Prague residents will have to wait at least another decade for the long-promised Metro D line, as the city’s latest timetable now sets the opening for 2034. This section, stretching from Pankrác to the new depot in Písnice, is supposed to open all at once — nearly half a century after the completion of Line B. The city once hoped the state would cover at least a quarter of the costs — about CZK 12 billion. The rest would be drawn from European funds. But that plan proved unrealistic. Back in 2019, costs for the section from Náměstí Míru to Písnice were estimated at CZK 73 billion. Two years later, that jumped to CZK 98 billion. Today, it stands at CZK 120 billion — and may climb further. “Unfortunately, previous political administrations did virtually nothing regarding Metro D, so it wasn’t realistic to meet the original 2023 completion date,” said Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates), Prague’s Deputy Mayor for Transport. “Instead, we used EU funds to expand tram lines.” Airport Link Abandoned When Line A was extended to Motol, many hoped it would eventually continue to Václav Havel Airport. In 2018, an analysis suggested the extension would cost CZK 27 billion and...
Czech political leaders expressed deep respect and condolences following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away Monday morning at the age of 88. Across the political spectrum, tributes highlighted his humility, compassion, and efforts to modernize the Catholic Church for the 21st century. “He was a man of deep faith who worked tirelessly to reshape the Church so it could better fulfill its mission in today’s world,” said Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS), who met Francis in June 2022 at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. “He showed concern for those facing injustice and radiated humanity and humility.” Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský echoed that sentiment, calling Francis “a voice of compassion, justice, and hope in a troubled world.” He added: “My sincere condolences to the faithful and to all who were inspired by his words and actions. Honor to his memory.” Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák (STAN) praised Francis for trying to guide the Catholic Church into the modern era with integrity. “He honestly sought to ensure the Church entered the 21st century with dignity,” he said. Andrej Babiš, leader of the opposition ANO movement, remembered Francis as a symbol of humility and unity. “I admired his effort...
Prague’s Municipal House (Obecní dům) has seen it all and still stands triumphant on Náměstí Republiky. Since 1912, historical and cultural events have taken place inside and the tradition continues as the House keeps hosting events such as catering, exhibitions, banqueting, cocktail refreshments, and coffee breaks. In 2022, the Pilsner Urquell Beer Hall got all dolled up with a little help from Vyšehrad 2000, a local catering company known for its culinary creativity that offered the place a chance to live a second youth. A new bar (výčep) has been added, much to the delight of guests who can now enjoy freshly poured Pilsner Urquell right next to their tables. The menu is built around Czech classics, starting with appetizers like beef tartar and moving on to hearty mains such as Pilsner beef goulash and svíčková. All ingredients are fresh and locally sourced. Guests can also enjoy a traditional soup and finish with a homemade dessert. Vegetarians aren’t left out — dishes like fried cheese (smažák) are not just an afterthought here but are treated with real care, earning their spot among the highlights. Meat eaters are well treated as the quality sausages and smoked meats are sourced from...
The Prague Museum is unveiling a remarkable exhibition marking 80 years since the Prague Uprising at the end of World War II. The centerpiece: original fragments of the Old Town Hall bell, destroyed in 1945, alongside a reconstruction of its original sound. The exhibition opens free to the public on May 5, located on the ground floor of the Old Town Hall. The display includes preserved parts of the 14th-century bell, a replica model created from 3D-scanned fragments, and an audio rendering of how the bell likely sounded before it was silenced during the war. This special exhibition is part of a broader memorial project honoring the 80th anniversary of the 1945 uprising, which also features commemorative events, lectures, and a public procession through central Prague. The museum had 46 preserved fragments of the destroyed bell in storage. These pieces were carefully scanned with 3D technology and then printed at a quarter scale. Collaborating with a Czech bell foundry, researchers were able to reconstruct the bell’s profile and tone. Its recreated sound will be played publicly for the first time during a commemorative event on May 5, 2025, and again on May 8 at 4:00 p.m., marking the exact hour...
