The long-planned renovation of Prague’s Kotva department store has been delayed once again. Generali Real Estate, which owns the landmark building on Náměstí Republiky, has moved the expected completion date of the reconstruction to 2028, extending the timeline by at least a year. The company initially announced that the extensive modernization, which began in February 2025, would finish by the end of 2027. “The rehabilitation of such a large and technically complex building is a long-term process that demands careful coordination and patience,” said Jana Vrábelová from Generali Real Estate. “We appreciate the cooperation of authorities, experts, and the public throughout this stage.” The next step involves selecting a main contractor for the full-scale reconstruction, which will include modernizing the interiors, expanding commercial and office space, and restoring the building’s architectural character. Plans envision six floors dedicated to retail and services, along with two floors of offices. While the façade will be replaced, Generali intends to preserve Kotva’s distinctive brutalist design, including its hexagonal concrete structures and communication towers. The building’s honeycomb-like grid, inspired by architectural structuralism, remains one of its most recognizable features. Kotva, designed by architects Věra and Vladimír Machonin, opened in 1975 as a symbol of modern...
A proposal to rename a future Prague Metro station has triggered a debate among city officials and historians. Deputy Mayor for Transport Zdeněk Hřib has suggested that the planned Olbrachtova station on the upcoming Metro Line D be renamed Ryšanka (a nearby street), arguing that public transport stops should not carry names linked to totalitarian or extremist figures. Hřib, a member of the Pirate Party, said the name change would reflect the city’s effort to maintain neutrality and historical sensitivity in public spaces. The original name, Olbrachtova, comes from a nearby street named after the Czech writer Ivan Olbracht, who was also a member of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. Officials from Prague 4, where the new station is being built, along with Ladislav Kudrná, head of the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes, have long voiced objections to the name. They argue that it indirectly celebrates a writer with ties to the communist regime. In their view, metro stations should instead honor figures connected to the anti-Nazi or anti-communist resistance, reflecting the city’s democratic values. Under current procedures, naming proposals for Prague Metro stations must first go through several levels of review. The district administration discusses the idea,...
Czech artist Kateřina Vincourová will present a new exhibition at Galerie Rudolfinum, transforming the gallery’s circular layout into what she calls a “landscape of thoughts.” Known for her large-scale installations and unconventional use of everyday materials, Vincourová explores ideas of space, identity, and emotional memory through what she describes as “cages” — structures that attempt to contain the echoes of her own reflections. “I build cages and try to capture echoes of my thoughts in them,” she says. “It’s a pleasure to collaborate with curator Denisa Kujelová, a long-time friend whose support and professional insight I value deeply. I’m also happy to see Galerie Rudolfinum opening its doors to more women artists, both Czech and international, and I hope this continues.” Born in 1968, Vincourová studied at the V. I. Surikov Academy of Fine Arts in Moscow and later at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. Her career includes residencies in Berlin and California, and she has received the Alexander Dorner Prize (1993) and the Jindřich Chalupecký Prize (1996). Over the years, she has exhibited in cities such as Washington, Brno, Warsaw, Paris, Stockholm, and Hamburg, and her works form part of major public and private collections. Her installations...
Residents and tourists will have the opportunity to visit four branches of the National Gallery in Prague for free. The event will take place on Monday, 17 November, from 10:00 to 18:00, coinciding with the bank holidays – the Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy. Czech students gathered on November 17, 1989, to commemorate a protest held on the same day fifty years earlier in opposition to Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia. The student demonstration rapidly turned into a protest against the oppressive communist regime, and it marked the beginning of the so-called Velvet Revolution. This special offer is applicable to all age categories, including Czech citizens and foreigners alike, as stated on the gallery’s official website. The following exhibitions will be accessible without charge: Staří Mistři I (Schwarzenberský palác) – Old Masters I (Schwarzenberg Palace) Staří Mistři II (Šternberský palác) – Old Masters II (Šternberg Palace) Středověké umění v Čechách a střední Evropa 1200-1550 (Klášter sv. Anežky České) – Medieval Art in Bohemia and Central Europe 1200-1550 (Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia) 1796-1918: Umění dlouhého století (Veletržní palác) – 1796-1918: Art of the Long Century (Trade Fair Palace) 1918-1938: První republika (Veletržní palác) – 1918-1938: First Republic...
