The transformation of a hidden courtyard behind Wenceslas Square has taken a decisive step forward. Developer Crestyl has secured a final zoning permit for the Savarin Project, paving the way for construction to begin in 2026 and for the site to open to the public by 2029. The redevelopment will connect Wenceslas Square with Na Příkopě, Jindřišská, and Panská streets, creating an open, accessible route through the city block. At its center will be a restored Baroque riding school, surrounded by a landscaped square with cafés, restaurants, and public seating. The design, by London-based Heatherwick Studio, marks the architecture firm’s first completed project in continental Europe. “This project is a matter of the heart for us,” said Crestyl CEO Simon Johnson. Public spaces will feature arcades, roof gardens, and leisure zones. Plans also include a multipurpose cultural hall, an art gallery—potentially housing the Slav Epic—and a barrier-free entrance to the Můstek metro station. One of the gastronomic highlights will be Time Out Market with around fifteen dining outlets, alongside retail spaces and a courtyard restaurant. The Savarin project’s first stage was completed last year with the full renovation of the Baroque Savarin Palace, which began in late 2021. The work...
Weeks after the cancellation of the Rubicon Festival in Bratislava, organizers have confirmed that Kanye West — now performing under the name Ye — is set to appear in Prague instead. Festival director Hugo Varga said a new Czech-based organizer has taken over the concert arrangements, with the venue and exact date to be finalized. The performance is described as “already agreed” and will replace the scrapped Slovak appearance. Ticket holders from the original Bratislava event have until August 18 at 12:00 to request a refund. Those who do not apply by the deadline will automatically receive tickets for the Prague show. The Rubicon Festival, once scheduled for July 18–20, 2025, was canceled just over a week before its start date. Organizers cited “unforeseeable circumstances” but gave no further details. Even before the cancellation, questions had been raised about the event’s readiness, with little visible progress at the planned site near Záhorská Bystrica. The booking had faced criticism in Slovakia. In June, a petition called for Ye’s performance to be stopped, pointing to the rapper’s history of antisemitic statements and his public praise of Adolf Hitler. International media have also reported that Ye was denied a visa to Australia, the...
From summer 2026, Czech travellers will have two new options for less-crowded holiday escapes. The travel company Čedok is introducing direct flights from Prague to Porto Santo, a small Portuguese island near Madeira, and to the Greek island of Skyros, one of the Sporades’ least-visited destinations. Porto Santo, little known outside Portugal, lies a two-and-a-half-hour ferry ride from Madeira. Its ten-kilometre golden beach, made of fine sand rich in crushed coral minerals, is said to have therapeutic properties. Alongside the beach, the island offers sand baths, panoramic golf, and relaxed dining in family-run restaurants. History enthusiasts may recognise Porto Santo as a one-time home of Christopher Columbus. It was here that he met his future wife and received valuable maritime charts as part of her dowry—maps that would later shape his voyages. The island’s Columbus Museum preserves this chapter of his life. Čedok’s CEO, Stanislav Zeman, said the company is responding to a growing demand for “quieter, higher-quality places outside the mainstream.” He noted that Porto Santo fits the trend of travellers seeking destinations less saturated with mass tourism. The second addition to Čedok’s network is Skyros, a hilly island in the Aegean Sea. Remote and relatively untouched by large-scale...
Lunch in Czech restaurants is now more expensive than ever. New data from June 2025 shows the average midday meal costs around 197 CZK, with prices in six regions already surpassing the 200 CZK mark. The rise is driven by higher costs for ingredients, energy, and wages. Since 2014, when a lunch in Prague averaged 98 CZK, prices have climbed by 130%. In the same period, average wages have grown by just 82%, meaning the cost of eating out has outpaced income growth. Restaurant owners say their biggest challenge is staff shortages. Salaries in the sector rose by up to 8% last year, but operating costs—from rent to utilities—are increasing even faster. “The reality is that price hikes cannot be postponed forever,” says Václav Stárek, President of the Czech Association of Hotels and Restaurants. The South Bohemian Region currently tops the list with average lunch prices around 212 CZK. In Prague, diners pay roughly 203 CZK. In some areas, prices have already hit a ceiling, slowing further increases. In the past five years, the entire industry has seen costs jump by over 50%. One of the sharpest blows came in January 2024, when the VAT rate on draft beer doubled...
