Prague city councillors have approved a plan that would allow only electric or hydrogen-powered taxis to operate in the capital from 2030. The proposal is part of a broader effort to cut air pollution and respond to the rapid growth of the taxi sector, which city officials say is putting increasing pressure on the environment. Transport is now the largest source of air pollution in Prague. Although the city meets current legal limits, pollution levels in many districts remain above recommendations set by the World Health Organization. From 2030, new European rules will also tighten emission limits, cutting the allowed levels of harmful substances by half. City officials argue that taxis play a growing role in this problem. Data from the municipality shows that the number of registered taxis has risen sharply since 2021, driven mainly by ride-hailing platforms such as Uber and Bolt. The figures show how dramatic the shift has been. In 2010, Prague had fewer than 2,000 taxis. By 2024, the number had climbed to almost 16,000, including cars operating for app-based services. At the same time, the renewal of the fleet has slowed. The average taxi in Prague is now around ten years old, meaning many...
The legacy of Franz Kafka has resurfaced with the arrival of Kafkoff, a project that features a café, bar, bistro and gallery situated in the Franz Kafka House just off the Old Town Square. Open since early August, the venue aims to keep Kafka’s memory present in everyday life, using the space where he was born as a home for art, culture and community. One of the most striking features inside the café are the two stunning pieces of art on the walls—images that transform depending on the angle you view them from. These “two paintings in one” were conceived by Jakub Behyne, one of the founders of Prague’s Illusion Art Museum, and executed by an impressive team of artists. Zdeněk Daněk, one of the leading Czech masters of grisaille painting, collaborated with two of Europe’s top graffiti artists: Caer8th (Vladimir Hirsher) and Lukero. The result is a pair of artworks that feel dynamic, playful, and deeply in tune with the shifting worlds Kafka often explored in his writing. But Kafkoff isn’t only about visual surprises. The menu features an all-day brunch, comfort classics with a focus on quality ingredients sourced from local suppliers. The emphasis on freshness and thoughtful...
Prague authorities will begin a wide-ranging round of fire safety inspections in nightlife venues this week, following a fatal blaze that broke out during New Year’s celebrations at a club in Switzerland. The checks will focus on places that attract large crowds after dark, including clubs, bars, music venues, discos and wine bars. Officials say the move is meant to prevent a similar tragedy in the Czech Republic. Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar said the inspections are a direct response to the Swiss incident and aim to ensure that safety rules are not only written on paper but followed in daily practice. “This is about prevention,” he said, adding that the goal is to make sure people can go out knowing basic safety standards are being met. The minister has tasked Fire and Rescue Service Director General Vladimír Vlček with overseeing the campaign. Over the coming months, fire officers will check whether venues are properly equipped with essential safety features such as fire extinguishers, clear escape routes and functioning alarm systems. Inspectors will also review whether staff are trained to respond in case of an emergency. The inspection programme is set to run from January 12 through August 31 and will...
Heavy snowfall has returned to Prague, bringing up to ten centimeters of snow in recent days and putting pressure on public transport across the city. To keep tram services running, the Prague Public Transport Company has sent specially adapted trams equipped with snow plows onto the tracks. Photos and videos of the unusual vehicles have quickly spread on social media. The trams are fitted with front-mounted blades that push snow off the rails as they move through the city. At the moment, three of these machines are in operation, deployed mainly on routes where regular trams struggle in deeper snow. Their use has become more important with the arrival of newer low-floor Škoda 15T trams, which face difficulties once snow on the tracks exceeds about five centimeters. While every depot has basic equipment to deal with winter conditions, standard tools are often not enough when snowfall is heavier. In those cases, a special vehicle comes into play: a modified T3 tram chassis fitted with a wide steel blade. The structure is weighted with concrete to improve stability and effectiveness, according to Martin Brejša, head of technical inspection for new vehicles at the transport company. Operating them is not routine work....
