Archaeologists in the Czech Republic have found a hoard of buried weapons and jewelry dating to around 1600 BC, a rare discovery that could shed more light on life in central Europe during the Bronze Age. Researchers surveying a site in the town of Budyně nad Ohří stumbled upon bronze artifacts, including eight axes and pieces of jewelry, from over 3,600 years ago. The site, 40km northwest of Prague, was first found a year ago by an archaeologist using a metal detector. A series of excavations since have unearthed eight arm rings, as many axes, two pins, and one spearhead, all dating to the Bronze Age. Researchers suspect the artifacts were part of a collection that was purposefully buried underground. While researchers are still not quite sure why the objects were hidden in that place, they have three theories. Researchers have analyzed the artifacts uncovered over the past year and are certain about their age but suspect one of the axes is much older. During the Bronze Age, which spanned from 3,300 BC to 1,200 BC, people in Europe made the shift from fashioning tools from stones to using bronze, an alloy that was made by melting and mixing tin...
On the first Saturday of August, Kramář Villa in Hradčany will be open to the public. Built between 1911 and 1914 by Karel Kramář, a politician and the future first Czechoslovak prime minister, it is considered to be one of the most imposing examples of Prague villa architecture. Since 1998, the villa, with its unique interiors and surrounding French-style gardens, has been the official residence of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. The villa covers over 700 square meters and offers a unique view of the Vltava River and the Prague bridges, as well as the Prime Minister’s study. Guided tours will start from the villa gate, with the first group at 9 am and the last at 4 pm. Another notable neo-Baroque building, the Straka Academy, will open its garden every Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. Since the summer holiday season began, the garden has featured an outdoor photo exhibition marking the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic’s accession to the European Union. The exhibition chronicles the Czech Republic’s journey to the EU from the early 1990s to the present day, highlighting the evolution of both the EU and the Czech Republic. Next week, visitors can...
The Czech Senate has adopted an amendment to the labour regulations of the country making it possible for all employees to demand the option to determine their own working schedules – after a consultation and mutual agreement with their employers. These legislative amendments are quite revolutionary in a sense, and they are motivated by the idea that this would boost productivity and morale in the country’s workforce. Plus, this could increase mutual trust between employers and employees. In fact, having the power to set your own working schedule has already been an available option for certain professionals in the Czech Republic – mainly those who are working remotely. The new amendments, however, seek to expand this to include everyone regardless of their profession and type of workplace. The amendments to the Czech Labour Code were initiated by the country’s Labour Minister Marian Jurečka. Many employers and experts, however, don’t seem to be very accepting of the idea and put its real-life application under doubt. “If we take an industrial enterprise and imagine that someone would just decide when to come and not come to work, this will not work in practice,” pointed out Josef Středula from the Czech-Moravian Confederation of...
The Czech Republic is exploring the possibility of establishing a Ukrainian Legion. Defense Minister Jana Cernochova revealed that discussions are underway to allow Ukrainian refugees to join the legion and aid their homeland voluntarily. “The Ukrainian community living in the Czech Republic is numerous, even without considering the wave that came as a result of the war. So it would make sense,” Cernochova said on Czech Television. The initiative follows Poland’s similar proposal to organize military training for Ukrainians residing outside their country, including refugees. Karel Capek, a spokesperson for the Czech Ministry of Defense, told Novinky.cz that the ministry is evaluating the Polish project from practical and legal perspectives. Another ministry spokesperson, David Polak, confirmed to iDnes.cz: “The Ministry of Defense is gathering more information from the Polish side about forming the so-called ‘Ukrainian legion.’ When we collect this information, we will consider the possibility of our involvement.” The concept of a Ukrainian Legion gained traction after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk signed a bilateral security agreement. The document includes provisions for forming and training a Ukrainian Legion on Polish territory. Zelenskyy said that any Ukrainian citizen joining the legion could sign a contract...
