A new tactile model of the entire Old Town Square has been installed in a small park behind the Old Town Hall in the center of Prague. This model is designed with accurate proportions and key details, allowing blind residents and tourists to understand one of the city’s main landmarks by touch. The bronze model, built at a 1:330 scale, includes the Old Town Hall, three churches, and 200 houses from the surrounding streets. This initiative is part of the charity project “Touch Prague’s History” by the non-profit organization Rotary Club Praha City, with support from the Prague 1 district. The model was unveiled on June 6, with the Head of the Municipal District, Terezie Radoměřská, in attendance. “Our project’s goal is to provide visually impaired individuals the chance to explore Prague’s most important sights through touch, similar to initiatives in other world cities,” said Olga Rühle, President of Rotary Club Praha City. This is not the first tactile model in Prague. In 2021, a model of Prague Castle was unveiled on Slavic Island as part of the same project. Future plans include creating models of St. Ludmila’s Basilica and the entire Náměstí Míru. Would you like us to write...
Krásná samota means “beautiful solitude,” and once you visit this place, you understand why.
Twenty years after the Czech Republic joined the European Union, 1 May will now be a significant day on the national calendar. President Petr Pavel signed the relevant amendment into law on Friday. According to the proponents of the proposal, such as Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák, 12 March is already a significant day, marking the Czech Republic’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Membership in both NATO and the EU symbolizes the Czech Republic’s shift towards a pro-Western orientation after the post-Soviet era. “This is undeniably one of the most important days in modern Czech history. It deserves recognition as a significant day,” Kupka stated. The idea to celebrate 1 May as the Day of the Czech Republic’s Accession to the European Union, alongside Labour Day, was previously submitted by STAN MPs in the last parliamentary term but did not pass. Currently, the calendar commemorates 17 important days. Recent additions include renaming 17 November as the Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy and International Student Day. History The largest enlargement of the European Union (EU), in terms of number of states and population, took place on 1 May 2004. The simultaneous accessions concerned the following...
Residents and visitors to Prague will soon have a new point to admire the city center. The roof of the main building in the newly constructed Masaryčka office complex, designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid, will open to the public in the summer of 2024. The terrace will feature a café with a green seating area and accessible restrooms. The entrance will be completely barrier-free, ensuring everyone can enjoy the view. While the exact opening date of the café is yet to be announced, the rooftop has already been landscaped. Trees, shrubs, and flowers have been planted, wooden paths laid, and benches installed. A 3,000-square-meter green garden spans the roofs of both buildings in the complex. However, the public will only have access to the terrace on the main building, designated as Building ‘A’, where the café will be located. The roof of Building ‘B’ will be reserved for employees of the offices there. Visitors to the café can look forward to enjoying snacks and drinks alongside a stunning panoramic view of the Old Town, the Vinohrady neighborhood, and Vitkov Hill. The Masaryčka complex is part of a broader revitalization project near the Masaryk railway station. Initially, Prague...
Data from POS system operator Dotykačka reveals that draft beer prices in the Czech Republic have increased from an average of CZK 36 in 2019 to CZK 53 this year. This represents a nearly 50% rise in five years, significantly impacting consumers in restaurants and pubs. Prices of popular 12-strength beers have seen even sharper increases. In April, the average price of a pint in gastronomic establishments was CZK 58.90, which is CZK 5.60 more than the previous year. Petr Menclík, director of Dotykačka, notes that prices have risen by 10% in the past year alone. Further increases are expected as many pubs have not fully accounted for the January increase of the value-added tax on beer from 10% to 21%. Lubos Kastner from the Czech Beer and Malt Association (CSPS) explains that only 20% of operators had adjusted their prices to reflect the higher VAT by January. Kastner attributes the price hikes to several factors. The industry relies heavily on labor, and as wages have increased, so have operational costs. Despite the national inflation rate being 2.9%, the hospitality sector experiences inflation at around 8%. Additionally, building owners have raised rents by almost 11% due to inflation. High energy costs also contribute...
The first concert of Dutch Eurovision star Joost Klein in the Czech Republic sold out within minutes. Joost Klein, the 26-year-old Dutch Eurovision sensation, quickly sold out his first show in the Czech Republic. Due to overwhelming demand, the concert has been moved to a larger venue: Prague’s Forum Karlín. Klein is renowned for his energetic style, blending mainstream pop with hardcore and punk elements. His poetic lyrics and catchy beats capture the spirit of youth. Klein represented the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest with his song “Europapa,” a tribute to his father. The song mixes nostalgia, melancholy, and joy, featuring the poetic lyrics and catchy beats that have made Klein famous. “‘Europapa’ is about an orphan traveling through Europe to find himself and tell his story,” Klein explains. “At first, people don’t recognize him, but he seizes every opportunity to make himself known. ‘Europapa’ is a tribute to my father, who gave me a broad perspective on the world.” Klein is celebrated in Dutch and Belgian concert circles for his legendary performances at festivals like Lowlands, Pinkpop, and Pukkelpop. Last November, he played two sold-out shows at Amsterdam’s AFAS Live, drawing 6,000 fans each night. He recently received...
Experts are preparing a proposal to reduce alcohol consumption in the Czech Republic, which would restrict sales and advertising. National drug coordinator Jindřich Vobořil plans to present the proposal in early autumn. “We could come up with concrete proposals in early autumn. We need to put them into the form of a substantive bill. It remains to be seen how long it will take and whether something can be done in this chamber before the elections,” Vobořil said. The restrictions might include limiting sales and broadcasting advertisements only after 10 p.m. Labels on alcoholic beverages may also carry warnings about their harmful effects. Vobořil mentioned that excise duties and prices could also be adjusted. “These will be rather partial changes. Let’s be realistic. What is not prepared in an advanced form has no hope,” said ODS MP Renata Zajíčková. She described the topic of limiting alcohol availability as “explosive” and considered it a success that the debate on alcohol’s harmfulness has been initiated. The Czech Republic has one of the highest alcohol consumption rates in the world. Up to 1.3 million people over 15 years of age drink in a risky and harmful manner, and each inhabitant drank an average...
