Jáchymov is a lonely mining town in the Ore Mountains which has played an important role in the history of modern man. The US dollar is the most widely used currency in the world. It is both the primary de facto global tender and the world’s unofficial gold standard. According to the International Monetary Fund, 62% of the planet’s financial reserves are held in US dollars – more than double the total foreign holdings of euros, yen and renminbi combined. Thirty-one nations have either adopted it as their official currency or named their money after it; more than 66 countries peg the value of their currencies to it. Yet, one place where the dollar is not accepted is in the tiny Czech town of Jáchymov – which is ironic, because it was here, tucked deep into the wooded folds of Bohemia’s Krušné hory mountains, where the dollar originated 500 years ago in January 1520. The Discovery of Silver and the Rise of Joachimsthal At the beginning of the 16th century, a rich silver deposit was found in the local valley, so in 1516 the owner of the Ostrov estate, Count Štěpán Šlik, decided to establish the town of Thaler. It...
Commuting in Czechia is often treated as routine. But when measured in economic terms, the daily trip to and from work represents a substantial annual loss for employees. If a worker spends one hour a day commuting, the value of that time — calculated using the national median wage — reaches roughly CZK 57,000 per year. The figure is based on data from the Czech Statistical Office and a model originally applied in the United States. An analysis published by Investopedia, drawing on calculations by MyPerfectResume and data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, estimated that the average American worker effectively “loses” about $8,150 annually due to commuting time. That equals more than CZK 165,000 at current exchange rates. The method is straightforward: multiply the total hours spent commuting each year by the average hourly wage. In the United States, workers spend around 223 hours annually traveling to and from work. Applying the same framework to Czech conditions produces similar results in terms of time. According to the Czech Statistical Office, around 70 percent of Czech employees commute, and about 60 percent of them rely on a car for at least part of the journey....
Navigating the Czech real estate market can feel overwhelming for international buyers. Here’s how to make your property purchase smooth, legal, and financially smart. Prague has never been more attractive to international buyers. With property prices continuing their upward trajectory through 2025 and the city cementing its position as Central Europe’s tech and business hub, more expats are asking: “Should I buy instead of rent?” The answer increasingly is yes—but only if you navigate the process correctly. The Czech property market offers competitive value compared to many Western European capitals, but it comes with unique challenges for foreign buyers. Here’s what you need to know. The Current Market: Opportunity Meets Complexity Prague’s residential property market is experiencing what analysts call a “perfect storm” of rising demand and constrained supply. As of early 2026, median apartment prices in Prague stand at approximately 8.1 million CZK (around $393,000 or €334,000), with prices per square meter ranging from 97,000 CZK/m² in outer districts to over 200,000 CZK/m² in Prague 1 and 2. For expats who’ve relocated here for work or lifestyle, this creates a compelling investment case. Prague remains competitively priced compared to Amsterdam (30-40% less) and comparable to Berlin, while offering Central...
Kolkovna Brewery will host its traditional zabíjačka festival from February 21 to March 1 at Prague Výstaviště, offering an authentic taste of Czech culinary heritage. Visitors can enjoy classic pork specialties, live accordion music, and a festive atmosphere that recalls historic pig-slaughtering gatherings. On February 21 and 22, a special takeaway stand will be open from 11:00 to 16:00 outside the brewery. Guests can purchase zabíjačka delicacies to take home, try bread with crackling spread, and enjoy a complimentary shot of slivovitz or pear brandy. From February 23 to March 1, the brewery will serve a full zabíjačka menu, featuring dishes crafted from all parts of the pig. While modern families rarely perform their own pig slaughters, the recipes and flavors of this centuries-old tradition remain widely cherished. Zabíjačka historically took place in winter, when cold temperatures helped preserve the meat. Families and sometimes entire neighborhoods would participate, preparing dishes from every part of the pig. Participants kept portions of meat and shared extras with relatives and neighbors. Reservations are recommended for visitors wishing to fully enjoy this celebration of Czech culinary tradition at Prague Výstaviště. Zabíjačka products The purpose of zabíjačka was to make use of the whole animal...