An invasive mosquito species, Aedes japonicus (Asian bush mosquito), has been identified in the Czech Republic for the first time. Hygienists have recorded its presence in the Olomouc region. While these mosquitoes can potentially spread certain diseases, no instances of disease transmission to humans have been reported in the country. However, they do bite humans and are active during the day and evening. This species has been under surveillance in Europe since 2000, and it was first confirmed in the Czech Republic in 2021, near the state borders of southern Moravia and southern Bohemia. The larvae of this mosquito species develop in both natural and artificial water reservoirs, including barrels, containers, tires, pots, gutters, tree cavities, and rock cavities. They overwinter in their native East Asia as eggs, and in warmer regions, they can survive the winter as larvae. In the Olomouc region, they have been found in IBC containers with retained rainwater. Until now, hygienists have not focused on mosquitoes in intentionally retained rainwater in gardens and near homes, as these areas were primarily inhabited by mosquito species that suck the blood of birds, not humans. Unlike these native mosquitoes, the females of the Aedes japonicus species suck the...
Residents and visitors of Brno will soon have the chance to experience the ‘Festival of Planets‘ in Kraví hora park, next to the city planetarium. From August 5 to 11, six giant, detailed inflatable celestial body models will be displayed. These include daytime and nighttime versions of Earth, the Sun, the Moon, Mars, and a new model called the Astrosphere, which features a map of the starry sky. Admission to the festival is free. All the models are created using tens of thousands of real astronomical images, providing a realistic experience. The exhibition will be open daily from 14:00 to 23:30. However, the best time to visit is at dusk when the celestial objects are beautifully illuminated. Visitors can also enjoy various activities including educational lectures, screenings of fantastic films at the summer cinema, and other events. For a detailed schedule of events, you can visit the official festival website. Highlights include the “With animals from space” show for children, “Until the end of the universe” and “Black holes”, which are suitable for all, and a special musical show based on Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon. The exhibition is subject to favorable weather conditions, as strong gusts...
In 2024, there is a growing push for education reforms to address the overuse of mobile phones. Some countries have started banning phones in schools, but until now, the Czech Republic has not taken similar steps. This September, the eastern city of Vsetín will implement the country’s first-ever school phone ban. Banning Phones in the Czech Republic According to school regulations based on the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child from 1989, primary school students must keep their phones off or in silent mode during school hours to avoid disrupting lessons. They are also prohibited from making audiovisual recordings. However, students are allowed to keep their phones with them without having to hand them in. The new regulation agreed upon by the Vsetín district council changes this. “Starting from the new school year 2024/2025, pupils of Vsetín primary schools managed by the town will not be allowed to use or carry mobile phones during school hours,” the council announced. This regulation will apply to five elementary schools in Vsetín directly managed by the city. These schools are: Primary School Vsetín, Trávníky 1217 Primary School Vsetín, Sychrov 97 Primary School Vsetín, Rokytnice 436 Primary School Vsetín, Ohrada 1876 Primary...
Máj Národní, the renovated shopping center in Prague’s city center, opened to publich on June 24 after reconstruction. Each of its nine floors offers something unique, but the crown jewels are the 8th-floor Fly Vista rooftop restaurant and bar, and the 9th-floor panoramic terrace—40 meters above the ground—which boasts the highest observation deck in central Prague. “The observation deck has significantly accelerated the entire project,” says Martin Klán, a board member of AMADEUS Real Estate, which has owned the former Máj department store since 2019. “The view from the roof was a decisive factor in transforming the original concept. Everyone who has visited the terrace agrees it’s an unmatched experience in Prague.” Not only does Fly Vista boast jaw-dropping views, but it also boasts the longest bar in Europe at 36 meters long. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks, Fly Vista serves a diverse and elevated food menu, prepared with an emphasis on quality and freshness. The gourmet dishes are complemented by a great array of crafted cocktails, wine and premium spirits. Just below, on the 8th floor, Fly Vista restaurant and bar features a Champagne Bar with over 100 types of champagne, one of Prague’s largest selections. Crystal...
