News

IT’S OFFICIAL: Prague to Remove Shared E-Scooters From City Street

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...

 by Prague Morning Apr 14, 2025

Saharan Dust Set to Hit Czechia: Air Quality Deteriorates

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...

 by Prague Morning Apr 14, 2025

Navalis Festival to be Held in Prague on May 15

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...

 by Prague Morning Apr 14, 2025

Czechia is Experiencing an Unprecedented Birth Rate Decline

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. Czechia is experiencing a significant and sustained decline in its birth rate, raising concerns about long-term impacts on the country’s economy, social services, and population structure. After a modest increase in births during 2021, the following year saw a notable drop of around 12,000 births, pushing the total below the 100,000 mark. The average number of children per woman fell to 1.66, erasing several years of gradual improvement. As reported by Echo24, the trend continued into 2023, with fewer than 92,000 births recorded — a decline of 8 percent from the previous year. Preliminary data for 2024 suggests the fertility rate has fallen further to around 1.37 children per woman. These figures not only reflect a persistent decline but also surpass even the most cautious forecasts. Projections that anticipated such numbers for the 2030s have arrived much earlier than expected. If the pattern holds, the number of annual births could fall to approximately 76,000 by the end of the decade. This demographic shift is being experienced in multiple European nations, perhaps most...

 by Prague Morning Apr 14, 2025

Angela Merkel to Visit Prague for First-Ever Public Interview in Czechia

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...

 by Prague Morning Apr 13, 2025

From Vršovice to Karlín – Joy Bakery Opens Second Location

Known for its handcrafted bread and pastries made with locally-sourced ingredients and no additives, Joy Bakery continues to grow while staying true to its philosophy of quality, authenticity… and joy. The original shop in Vršovice was described by the co-owner Liudmila as “a small baby” that grew into “a nice teenager saying, ‘I want to be free and go out.'” This growth prompted the search for a new location. Two real estate agents and six months of searching later, Liudmila found the perfect spot in Karlín (Urxova 436/10): a former bakery that felt right from the start. “We didn’t even advertise,” she recalls. “We just opened the doors and said, ‘Hello, we’re here!’ People came back and brought more people.” Her partner, Peter, originally from Denmark, explains that the decision to expand was driven by both demand and practicality: “Since we reached our production limit at our original location, we either needed to move production to get more space or stay where we were. Customers kept asking if we’d open in Karlín, so we decided to find a place where we could expand production and open a second store.” Despite expanding, Joy Bakery remains committed to using high-quality ingredients such...

 by Prague Morning Apr 13, 2025

GALLERY: Czech Pavilion Opens at Expo 2025 in Osaka

The Czech national pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, has officially opened to the public, showcasing a bold fusion of architecture, glassmaking tradition, and contemporary Czech art. Designed by Apropos Architects, a Prague-based studio, the four-story structure will welcome visitors on the artificial island of Yumeshima until October 13. The opening ceremony was attended by Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, Czech Ambassador to Japan Martin Klučar, and Expo Commissioner General Ondřej Soška. Located along the coastal promenade, the Czech pavilion stands out with its striking spiral walkway, which wraps around the building and leads visitors to the rooftop. The structure is built primarily from wood and glass, a deliberate reference to the Czech Republic’s centuries-old glassmaking heritage. The exterior spiral, stretching 260 meters, is also glass-covered, transforming the pavilion into a dynamic visual space that shifts with the natural light. Inside, visitors are greeted by installations from leading Czech artists, including Rony Plesl, Jakub Matuška, and multimedia collective Lunchmeat Studio. At the heart of the pavilion is an auditorium set to host cultural performances, discussions, and lectures throughout the exhibition. A restaurant section will serve traditional Czech cuisine along with Pilsner beer, further immersing guests in the country’s cultural offerings....

 by Lisa Goasdoue Apr 13, 2025

Weather Forecast: Expect 25°C Midweek — but Will Easter Bring Rain?

Warm southern air will bring a taste of summer to Czechia this week, with temperatures expected to reach 25°C on Wednesday and Thursday. According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ), this brief warm spell will be followed by milder but still pleasant conditions over the Easter weekend. The start of the week will remain stable, though occasional showers are expected, especially in northwest Bohemia. On Monday, skies will be partly cloudy with sporadic rainfall. Overnight lows will fall to between 6°C and 11°C, while daytime highs will stay within 17°C to 22°C. A light variable wind will shift to a moderate southeasterly in the afternoon, particularly in Moravia. Tuesday will bring similar conditions. Expect cloudy skies with scattered showers, and a possibility of thunderstorms, particularly in Bohemia. Rain should ease by the evening, with clearing skies from the west. Daytime highs will remain in the 18°C to 22°C range in the west, but eastern regions may be slightly cooler, with highs between 14°C and 18°C. On Wednesday, temperatures could rise to 25°C, creating ideal conditions for outdoor plans. The day will start partly cloudy, especially in Moravia and Silesia, and wind speeds will remain moderate. Overnight, temperatures will drop to...

