Starting January 2026, all forms of physical punishment of children will be prohibited under Czech law. An amendment to the Civil Code declares corporal punishment unacceptable in any context. Despite the legal change, a study by Charles University found that 40% of Czech parents still consider physical punishment an appropriate disciplinary method. Experts warn that social attitudes may take time to adapt, even after the law comes into effect. The issue extends beyond families into public institutions. Vít Aleksandr Šorm, Deputy Ombudsman and Commissioner for Children’s Rights, reported that during visits to orphanages and educational facilities across the country, he observed humiliating practices and physical punishments still being used. Some children are subjected to forced kneeling and other degrading forms of discipline, practices that violate the Czech Republic’s international obligations to protect children. Investigations by the Ombudsman’s Office and the Commissioner for Children’s Rights are ongoing. Their findings will be made public in the ESO Register’s database, allowing greater transparency and accountability. Over the past decades, many studies have examined the effects of corporal punishment, and not one has found that it has a positive impact on children or their behaviour. In contrast, many have found that it has many...
The Prague City Council has approved the first step in creating a new Concept for Accessible Public Toilets. It aims to ensure that residents and visitors can find clean, accessible restrooms across the capital without barriers. The initiative is being developed by the Institute for Planning and Development (IPR Prague), following research into both local needs and solutions adopted in other major cities. “We looked into what matters most to Prague residents when it comes to public toilets and how other cities handle the issue,” said Ondřej Boháč, director of IPR Prague. “Accessibility and cleanliness came out as the top priorities.” According to urban planners, an effective public toilet network would place restrooms within roughly 300 meters of any given point. Currently, only a small portion of the city meets that standard. For now, shopping centers remain the most popular choice for restroom access, largely due to their maintenance and cleanliness. Yet, there’s a key obstacle: most of these facilities require payment. That presents difficulties not only for people in financial hardship but also for the growing number of residents who no longer carry cash. To address this, the new concept will explore different operating models — including adapting existing...
Eurowings will expand its Prague operations next summer, introducing three holiday routes connecting the Czech capital with Ibiza, Brindisi, and Faro. The airline, a subsidiary of Lufthansa Group, aims to strengthen its southern European network, focusing on seasonal leisure travel from Prague Airport. The first new connection, linking Prague and Ibiza, will begin on June 1. Flights will run once a week, every Monday, and continue through the end of September. A few days later, on June 3, Eurowings will open a route to Brindisi on Italy’s Adriatic coast. The service will operate every Wednesday until September 23. Finally, flights to Faro, in Portugal’s Algarve region, are scheduled to start on June 16, with departures every Tuesday until late September. Tickets for all three destinations are already on sale through Eurowings’ booking system. Although the airline has recently reduced some operations in Prague, its local base will continue to function. According to Raquel Krüggelerová, Eurowings’ spokesperson, the Czech capital remains “an integral part of the Eurowings network.” Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
As in previous years, you will have a chance to meet the uniformed lamp-lighter on the Charles Bridge. From November 30 to December 23, 2025, he will light the historic gas lamps by hand each evening, beginning at around 4:00 p.m. near the Old Town Bridge Tower. Nowadays, the gas lights operate automatically, and Advent is the only time of the year when the gas lamps are lit up by a lamplighter. Street lighting in Prague dates back to 1847, which is the year when the first gas lamps were lit in this city. By 1940, nearly 9,000 gas lamps cast their bluish glow on the city. Gaslighting was used in Prague till 1985, when the eight-branched cast-iron lamps on Hradčanské square and in Loretánská street were converted for electric light. However, 2002 saw the return of gaslight to the city’s most historic areas. In 2010, gas lamps were placed on the Charles Bridge, which is the only gas-lit bridge in the world. Nowadays, you can admire romantic gaslighting on the whole Royal Route, from Powder Gate Tower to Hradčanské Square. The lamplighter Jan Žákovec is vice president of the Lamplighters’ Guild and head of the Gasworks Museum. At 205 cm, he is...