The Northern Lights could be visible in Czechia in the coming days due to a series of solar flares releasing plasma clouds heading toward Earth, according to astronomer Petr Horálek from the Institute of Physics in Opava. This rare natural phenomenon was last observed in Czechia in May, when the aurora was the strongest since 2003. The first wave of plasma clouds is expected to arrive today, although during the day. Horálek noted that geomagnetic activity could continue into the night. Additionally, more flares are occurring on the Sun. “It is possible that increased geomagnetic activity will persist for the next few days,” Horálek said, though he warned that predicting these phenomena is challenging. Horálek compared the situation to May, when a series of eruptions caused bright auroras globally, including in Czechia and Slovakia. This time, the eruptions are weaker. “Scientists do not expect the current solar activity to produce the same intensity of phenomena, but there is still a chance of auroras. Moreover, in the coming days, the moon will recede from the night sky, creating favorable conditions,” he explained. Plasma clouds from the Sun typically reach Earth in two to three days, making long-term forecasts impossible. For those...
After nearly a century, a new building now stands on Prague’s Vítězné náměstí. Victoria Palace, with its multimillion-crown facade, was inaugurated on Vítězné náměstí in Prague 6. It includes 92 luxury apartments and commercial spaces on the ground floor, marking the first new construction on the square in 87 years. The project, designed by Jakub Cigler’s studio, cost about CZK 850 million and was in planning for over 15 years. The Kaprain Group acquired the project in 2016, partnering with Penta Real Estate. “The site had been a neglected open space, an incomplete city block. Our design aims to enhance the urban environment,” said David Musil, Managing Director of Penta Real Estate. “We coordinated with Prague 6 Municipality and other partners to include commercial spaces and facilities along Vítězné náměstí. The ground floor of Victoria Palace will house new services and a café.” Jan Kozler, Development Director at Kaprain Group, highlighted the project’s unique blend of top architecture, luxury apartment design, and prime location. “The views of Vítězné náměstí, Hradčany, and Ořechovka have drawn significant interest, with 85% of the building already sold,” he noted. Michal Kotrč, Senior Project Manager at Penta Real Estate, detailed the building’s key features: “The...
Tourists from Asia are starting to return to the Czech Republic, although their numbers are still noticeably lower than before the pandemic. Chinese travelers, who were once the fifth most numerous visitors to the country, have not yet returned in the same numbers. Before the 2019 pandemic, around 1.7 million tourists came from Asia annually; last year, the figure was just under 800,000. The direct air link between China and Prague, which had been out of service for four years, has now been restored and operates three times a week. “We believe that the resumption of direct flights will attract Chinese tourists to the Czech Republic and that visitor numbers will soon return to pre-2019 levels,” said Chinese Ambassador Feng Piao. In the first quarter of this year alone, nearly 22,000 tourists arrived from China, and the CzechTourism agency expects this number to increase tenfold by the end of the year. According to the agency’s director, František Reismüller, the Czech Republic could see a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels by 2025 or 2026. Most Asian tourists spend only a few days in the Czech Republic, typically three, before traveling to other European destinations. Asian Tourists Replaced by Other Visitors In...
On Sunday, August 11, the Czech Republic will host the ‘Day of Jewish Sites’ (Den židovských památek 2024). During this event, both residents and visitors can access about 45 historical Jewish sites for free, many of which are typically closed to the public. A complete list of participating sites, along with their opening hours, is available on the campaign’s website. Most locations will welcome visitors from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Several sites will offer additional programs for visitors, including guided tours, storytelling for children, and other activities. To make it easier for visitors to navigate, the organizers have developed a mobile application that provides detailed information about each site. The Jerusalem Synagogue (Jeruzalémská synagoga), the largest synagogue in Prague, will also be part of the event. There is a smartphone app and an interactive map to help visitors. Click on the star to find the site — there is historical and other information, but it’s in Czech, so you will have to use Google Translate. Since the fall of communism, around 70 synagogues have been restored, most of them for cultural use — so the Day of Jewish Monuments only takes in a fraction of restored Jewish heritage sites in...
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