Veleslavín Castle, a once-grand structure now in a state of significant disrepair, is still awaiting a new owner. Despite repeated attempts to auction the property, no buyers have emerged. The Czech state, which owns the castle, has been unable to find a party willing to restore the dilapidated complex. Meanwhile, Prague 6 has stepped in, temporarily taking control of the castle and transforming it into a hub for cultural and community activities. Prague 6 Revitalizes Veleslavín Castle The deputy mayor of Prague 6, Petr Prokop, describes how the castle has become a popular venue for public events. “It has turned into a center for community, cultural, social, and association activities. The public comes here and enjoys it—this fall, we even hosted an event with over a thousand visitors,” he shares. The castle’s park and one of its buildings have been opened to the public, offering a space for relaxation and engagement. Unfortunately, many of the remaining buildings remain closed due to their poor condition, with some roofs having collapsed. A Complex History of Ownership and Auction Attempts The Veleslavín Castle has been owned by the Czech state for years, which has made several unsuccessful attempts to sell the property through...
Prague is growing, and migration is playing a key role in this expansion. However, the city is facing a critical shortage of affordable housing, as well as insufficient capacity in schools and social services for the elderly. According to an analysis by the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO), the city’s population increased during the first three quarters of 2024, largely due to migration. Many people are leaving the capital, with one of the primary reasons being the lack of affordable housing. “Its availability continues to deteriorate and is unlikely to improve anytime soon,” said Evžen Korec, CEO of Ekospol. He stressed that Prague must prepare for future population growth. “A high-quality, up-to-date spatial plan is necessary, one that allows for the construction of large housing complexes with thousands of new apartments,” he added. In the first eleven months of 2024, construction projects started on 6,759 new apartments in Prague. However, experts argue that the city needs to build at least 10,000 new units annually to meet demand. The construction process is currently taking up to ten years, causing many residents to seek more affordable housing options in Central Bohemia. Since 1990, the region’s population has increased by over 230,000 people. Limits...
These beautiful color pics were taken by Simon K, who showed street scenes in Prague in 1987.
Czech beer culture has been officially added to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Czech Republic, a significant step toward potential inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The nomination was prepared by the Czech Beer and Malt Association in cooperation with experts. With this designation, the Czech Republic joins Germany and Belgium as the third European country to recognize beer culture as an intangible cultural asset. Belgium’s beer culture was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016, setting a precedent that Czech brewers hope to follow. “We make no secret of our ambition to achieve UNESCO recognition. Now, we must demonstrate that we can preserve and develop our beer culture before taking the next step,” said Petr Slunečko, a representative involved in the nomination process. A Key Step Toward UNESCO Recognition To be considered for UNESCO status, an element must first be recognized on the national heritage list. Czech beer culture now stands alongside other national traditions, including Slovácko verbuňk dance, handmade glassmaking, and puppetry. Žatec and the Žatec hop-growing region, integral to Czech brewing, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023. Beer’s Enduring Role in Czech Society According to...
The annual St. Matthew’s Fair (Matějská pouť), one of Europe’s oldest spring fairs, will open on February 22, 2025, at Výstaviště Holešovice in Prague. The fair will run until April 21, 2025, offering a variety of attractions for all ages. Organizers have announced that over 100 rides and attractions from the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Germany, and other countries will be featured. Visitors can expect thrilling rides, classic fairground games, and brand-new attractions debuting this year. A special third attraction area will be dedicated to children under 10 years old. St. Matthew’s Fair has a long history, tracing its origins back to 1595, making it one of the oldest spring fairs in Europe. Since 1963, the event has been held at Výstaviště Holešovice, attracting thousands of visitors each year. The fair is traditionally linked to the Feast of St. Matthew, celebrated by the Catholic Church on February 24. Opening Hours February 22 – April 13, 2025 Tuesday – Friday: 12:00 – 20:00 Saturday, Sunday & Holidays: 10:00 – 22:00 Monday: Closed Entrance Fees Weekends & Holidays: 30 CZK (Children under 120 cm enter free) Weekdays: Free for all Rides and attractions require separate payment Would you like us to write...
The Czech Republic experienced a substantial decline in illegal migration last year, with police recording significant decreases across all categories. A total of 9,461 individuals were detected in connection with illegal migration, marking a year-on-year drop of 4,437 people, or 31.9 percent. Of these, 9,159 were found residing in the country without proper authorization, while 302 individuals were caught illegally crossing the external Schengen border, according to Josef Urban, spokesperson for the Foreign Police, who reported the figures on Wednesday. Nationalities and Transit Patterns The most frequently represented nationalities among those detected in 2024 were citizens of Ukraine, Moldova, and Vietnam, who together accounted for nearly two-thirds of all recorded cases of illegal migration. “Of the total, 420 individuals were intercepted as part of transit-related illegal migration, a dramatic decrease of 4,322 people, or 91.1 percent. The majority of these cases involved nationals of Syria and Turkey,” Urban stated. Germany remained the most commonly cited destination for those traveling illegally through the Czech Republic. The country continues to function primarily as a transit point rather than a final destination for migrants, as most individuals do not seek international protection in the Czech Republic and instead aim to continue their journey...
This Valentine’s Day, why not celebrate in a fun and meaningful way by joining the 2025 Prague Airport Valentine’s Day Run? Whether you’re a beginner, or recreational runner and you are running the race for the first time, this event is designed to welcome everyone! It’s the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself, have fun, and all of that in the name of Cupid. This year, the race brings something exciting: the route has been extended from 5 km to 7 km, giving you a little more to enjoy along the way. Runners will start and finish at the beautiful Stromovka Park, one of Prague’s most beloved green spaces. Plus, a complete results service will be available for the first time, so you can track your time and accomplishments and celebrate your personal progress and a medal. But the best part? Just like last year, the event will have a heartwarming charitable element, allowing runners to support a good cause while staying active and having fun. It’s a perfect reminder that love and kindness can be shared in so many ways. That’s why 10 % of your registration fees go to Pink Bubble charity which helps young people to fight against...