Prague is preparing to welcome some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Leonardo DiCaprio will soon arrive in the Czech capital to begin filming under acclaimed director Martin Scorsese. Scorsese, who has already been in Prague for several days, has shared glimpses of the city’s streets and landmarks on social media, hinting at the locales that will feature in the upcoming movie. The film, titled What Happens at Night, is an adaptation of Peter Cameron’s novel. The story follows a couple traveling from the United States to Europe to adopt a child, only to find themselves trapped in an unusual hotel. DiCaprio will star alongside Jennifer Lawrence as the central couple, bringing international attention to the production. Although DiCaprio has not yet arrived in Prague, he confirmed at a recent panel during the SBIFF festival that he will be joining the shoot in two weeks. While the production has not officially disclosed the length of filming, such projects typically span several months, giving the actors time to immerse themselves in the local culture and nightlife. What Happens at Night – Scorsese’s Latest Thriller Martin Scorsese, known for films such as Casino, The Wolf of Wall Street, and The Cursed Island, is teaming...
Prague will welcome a major return this summer as British pop-rock group Duran Duran takes the stage at O2 Arena on June 24, 2026. The concert marks the band’s first Czech appearance in 14 years. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, the band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and remains one of the defining acts of modern pop and rock. Known for combining strong visuals with melodic songwriting, they have maintained an active touring and recording career for over four decades. Fans can expect classics such as Hungry Like the Wolf, Ordinary World, and Rio, alongside newer material from their latest album Danse Macabre, which mixes original songs, covers, and reworked tracks. Over the years, the group has earned multiple awards including Grammys, BRIT Awards, and Ivor Novellos. They also recorded the only James Bond theme song to reach No. 1 in the United States, while filmmaker David Lynch directed one of their best-known concert films. Their influence stretches across genres, with samples or covers by artists such as The Notorious B.I.G., 5 Seconds of Summer, Muse, and Deftones. Media outlets including Vanity Fair, Vogue, and WWD have also highlighted their lasting...
A new beer-focused gastro concept has arrived in Prague, where the family brewery Bernard has opened its first Bernard Brewhouse venue. The pilot location operates in Vinohrady, introducing what the brewery describes as an urban format combining its beers with contemporary dining and design. Unlike a traditional pub, the space is presented as a broader hospitality concept. Beer, food, interior design and visual presentation are meant to work together rather than separately. Custom glassware, tailored food pairings and the overall layout are intended to make the visit feel structured around experience, not just consumption. The kitchen plays a central role. The menu is built to match specific beer profiles, with ingredients selected to highlight flavor rather than dominate it. The brewery says the goal is balance between Czech beer tradition and current dining expectations. Technology also forms part of the project. One feature allows images or patterns to be printed directly onto beer foam using specialized equipment. Additional interactive elements are expected as the concept develops. According to franchise manager Aleš Pavlík, the intention is to create a place where guests feel comfortable staying longer, not simply stopping for a quick drink. He says attention to detail — from serving...
The music festival Žižkovská noc is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. The jubilee edition will feature more than 150 bands and DJs across genres during two early spring evenings, performing in fifteen clubs and cultural spaces throughout Žižkov. The festival will take place on Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21, 2026. One ticket allows visitors to freely move between all participating venues. Fifteen venues and the return of a legendary space Symbolically, the 15th anniversary edition will involve fifteen stages across Prague’s Žižkov district. Alongside traditional venues such as the pubs U Vystřelenýho oka and Nad Viktorkou, visitors can look forward to concerts in two churches as well as the return of the Distrikt club, which continues the legacy of the legendary Storm and Matrix venues at Tachovské Square. All festival locations are within a maximum ten-minute walking distance from each other, often significantly less. Visitors can therefore attend multiple concerts during one evening across different genres and venue types – from intimate clubs to large halls, from pubs and cafés to community centers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Žižkovská noc (@zizkovskanoc) More than 150 artists across the scene This year’s program...
