznická Street, the outlet is a collaboration between the Prague 1 Municipal District and the non-profit organization Nový prostor.

“We’re delighted to utilize Prague 1’s facilities for such a meaningful purpose,” said Prague Mayor Terezie Radoměřská (TOP 09).

“This Food Bank will provide dignified food assistance to residents facing hardship. Even during the pandemic, our OSPOD department offered irregular support to families in need. This new branch will ensure consistent weekly access to essentials for those who require it.”

“Opening a Food Bank branch in Prague 1 is fantastic news. This vital resource will not only prevent food waste but also foster solidarity within the community,” said Ivana Antalová, Councillor for Social Affairs and Accessibility for Prague 1.

Food parcels distributed at the branch will include essential food items such as rice, pasta, canned goods, and other non-perishables, along with occasional pastries, vegetables, and sweets. Additionally, clients can access social rehabilitation services offered by Nový prostor.

The rising cost of living, particularly energy and housing in Prague’s historic center, coupled with delays in social benefit payments, creates significant challenges for many residents, especially vulnerable seniors.

To ensure accessibility, a recommendation is not required – only proof of identity.

Eligibility for food assistance includes people with disabilities, seniors, and single parents. Distribution will take place every Wednesday between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM at the Řeznická Street location.

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In 1784 under Joseph II, the four up-to-then independent Prague municipalities – Staré Město, Nové Město, Malá Strana, and Hradčany – merged into one single entity – the Royal City of Prague.

The anniversary of the merger falls on 12th February. It was a big step to make Prague a more modern city.

The four independent and still largely medieval towns had to merge into one single entity to be able to keep up with the modern world. Manufactories had to be built and they brought along a new lifestyle which attracted a lot of peasants into towns.

After the merger, Prague became the second biggest city in the Habsburg Monarchy, the biggest one being Vienna.

At that time, Prague covered 143 hectares and had a population of approximately 76,000 inhabitants. It might come as a surprise that most of the inhabitants of that time did not speak Czech.

The new Royal Capital City was immediately divided into four districts labeled with Roman numerals: Staré Město, i.e. Old Town (Prague I), Nové Město, i.e. New Town (Prague II), Malá Strana, i.e. Lesser Town (Prague III) and Hradčany (Prague IV).

The city administration and the city council had a seat in the Old Town Hall. The new city hall was built in the summer of the same year, in August 1784.

The fact that at that time the whole city was still enclosed by city walls shows the continuing medieval character of Prague very similar to the long-gone times of Emperor Charles IV.

It is interesting to note that the City of Prague of that time did not include Josefov, originally a Jewish Town that did not become part of the Royal City of Prague until 1850, labeled as Prague V.

At that time, Prague had been long surrounded by “industrial suburbs”, such as Karlín, Smíchov, Holešovice and Libeň, but there was not hurry to join these to Prague.

In 1883, thirty-three years after Josefov joined Prague, Vyšehrad followed suit and became Prague VI, followed by Holešovice-Bubny in 1884 (Prague VII) and by Libeň in 1901 (Prague VIII). Great Prague was not formed until the Act of 6th February 1920.

The existing eight districts were joined by 39 surrounding municipalities and the official name changed to the Capital City of Prague.

The city further grew in 1960 (two new municipalities and parts of two cadastral areas), 1968 (21 municipalities of the Central Bohemian Region), 1970 (revised city borders, mainly the airport), and finally in 1974, when other 30 municipalities of the Central Bohemian Region joined the capital.

British toy retailer Hamleys has exited the Czech market as of January 2024, reports Hospodářské noviny.

The former Hamleys megastore in Prague, located on Na příkopě, is still in operation. However, it was completely rebranded as The Playground in signage both outside and within the store shortly after the Christmas holidays.

Hamleys-branded products, including the iconic teddy bear, have slowly disappeared from the store’s shelves, social media profiles have been updated to reflect the new brand, and the former web address at hamleys.cz now redirects to theplayground.cz.

The reason for the change is that local operator Inexad, owned by Pavel Čmelík, did not reach a licensing agreement to continue operating under the Hamleys brand.

The grand opening of the Hamleys store in 2016 marked a significant event, as it became the largest store in Europe, surpassing even its London counterpart.

Spanning over six thousand square meters across three floors, it drew customers with attractions like a colossal slide winding through the atrium, a children’s carousel, a mechanical digger, a water channel, and lively staff showcasing toys.

Those exhibits are still operating at The Playground, which also houses a laser tag arena and arcade games zone.

The company representatives reassured customers that all gift vouchers and loyalty cards remain valid.

The first Hamleys shop was opened in London in 1760. Today, there are about 100 of the brand’s shops in the world, most of which are franchised.

A small brewery has worked with Czech scientists to make the country’s first ‘Celtic beer’ in order to recreate the taste of an ancient alcoholic brew.

The beer, called TauriALE, was created through the laboratory analysis of pollen taken from an early Celtic burial site in Moravia.

Scientists from Charles University in Prague and Palacký University in Olomouc had made excavations at an archaeological site dating back to the early Iron Age, and were able to extract pollen.

The Brno Botanical Institute then analysed the pollen and revealed traces of millet and herbs, which were commonly used by Celts to brew beer.

Zuzana Golec-Mírová told the publication that prehistoric beer had ingredients for taste and preservations, and there was meadowsweet, sage, mugwort and other ingredients to make the sour bitter taste of beer.

She said that the discovery of clover though was “unexpected” as that wasn’t usually in beer, but the scientists believe that it was found in honey, which could have been used to sweeten the beer.

Golec-Mírová also said that the ingredients for brewing were placed into graves as burial gifts which was “quite usual” to equip the dead with such products, and to “have something to eat and drink in the afterlife”.

The first brew of TauriALE was created with micro-brewery Lesia, enabling the flavours of the Celts to be tasted by consumers.

Archaeologist Martin Golec shows the first Celtic beer in the Czech Republic, newly produced based on pollen samples taken from the burial site in the Býčí skála cave in the background.

She said: “It’s a little bit different from today’s beers because it is not based on hops.

“The herbs give it a bitter and sour flavour and the taste is similar to gruit, which is a type of hop-free beer.”

Prague authorities have abolished for citizens of Ukraine fares for public transport. The measure will last until the cancellation order). 

A valid passport or ID card entitles Ukrainian passengers to free transport in Prague as well as on suburban and regional buses and trains.

The free fare covers the entire PID transport system (i.e. commuter trains and buses) as well as the entire Central Bohemian region.

“In cooperation with the authorities of the Central Bohemian region and railway carriers we introduce free transport to Ukrainian citizens. We want to help our Ukrainian friends as much as possible and make it easier for them to move around Prague without burdening them with excessive bureaucracy. Glory to Ukraine!”, declared the Deputy Mayor of Prague for Transport Adam Scheinherr.