Prague plans to invest around CZK 1.93 billion, including VAT, to transform Kasárna Karlín into a mixed-use complex with shops, offices, student housing and space for cultural and artistic activities. The city acquired the former military complex in 2023 and has since been working on plans for its long-term redevelopment. Prague City Council has now approved the next step, allowing the city-owned Trade Centre Prague (TCP), which manages the site, to launch a tender for the preparation of the reconstruction project. Construction is scheduled to follow between 2027 and 2032, with the investment financed from Prague’s municipal budget. The first stage will focus on the complex’s main building. A separate building in the courtyard, currently used by the Karlín Barracks Cultural Center, will be addressed in later phases. Deputy Mayor for Territorial and Strategic Development Petr Hlaváček said the reconstruction should open the site to the surrounding neighborhood while preserving its historic character and protected architectural elements. One of the main changes will be to improve access to the courtyard, which currently has just one entrance and is largely hidden from the surrounding streets. Adam Zábranský, Prague’s councilor for property, transparency and legislation, said new passages from the street would...
Lyme disease cases are rising sharply across the Czech Republic, with more than 8,000 infections recorded since the beginning of the year. Health officials warn that the summer peak may not have arrived yet. A total of 8,108 cases were reported through the end of July, according to data from the Czech State Institute of Health (SZÚ). July alone accounted for 2,792 infections, meaning that roughly one in three cases recorded so far this year occurred during the month. Doctors registered an average of about 90 new cases each day in July. The figures are significantly higher than those seen in previous years. Between January and July, the Czech Republic typically recorded between 1,500 and 2,000 Lyme disease cases. Part of the increase may be linked to a change in the way infectious diseases are reported. The number of tick-borne infections depends on several factors, including tick populations and seasonal weather conditions. Climate change is also playing an increasingly important role. The highest numbers of Lyme disease infections have so far been reported in the Central Bohemian and South Moravian regions. The risk is not limited to forests and countryside. Prague’s parks and wooded areas can also provide suitable conditions...
A radio tower installation at Prague’s National Gallery is showcasing local efforts to preserve alternative culture as the Czech government seeks to cut funding to the arts and other public sectors. Created by members of Prague-based Shella Radio, the tower is adorned with fabrics and relics of previous parties hosted in Ankali & Planeta Za, a nightclub that has faced closure due to financial problems. “We believe in the idea of this radio as an amplification of voices that are often neglected in other spaces,” Shania Rodriguez, a Prague-based DJ and Shella radio host, said in an interview. “Here, they can be vocal about the issues and problems within our system and also share ideas of change.” Many artists and curators say the environment for cultural organizations has grown more challenging due to financial cuts by the new right wing government led by Andrej Babiš. The planned budget for this year shrank by 3.9 billion crowns – an almost 20 percent decrease from the previous year, according to the Czech Ministry of Culture. The cuts sparked widespread backlash across the country in April, and many took to the streets. Shella, an Egyptian Arabic slang word meaning “a group of friends...
Skywatchers in the Czech Republic will have two reasons to look up on the night of August 12. A partial solar eclipse will be visible in the evening, followed by favorable conditions for watching the annual Perseid meteor shower. The eclipse will be visible across Czechia shortly before sunset, with the Sun low over the western and northwestern horizon. In Prague, the partial eclipse is expected to begin at about 7:19 p.m., reach its maximum at 8:12 p.m. and end around 8:27 p.m. At the height of the eclipse, the Moon will cover about 86 percent of the Sun’s disk in Prague, making the event particularly noticeable if skies are clear. The eclipse will look different depending on where observers are located. The farther east they are, the later the eclipse will begin and the less of it will be visible. In eastern Czechia and much of Slovakia, the maximum phase will take place after sunset, when the Sun is already below the horizon. The event will be a partial eclipse in Central Europe, while a total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain. Astronomers and eclipse enthusiasts are expected to travel to those areas...