At least four people were killed and more than 20 others injured when a passenger train collided with a freight train in the Czech Republic on Wednesday night, international news agencies reported, citing authorities. Some 20 people suffered light injuries and another three were more seriously hurt in the crash in the city of Pardubice, along the country’s main rail corridor from Prague to the east, Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said. Martin Kavka, a spokesperson for the country’s rail operator, said the number of casualties may increase, Agence France-Presse reported. The passenger train, operated by RegioJet, was traveling overnight from Prague to Chop in western Ukraine, according to the operator’s website. It was carrying more than 300 passengers, citing Fire Rescue Services. Footage after the crash on news website idnes.cz showed at least one carriage off the track, while police showed a line of emergency service vehicles and a helicopter in a post on X. Informace k železniční nehodě v Pardubicích zde: https://t.co/2kxR2gA4nR pic.twitter.com/AplVdmtilS — HZS Pardubický kraj (@HZS_Pardubice) June 6, 2024 Public broadcaster Czech Television cited a fire brigade spokesperson saying the freight train was carrying calcium carbide – a hazardous industrial chemical – although the first two wagons...
The Red Bull Racing team will hold a Formula 1 car demonstration run in Prague on Saturday, 17 August, as part of the international Red Bull Showrun. Besides the car race, attendees will enjoy stunt performances, drifting, and demonstrations by other racing cars and motorbikes. The event will take place on Rohanské nábřeží in the Karlin district. There will be a track, spectator stands, a fan zone with themed entertainment, and fast food tents. This event is part of a promotional campaign by the energy drink manufacturer Red Bull, which owns the racing team. Ticket sales start on 11 June at 10:00 am via this link. Prices range from CZK 390 to 1790, depending on the grandstand seat. The star of the show will be the RB7 car. Sebastian Vettel drove this car to become the world champion in the 2011 season, and the Red Bull-Renault team won the constructors’ Cup. The identity of the driver in Prague remains a secret. Organizers promise it will be ‘an iconic figure in the world of Formula 1.’ “When we bring our show to the city, for most spectators it becomes their first introduction to a racing car. When they see and hear...
Mandarin Oriental has opened a new dining experience with its restaurant, Monastiq. The concept celebrates Czech culinary history and the hotel’s architectural heritage, dating back to a 14th-century Dominican monastery. Head Chef Michal Horváth and his deputy Aleš Bursík lead the culinary team, drawing inspiration from historical texts and contemporary cookbooks. Their creations narrate the stories of centuries-old dishes, reimagined with modern techniques and the finest ingredients. The menu features dishes like the “Czech Aristocrat,” a veal steak with warm potato salad, pickled gherkins, and apple cider vinegar, adhering to a mid-19th-century recipe. The “Silk Road” offers lamb chops and croquettes with mulberries and roasted celery, honoring the 14th-century Czech silk industry. The bar menu features lighter dishes perfect for sharing, along with modern takes on salads and popular classics. Guests can also enjoy a selection of Czech wines. The bar offers signature cocktails inspired by Czech personalities like Jan Werich and Václav Havel. “Guests will first be captivated by the unique location and rich history of our hotel and Malá Strana. They will then embark on an authentic gastronomic journey at Monastiq, where they will experience the history of Czech cuisine through modern dishes,” explains Duarte Correia, General Manager...
The Czech Republic will end its dependence on Russian oil by mid-2025 thanks to an expansion of the Transalpine Pipeline (TAL) from Italy, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said Tuesday. TAL brings oil from the Italian port of Trieste to southern Germany, where it connects to the IKL pipeline taking it to the Czech Republic. The pipeline extension will double capacity for the EU and NATO member to eight million tons when it becomes operational next year. The country has already wean itself off Russian natural gas completely in the wake of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. “Work on the expansion of the TAL pipeline has started, which means we will shake off the dependence on Russian oil after 60 years,” Fiala told reporters during a visit to the state oil company Mero in Nelahozeves, north of Prague. “We expect full launch in the first half of 2025 at the latest,” he said. The Czech Republic gets most of its oil via the Druzhba pipeline, launched in the 1960s when the country was part of Czechoslovakia, which was controlled by the Soviet Union. Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union imposed a ban on most oil imports from...
Czech average wages grew by 4.8% year-on-year in real terms in the first quarter, the statistics office said on Tuesday, the first increase in over two years as inflation eased back to the central bank’s target range. The real increase was higher than analysts’ median forecast of 4.1% and the Czech National Bank’s prediction of 4.2%. Nominal wages increased by 7.0% year-on-year to begin 2024. Central bank policymakers are closely tracking changes in wages as they navigate an easing policy started last December that has delivered 175 basis points in cuts to the key two-week repo rate, which stands at 5.25%. Markets are watching for signs the central bank may slow its easing pace, after it cut in 50-basis-point steps at the past three meetings. Worker wages fell consecutively in real terms for nine straight quarters to the end of 2023, as a surge in prices in the past few years pushed inflation to double digits. “After nine quarters there was thus a turnabout, although in some economic activities – (like) industries – the wage of the employees has not increased in real term,” Jitka Erhartova, the head of the statistics office’s labour unit, said. Inflation fell to the central...
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