The Bohnice psychiatric hospital was, at the time of its conception, the second largest and most modern facility of its kind in central Europe. The complex, in which most buildings are designed by Czech architect Václav Roštlapil, gained UNESCO world heritage status in 1954. The unique urban complex and its surroundings, which have been preserved to almost original form, have been described as one of the “safest places in Prague” by Tomáš Řepa of the National Monument Institute. “There are many myths around the complex. For example, many people think it is closed to the public, which is not true. At the same time, I think it is one of the safest places in Prague that tourists do not know about.” Tomáš Řepa says. They decided to build this extensive and modern psychiatric institute in 1903. The first pavilion was designed three years later by architect Václav Roštlapil in the fields of Bohnice village, which became part of Prague in 1924. The area, which occupies 64 hectares, is dominated by the Art Nouveau church of St. Wenceslas with its 55-meter-high tower, which was built in 1911 and also designed by Václav Roštlapil. Roštlapil is also responsible for the design of...
Under the statue of St. Wenceslas on Prague’s Wenceslas Square, a canvas construction depicting a whale skeleton was installed on Monday. It’s the same skeleton that has been hung up in the National Museum for over a hundred years. It will be displayed in the city center for about two weeks. “The main visual motif of the art piece is the whale skeleton, which is divided into three topological visual fields and interconnected by nerve fibers and special cables” explained the artist Jiří David. The art project, which is called “Do you miss the whale?” is based on the concept that the museum’s whale skeleton has not been seen by the public since 2011 when the building began renovations. According to the artist, the installation has two forms. During the day, only the skeleton of the whale is able to be seen on the canvas, but at night, the marine mammal will appear to move. “In the evening, the diode wall illuminates in the middle, and mirrors are placed in such a way that it creates the illusion that the whale’s fins are moving,” David explained. The work was inspired by the whale skeleton which has been suspended for 125...
Quick: Paris is the capital of which country? You probably said, “France.” However, technically, it’s “the French Republic.” But who says that? Only a petulant Frenchman. Now try this: what’s the name of the country that drinks more beer per capita than any other country? If you’re feeling petulant, it’s the Czech Republic. If you want to be cool, it’s Czechia. Peruse the CIA’s Factbook and you’ll find that most countries have a long-form name and a short-form name. The People’s Republic of China is the long-form name, while China is its short-form name. The United States of America is also a mouthful, which is why there are popular alternatives: America (which many Latin Americans object to), the USA, the US, the States or Gringoland. For the last 100 years, the Czechs have been unable to come up with an easy name for English speakers to call their country. In 1918, when they first formed their country, the Czechs called their country Czechoslovakia. That tongue-twister was ridiculed by National Geographic, which called the new country’s name “awful” and an “unfair handicap for the young state.” Read the full article here
The Czech prime minister’s ANO emerged the strongest party in nationwide municipal elections on Saturday, winning in all regional capitals except two including Prague. It was the first popular test for the minority government formed in July. The quadrennial municipal vote may carry more weight this time as local budgets have helped to keep the overall Czech fiscal balance in surplus in the past two years. “When we look at the regional big cities, in 2014, we had nine victories and now we may have 11. As for the districts, in 2014 we had 13 wins and now we have 17,” Babiš told the news server Seznam. “I think our citizens see that the Ano movement is moving our country forward. To the top of Europe.” With 60 percent of the votes counted, the ANO of Andrej Babis came in third with 15.9 percent in Prague, where it won four years ago. ANO’s coalition partner in the minority government, the Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD), looked on course to have no member on the Prague city assembly for the first time ever as the oldest Czech party fared poorly across the country. Author: red
A highly venomous green mamba that bit a woman and went into hiding wreaked havoc on a Prague district —before it was caught on a tree yesterday. The mamba bit its breeder, a 30-year-old woman, on Monday, police and media said. The woman, who had no breeding licence, remains in hospital in an induced coma, after being given anti-venom. Police evacuated her house in the Hlubočepy district in southern Prague while a nearby kindergarten banned children from leaving the premises. Herpetologists said the snake was unlikely to leave the house given the cold weather outside, but the reptile was found on a tree about 200 metres from its home. The green mamba’s venom consists of both neurotoxins and cardiotoxins, it spreads fast and is often fatal. Unless the patient gets immediate help the poison will damage various organs and the person will eventually die of suffocation resulting from paralysis of the respiratory muscles. Author: red
The rent of an average apartment in the capital city could cost you more than the average monthly salary. Problems with high rental prices are experienced not only by students but also young families with children, who are additionally hindered by landlord’s unwillingness to rent property to young families. In addition, landlords take advantage of the high demand associated with the beginning of the university semesters. Young people coming to study in the capital desperately need a place to live, and are then subject to extremely high rental prices, often exceeding 12,000 CZK for a room. Students often prefer to share an apartment as it saves money. Likewise, a student of barely twenty-years of age hardly earns enough to pay rent in the city. Demand exceeds supply here, and people are often so desperate that they don’t even take into consideration the price. And if you want to live for less, you’re out of luck. On a social networking site, one twenty-year-old girl who was looking for a home with her partner stated that she did not want the monthly rent to exceed 11,000 CZK. Scroll down, and in response, many had commented on how “ridiculous” this request was, and...
