January 16 marks exactly 51 years since Czech student Jan Palach’s self-immolation at the top of Wenceslas Square that would lead to his death in hospital three days later.
Work on the largest reconstruction in the history of Prague’s Masaryk Station has continued through the winter, with key advances on the eastern side of the site near Vítkov and Libeň. The future elevated platform is now structurally tied to nearby buildings, marking a major step in a project meant to reshape rail travel in the city center. Engineers have also completed upgrades to the technology building that will house the base for the European Train Control System. This installation is central to the station’s shift to modern safety standards and higher traffic capacity. Progress is visible in areas used by passengers as well. Construction of new platforms is ongoing, and paving has been finished in the square outside the planned café facing Na Florenci Street. In the Vítkov section, crews completed a new pressurized sewage system before the end of last year, removing a major obstacle to further development. During work on the elevated platform, specialists identified the need for additional reinforcement in one section. Independent experts from Czech and foreign universities recommended adding a support column as the most effective solution. Construction based on this plan is set to begin in the spring. The Railway Administration is now...
On the night of January 15, a truck got stuck on Nerudova Street, near Prague Castle, damaging a parked car. The driver told firefighters he had followed his navigation system into the narrow historic streets. The truck could not move forward. While trying to reverse, it hit a parked car. Firefighters and police helped the truck get back on the road and leave safely. Incidents like this are common in the Czech Republic and abroad. Last February, a Czech truck driver got stuck on a ski slope in Austria. In Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, a woman ignored road signs and ended up on a toboggan run after relying on her GPS. In February 2024, an 18-year-old driver in Český Krumlov drove onto a ski slope and crashed into a cable car pole. Authorities warn drivers to be careful in historic city centers. Narrow streets and pedestrian zones make GPS guidance unreliable. Dnes v noci zasahovali hasiči z HÚOPH společně s @PolicieCZ v ulici Nerudova. Navigace sem dovedla řidiče kamionu, který se zasekl v polovině ulice, ale nemohl se dostat dál. Při pokusu o návrat poškodil jedno zaparkované vozidlo. Kamion se díky koordinaci všech zasahujících… pic.twitter.com/AQjwREQdlE — Hasiči Praha 🚒 (@HasiciPraha) January 15,...
Conscription Debate Returns as Army Prepares New Mobilisation Plan The possibility of introducing mandatory military service is once again being actively discussed in the Czech Republic. Chief of the General Staff Karel Řehka said the army has prepared a new mobilisation concept for the government that would allow limited conscription if voluntary reserves prove insufficient. The plan does not involve mass enlistment, as before 2004, but would focus on recruiting specific specialists. Priority would go to medical staff, IT and technical experts, communications specialists, engineers, logisticians, heavy equipment drivers, and people with rare skills such as drone pilots or previous military experience. Icy Conditions Force Closure of Prague Cemeteries All city cemeteries in Prague have been temporarily closed due to dangerous icy conditions. The only exception applies to mourners attending already scheduled funeral ceremonies at Olšany Cemetery. Former MP Dominik Feri faces further rape charge Former member of parliament Dominik Feri (TOP09) has been charged with an additional rape, prosecutors confirmed to the news site iRozhlas on Tuesday. The case involves a 17-year-old girl who said she consented to sex but alleged that Feri had removed the condom.Feri is currently serving a three-year sentence for raping two other girls, including...
The 2026 Children and Youth Olympic Games, set to take place in Prague this June, have revealed their official mascots: two sea lions named Bublinka and Hugo. The animals were introduced to the public at the Prague Zoo by Tokyo water slalom silver medalist Lukáš Rohan. The mascots will travel from the zoo to various sports venues across the city from June 21 to 25, 2026, accompanying young athletes and fans throughout the competitions. Their aquatic nature reflects the games’ emphasis on movement and activity, particularly in water sports. “The animal was selected by Prague City Hall in collaboration with the Prague Zoo. Local schools were involved in naming one of the mascots to raise awareness and encourage children to attend the games,” said Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda. Bublinka’s name, for example, was suggested by a student from Jan Masaryk Elementary School in Prague 2. Twenty schools submitted fifty proposals in total during this stage of the program. Artists Petr Novák, known for his work in comics and illustration, and Martin Šinkovský, a screenwriter and author, designed the mascots and their communication concept. “The sea lion is sometimes clumsy, but it loves to move. The important thing is not to...
Prague is set to build a network of 1,500 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the city, with a total investment of CZK 493 million. Most of the funding will come from the European Transport 2021–2027 program. The new stations, which will be installed over the next two years, will provide up to 22 kW of AC charging. They are designed to support both residential areas and public parking, including Park & Ride (P+R) facilities. “Prague will gradually build a network of around 1,500 public charging points, allowing residents to charge their electric cars directly on city streets,” said Jaromír Beránek, Deputy Mayor for Transport. “European funds cover most of the costs. The project addresses one of the main barriers to electromobility: the lack of accessible infrastructure.” The project aims to make electric transport practical for all Prague residents by integrating chargers into urban infrastructure rather than relying solely on private or fast-charging solutions. The installation will be led by two municipal companies: Technical Communications Administration of Prague (TSK) and Technology of Prague (THMP). THMP will focus on residential areas, while TSK will deploy stations in public parking garages and P+R lots. Modern, Smart Charging Stations will be accessible...