Prague Morning readers get 10% off tickets here. Prague’s underground art collective Veil’ Amor is back with another of its immersive all-night events — this time diving into the world of Jungian psychology with “Angels & Demons – A Jungian Journey.” If you’ve been to any of their previous nights like Sin City, ADA, or ALT Odyssey w/ Bloody Mary, you already know what to expect: a mix of music, performance, and philosophy, all colliding in one long, chaotic, and deeply visual night. This new edition promises to take things even further. Spread across two spaces — Bike Jesus and Revolution — the night is built around three themes: The Shadows, Greed, and Identity. Expect dark techno, live art, ritual-like performances, and moments that blur the line between audience and performer. At Bike Jesus, DJs and artists will turn the club into a dreamlike stage. The lineup includes Shurigen, SJ Yellow, Diva and Kawa, with Tigerhead — the Czech-born, Berlin-based techno artist — headlining with a raw vinyl set from 2:00 to 4:00. Schedule – Bike Jesus (Main Venue) 22:00 – 00:00 Shurigen / Demonika 00:00 – 02:00 SJ Yellow 02:00 – 04:00 Tigerhead (Vinyl Set) 04:00 – 06:00 Kawa...
Prague’s Náplavka will once again transform into a lively celebration of young wine, traditional food, and music as the city marks St. Martin’s Day. The annual St. Martin’s Day and Roast Goose Festival, now in its 14th year, will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, starting symbolically at 11:11 a.m. The event attracts around 6,000 visitors each year, making it one of the city’s most popular autumn food and wine festivals. Winemakers from across Bohemia and Moravia will present their new vintages, offering more than 18 varieties of young Czech wine for tasting. Alongside the wines, guests can look forward to traditional roast goose, goose pâtés, and even goose burgers, complemented by farm cheeses, sausages, and sweet pastries. All food and drink will be served in a festive riverside atmosphere, with live performances ranging from folk and jazz to country and dance music throughout the day. Wine is served exclusively in festival glasses, which can be purchased or brought from previous years. For those who want to bring the celebration home, fresh goose meat will be sold at the on-site farmers’ market until 2:00 p.m., priced at around 270 CZK per kilogram. The admission is free, and the event...
Starting Monday, November 3, Prague’s commuters will see the city’s newest generation of trams — the Škoda ForCity Plus 52T — entering regular service. The Prague Public Transport Company (DPP) will deploy the first seven units on line 12, running between Lehovec and Sídliště Barrandov, marking a key step in the city’s long-term modernization of its tram network. According to Daniel Šabík, DPP’s head of communications, all 20 trams from the first delivery series are expected to be operational by the end of the year. The acquisition, co-financed through the European Union’s National Recovery Plan, represents an investment of 1.19 billion CZK (excluding VAT). “Production and deliveries of the first 20 Škoda 52T trams are proceeding on schedule. Following test operations in early September and official approval in mid-October, the first seven vehicles received their certificates of competency,” Šabík confirmed. Before being cleared for passenger service, the trams successfully completed 20,000 kilometers of test operation in Prague’s traffic. Having passed all technical requirements, DPP has formally accepted them from Škoda and cleared them for regular use. More new trams will follow in the coming weeks, gradually expanding their presence on additional routes operated from the Hloubětín depot. The long-term agreement...
We’ve compiled a list of must-visit saunas in Prague and nearby areas. As temperatures drop, sauna bathing becomes an ideal way to boost immunity and unwind. Whether you’re a fan of tranquil retreats or social sauna rituals, Prague offers a diverse range of sauna experiences. 1. Národní Sauna – A Hidden Gem in the National Theater Address: Ostrovní 225/1, Prague 1 Located within the National Theater, the National Sauna offers a serene escape with minimalist charm. This exclusive club operates on a private membership basis, but for just 350 CZK, you can experience it without a membership by making a phone reservation. Though closed in July and August, this peaceful urban sanctuary reopens in the fall. Once you try it, you might find yourself returning regularly. 2. Vltava Saunas – Sauna with a Scenic Riverside View Address: Podolské nábřeží 1108, Prague 4 Set on the banks of the Vltava River, Vltava Saunas boasts the largest sauna in the Czech Republic, accommodating up to 100 guests. Its diverse facilities include herbal, Nordic, and African saunas, along with a spacious outdoor sauna for rituals. Cooling options include an outdoor pool and direct access to the Vltava for a refreshing dip. An outdoor...