Police have closed the case of a 36-year-old foreign national who systematically targeted seniors on public transport, stealing wallets and attempting to drain victims’ bank accounts. According to detectives, his method rarely changed. He would press himself against seniors during peak hours, then quietly remove wallets from handbags or backpacks. The crimes were not limited to Prague. Officers later linked the man to several thefts in Brno, where he worked busy underground passages near train stations. These areas, often filled with commuters and travellers, offered the same cover as crowded metro platforms in the capital. Police estimate that the value of the stolen cash and belongings exceeded CZK 100,000. After taking the wallets, the thief also tried to use the victims’ payment cards to withdraw more money. Police spokesperson Richard Grdina said that if all those attempts had gone through, the total losses could have risen by another CZK 200,000. Forensic specialists eventually identified the suspect, leading to his arrest and a swift court process. The court found the man guilty of multiple thefts and handed down a suspended sentence. He avoided prison time on condition that he complies with court rules, but he must fully compensate the victims for their...
Heavy snowfall sweeping into the Czech Republic from Bavaria has brought widespread disruption to roads across the country, triggering dozens of traffic accidents. Police said early Friday that conditions were deteriorating fast, with emergency services dealing with incidents in nearly every region. The most serious situation unfolded near Prague Airport, where a truck overturned and blocked both lanes of the D6 motorway. The crash brought traffic to a halt in both directions and caused knock-on delays for drivers heading toward the capital. Public transport in the area was also affected, as buses struggled to navigate icy roads. Elsewhere, the D5 motorway became another trouble spot after a series of crashes involving heavy vehicles. Police closed a stretch of the road in the Tachov district between kilometres 144 and 136 in the direction of Prague, where multiple trucks were left stranded. Further along the same route, another lorry stalled near kilometre 112, adding to already long delays. Conditions have been particularly difficult in western Bohemia. In the Pilsen region, police reported that some secondary roads were impassable in places, with snow and ice making even short journeys risky. Officers said the number of accidents had risen sharply since early morning, most...
For the first time in nearly a century, a reigning world chess champion will take part in a competitive tournament on Czech soil. Nineteen-year-old Dommaraju Gukesh is set to headline the 8th Prague International Chess Festival, bringing top-level chess back to the city in a way it has not seen since the interwar period. The festival will run from February 24 to March 6. Gukesh will compete in the closed Masters section, where he is scheduled to play nine classical games against an elite field that includes Czech grandmasters David Navara and Thai Dai Van Nguyen. For Czech chess, the appearance of the world champion marks a rare moment. “This is something our chess community has waited decades for,” said festival director Petr Boleslav. “Having the reigning champion here gives the event a weight it has not had in generations.” Alongside the Masters tournament, the festival will also host open competitions expected to draw around 400 players. Navara, the country’s most accomplished active player, knows Gukesh well. The two have faced each other three times, with the Czech grandmaster holding two wins and one draw. Their most recent encounter came in Prague in 2024, before Gukesh claimed the world title....
Despite a week of freezing temperatures, ice on Prague’s ponds and reservoirs remains too thin for skating, firefighters warn. Several volunteer fire brigades across the city have issued alerts on social media, urging residents not to venture onto frozen water surfaces too early. According to Miroslav Řezáč, spokesperson for the Prague Fire Brigade, ice must be at least ten centimetres thick before it can safely support a single person. If several people are on the ice at the same time, firefighters recommend a minimum thickness of 18 centimetres. Anything less poses a serious risk of breaking through. Checks in Praguewere conducted by employees of the Forests of the Capital City of Prague, primarily for operational reasons. On Monday, ice thickness was recorded at nine centimetres at the Hostivař Reservoir, eight centimetres at Hamerský and Kyjský ponds, seven centimetres at Džbán, and 12 centimetres at Jiviny. Other locations, including Počernický Pond and Pískovna, are inspected on a random basis. Firefighters emphasise that ice thickness can vary significantly within a single pond. Areas near shores, inlets, outlets, or spots with water movement may be far weaker than they appear. Volunteer firefighters in Dubeč have warned that even if part of a pond...