Hospitals across Prague say the number of young voluntary blood donors is falling, leaving transfusion services under strain even as overall demand for blood products remains steady. Medical staff warn that without a new generation stepping forward, maintaining stable supplies could become harder in the coming years. At General University Hospital in Prague, the transfusion department estimates it would need roughly six thousand additional regular donors to keep reserves comfortable. Department head Daniela Dušková said the Czech Republic overall may be short by as many as 80,000 to 100,000 unpaid donors. She noted that hundreds leave donor registries each year, most often because of age, health concerns, or relocation. Younger replacements are not arriving in sufficient numbers. A comparable trend is reported at Thomayer University Hospital, where officials describe the donor list as gradually aging. According to spokesman Petr Sulek, people born after 2000 represent a smaller demographic group and cannot fully replace older donors stepping back from regular donation. The hospital also provides blood derivatives beyond its own wards, including supplies for IKEM, which increases pressure on available stocks. Cooperation with hospitals outside Prague has become necessary to keep supplies stable. Some healthcare professionals believe the visibility of paid...
Just days before the opening of the exhibition, the usually quiet Galerie Rudolfinum is suddenly full of energy. Staff gather for a preview tour of Beyond the City of Time, led by the artist himself, Sahej Rahal. I was fortunate to join the walkthrough, which suggests Prague’s art audience is about to encounter a striking blend of digital mythology and speculative storytelling. The Mumbai-based artist explains how his three-legged sculptures, AI-driven simulations and pigment paintings combine Indian folklore, video-game logic and science fiction to question how we perceive time and reality. For his Prague debut, Rahal has turned the gallery into a collaborative game environment, inviting visitors to shape evolving myths alongside unpredictable, creature-like forms that react to sound, movement and touch. Asked about his name, Rahal said it carries personal symbolism. “Sahej comes from the idea of the path of least resistance — my aunt chose it — while Rahal means traveller,” he explained. Originally trained as a fine-art painter at Mumbai’s Rachana Sansad, Rahal first considered engineering and has a background in programming. He eventually merged those interests. “Art school helped me improve my drawing, but I realised I could combine that with programming. Ultimately, I’m interested in...
Pizza prices across the Czech Republic rose by about 11.5 percent year on year, according to new data from Foodora. Despite the increase, the country remains among the cheapest markets in Europe where the delivery platform operates. The company’s Pizza Index, modeled loosely on global purchasing-power comparisons used in fast-food pricing, tracks average pizza costs in cities with the highest order volumes. The figures show clear regional differences inside the country. The lowest average price last year was recorded in Liberec at around 226 CZK. It was followed by České Budějovice with 233 CZK, Plzeň at 245 CZK, and Brno at roughly 251 CZK. The highest average price remained in Prague, where customers paid about 260 CZK per pizza. Across all countries covered by the index, prices were lower only in Hungary. The cheapest city overall was Szeged with an average price equivalent to about 207 CZK. At the opposite end stood Lillestrøm in Norway, where the converted price reached roughly 465 CZK. Higher ingredient costs, especially wheat, tomatoes and cheese, together with energy and operating expenses, have pushed prices up. Some major cities nevertheless recorded small declines, which the dataset links to stronger competition and more efficient production. Ordering...
Police in the Czech capital are searching for a young American student who vanished shortly before a planned trip back to the United States. Investigators say she never boarded the flight she intended to take from London and has not contacted relatives or friends since. According to Prague Police, the woman — identified as Angelina — was last seen on February 10 in the Prague 10 district. Her phone has been unreachable ever since, and officers have found no record of her leaving the Czech Republic by air. She had been studying at a university in the country. The last confirmed communication was with her former boyfriend, who told investigators she planned to fly to the United States that day. “She has never cut contact with family or friends for this long,” police spokesman Jan Rybanský said, adding that relatives are worried about her safety. Police describe her as about 170 centimeters tall, with medium-length black hair and brown eyes. She may have been wearing a green bomber jacket, a dark striped sweater and black trousers when she disappeared. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact police immediately. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
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