Veronica Vedernikova, Author at Prague Morning

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.

Moreover, the Czech police are to meet a request from their Slovak counterparts for help on the Slovak-Ukrainian border.

Some 50 Czech officers will help register people crossing the border. The minister of the interior, Vít Rakušán, said they would set off on Tuesday.

Czech Health Minister Vlastimil Valek wants almost all anti-COVID restrictions to be lifted by April 1 at the latest, he told a press conference yesterday.

He added that he plans to submit a proposal of a gradual relaxation of the measures to the cabinet meeting next week.

Valek said he would like people in the Czech Republic to be able to spend Easter, which falls in mid-April this year, in a way they were used to before the March 2020 coronavirus epidemic outburst.

The end of mandatory blanket testing

Mandatory blanket testing in schools, companies, and institutions ended yesterday, February 18.

All company employees have been tested twice a week while schoolchildren and all school employees have been tested once a week since Jan. 17.

The highest numbers of positive tests were registered in the week between January and February, with almost 49,000 cases.

The state will contribute 60 crowns to the cost of testing for each employee four times a month.

Latest statistics

13,774 new cases of Covid-19 were registered in the Czech Republic on Friday, the lowest figure for a weekday in five weeks. There were also over 2,500 confirmed new reinfections.

Both figures were down by around a third on the previous Friday, though fewer tests were conducted.

The seven-day case incidence rate on Friday was 1,048 per 100,000, the lowest number saw for a month.

Over 3,500 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus.

It is that time of year again when the farmer’s markets begin for the spring season. They started this Wednesday in Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad.

In the stands under the shady trees in the park, visitors can purchase products from Czech farms. The market takes place four times a week.

You can enjoy some traditional Czech food without the madness of the more central Prague markets. And with lots of benches around the market, you can just enjoy the moment in the shade of the TV Tower and the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of our Lord that dominates the square.

More markets will start this weekend. On Saturday, they will bustle in Kubánské náměstí in Prague 10, and at Heřmaňák in Prague 7.

You can look forward to fruits and vegetables from Czech farmers, fresh pastries and confectionery, meat and sausages, dairy products, eggs and many other products.

More info here

Manifesto Anděl is preparing a two-day celebration of the local carnival called Masopust. Visitors can enjoy a special program and menus from Friday, February 25th to Saturday, 26th.

Quite well-known for the South American carnival vibes and lively dance waves that some of the restaurants bring on a regular basis to Manifesto, this time the happenings will highlight the Czech and Moravian traditions.

On Friday, February 25, a cimbalom quartet will perform folklore music while wearing traditional embroidered costumes. During a two-hour performance by four musicians with violin, double bass, cimbalom and viol, anyone will be welcome to sing along.

On Saturday, experienced tutors Jaruška and Anežka will run children’s workshops and make colorful carnival masks. Anyone who wants to dress up for the occasion should unleash their imagination and creativity.

During both days of the Masopust event, the chefs from Zátiší will open a pop-up restaurant with authentic Czech specialties and an unprecedented menu at Manifesto. For the first time, our guests will be able to taste blood sausage with cabbage and butter potatoes, pork sausage, or beef goulash with dumplings.

The special menu will be available until it is sold out for CZK 195 per serving (which will satisfy even big eaters). And because meat can be enjoyed without bread, but not without beer, a special buy 2 get 1 free pint of Vinohrady beer will be on tap. As a digestive, Soot bar will offer a new shooter – hruska – with pear spirit as the main component.

About Masopust

Masopust, in other countries called carnival (carnevale) or Mardi gras, denotes a relatively long period starting from the Three Kings to Ash Wednesday, before the beginning of Easter. The most popular and colorful traditions are concentrated in the last three days, culminating in Mardi gras (literally “Fat Tuesday”).

The name does not mean fasting from meat, but “abandoning meat”. Before that happens, meat and other delicacies, such as cakes, kolache, donuts and other rich desserts, are an unmissable part of carnival celebrations.

Program

Friday, February 25th

All-day | Masopust pop-up restaurant by Zátiší
5:30 pm-7:30 pm | Folklore live performance by Cimbalom Music. Quartet in traditional costumes plays cimbalom, violin, double bass and viol. Sing along and dance along!

Saturday, February 26th

All-day | Masopust pop-up restaurant by Zátiší
11:00 am- 4:00 pm | Make your carnival mask! Kids workshop led by Jaruška & Anežka. Limited to five children per workshop. Starts every hour. Reservations via the eshop of Manifesto.

One of the things I really enjoy in Prague is the countless little ways the city is connected. There are numerous shortcuts locals use to get around efficiently; passages in the center, and especially here in Nusle – staircases and walkways.

I would like to share one of my favorites, which connects the Vinohrady and Vyšehrad quarters. It’s a beautiful walk, especially during the golden hour, just before the sun starts to set and the last bits of warm light paint the building like the strokes of a paintbrush rosy and orangey colors.

Take the Horská street from the Albertov tram station and walk up between the university buildings till you get to the staircase with a red handrail. Walk up the stairs and enjoy the skyline view at the top.

My favorite time to come is just before the bells start to ring (the Vyšehrad bells ring every hour).

If you come before 6 p.m., you can visit Ztracenka park, one of the most magical hidden gardens in the city in my opinion. To get there, watch for a gate on the left side of the top part of the staircase.

If you take a right (approximately at the same height), you will get to Bastion. It served as a part of the city fortification system and was renovated in 2012.

The architectural atelier received an international laurel for the reconstruction. Walk through the complex and be sure to take a peak at the local sculpture garden.