Are you an expat in Prague looking for an exercise class to join, or perhaps an interesting new hobby? Why not try something completely different? Krav Maga is an exciting, up-and-coming martial art that you can learn right here in Prague. This Israeli mixed-martial art is designed in a way that is accessible to everyone, regardless of age, gender, and physical strength. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, and Aikido, this hybrid martial art is highly effective and highly adaptable. Despite being Israeli in origin, Krav Maga actually has roots in former Czechoslovakia. Derived from the street-fighting experiences of Imi Lichtenfeld, Krav Maga is more martial than art. Lichtenfeld, who grew up in Bratislava, was a proficient athlete and wrestler. During the mid-to-late 1930s, Lichtenfeld made use of his training as a wrestler as he helped defend the Jewish quarter against Fascist groups in the city. In order to effectively defend himself and the Jewish community, Lichtenfeld used his knowledge of combined martial arts and put emphasis on attacks that quickly disabled and neutralized a threat. In the late 1940s, following his move to Israel, Lichtenfeld started to give lessons on combat training in the Israeli Army....
Czech Egyptologists have discovered the limestone grave of a high-ranking official from the middle of the fifth dynasty “a custodian of royal affairs” identified as Kaire, whose name had been carved into the wall at the Abusir necropolis. The Fifth Dynasty, along with the Third, Fourth and Sixth Dynasties from the Old Kingdom, dates back to between 2494 and 2345 BC. The Czech research team under the direction of archaeologist Miroslav Bárta has also discovered a halved granite sculpture. It proves that ancient Egyptians placed statues into their burial chambers, a question they have been trying to answer for years. The statue sits on a chair wearing a short dress and a wig. Kaires’ titles place him at the level of the viziers (prime ministers) of the time. The complex of Kaires extends over an area of over 500 m2, and besides the tomb itself contains several other rooms which served for the funerary cult and the ritual purification of the priests before they could enter the tomb. Egypt, one of the most ancient civilizations, has been working hard to preserve its archaeological heritage and discover the secrets of its ancient antiquities in a bid to revive the country’s ailing tourism sector. Tourism has...
For every one person in Prague, there are four or five rats. The removal of these rats costs the city millions every year. Every year brings another endless battle between pest control and the rats of the city. Experts have estimated that for every one person in Prague, there are four or five of these unwanted four-legged inhabitants. The most infested places are around Rokytka and Botič One institution that has to deal with these pests, in particular, is Prague Water Supply and Sewerage (PVK). “This year we have prepared 13.5 thousand pounds of bait,” said PVK spokesman Tomáš Mrázek. “The most infested places are around Rokytka and Botič. Generally, however, these rats can be found wherever there is a mess created by people” states Mrázek. Intelligent traps PVK’s pest control use poisoned bait, such as breadcrumbs, scraps, corn, chocolate, and fat, that contains an active ingredient which kills the rats. “The number of rats exterminated cannot be accurately determined through this method though,” Mrázek said. However, new methods of pest control allow you to calculate more precisely the indent being made on the rat population. One notable method is the Danish system of so-called ‘intelligent traps’ that not...
In just a few years, a new cable car could be built in Prague, linking Podbaba with the zoo and Bohnice. The proposal is supported by the capital and the city halls of Prague 6 and Prague 8. The journey from Dejvice to Bohnice would be shortened by almost half an hour, and the construction of the rope course itself should take about a year. It will be the quietest and most environmentally friendly means of transport in the Prague Integrated Transport system. The cable car design calculates a riding time of 7 minutes, with an interval of 60 seconds, and the transport capacity of 2-4 thousand people per hour. The cable car is designed on a three-rope system that is able to withstand even the strongest of winds. Passengers get on and off when the cabin travels at just 0.54 km/h, so it’s both safe and comfortable. The route goes deliberately outside the zoo to keep from crossing territories but it’s close enough to be able to transport passengers directly to the planned new entrance to the area. This would solve the problem of the overcrowded 112 bus line, and the lack of parking spaces around the zoo. “We...
It’s here. The annual celebration for the founding of the Czechoslovak Republic. But this year’s festival will be the biggest yet for the 100th anniversary. The festivities begin on Friday, September 28 (St. Wenceslas Day) and end on Sunday, October 28. This celebration month includes exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances, concerts and opening days of renovated buildings. Here is a timeline with insider tips and information of the celebration month (Part III) October 27 Concerts and March for the Republic Namesti Republiky, Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square Three genre-concerts will split time between three stages: one in Namesti Republiky, Old Town Square, and Wenceslas Square. There’s also a festive march for the Republic attended by representatives of students, Sokol, legionnaires, and other organizations and associations. October 28 Opening of the National Museum Vinohradská, Prague 1 In symbolic fashion, the National Museum will open its doors after reconstruction on the exact date of the 100th anniversary. Visitors can enjoy not only the beautifully renovated interiors of the National Museum’s Historic Building and guided tours, but also three exhibitions spread over an area of almost 2,000 square meters. October 28 Concert Štěpánská 61, Prague 1 In the Great Hall of Lucerna, a...
Czech brewing company Bernard has announced their annual marketing campaign “Den Bernarda” (or “Bernard’s Day”). On this day, residents and guests of the Czech Republic will be able to enjoy a draft beer of the brand at the fixed and very low price of 15 crowns per half-liter mug. The event will be held on Thursday, October 4th from 17:00, and will take place in hundreds of restaurants, bars, and pubs throughout the country. A complete list of participating retailers can be found on the official website (www.bernard.cz) In Prague, about 50 establishments will participate, most of which are located in the city center. Author: Holly Webb
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