A new street in Prague 7 has been named after Nicholas Winton, who relentlessly cajoled and shamed immigration authorities to provide visas for 669 children, sparing them the horrors of the Holocaust. Jan Čižinský, the mayor of the Prague 7 district, spoke of Winton’s “heroism, courage, and humility”. When complete, the street will pass by the railway station and memorials to “the dark side of world history”. The naming of the street coincides with the 85th anniversary of the last planned Kindertransport from Prague, which was prevented from departing due to the outbreak of the second world war. The 250 children onboard the train were deported to Nazi concentration camps; two survived the war. Winton’s heroic actions were depicted in a recent film, One Life, starring Anthony Hopkins. The former stockbroker, who was knighted in 2003 and nominated for the Nobel peace prize in 2008, died in 2015 at the age of 106. Among those attending the naming ceremony in Prague on Tuesday were four surviving “Winton children”, members of Winton’s family, and a delegation from the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR). Michael Newman, the chief executive of the AJR, said: “It is hugely symbolic that [Winton’s] endeavours are recognised...
Prague’s City Hall has approved a plan to explore the possible return of the statue of Johann Graf Radetzky von Radetz to Malostranské náměstí. The monument, which originally stood on the square from 1858 to 1919, would be a replica since the original statue is preserved in the Lapidarium of the National Museum. If restored, the statue would be positioned near the tram stop, as trams currently run through the original site. The proposal is controversial and did not receive unanimous support, particularly from the Pirate Party coalition members. The Prague City Council discussed the restoration proposal on Monday and agreed to collaborate with the Gallery of the Capital City of Prague to evaluate the technological and financial aspects of producing a replica of the Radetzky statue. “This step by the Council marks a crucial part of our efforts to return the statue of Marshal Radetzky to its rightful place,” said Jiří Pospíšil (TOP 09). “Restoring this monument will not only commemorate a significant historical figure but also honor the Czech soldiers who fought bravely under his command. We have taken great care to respect the site’s historical integrity and minimize any impact on the archaeological layers. The restoration will...
Prague’s famous FAMU Film School has once again been included in The Hollywood Reporter’s prestigious annual list of the 15 Best Global Film Schools, alongside institutions such as the London Film School and France’s La Fémis. The US weekly described FAMU as one of Europe’s top-tier film schools, which offers one-year intensive programs and two and three year master’s degrees in directing, cinematography and editing, including accredited programs in English. The Hollywood Reporter described the FAMU as one of Europe’s top-tier film schools, offering one-year intensive programs and two- and three-year master’s degrees in directing, cinematography and editing, including accredited programs in English. The magazine noted that the school’s alumni include Milos Forman, Vera Chytilová, Jirí Menzel and Jaromil Jires, “who created a new dark and funny take on life behind the Iron Curtain”. FAMU was founded in 1946 as one of three branches of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. In the 1960s and 1970s, several young directors from Yugoslavia were FAMU students (Rajko Grlić, Srđan Karanović, Emir Kusturica, Goran Marković, Goran Paskaljević and Lordan Zafranović). All of these directors would become very successful in the following decades, prompting the coinage of the term Praška filmska škola (“Prague...
This summer was the third hottest on record at Prague’s Klementinum observatory since measurements began in 1775. The average temperature from the start of June to the end of August was 22.6 degrees Celsius. Only the summers of 2018 and 2019 were hotter during this period. Compared to the historical average from 1775 to 2014, this summer was 3.6 degrees Celsius warmer in central Prague. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) reported this on Monday via the X social media platform. August alone saw an average temperature of 23.5 degrees Celsius at Klementinum. Compared to the average from 1991 to 2020, this represents an increase of 2.5 degrees, placing this August as the fourth warmest out of 250 recorded since 1775. When compared to the average from the beginning of measurements to 2014, August was even 4.3 degrees Celsius warmer. Meteorologists have noted that six of the warmest summers in Klementinum’s recorded history have occurred in this century, with five of those in the past decade. The hottest summer at Klementinum since 1775 occurred five years ago, with an average temperature of 22.9 degrees Celsius. The summer of 2018 was slightly cooler, by just two-tenths of a degree. This summer ranks...