Believe it or not, the history of Czech skiing started in Prague, right in the center of the city exactly 135 years ago today. On January 5, 1887, skiing fan Josef Rössler-Ořovský used Prague’s Wenceslas Square, with a fairly friendly incline, as the first Czech ski run. Back then, winters were considerably tougher and snowfall more intense to be able to accomplish the feat. Afterward, skiing as a sport began to draw greater interest from the population. In the 20th century, after the fall of communism, foreign goods and sporting equipment became available for the first time in four decades, resulting in the modernization of ski equipment and ski resorts. Josef Rössler-Ořovský Josef Rössler-Ořovský (June 29, 1869, in Prague – January 17, 1933, in Prague) was a versatile Czech athlete and capable sports organizer. He is still one of the greatest personalities in Czech sport. Josef was an outstanding rower and skier, he played football for the Parisian club White Rowers and the English Black Trials Fulham and he was the first Czech football referee. He founded the Czech Ski-Club, the Czech Yacht Club, and the Czech Lawn Tennis Club. He shared in the founding of the Association of Skiers of...
The holiday season has ended, and it’s time to deal with your Christmas tree. Many people traditionally dispose of their trees on Epiphany. Here are five environmentally friendly and proper ways to handle your tree’s disposal—and what NOT TO DO. 1. Avoid the Trash Bin In urban areas, the simplest solution is to place your Christmas tree near a designated mixed waste bin or a container for sorted waste. If these bins are located in a courtyard or other restricted areas, take the tree to a publicly accessible collection point. Some municipalities provide special disposal locations to avoid tree piles on the streets, while others set specific collection days. Always check your local authority’s website for precise guidelines. However, don’t place the tree inside the trash bin or container—it can clog the space, making it unusable for others. Instead, leave it neatly nearby for collection. 2. Composting or Recycling Yards If you miss the designated collection days or prefer an alternative, you can transport the tree to a composting plant or recycling yard. Numerous facilities across the country accept Christmas trees for composting or shredding. You can locate nearby composting centers via local maps or municipal websites. 3. Reuse in...
On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, winter swimmers from the Czech Winter Swimming Union will dive into the Vltava River on Three Kings Day. This takes place every year on January 6, at noon, under Charles Bridge, at the spot where St. John of Nepomuk was thrown into the water. The winter swimmers will dive into the Vltava from the deck of the Vodouch boat at the fifth bridge pier of Charles Bridge (counting from the Old Town side). The event, now held for the fifteenth year, combines endurance sport, historical symbolism, and a distinctly Czech sense of ritual. More than thirty swimmers are expected to take part this year, including several participants from abroad. The entry point lies near the fifth bridge pillar on the Old Town side of Charles Bridge. Participants will dive in from the deck of the boat Vodouch and swim a route measuring roughly two hundred meters downstream. Their destination is the pier beneath the last preserved arch of the former Judith Bridge, the medieval structure that preceded today’s Charles Bridge. Upon arrival, the swimmers will gather in the historic river space to share a warm punch traditionally prepared for ferry workers. The moment also serves...
Despite a nationwide ban on certain fireworks, celebrations continued across the Czech Republic on New Year’s Eve. A man in České Budějovice suffered severe injuries after handling high-powered F4-class pyrotechnics. According to South Bohemian police spokesperson Jiří Mazner, the fireworks exploded in his hands, resulting in the amputation of both wrists. Police have launched an investigation under illegal weaponry regulations. Specialized stores note that professional F4 fireworks can only be purchased by individuals with a proper license, certifying competence with P2, T2, or F4 pyrotechnic products. These include large ball bombs and other high-powered devices, which are unsuitable for untrained users. While the majority of New Year celebrations in the Czech Republic passed without major incidents, authorities reported several injuries and fires caused by fireworks. Emergency services assisted victims in Prague, the Zlín Region, and other locations. The police received 501 reports related to pyrotechnics nationwide, with the highest numbers in Prague (106) and the Central Bohemian Region (74). In some areas, recreational fireworks triggered small fires at various sites. New Fireworks Regulations Still Challenged An amendment to the Czech fireworks law, effective from December, has tightened restrictions in many cities. The law prohibits the use of fireworks near schools,...
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