Prague’s towers welcomed nearly 400,000 visitors from home and abroad in July and August, a 5% increase on the same period last year, with Petřín Observation Tower, the Mirror Maze on Petřín Hill, and the Old Town Hall leading the way. Prague City Tourism, the company in charge of Prague’s towers, saw 17% year-on-year growth at the Old Town Hall. This was driven in part by the tourist service and original souvenir shop that opened here last autumn. One of the most popular Prague towers is always Petřín Observation Tower, which welcomed more than 130,000 visitors from home and abroad during the holiday season. It ranks among the five most frequented monuments in Prague over the longer term. The Mirror Maze on Petřín (86,342) and the Old Town Hall (84,525) are the towers attracting the second and third most tourist traffic in Prague. The guided tour featuring the Astronomical Tower in the Clementinum also registered a year-on-year increase, with over 32,000 visitors in July and August. As for the stone towers, such as the bridge towers and the Powder Tower, visitor numbers were around the same level as they were during last year’s holidays. Scaffolding was put up at the...
For the first time in its history, Signal Festival will transform the Prague Castle District into a district full of art. Prague Castle District will become one of the two routes of the twelfth edition of the festival. This year’s festival will take place from the 10th to 13th of October. This year’s Signal Festival will present 22 installations, 7 of them exclusively in the Gallery Zone, for which you can already buy tickets. In the packed program of this year’s festival, you can look forward to Filip Hodas’ video mapping of the Archbishop’s Palace, Jiří Příhoda’s monumental objects at Sternberg Palace, a project by London-based studio United Visual Artists using kinetic pendulums at Kunsthalle Prague, or an audiovisual projection by Italian artist Quayola at the Centre for Architecture and Urban Planning (CAMP). Another thing to attract your attention will be The MERCEDES-BENZ AURA installation by Monument Office & Signal Creative. This year, Signal Festival is once again opening the Gallery Zone, which offers the opportunity to experience art in a unique atmosphere. With limited capacity, this paid part of the festival brings a diverse program that you won’t see at any other time. For four days, places...
A new statue of the iconic gymnast Věra Čáslavská, created by renowned artist David Černý, now stands in Prague. The statue, which originally made its debut at the Czech House during the Olympic Games in Paris, has been moved to the Czech Republic, where it was recently unveiled at the Tyrš House in Prague. The artwork was initially meant to be showcased at the Tokyo Olympics, but delays caused by unforeseen circumstances led to its unveiling three years later in Paris. “Věra was thrilled by the idea and said it was wonderful that there would finally be a piece of the Czech Republic in Tokyo,” Černý shared, recalling the gymnast’s words before her passing in 2016. Standing ten meters tall and painted in the colors of the Czech tricolour, the statue quickly caught the eye of both Czech and French spectators under the Eiffel Tower. Now, this remarkable tribute has found its way to Prague, where it was formally unveiled at Tyrš House in the city’s Újezd district, an area closely associated with Čáslavská, who trained there during her illustrious career. “The statue is fascinating because, depending on the angle, only one figure is visible while the other seems to...
The 17th annual Dvořák Prague International Music Festival will kick off on Friday, September 6, with a captivating performance of Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor and the renowned New World Symphony. The opening concert will feature soloist Julian Steckel and the Bamberger Symphoniker, under the baton of conductor Jakub Hrůša. This year’s Artist in Residence, Julian Steckel, will perform four times throughout the festival, including an open-air concert titled “Connected by Mahler” at the Prague Exhibition Centre on September 11, as announced today by the festival director, Jan Simon. In celebration of the “Year of Czech Music,” the festival will honor not only Dvořák but also Bedřich Smetana and other prominent Czech composers. Every year ending in four is designated the Year of Czech Music, celebrating the anniversaries of famous Czech composers such as Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904), Leoš Janáček (1854-1928), Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959), and Josef Suk (1874-1935). The central theme this year is the 200th anniversary of Bedřich Smetana’s birth. On September 7, the Czech Philharmonic will perform under principal guest conductor Jakub Hrůša, including Leoš Janáček’s Glagolitic Mass, which recently received acclaim at the BBC Proms. The festival will also see the world premiere of Peter Wajsar’s...
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
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