The Sberatel / Collector fair is the biggest fair for collectors in all fields in Central and Eastern Europe. The 24th edition will be held in Prague at PVA Expo Letňany on 6 and 7 September. Over 230 dealers, auction houses, and postal authorities from around the globe will gather in the Czech capital for this significant event. “Every year, our fair draws around ten thousand visitors, with more than a third coming from abroad. We expect an even bigger turnout this year, as economic uncertainties like war and inflation have sparked greater interest in collecting as a form of investment among Czechs. It’s safe to say that Czechs are becoming a nation of collectors,” said Jindřich Jirásek, the fair’s director. Attendees will have the chance to buy and sell an array of rare items, from family heirlooms to exclusive collectibles. A popular feature of the fair is the free valuation service, where experts assess the value of stamps, coins, autographs, and other curiosities. “Every year, someone brings in an unexpected gem,” said Jirásek. “In previous years, we’ve seen items like the valuable St. Wenceslas ducats, which were later auctioned for tens of thousands of crowns. Once, a woman surprised us...
A new bridge is set to be constructed in Prague’s Za Elektrárnou Street, with work expected to begin in 2028. This bridge will span the Troja-Podbaba canal, replacing the current structure, which is insufficient due to its low height. Alongside the bridge, a significant transformation of the surrounding area is planned, including a new pier, seating steps along the water, improved pedestrian paths, and an extension of the Stromovka Park into a river biocorridor. The project’s completion is scheduled for 2029. “The outcome of the first architectural competition organized by the Waterways Directorate of the Czech Republic has been very successful. I am pleased with the winning proposal, which features an innovative architectural and urban traffic design for the bridge connecting Stromovka to Císařský ostrov,” said Lubomír Fojtů from the Directorate of Waterways of the Czech Republic. He added, “The jury, composed of representatives from various organizations and experts, chose this design, and I believe we will soon finalize the design documentation. We aim to start construction by 2028.” The architects from Nemec & Taller Architektur emphasized the advantages of the new bridge’s design, particularly its ability to handle high traffic both on and under the bridge. They propose...
Prague Zoo is wrapping up the holiday season with a special treat for children: an admission fee of just 1 crown. Along with the symbolic entry price, the zoo has lined up an exciting weekend program filled with activities and events that promise fun for the whole family. Starting today, some of the zoo’s animals will receive ice cubes as part of a fun summer send-off. Visitors can watch polar bears, kea parrots, capybaras, bison, and taipans interact with these chilly treats. Guests are also in for a cool surprise with heaps of ice cubes placed around various locations, including the Children’s Zoo, the Paper Mill, the Radegast statue, and the Dja and Bororo Reserves. This Friday, children under the age of 15 can enter the zoo for just 1 crown. They can participate in the Quiz Trail, a family-friendly game that begins on the Education Centre terrace. Additionally, a special puppet show titled “Hurvinek and the Uninvited Guest” will be performed at the Education Centre on both Saturday and Sunday, catering to children aged six and above. Sunday is extra special as the zoo celebrates International Primate Day with guided feeding sessions featuring young orangutans and gorillas. These feedings...