Beer remains a staple of the Czech shopping basket, but new sales data from online supermarket Rohlík shows that drinking habits are gradually changing. Traditional lagers still dominate, while non-alcoholic beer is recording the fastest growth among the main beer categories. The category has grown by more than a quarter over the past year, with Birell among the brands driving the increase. Birell sales alone are up by almost 20%. Together with flavoured beers and radlers, non-alcoholic beer now accounts for close to one-third of all beer sales on Rohlík. Beer from small and regional breweries is also gaining ground, with sales increasing by more than 11%. The biggest decline is being recorded among craft beers grouped by style, including IPA and APA. This is currently the only major beer segment experiencing a year-on-year drop. Czech brands continue to dominate the market. More than nine out of every 10 beers sold through Rohlík are from domestic brands. Imported beers, however, are growing at a faster rate. Their sales have increased by 18% year-on-year. Beer sales peak at the weekend Friday is the busiest day for beer sales, with roughly twice as much beer sold as on Monday. Friday and Saturday...
For over 20 years, the South Bohemian village of Holašovice has held a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Located approximately 16 kilometers west of České Budějovice, this village is famed for its picturesque houses, built in the distinctive Peasant Baroque style. The first recorded mention of Holašovice dates back to the late 13th century. The village has a rich and storied history, marked by events such as the Hussite wars and a devastating plague in the 16th century that significantly reduced the local population. The iconic houses that now define Holašovice were constructed in the latter half of the 19th century, reflecting the Baroque, Rococo, and Classical influences prevalent in South Bohemian architecture of that era. The village’s ethnic composition underwent significant changes during and after World War II. Following the establishment of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, the Czech residents were forced to leave Holašovice, and the village was annexed to the Third Reich. After the war, the German population was expelled, once again altering the village’s demographics. Lada’s Pond and the Czech Stonehenge Despite its turbulent past, Holašovice has retained a unique atmosphere that continues to attract visitors. In addition to its charming houses, tourists...
A floating swimming pool could be built along the Vltava River in Prague’s Holešovice district, near U Vody Park. Prague 7 City Hall is considering using a section of the waterfront near the Port 7 development for the project. The municipality hopes the pool could be ready within three years, although the cost has not yet been determined. The project is still in its early stages. The district is currently looking into whether it could obtain older or unused pontoons and adapt them to create the swimming facility. One of the main questions is where the pool water would come from. Prague 7 is considering both the Vltava and the municipal water supply. The aim would be to use this data to determine when swimming in the river is considered safe. Čižinský has suggested introducing a simple traffic-light system similar to those used in cities such as Copenhagen and Amsterdam, allowing swimmers to see whether conditions are suitable. According to Čižinský, the Vltava generally has good enough water quality for swimming, although conditions can deteriorate after heavy rainfall. Recent measurements support this concern. Prague hygiene officials have been monitoring the water at Branická beach since the beginning of this year....
Hermanos Gutiérrez, a guitar duo formed by brothers Alejandro and Estevan Gutiérrez with Swiss-Ecuadorian roots, will perform in Prague for the first time on August 20, 2026 at Lucerna Great Hall. Their music blends Latin American influences with a modern, atmospheric sound, built around the interplay of two guitars that create detailed, cinematic soundscapes full of emotion and depth. Get your ticket here. The duo has built a reputation for their distinctive instrumental style, where melody and rhythm intertwine without the need for vocals. Their live performances are known for their intimate yet expansive atmosphere, often described as immersive journeys rather than traditional concerts. Their latest album, Sonido Cósmico (2024), continues this direction with a deep musical exploration of rich sonic textures. The record carries elements of Latin mysticism and hypnotic guitar patterns, shaped in collaboration with producer Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. Under his production, Hermanos Gutiérrez expand their sound while keeping the minimalist core that defines their identity. Beyond the music itself, Hermanos Gutiérrez’s work reflects a strong connection between family, cultural heritage, and artistic exploration. The brothers often describe their creative process as a shared language shaped by years of playing together. Each concert becomes a...