 by Prague Morning Apr 13, 2025

New Study Predicts 260,000 Ukrainian Refugees May Remain in Czechia

As many as 260,000 refugees from Ukraine could remain in the Czech Republic permanently within the next decade, according to a new study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the Aspen Institute Central Europe. If that estimate proves accurate, the total number of foreigners in the country could reach 1.36 million by 2035. As of the end of March, figures from the Ministry of the Interior showed that 364,600 people were living in Czechia under temporary protection. Another 708,700 foreign nationals held various types of residence permits—bringing the total to around 1.07 million. “We currently estimate that around 70% of Ukrainian refugees will remain in the Czech Republic after 2035,” the study’s authors wrote. However, they noted that much depends on how the war in Ukraine develops in the coming years. The study highlights a generally positive effect on the Czech labor market, which has long suffered from worker shortages. “The arrival of labor helped ease shortages in sectors like construction, manufacturing, and services, while also generating new consumer demand that supported parts of the economy,” the study notes. But integration is not without challenges. The report flags several issues: language barriers, the limited recognition of qualifications, and increased pressure on the healthcare...

 by Melissa Santoyo Apr 12, 2025

All Aboard! Prague’s New Railway Museum to Launch by 2030

By renovating and expanding the historic workshop halls near Prague’s Masaryk Railway Station, the National Technical Museum plans to open a Museum of Railways and Electrical Engineering by 2030. The updated cost of the project has now risen to 1.89 billion CZK, including VAT, up from the originally projected 1.69 billion. The new museum will stand on the site of the former workshops along Husitská Street, featuring a newly constructed building and a covered track area. “These buildings are officially recognized cultural landmarks,” said Karel Ksandr, director of the NTM. “They commemorate the arrival of the first train to Prague, which took place 180 years ago this year.” The historic moment occurred on August 4, 1845, when the first train pulled into what is now Masaryk Station. The first official ceremonial train was greeted at the Gate of Glory on August 20 of the same year. An architectural study is already complete, and the museum has acquired additional land next to the site. In collaboration with the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Czech Technical University (CTU), the team is working on solutions to reduce energy consumption in the historic halls. According to Ksandr, the concept was inspired by the railway museum...

 by Prague Morning Apr 12, 2025

Spring Is in the Air: Czechia to Enjoy a Warm Weekend

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has released its forecast for the upcoming weekend, and while the temperatures will feel like spring, the skies might not fully cooperate. On Friday, April 11, expect partly cloudy skies across much of the country, with occasional local rain showers. Daytime temperatures will range between 13 and 17°C. Saturday will bring a similar pattern. Most regions will see intermittent clouds and scattered short-term rain, but the temperatures will climb a bit higher, reaching 16 to 20°C during the day. Sunday’s forecast follows the same trend: variable cloudiness with local precipitation, particularly in western regions. Thermometers could rise to 21°C, bringing the warmest day of the weekend. Looking ahead to next week, the weather pattern will remain largely unchanged, but a slight increase in warmth is on the horizon. From Monday to Thursday (April 14–17), skies will stay mostly cloudy or overcast, with occasional showers. However, temperatures will gradually rise, reaching 17 to 22°C—and in some parts of Moravia, even up to 25°C. While it may not be a fully sunny spring weekend, the mild temperatures will offer a welcome break from colder weather. Just don’t forget to pack a light raincoat or umbrella before heading outdoors....

 by Prague Morning Apr 11, 2025

Capturing Czech Nature: Prague Airport Unveils New Photography Gallery

Prague’s Václav Havel Airport has taken a step toward enhancing the cultural experience for its visitors with the opening of a new photography gallery on April 3, 2025. In collaboration with the Czech Photo organization, the airport now offers a free exhibition that invites passengers and the public to embark on a visual journey through the landscapes of the Czech Republic. The inaugural exhibition highlights the best images from the Czech Nature Photo competition, showcasing breathtaking views of the country’s diverse natural beauty. The gallery is located on the ground floor of Terminal 2, near the connecting building to Terminal 1, ensuring easy access for those passing through or visiting the airport. The displayed photographs are selected from the “Award for the Best Photograph of Czech Nature” category of past Czech Nature Photo competitions. The exhibition spans eight years of the competition’s history, showcasing stunning depictions of Czech flora and fauna, captured by photographers such as Petr Bambousek, Vladimír Čech Jr., and Vít Lukáš. These photographs offer a glimpse into the natural world that defines the Czech Republic, underscoring the connection between humans and the environment. This initiative is part of a growing trend among airports worldwide to incorporate cultural and...

 by Prague Morning Apr 10, 2025