The creator behind the popular YouTube channel NASS has brought new life to a vintage film of Prague from 1946. Using advanced neural networks and modern graphic tools, he restored and colorized an archival video that captures the city’s streets shortly after World War II. The restoration also includes an increased frame rate of 60 frames per second, resulting in a smoother and more dynamic visual experience. In an attempt to enhance the viewing experience further, the video was dubbed with sounds similar to those that might have been heard at the time, though not authentically sourced from the original recording. Additionally, the colors were selected through an automated process, meaning they do not reflect the historical accuracy of the era’s true hues. Despite these creative liberties, the restoration offers a fascinating glimpse into Prague’s post-war atmosphere, providing viewers with a fresh perspective on a city rich in history. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
Despite a relatively successful hotel season this year, with European tourists once again flocking to Prague, several of the city’s prestigious hotels have been put up for sale. Following media reports about the potential sales of the Hilton and Four Seasons hotels, it has come to light that they are not the only properties on the market. The five-star Andaz Hotel, belonging to the American Hyatt chain, is currently up for sale for around CZK 3.5 billion. Located in the center of Prague on Senovážné Square, this news was confirmed by several sources familiar with the negotiations. “We are unable to comment on this matter at the moment,” said Lenka Fabian, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Andaz Hotel, when asked about the sale. This luxury hotel was developed through an expensive reconstruction of the former Cukrovarnický Palace, a neoclassical-style building on Senovážné Square. The palace, built between 1912 and 1916 by the Sugar Millers’ Association and designed by architects Theodor Fischer and Josef Zasche, served various functions after World War II. After the fall of communism in 1989, it came under the ownership of the now-bankrupt Investment and Postal Bank and later ČSOB. The building’s transformation into a...
A new cultural and leisure centre named “Stanice 6” is set to open on the site of the former railway station Praha-Bubeneč in Prague 6. The former station building will become a community center with a sports, a gallery, bistro and a cultural hall where concerts, exhibitions, and other community events can take place. “We aim to create a pleasant indoor workout area connected to Stromovka rather than a traditional gym with sophisticated machines. The café will be contemporary and open, with the station platform becoming a popular summer space,” says Martin Kontra. The gallery will occupy the railway building’s first floor, maintaining the building’s layout from the late 19th century. Valuable historical elements, like the platform roof’s wooden structure and the painted ceiling in the original waiting room, have been restored. The original railway sign “BUBENEČ” has also been reinstated. The former platform will be repurposed as a bistro garden. The building’s immediate surroundings and the platform have been modified with new granite paving. Two parking spaces are reserved for operational needs. “By remodeling and modernizing the building, we aim to revive its former beauty and give it a new function. The interior will be open, providing space for...
Around ten prime ministers and presidents and 20 defence and foreign ministers from Europe, the Middle East and south-east Asia are coming to Prague this week for the Globsec international security conference. The event will now be held in Prague from August 30 to September 1. About 2,000 guests from more than 60 countries are expected to attend the conference. “Globsec is a significant international conference contributing to the cultivation of dialogue on international and security policy questions, which is very needed in today’s world,” Pavel stated, adding he is looking forward to the Prague Forum, which “will highlight its Central European dimension”. The 2023 edition of Globsec hosted French President Emmanuel Macron, and the forum has long been the highest-profile international event in Slovakia. “The rich history and the strategic significance of Prague turns it into an ideal place for support of international dialogue and spreading of the constructive voice of Central Europe,” Globsec’s founder and president Robert Vass was quoted as saying by Czech media. The conference is also supposed to see the establishment of a centre under the leadership of General John Allen, formerly US President Barack Obama’s adviser on the fight against the Islamic State, Vass...
A stone’s throw from the Castle, close to Bílá Hora, lies one of the most interesting and less frequented by tourists districts of the city. “In Břevnov, in front of my large window, right behind the tiny garden – from autumn until the following summer – it used to be verdant with wheat. Behind the field there were abandoned quarries, which in summer, were full of slender mullein. Behind the quarries, a road went down the valley until it came to other fields and then a small rocky wood. When in March, I opened the window and sat on my armchair staring out, I could hear the larks singing, just as if I were sitting in front of the stage at the National Theatre”. It is with these words, that the Czech poet Jaroslav Seifert, Nobel Prize for Literature in 1984, describes Břevnov at the time of his youth, in the book of 1982 “All the beauties of the world”. The district of Břevnov lies just a few tram stops from the Prague Castle, to the west, in the District of Prague 6. The urban landscape, just outside the historical and tourist centre, summarizes almost suddenly the typical features of...
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