A new bridge is set to be constructed in Prague’s Za Elektrárnou Street, with work expected to begin in 2028. This bridge will span the Troja-Podbaba canal, replacing the current structure, which is insufficient due to its low height. Alongside the bridge, a significant transformation of the surrounding area is planned, including a new pier, seating steps along the water, improved pedestrian paths, and an extension of the Stromovka Park into a river biocorridor. The project’s completion is scheduled for 2029. “The outcome of the first architectural competition organized by the Waterways Directorate of the Czech Republic has been very successful. I am pleased with the winning proposal, which features an innovative architectural and urban traffic design for the bridge connecting Stromovka to Císařský ostrov,” said Lubomír Fojtů from the Directorate of Waterways of the Czech Republic. He added, “The jury, composed of representatives from various organizations and experts, chose this design, and I believe we will soon finalize the design documentation. We aim to start construction by 2028.” The architects from Nemec & Taller Architektur emphasized the advantages of the new bridge’s design, particularly its ability to handle high traffic both on and under the bridge. They propose...
Starting in 2025, Czech municipalities may get the powers to determine the number of short-term rental permits on their territories, following the approval of draft law amendments by the country’s government that still need to be passed in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The passing of the new legal changes would affect the operations of platforms, such as Airbnb and Booking, where most of these properties are advertised to tourists. Also, in terms of cities, this will most likely affect Prague more than any of the other municipalities, since it’s the capital that gets the most visitors due to its unrivalled size and popularity. According to the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR), the short-term rental offer is highly concentrated in the historical centre of Prague, with landlords owning multiple apartments making up 80 per cent of the total listings. As recently as last April, there were roughly 8,000 apartments for short-term accommodation in the Czech capital. The Czech authorities are specifically irked by the opaque nature of platforms like Airbnb, which refuse to share internal data about the tourist numbers. That’s a problem as it can be an obstacle when it comes to proper law enforcement, such...
Prague Zoo is wrapping up the holiday season with a special treat for children: an admission fee of just 1 crown. Along with the symbolic entry price, the zoo has lined up an exciting weekend program filled with activities and events that promise fun for the whole family. Starting today, some of the zoo’s animals will receive ice cubes as part of a fun summer send-off. Visitors can watch polar bears, kea parrots, capybaras, bison, and taipans interact with these chilly treats. Guests are also in for a cool surprise with heaps of ice cubes placed around various locations, including the Children’s Zoo, the Paper Mill, the Radegast statue, and the Dja and Bororo Reserves. This Friday, children under the age of 15 can enter the zoo for just 1 crown. They can participate in the Quiz Trail, a family-friendly game that begins on the Education Centre terrace. Additionally, a special puppet show titled “Hurvinek and the Uninvited Guest” will be performed at the Education Centre on both Saturday and Sunday, catering to children aged six and above. Sunday is extra special as the zoo celebrates International Primate Day with guided feeding sessions featuring young orangutans and gorillas. These feedings...
The creator behind the popular YouTube channel NASS has brought new life to a vintage film of Prague from 1946. Using advanced neural networks and modern graphic tools, he restored and colorized an archival video that captures the city’s streets shortly after World War II. The restoration also includes an increased frame rate of 60 frames per second, resulting in a smoother and more dynamic visual experience. In an attempt to enhance the viewing experience further, the video was dubbed with sounds similar to those that might have been heard at the time, though not authentically sourced from the original recording. Additionally, the colors were selected through an automated process, meaning they do not reflect the historical accuracy of the era’s true hues. Despite these creative liberties, the restoration offers a fascinating glimpse into Prague’s post-war atmosphere, providing viewers with a fresh perspective on a city rich in history. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
Müller, a prominent German retail chain known for its drugstores, toys, and other consumer goods, is preparing to expand further east. The company plans to open its first store in Slovakia this year, with the Czech Republic likely to follow. However, entering the Czech market won’t be easy, as it is already dominated by established players such as dm, Teta, and Rossmann. The recent entry of the Polish drugstore chain Hebe has further intensified the competition. In mid-August, Müller announced its intention to continue expanding into Slovakia, where it has already registered a dedicated internet domain. “Müller has successfully operated in neighboring countries like Austria and Hungary for many years, and also has positive experience in Slovenia and Croatia, making it well-prepared for its entry into Slovakia,” the company stated. However, the company’s ambitions appear to extend beyond Slovakia. Müller has posted a job opening on its website for an expansion manager for both Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Many in the Czech retail industry expect Müller to enter the Czech market soon, although the company has not confirmed when this might happen. Zdeněk Skála, managing director of analytics firm Skála a Šulc, agrees. “While the market is saturated with...