For the first time in its history, the Czech Republic will compete for the Best International Feature Film Oscar with a documentary. The Czech Film and Television Academy (ČFTA) has chosen I’m Not Everything I Want to Be, directed by Klára Tasovská, as the country’s official submission for the 2026 Academy Awards. The film is a portrait of the life and career of Czech photographer Libuše Jarcovjáková, who was noted for her photography of the underground LGBTQ scene in Prague prior to the decriminalization of homosexuality in the country. Its world premiere took place earlier this year at the Berlin International Film Festival, followed by screenings at major festivals in Vienna, New York, Turin and Copenhagen’s CPH:DOX. It also enjoyed a successful run in Czech cinemas. The film also won the audience award and the Pass Culture jury prize in Écrans mixtes, LGBTQ+ festival of Lyon in 2025. This year’s selection process was different from previous ones. The ČFTA presidium introduced a two-round vote: in the first round, a committee shortlisted three to four titles from all submissions. In the second round, the entire academy voted on the final choice. According to ČFTA, both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and...
Plans are moving forward for one of Prague’s most talked-about architectural proposals: Revoluční 30, a modern apartment complex that would appear to “hover” above a centuries-old baroque building. In an international architectural competition involving more than 80 studios from all over the world, an independent jury selected the design by the Czech-French duo Peer collective and Studio Muoto from the top six finalists. If completed, the project would add a minimalist residential block with an open arcade at ground level, located directly above the preserved baroque structure. The design also introduces a publicly accessible walkway connecting Revoluční Street to the nearby Novomlýnská Water Tower — a space the developers hope will revive an overlooked corner of the city. The proposal is still in its early stages, with discussions underway between the developer, city officials, conservation experts, and local residents. The developer has also suggested transforming the baroque building — currently used by the Prague Services company — into a cultural or educational centre. This would depend on agreement with the city, which owns the property. Location and history The completion or renovation of the Revoluční and Lannova corner area was already considered after World War II. At the site of Revoluční 30, there used to...
Filming is starting in Prague on a new reboot of Resident Evil, the popular video game series turned film franchise. Shooting will take place in city streets and at Barrandov Studios, with the film set for release in September 2026. This version will move away from the action style of recent films and return to the tense, dark mood of the original games. Director Zach Cregger, known for Barbarian and The Vanishing Hour, told CinemaCon earlier this year that his take will be “different from all previous films” and will capture the feeling players know well — standing at the edge of a dark corridor with a single bullet left, knowing something dangerous is ahead. The film will not retell existing game plots but will keep the series’ rules and world. It will follow one main character whose story gradually descends “deeper into hell,” aiming for a more personal survival horror rather than large-scale action. Casting has not been fully confirmed. According to Deadline, the lead role will go to Austin Abrams, who recently worked with Cregger on The Vanishing Hour. World of Reel reports that recent Oscar winner Mikey Madison (Anora) has been offered the female lead. Last week,...