The Hilton Hotel Prague will once again host the International Charity Market, a one-day celebration of cultures, flavours, and traditions from around the world — all in support of Czech charities. Organized by the Diplomatic Spouses Association (DSA) and held under the patronage of First Lady Eva Pavlová, the event has become one of Prague’s most anticipated international gatherings. More than 40 countries will showcase national crafts, traditional delicacies, and cultural highlights, offering visitors the chance to explore a truly global marketplace. From handmade gifts and art to gourmet foods and fashion accessories, the market promises a rich mix of creativity and culture, accompanied by a welcoming international spirit. “We are excited and deeply grateful for the opportunity to help those who need our support the most,” said Adrijana Balut, Vice President of the DSA. “The International Charity Market is a beautiful day of unity, generosity, and hope. Every visitor, every purchase, and every ticket contributes to making a real difference.” All proceeds from the event, along with contributions from private sponsors, will go to Czech charitable organizations, which can apply for grant support until January 31, 2026. Last year’s market raised over 1.7 million CZK, supporting causes across the...
A historic monastery in central Prague will host the Biohacking Summit Prague 2025, bringing together leading scientists, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts focused on improving health, performance, and longevity. The event will unite the international biohacking community with Czech innovators to explore how technology, science, and lifestyle design can redefine human potential. The summit’s agenda will span seven major topics, including personalized medicine, cognitive optimization, and healthy aging. Visitors can look forward to expert presentations, live demonstrations, tasting sessions, and displays of cutting-edge health technologies from more than thirty partner organizations. Among the key speakers are Teemu Arina, the Finnish founder of the European biohacking movement; Tim Gray from the United Kingdom, organizer of the world’s largest Health Optimization Summit; and Czech neuroscience communicators Vojtěch Hlaváček and Kryštof Jarmar from the podcast Brain We Are. In addition to the lectures, attendees can join an exclusive biohacking dinner focused on nutrient-rich cuisine and an experiential run through the Prague Castle area, designed to combine physical activity with mindfulness practices. The event underlines a growing global interest in biohacking and proactive health management. The longevity and preventive health market is currently valued at more than $63 billion, reflecting how quickly personal health innovation is...
Monitoring conducted in 2025 confirmed the birth of wolf cubs in several regions, signaling a gradual but steady expansion of the species. New litters have been documented in the Šumava Mountains, Ore Mountains, and Ralsko and Broumov regions. Particularly noteworthy are new births in Kokořínsko and Ralsko, where no successful breeding had been observed in the past five years. Researchers from the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic have confirmed that wolves are successfully settling in new habitats. In the Ore Mountains, the species has been recorded in three distinct territories, including a newly formed one in the central part of the range, where a wolf pair has established its den. Wolf presence has also been noted in the Lusatian Mountains and along Czechia’s border with Poland, suggesting natural cross-border movement and gradual population growth. Despite this progress, experts caution that roughly two-thirds of wolf cubs do not survive their first year, due to natural causes, accidents, or territorial conflicts. Ecological Impact Their return contributes to restoring ecological balance, as they help regulate populations of deer and other wild ungulates. This, in turn, supports forest regeneration and promotes greater biodiversity in areas that have long been affected by overgrazing....
A new sculpture installed on a residential rooftop in Prague’s Podolí district has become one of the city’s most talked-about installations. The artwork, created by Czech sculptor Jakub Flejšar, depicts the legendary horse Šemík in an intimate act with a mare — a provocative reinterpretation of one of Czechia’s most famous myths. The sculpture, titled “Šemík Happy End,” was installed on Tuesday atop a modern residential complex near the Podolské schody. It was commissioned by developers Jiří and Petra Šald, founders of the Villa Gallery project. The couple, who designed the building as a blend of architecture and public art, say they wanted to give the legend of Šemík a new, playful ending. Flejšar, known for combining industrial materials with strong emotional themes, said his aim was to offer an “alternative storyline” to the classic legend of Šemík — the heroic horse who famously saved Lord Horymír by leaping from Vyšehrad into the Vltava River. “We’re naturally drawn to happy endings, though life rarely follows that path,” Flejšar explained. “This sculpture is about hope, renewal, and reimagining how stories could end differently.” Since its installation, the metal piece has become a local sensation. Residents have been gathering beneath the building,...