Despite a relatively successful hotel season this year, with European tourists once again flocking to Prague, several of the city’s prestigious hotels have been put up for sale. Following media reports about the potential sales of the Hilton and Four Seasons hotels, it has come to light that they are not the only properties on the market. The five-star Andaz Hotel, belonging to the American Hyatt chain, is currently up for sale for around CZK 3.5 billion. Located in the center of Prague on Senovážné Square, this news was confirmed by several sources familiar with the negotiations. “We are unable to comment on this matter at the moment,” said Lenka Fabian, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Andaz Hotel, when asked about the sale. This luxury hotel was developed through an expensive reconstruction of the former Cukrovarnický Palace, a neoclassical-style building on Senovážné Square. The palace, built between 1912 and 1916 by the Sugar Millers’ Association and designed by architects Theodor Fischer and Josef Zasche, served various functions after World War II. After the fall of communism in 1989, it came under the ownership of the now-bankrupt Investment and Postal Bank and later ČSOB. The building’s transformation into a...
The Grape Harvest Festival, or “Vinobraní,” is a cherished autumn tradition across the Czech Republic, celebrating the season’s grape harvest. Throughout September, cities come alive with fairs offering concerts, theater performances, and… burčak festivals! This low-alcohol, partially fermented grape must is famous for its refreshing taste and purported health benefits. If you’re looking to experience the best of these festivities, here’s a guide to the top events happening in Prague in 2024. Vinobraní at Troja Set in the stunning courtyard and garden of the Troja Château, this festival offers a rich cultural program in addition to its wine and delicacy tents. Visitors can enjoy performances by street theaters, children’s choirs, dance groups, and other artists. The event also includes a creative corner for kids, competitions, and free guided tours of the château. Where: Trojský zámek, Prague 7 When: September 7, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Cost: Free entry Vinobraní at Prague Castle The Wine and Burčak Festival in the Royal Garden of Prague Castle is a two-day event showcasing top-quality Moravian wines alongside an engaging cultural program. Attendees can enjoy folk group performances, fencing demonstrations, and more. Where: Royal Garden, Prague Castle, Prague 1 When: September 7-8, 11:00 a.m. –...
Fuel prices in the Czech Republic have dropped to their lowest levels since February, with petrol priced between 35 and 38 crowns per liter and diesel even a crown cheaper. This decline has led to an unexpected trend: Polish drivers are now crossing the border to fill up in the Czech Republic, taking advantage of the more affordable prices. The town of Zlaté Hory in Jesenice, located just a short distance from the Polish border, used to see only a few cars a day at its petrol stations. Most of these were Czech vehicles heading to Poland to refuel, as prices were more favorable there. However, the situation has changed dramatically. Petrol stations in Poland, such as those in Chalupki near Ostrava, now charge nearly three crowns more per liter compared to Czech prices. As a result, Czech vehicles have disappeared from Polish stations, while cars with Polish license plates are becoming a common sight at Czech border petrol stations. “Since prices have risen in Poland, they are coming here to fill up,” noted the operator of a petrol station in Zlaté Hory. Economist Lukáš Kovanda attributes the lower fuel prices in the Czech Republic to two key factors. “Firstly,...