Prague police are searching for a man who cycled along a street lined with parked cars in the city center, breaking into one and stealing €6,500 in cash. The incident occurred on the night of July 23 near U Obecního domu Street in Prague 1. According to police spokesperson Richard Hrdina, the suspect rode his bicycle past several parked vehicles, checking if any were unlocked or contained valuables left on the seats. “Unfortunately, the targeted luxury car was not properly secured, allowing the thief to enter without difficulty,” Hrdina explained. Once inside the car, the man took the cash before quickly fleeing on his bicycle through nearby streets. Authorities have released clear footage of the suspect caught on security cameras and are appealing to the public for assistance. Anyone recognizing the individual or with relevant information is urged to contact the police at emergency number 158. The man faces charges of theft, which could carry a prison sentence of up to five years. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
On Saturday evening in Zvole, a village near Prague, a lion escaped its enclosure and attacked the animal’s keeper, prompting police intervention. Police spokeswoman Vlasta Suchánková said the emergency call came just before 8 p.m. “At 7:58 p.m., we were notified that a lion had broken free from its cage at a local zoo in Zvole. The keeper sustained minor injuries,” she told Novinky.cz. According to initial reports, the lion remained within the zoo’s grounds and did not leave the premises. Despite this, the situation escalated quickly, requiring immediate action from law enforcement. The police issued a statement confirming that their standard procedure involves working with veterinary experts to tranquilize and safely recapture escaped animals. However, in this case, waiting was not an option, and officers had to resort to lethal force. The circumstances of the lion’s escape and the events leading to the shooting remain under investigation. Authorities have promised to release more information once the facts are confirmed. The zoo’s social media only reported that all Sunday visits were canceled. This is not the first time that rescue and armed forces have intervened in Zvole because of exotic animals. The police went to the same owner in 2018,...
On Saturday, September 21, the Prague Exhibition Grounds will host the first-ever Pickles Prague Festival – a full day dedicated to the sharp, salty, and sour world of pickled and fermented vegetables. Running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the festival will bring together producers, chefs, and enthusiasts to share traditional recipes, modern twists, and flavours from both Czech kitchens and beyond. Visitors can sample a wide range of items, from classic cucumber pickles and spicy peppers to beetroot, sauerkraut, kimchi, and lesser-known varieties that are rarely found in shops. Many of the products come from local farms, with others sourced from abroad to show how different cultures preserve their harvests. The event is organised in partnership with Efko CZ, and alongside the tastings and market stalls, there will be live music throughout the day. Families can utilize a dedicated children’s zone featuring games and activities, while food enthusiasts can participate in workshops and talks on topics such as pickling techniques, the benefits of fermentation, and the role of preserved vegetables in various cuisines. Find more info here. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
The Petřín funicular is in the midst of a complete transformation. The overhaul includes brand-new cable cars, an upgraded track, and modern control systems, all scheduled for completion by mid-2026. The project entered a key stage this summer, as production began on the first components of the new carriages. Final assembly will take place in Switzerland, with delivery to Prague expected in May 2026. The Austrian-Swiss manufacturer Doppelmayr/Garaventa is building two cabins, each 12.3 metres long and 2.45 metres wide, designed to hold 19 seated passengers and around 100 standing. The interiors will be divided into four sections and fitted with large glass panels for sweeping views of the city. A few playful design touches will add character to the ride. When the two cars pass each other on the slope, one will “wink” with a flash of its headlights, while the other’s interior lights briefly turn red — a subtle nod to Petřín Hill’s romantic reputation. While the cabins take shape abroad, major construction is underway in Prague. Workers have already laid the first stretch of the new track’s foundations, part of the 490-metre route. The work also addresses slope stabilisation, the issue that led to the funicular’s extended...
The foreign ministers of the Baltic states and Czechia have expressed support for a fair peace settlement in Ukraine amid reports of an upcoming meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. “If borders can be changed by force, none are safe. If nations can be forced to live under a bigger neighbour’s dictate, none are free,” Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on X. Tsakhkna emphasised that Estonia will not “reward aggression” and that Ukraine can count on its “unwavering support in achieving a just and lasting peace”. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba welcomed US President Donald Trump’s efforts to end Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, but added that “just, lasting, dignified peace is what we all want, Ukrainians the most”. “Such peace must involve Ukraine and uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia mustn’t be rewarded for aggression,” she added. “From Luhansk to Crimea, every inch belongs to the sovereign nation of Ukraine, fighting for its freedom,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys added, pledging support for efforts to achieve “a just and lasting peace in Ukraine – based on international law”. Lipavský, in turn, recalled that Russia did not seize Ukraine in three days or three years, and that it was forced...
Don’t have an account? Register
Already have an account? Log In
How Would You Like to Promote Your Business? PR ArticleDisplay bannersVideo productionNewsletter adsJob ListingsInfluencer Marketing
Your Email
We will come back to you within 24 hours with our proporsal