Newly elected Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Tomio Okamura began his term by removing the Ukrainian flag from the lower house of Parliament. The flag, which had hung above the entrance since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, was taken down on Thursday afternoon on Okamura’s direct orders. The decision marks a clear break from his predecessor Markéta Pekarová Adamová, who had placed the flag as a gesture of solidarity with Ukraine. Okamura, leader of the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, assumed office on Wednesday after securing 107 votes in a secret ballot. Okamura’s election had been assured through a coalition agreement between ANO, SPD, and Motorists, who also secured two vice-chair positions for Patrik Nacher (ANO) and Jiří Barták (Motorists). While the Ukrainian flag is gone, three others remain flying on the Parliament building — those of Czechia, the European Union, and Israel. The Israeli flag has been displayed since the October 2023 Hamas attacks that killed more than 1,200 people. Ukrainian Flag Also Taken Down from the National Museum The removal follows a similar move by the National Museum in Prague, which recently took down the Ukrainian flag after nearly three years. It had...
Czech far-right leader Tomio Okamura won the post of speaker of the lower house in a vote on Wednesday, the first appointment of populist billionaire Andrej Babis’s newly formed coalition with fringe right-wing groups. The vote was a key step in forming a new government following a parliamentary election won by Babis’s ANO party a month ago. The outgoing centre-right government of Prime Minister Petr Fiala is required to hand in its resignation following the speaker’s election, which it will do on Thursday. But it will stay in office until a new administration is in place. Okamura, 53, has faced criticism as head of the Freedom and Direct Democracy party (SPD), which has campaigned against European Union membership. The SPD is a partner of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany in the European Parliament. Opposition parties have said his views are incompatible with holding one of the highest positions in Czech politics. “I understand that I am not everyone’s candidate, but I promise that if I receive confidence and am elected, I will be an impartial chairman for everyone,” Okamura said during a more than six-hour debate. Babis aims to form a government with Okamura’s SPD and the right-wing Motorists party...
The long-planned renovation of Prague’s Kotva department store has been delayed once again. Generali Real Estate, which owns the landmark building on Náměstí Republiky, has moved the expected completion date of the reconstruction to 2028, extending the timeline by at least a year. The company initially announced that the extensive modernization, which began in February 2025, would finish by the end of 2027. “The rehabilitation of such a large and technically complex building is a long-term process that demands careful coordination and patience,” said Jana Vrábelová from Generali Real Estate. “We appreciate the cooperation of authorities, experts, and the public throughout this stage.” The next step involves selecting a main contractor for the full-scale reconstruction, which will include modernizing the interiors, expanding commercial and office space, and restoring the building’s architectural character. Plans envision six floors dedicated to retail and services, along with two floors of offices. While the façade will be replaced, Generali intends to preserve Kotva’s distinctive brutalist design, including its hexagonal concrete structures and communication towers. The building’s honeycomb-like grid, inspired by architectural structuralism, remains one of its most recognizable features. Kotva, designed by architects Věra and Vladimír Machonin, opened in 1975 as a symbol of modern...
A proposal to rename a future Prague Metro station has triggered a debate among city officials and historians. Deputy Mayor for Transport Zdeněk Hřib has suggested that the planned Olbrachtova station on the upcoming Metro Line D be renamed Ryšanka (a nearby street), arguing that public transport stops should not carry names linked to totalitarian or extremist figures. Hřib, a member of the Pirate Party, said the name change would reflect the city’s effort to maintain neutrality and historical sensitivity in public spaces. The original name, Olbrachtova, comes from a nearby street named after the Czech writer Ivan Olbracht, who was also a member of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. Officials from Prague 4, where the new station is being built, along with Ladislav Kudrná, head of the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes, have long voiced objections to the name. They argue that it indirectly celebrates a writer with ties to the communist regime. In their view, metro stations should instead honor figures connected to the anti-Nazi or anti-communist resistance, reflecting the city’s democratic values. Under current procedures, naming proposals for Prague Metro stations must first go through several levels of review. The district administration discusses the idea,...
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