After several years, Prague is set to regain a direct air connection with Canada. Air Canada, the country’s largest airline, has announced the launch of a new seasonal route between Prague and Toronto, beginning next year. The news was shared by Prague Airport on the social media platform X. Flights on this route are scheduled to operate from June 6 until the end of September. Tickets are already available for purchase. Air Canada will offer flights three times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays—using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The outbound flight from Prague will depart at 12:35 p.m. and land in Toronto at 3:45 p.m. The return flight from Toronto is scheduled to depart at 8:25 p.m., arriving in Prague the following day at 10:45 a.m. Round-trip tickets are currently priced from approximately 16,000 CZK. This new route marks the return of direct flights between Prague and Canada, a service that has been absent since before the coronavirus pandemic. In the past, Air Transat operated direct flights to Canada, and CSA (Czech Airlines) also served this route. About Air Canada Air Canada is the flag carrier and the largest airline of Canada, by size and passengers carried. The airline, founded...
A new cultural and leisure centre named “Stanice 6” is set to open on the site of the former railway station Praha-Bubeneč in Prague 6. The former station building will become a community center with a sports, a gallery, bistro and a cultural hall where concerts, exhibitions, and other community events can take place. “We aim to create a pleasant indoor workout area connected to Stromovka rather than a traditional gym with sophisticated machines. The café will be contemporary and open, with the station platform becoming a popular summer space,” says Martin Kontra. The gallery will occupy the railway building’s first floor, maintaining the building’s layout from the late 19th century. Valuable historical elements, like the platform roof’s wooden structure and the painted ceiling in the original waiting room, have been restored. The original railway sign “BUBENEČ” has also been reinstated. The former platform will be repurposed as a bistro garden. The building’s immediate surroundings and the platform have been modified with new granite paving. Two parking spaces are reserved for operational needs. “By remodeling and modernizing the building, we aim to revive its former beauty and give it a new function. The interior will be open, providing space for...
Natalie Stichová, a 23-year-old Czech gymnast, tragically fell to her death after plunging nearly 80 meters down Tegelberg Mountain in Bavaria, Germany, on August 15. The incident occurred during a sightseeing visit near the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle, known for inspiring Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. The accident reportedly took place while Natalie was attempting to take a selfie at the edge of the mountain, hoping to capture the perfect shot with the picturesque castle in the background. According to a friend who spoke to Czech media, Natalie was standing dangerously close to the edge when one of her legs appeared to slip, causing her to fall. The friend, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We will never find out whether she slipped or whether a piece of the rock edge broke off.” Natalie was accompanied by two friends and her boyfriend, David, at the time of the fall. Police described the route as a “challenging climb.” Despite the severe injuries from the fall, Natalie initially survived and was airlifted to a hospital by helicopter. However, after six days in critical condition, her family made the heart-wrenching decision to take her off life support on August 21 due to irreversible brain damage....
Founded in 2019 and led by CEO Dominik Gazdoš, Bookbot sells second-hand books, ensuring that unwanted books quickly find new readers and owners. Its offerings include literary classics, bestsellers, rare finds, cult comics, young adult novels, and specialist publications. Bookbot carefully photographs each book in high quality so customers can easily assess their condition. With an organised inventory, they can prepare books for viewing or ship them immediately. After its foundation and a rapidly unfolding success story that made Bookbot the biggest seller of second-hand books in the Czechia, Bookbot expanded to Slovakia in 2022, to Austria in the summer of 2023 and to Germany in the fall of 2023. In total, Bookbot has sold more than 5 million books since it was founded. While many are being sent traditionally via mail, Bookbot offers two additional ways for customers to hand in their used books: in Vienna, Bookbot cooperates with Thalia, Europe’s leading book retailer, whose stores operate as drop-off points for books, while in both Vienna and Berlin, Bookbot offers the “Book-Bote” service that picks up books directly from people’s homes during self-chosen pick-up slots in cooperation with sustainable urban logistics expert DODO. A new €4 million Series A...
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