Construction projects across Prague’s historic center are proving a pain for tourists and locals alike who say the clumps of dirt, building supplies and equipment block popular sites and make it difficult to move around one of Europe’s most visited cities. Heading down Národní to the Charles Bridge or going for a beer near the Vltava river now looks more like a vast construction site where tourists need to look out for more than the cobble-stone streets and baroque spires. “It’s their first time here too, [they’ve] never seen it and now it’s torn up,” said Sherryl, a tourist visiting from the United States with her friends. A major source of the disruption are upgrades to the public transport system. The central tram route delivering travelers to the heart of the city near the Národní Divadlo stop has been shuttered for weeks. The disruption has taken a heavy toll on surrounding businesses like Aggeo, an Italian grocery store along the corridor. Its manager, Irena Kumpová, noted a sharp drop in foot traffic from travelers and regular local customers, who stroll by the National Theater on their way to gaze at the artist David Černý’s famous Kafka head. “I’d rather stay...
Live Nation and PPF Group are forming a joint venture that will operate three of Prague’s major event venues — O2 Arena, O2 Universum and Forum Karlín. The companies plan to invest in the venues and upgrade their facilities, with Live Nation set to hold a 51 percent stake in the new company. The agreement will bring together one of the world’s largest live entertainment companies and PPF, the investment group that owns O2 Arena and O2 Universum through its subsidiary Bestsport. PPF has also operated Forum Karlín, which has been owned by Patria Investment Company since last year. The companies announced the planned partnership in a joint statement. Financial details of the transaction and the amount of the planned investment have not been disclosed. The deal remains subject to the required regulatory approvals. Under the agreement, the new operator will be responsible for the day-to-day running of all three venues, including event planning and programming. The venues themselves will remain under their existing ownership structures, and their names will not change. The partners said they intend to invest substantially in the facilities over the coming years. The aim is to improve conditions for audiences and performers while expanding the...
Residents of Prague 7 will regain a tram connection between Holešovice and the city center from September, with tram line 5 set to operate through the district and continue toward Wenceslas Square. The change follows months of pressure from Prague 7 officials and local residents, who have called for better tram connections since the cancellation of line 14. The district had previously requested either the return of line 14 or the introduction of an equivalent service and organized a petition supporting the demand. The new arrangement will initially be temporary. According to the Prague Integrated Transport (PID) system, two trams will operate on the route at least through December 2026. Line 5 to replace temporary route The new service is linked to planned transport changes in Žižkov. Because of a traffic closure there, tram line 34 will be replaced by line 5 in Holešovice. At Holešovice train station, line 5 will connect with line 6, effectively creating a continuous service between the two routes. Trams will run from the station through the Holešovice area, past the market and across Vltavská Street before continuing toward Wenceslas Square and other parts of central Prague. For passengers in Holešovice, the move restores a...
A Czech-Ukrainian rally will take place outside the Russian Embassy in Prague on August 20 to mark the 58th anniversary of the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia. The event, titled “Ivan, Go Home!”, is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, at Boris Němcova Square in Prague 6. The rally comes one day before the anniversary of the night of August 20-21, 1968, when troops from five Warsaw Pact countries entered Czechoslovakia to crush the Prague Spring reform movement. The invasion brought an end to the country’s attempt to pursue a more liberal form of socialism and was followed by two decades of political repression and Soviet military presence. The event is being organized jointly by People in Need (Člověk v tísni), Memory of the People (Paměť národa), Million Moments for Democracy (Milion chvilek pro demokracii), and the European Congress of Ukrainians. Organizers say the rally will connect the historical experience of the Soviet occupation with Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. Participants will gather to remember those killed or persecuted following the 1968 invasion and the people who lived under the communist regime that followed. The organizers also plan to express support for Ukraine and draw attention to...
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