Around a thousand historical reenactors and medieval enthusiasts from across the Czech Republic and abroad will gather in Libušín, Central Bohemia, for the annual Battle of Libušín—the country’s largest medieval festival. The 2025 event is set for Saturday, April 26, running from 10:00 to 19:00. The highlight of the festival, the grand battle reenactment, begins at 15:30. Before the clash, visitors can explore the medieval encampment, try their hand at archery and crossbow shooting, watch a fencing tournament, take part in interactive workshops, and enjoy performances by medieval musicians. Traditional medieval food and handcrafted souvenirs will also be available at a themed marketplace. Despite its name, the Battle of Libušín is purely fictional—no historical battle took place in Libušín. However, since its first edition in 1991, the festival has gained immense popularity, becoming an annual tradition that attracts thousands of spectators. Admission is paid, but ticket prices for 2025 have yet to be announced. For reference, last year’s prices were 300 CZK for adults, 160 CZK for children, and 750 CZK for a family ticket (two adults and two children). A detailed program will be released soon on the official festival website. Would you like us to write about your...
Ambiente group is set to expand in Prague’s Holešovice Market, introducing three new establishments this autumn: a branch of the iconic Myšák pastry shop, another Naše maso butcher shop, and a brand-new Slovak restaurant. The project, designed in part by renowned architect Josef Pleskot, aims to transform the market into a lively gathering space where visitors can enjoy food and drinks throughout the day. At Myšák, visitors can enjoy classic Czech desserts, pastries, sandwiches, and freshly brewed coffee. The location will also serve as a pickup point for pre-orders. The Naše maso butcher shop will continue its tradition of offering high-quality meat and specialty products, similar to its first location on Dlouhá Street. In addition to retail, customers can stop in for burgers, tartare, sausages, or steaks and dine on-site. A major highlight is the new Slovak restaurant, marking Ambiente’s first venture into this cuisine. Designed as an all-day dining spot, it will serve both quick meals for courtyard dining and refined dishes for a sit-down experience. “The restaurant will have 30 seats and focus on simple Slovak cuisine made with local and Slovak ingredients. The wine list will feature a carefully curated selection of Slovak wines to complement the...
The market for new apartments in Prague saw a dramatic rebound last year, with sales rising by 80% year-on-year. However, despite this surge, demand continues to outstrip supply, driving prices to record levels. By the end of 2023, the average asking price had climbed to 163,203 CZK per square meter, while actual sales prices rose by 10%, reaching 156,851 CZK per square meter, according to an analysis by developers Central Group, Skanska Residential, and Trigema. In the final quarter of last year alone, approximately 1,850 apartments were sold, bringing the total number of units sold in 2023 to 7,200—the second-highest figure in over fifteen years. The only stronger year was 2021, when 7,450 apartments were sold. This momentum is mirrored in the mortgage market, where the volume of new loans increased by 83% year-on-year. “The strong demand last year clearly shows that real estate remains a reliable and profitable investment with minimal risk and steady appreciation. I expect this trend to continue in 2024,” said Marcel Soural, Chairman of the Board at Trigema. Prices Rising Faster Than Expected According to the analysis, new apartment prices are rising faster than projections by the Czech National Bank, which has warned that price...
Citizens of Poland, Czechia, and Switzerland will be permitted to visit Vietnam without applying for a visa before travelling to the Southeast Asian country. This measure will enter into force on March 1, 2025, and will be effective until December 31, 2025, as Schengen News reports. Nationals of Switzerland, Czechia, and Poland will be able to stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days, as long as their main purpose of visit is tourism, which the country is determined to promote, Schengen.News reports. The new changes also apply to those traveling with the Vietnamese International Tour operator, who must meet the country’s legal entry requirements. Vietnam Already Permits Visa-Free Entry for Nationals of These 8 EU Countries On top of Switzerland, Poland, and Czechia, Vietnam already permit visa-free entry to eight other EU countries and the other three that are on the European continent. Nationals of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain and Sweden are eligible to visit Vietnam without applying for a visa prior to their travel, provided that their stay does not exceed 45 days. Unrestricted travel for these countries is offered as part of the Vietnamese government’s efforts to promote tourism. Brits, Russians and Belarusians also...
A new entrance to the Muzeum metro station vestibule on the corner of Wenceslas Square and Washington Street will open this autumn. The new exit, located at Dům potravin, where an Albert supermarket and McDonald’s are situated, will be larger than the previous one, slightly repositioned, and will now include an escalator, according to the Prague Public Transport Company (DPP). The new metro entrance is part of a broader redevelopment project aimed at modernizing upper Wenceslas Square. The plan includes the construction of a tram line, traffic reduction, and a complete redesign of the area. Work began in mid-2023, significantly affecting both vehicle traffic and pedestrian movement in one of Prague’s busiest locations. The tram service is expected to begin in 2027. As part of the redesign, both metro exits behind the St. Wenceslas statue will be permanently closed to make way for the new tram tracks. One of these entrances has already been sealed, and the second will be removed after the new entrance at Dům potravin becomes operational. In addition to the metro entrance, several major projects are ongoing. A rainwater retention tank is being installed at the intersection of Vodičkova and Jindřišská streets. The 10.5-meter-deep pit is...
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