On April 26, beer lovers will gather at Břevnov Monastery Brewery for the second annual festival, held at Czechia’s oldest monastery, founded in 993. The highlight of the festival is a collaboration among five Czech monastery breweries, brought together through the Pilsner Urquell Brewers’ Choice initiative. Each has created a unique “Pilgrimage Beer”, experimenting with smoked malt in different styles and proportions. In total, seven exclusive smoked beers will be available for tasting, offering visitors a rare chance to experience the diversity of monastic brewing in one place. Joining the five Czech breweries is a special guest from Slovakia’s Červený Kláštor and Prazdroj’s Volba Sládků (Brewmaster’s Choice), rounding out the list of participants. The hosting Břevnov Monastery Brewery has prepared a special surprise: a historical beer based on a 1585 recipe by Tadeáš Hájek of Hájek, court physician to Emperor Rudolf II. This rare brew, made exclusively for the festival, offers a taste of 16th-century beer traditions. While last year’s edition showcased the brewing process, this year the focus shifts to sampling and storytelling. Brewing Smoked Beer at Home Beyond the tastings, the festival includes a thematic side program delving into the history of monastery brewing. Visitors can join guided...
Czechia is facing a sharp rise in Legionnaires’ disease, with health officials warning that this year’s infection count will likely surpass last year’s record-breaking numbers. In just the first quarter of 2025, over 200 cases of legionellosis—an illness caused by the Legionella bacteria—have already been confirmed. That’s twice as many as in the same period last year. According to Novinky.cz, the country recorded 620 cases in 2024, the highest annual total to date. A year earlier, there were 342. The longer-term trend is clear: in 2019, there were 280 recorded cases; a decade ago, just 25. Legionnaires’ disease can be fatal. Last year, at least 50 people died from the illness, which mainly threatens seniors and individuals with weakened immune systems. “And their numbers are growing,” said epidemiologist Roman Chlíbek. “Consider how many patients now suffer from immune deficiencies or cancer.” The illness is caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Symptoms often resemble the flu at first—fever, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue, followed by a worsening cough. If untreated, the bacteria can spread in the lungs and lead to severe pneumonia. Early antibiotic treatment is crucial. A Plumbing Problem—and More Experts believe poor maintenance of water systems...
A spectacular video mapping show will transform the façade of the National Theater in Prague on Wednesday, April 23, offering a free public performance. The light show is scheduled to begin at 8:50 p.m., with the public invited to gather and experience the display from nearby Střelecký Island. The event marks the 120th anniversary of the premiere of Kytice (Bouquet), a cornerstone of Czech literature and theater. The play, inspired by the poems of Karel Jaromír Erben, has remained one of the most iconic works in the Czech cultural canon. The show is sponsored by Pilsner Urquell, which will help turn the evening into a full experience. From 6:42 p.m., two hours before the video mapping begins, a designated viewing area will open on Střelecký Island. Attendees will be able to enjoy freshly tapped Pilsner beer and light refreshments as they wait for the performance to begin. Entry is completely free, and no tickets or registration are required. The location offers a clear view of the theater’s historical façade, making it an ideal spot to take in the visuals, sound, and atmosphere of the evening. The combination of cutting-edge light projection, historical context, and open-air celebration is likely to make...
Tourists visiting the Czech Republic could soon pay more for their stay, as a group of lawmakers proposes to double the tourist fee from 50 CZK to 100 CZK per night.The measure is designed to help cities, especially Prague, cover the growing costs of cleaning, security, and maintaining public spaces impacted by mass tourism. If approved, the capital could collect up to 1 billion CZK annually, a substantial increase from the 885 million CZK collected last year, according to the Czech Statistical Office. Cities across Europe, they argue, already charge higher accommodation fees. “Vienna, Paris, and Amsterdam all impose far steeper tourist taxes, yet their tourism sectors continue to thrive,” the proposal states. Lawmakers emphasize that visitors are willing to pay more when revenues clearly benefit local services. The proposal allows municipalities to adjust the fee based on local demand. Tourist-heavy areas like Prague could raise it to the full 100 CZK (about 4 euros), while quieter towns could keep it low—or eliminate it entirely. Prague: A City Under Pressure Prague welcomed over eight million tourists last year, a 9% increase compared to 2023. Yet it remains one of the cheapest European capitals when it comes to tourist fees—charging just...