The world-famous Irish dance production Rhythm of the Dance returns to the Czech Republic in 2026 with a new tour that brings the spirit of Ireland to three major stages. The company will perform on February 3 at the Prague Congress Centre, February 4 at Boby Hall in Brno, and February 5 at Gong in Ostrava. Get your ticket here. Known for its sharp choreography, live music and strong sense of tradition, the show has built a reputation as one of the most successful Irish dance productions in the world. The upcoming tour promises a fresh programme that combines classic step dance with new staging and musical arrangements, offering audiences three evenings filled with rhythm, emotion and visual power. Since its creation more than two decades ago, Rhythm of the Dance has travelled across dozens of countries, performing on leading international stages and drawing crowds from every corner of the globe. Its appeal lies in the close bond between dancers and musicians, who together create a performance that speaks clearly even without words. The 2026 programme introduces a new artistic concept. Energetic group numbers are balanced with quieter, more lyrical moments inspired by the deep roots of Irish music. Large...
New Rules for EVs and Taxis Could Reshape Transport in Prague Prague authorities have approved new measures for electric vehicles and taxis that could change how people move around the city. Owners of electric cars will be able to park in all paid zones for an annual fee of 24,000 crowns, while taxis will be required to switch to electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles. The plan still needs approval from city councilors, but that is widely expected. If confirmed, parking permits will start being issued on March 1, and the full transition of taxis to low-emission vehicles is set for 2030. Cold Snap Pushes Gas Use to Five-Year High Severe frosts have driven gas consumption in the Czech Republic to its highest level in five years. Over the past week, usage exceeded the average for the heating season by more than 60 percent. Electricity demand has also risen, though not as sharply. Dispute Over Funding for Ukraine’s Arms Initiative Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said that around 280 billion crowns passed through Czech companies as part of the arms initiative for Ukraine, with about 17 billion crowns allegedly financed directly from the Czech state budget. He accused the previous government of lacking...
Freezing rain caused serious problems across Prague on Tuesday morning, leading to dozens of injuries and forcing emergency services to activate a trauma plan as the number of incidents quickly rose. Paramedics were responding to calls from shortly after midnight. By 8 a.m., they had already treated 48 people who had fallen on icy sidewalks and streets. Most suffered broken arms or legs, along with head and back injuries. As the pressure on rescue teams increased, emergency services declared a trauma plan shortly before 9 a.m. to manage the growing number of cases. Additional ambulance crews were deployed and the medical operations center was reinforced. By late morning, rescuers reported that they had assisted around 100 injured people in total. Officials urged residents to move carefully, wear footwear with good grip and avoid unnecessary travel while conditions remained dangerous. Hospitals across the city reported heavy pressure on emergency departments. Thomayer University Hospital said its surgical emergency unit had been full since the early hours, with doctors treating mainly limb fractures and injuries to the head and spine. Similar situations were reported at Motol Hospital, Homolka Hospital, Bulovka Hospital and the General University Hospital. Medical staff warned that falls on ice...
Prague Castle marked a historic year in 2025, welcoming more than 2.7 million visitors to its main route and over 9 million people to the entire complex, including its gardens. As in previous years, the majority of visitors were international tourists. Visitor numbers peaked in July, August, and October. The Advent Program, which included access to the Chapel of the Holy Cross and the Mocker Houses, also attracted strong interest. Other highlights included the Open Days and the exhibition of the Czech Crown Jewels. All of these events will return in 2026, along with several new programs. One upcoming event is the exhibition “Gift for the President from Nearby and Faraway Lands II”, scheduled for late January at the Rosenberg Palace. This will be followed by the Pre-Spring exhibition in late February and early March, which will showcase flowers alongside art by young artists. “We reinvest income from tourism into the care of historical monuments and public spaces for both residents and visitors,” said Pavel Vyhnánek, director of the Prague Castle Administration. He highlighted projects such as the renovation of Chotkovy Sady, the reconstruction of Queen Anne’s Summer Palace, and Hartigovská Garden, which is expected to reopen in spring. The...
Freezing Rain and Severe Ice Expected Across Czechia Meteorologists have issued a warning for freezing rain and severe ice across the Czech Republic today and tomorrow. Precipitation is expected to begin on Monday evening and may lead to the formation of a dense ice layer up to five millimetres thick, mainly in Prague, the Central Bohemian Region, Vysočina and parts of Moravia. Authorities warn of a likely rise in road accidents, along with possible power outages and damage to trees. Safety inspections in bars, clubs, discos and restaurants start on Monday Safety inspections in bars, clubs, discos and restaurants around the country start on Monday and will run until August, the Czech News Agency reported. The inspections were ordered by the interior minister in response to the tragic fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Firefighters will focus on escape routes, the condition of fire extinguishers and compliance with capacity limits. Bars, clubs and discotheques will be inspected during normal operating hours. Prague Castle Sees Record Visitor Numbers Prague Castle recorded its highest attendance ever last year. More than 2.7 million people visited the interiors of the complex, while over nine million walked through the wider area, including the gardens. Castle officials say...
Prague city councillors have approved a plan that would allow only electric or hydrogen-powered taxis to operate in the capital from 2030. The proposal is part of a broader effort to cut air pollution and respond to the rapid growth of the taxi sector, which city officials say is putting increasing pressure on the environment. Transport is now the largest source of air pollution in Prague. Although the city meets current legal limits, pollution levels in many districts remain above recommendations set by the World Health Organization. From 2030, new European rules will also tighten emission limits, cutting the allowed levels of harmful substances by half. City officials argue that taxis play a growing role in this problem. Data from the municipality shows that the number of registered taxis has risen sharply since 2021, driven mainly by ride-hailing platforms such as Uber and Bolt. The figures show how dramatic the shift has been. In 2010, Prague had fewer than 2,000 taxis. By 2024, the number had climbed to almost 16,000, including cars operating for app-based services. At the same time, the renewal of the fleet has slowed. The average taxi in Prague is now around ten years old, meaning many...
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