The Czech government will introduce stricter rules for taxi drivers from outside the EU starting in July, aiming to tighten oversight of a rapidly growing sector dominated by foreign nationals. The change comes amid concerns over safety, regulatory gaps, and the sheer number of taxis on Prague’s roads. Last year, 5,405 new taxi driver licenses were issued in Prague alone—double the figure from 2020. In total, there are now an estimated 16,000 taxis operating in the capital, though city data suggest only about 3,500 would be sufficient to meet demand. The overcapacity, driven in part by the rise of ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Bolt, has triggered a government crackdown. From July 2025, taxi drivers will need a valid driver’s license from Czechia or another EU country to operate legally. Licenses will be granted only for the duration of a driver’s permitted stay, replacing the previous five-year validity. Police will also be empowered to carry out on-the-spot checks of drivers’ documentation and vehicle registration. Crackdown on Non-EU Drivers According to Vít Hofman, spokesperson for Prague City Hall, many applicants for taxi licenses are from Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Nigeria. “The number of foreign drivers has risen sharply, particularly with the expansion...
A 12-year-old boy was fatally struck by a tram on Milady Horákové Street in Prague late Thursday morning, near the Hradčanská tram stop. Despite immediate efforts by bystanders and emergency responders, the child died at the scene. The collision occurred shortly after 10 a.m., according to police spokesperson Jan Daněk, who confirmed that resuscitation efforts began immediately after the accident. The boy, who police later confirmed was a foreign national, was trapped under the tram and had to be extricated by firefighters. “We are responding to a collision between a tram and a 12-year-old boy. Resuscitation is underway,” Daněk told Czech news outlet Novinky.cz. Eyewitnesses began lifesaving resuscitation with guidance over the phone before paramedics arrived and took over. Karel Kirs, spokesperson for the Prague Ambulance Service, stated that medical teams, including a physician and transport inspector, attempted resuscitation for 45 minutes. Despite their efforts, the child could not be revived. “Operators and witnesses began emergency resuscitation by phone, which we continued. Unfortunately, despite all efforts, the child died on the spot,” Kirs said. Criminal investigators have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. The tram driver tested negative for alcohol, according to police. Tram service...
For the first time in more than 60 years, oil from Russia will no longer flow into the Czech Republic. Instead, the country has officially completed its transition to the Western TAL oil pipeline, making it fully independent from Russian crude. The first increased delivery of non-Russian oil has successfully arrived from a tank farm in Trieste, Italy, to the Central Oil Tank Farm in Nelahozeves, where it will continue on to the Litvínov refinery. The announcement was made Thursday by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura, and Jaroslav Pantůček, General Director of MERO ČR, the state-owned company managing oil transit infrastructure. “We’ve taken another important step towards energy independence,” said Prime Minister Fiala during a press conference in Nelahozeves. Thanks to the expanded pipeline, the Czech Republic can now receive up to eight million tons of oil per year through Western routes—enough to meet the full demand of local refineries. “This is the first time we’re using the increased capacity of the TAL pipeline under live operations,” said Pantůček. “The oil arrived yesterday from Trieste, and this afternoon, MERO ČR will begin transporting it to its owner, Orlen Unipetrol, for processing in Litvínov.” The move follows a...
Prague’s public transport network will operate with reduced service during the Easter holidays, as confirmed by Filip Drápal, spokesperson for ROPID. On Maundy Thursday, services will follow “half-holiday” schedules, meaning longer intervals between buses and trams, particularly during morning and afternoon rush hours. However, the metro will continue to run on its regular weekday timetable. Public transport on Good Friday will follow Saturday schedules, while on Easter Monday, services will operate according to Sunday timetables. School lines and designated school services on regional and suburban routes will be suspended throughout the Easter period. “Because the half-holiday timetables are only valid for a single day, they won’t be posted at individual stops,” said Drápal. Instead, passengers are advised to check the current schedules on the official website www.pid.cz or via mobile transit apps. The changes are standard for public holidays in the Czech capital, and commuters are encouraged to plan their routes accordingly to avoid delays. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
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