The Prague Transport Company (DPP) has finished building the Olbrachtova station, marking the first completed stop on the new Metro Line D. While Olbrachtova is now structurally complete, work continues on the nearby Pankrác D station, which is expected to be finished by the second quarter of 2026, according to DPP’s press release. Construction on Olbrachtova officially began on February 17, 2023, and was completed on schedule. The new station includes both escalator tunnels that will eventually lead to the northern and southern vestibules. The first section of Line D now has all road and technical tunnels excavated, including the connection between Lines C and D, a key part of Prague’s expanding underground network. Progress on the Pankrác D station is nearing completion, with less than 16 percent of the work remaining. According to DPP, finishing the southern vestibule’s load-bearing structure will make it possible to reopen part of Na Strži Street—between Antala Staška and Olbrachtova—by mid-December. Traffic will resume with one lane in each direction. “This will reduce the construction site around the Na Strži and Antala Staška intersection, ease congestion in Prague 4, and improve overall traffic flow,” the company said. Photos: DPP —...
Work on extending the tram line from Vinohradská Street to the upper part of Wenceslas Square has entered a new phase. Near the National Museum, one of the main road lanes now runs directly over the future tram tracks, marking visible progress in one of Prague’s largest transport reconstruction projects. According to Prague Integrated Transport (PID), the reconfiguration is part of the major redesign of the junction between Legerova, Vinohradská, and Wenceslas Square. Since July, car traffic has been diverted to lanes previously reserved for trams. The tram connection between I. P. Pavlova and Muzeum stations remains suspended and will not resume until construction is completed in 2027. The demolition of the disused underpass and bridge beneath Legerova Street is one of the central elements of the project. Work began in June with the removal of a section of the old tram line, which now serves temporary car traffic. “Parts of the former underground spaces—originally designed as garages for the Federal Assembly in the 1980s—will be demolished and partially filled with drainage concrete,” explained Josef Richtr, deputy director of the Technical Administration of Roads (TSK). “Only a small section of the underpass will remain, later repurposed for park maintenance facilities.”...
Over the next decade, Prague will transform into one of Europe’s most modern capitals. A series of large-scale infrastructure projects — from new metro lines and bridges to redesigned train stations and neighborhoods — will reshape how people live and move across the city. 1. Smíchov Station: Prague’s New Transport Gateway The Smíchov Station reconstruction will create a modern, barrier-free transport hub with new platforms, underpasses, and a large bus terminal above the tracks. A new footbridge and promenade will directly link the station to surrounding streets, improving access between Smíchov and Radlice. Once completed, this area will become one of Prague’s most important transport junctions, integrating rail, metro, trams, buses, and pedestrian routes. 2. Smíchov City: A Modern Urban District Beside the station, the Smíchov City development is taking shape on the site of former rail yards. The project — already under construction — will include housing, offices, parks, and schools, turning the area into a fully functional urban neighborhood by 2032. The centerpiece will be Česká spořitelna’s new campus, four interconnected buildings spanning 75,000 square meters. A boulevard linking Smíchov Station with Na Knížecí will be named after Madeleine Albright, who was born in Smíchov. Other streets will...
What would the Czech capital look like if war reached its streets? That is the question posed by a new campaign from the organization Paměť národa, which seeks to remind Czechs that the war in Ukraine is still ongoing — and that peace cannot be taken for granted. Last week, the non-profit launched a series of visuals in Prague’s busiest public spaces, created in collaboration with the creative agency OAK. The campaign overlays everyday city scenes with realistic depictions of wartime destruction — cracked buildings, burned cars, and debris scattered across familiar streets. “In these familiar places, people encounter images of Prague as if it were struck by war,” the organization explained in its statement. The goal, it added, is to remind people that the conflict in Ukraine is not a distant story but a reality just beyond the Czech border. Tereza Svěráková, co-founder of the OAK agency, said she hopes the project will reignite public empathy and long-term engagement. “I’ve always been proud of how Czechs came together to help when the war began. But that solidarity must continue — supporting Ukraine also means strengthening our own security,” she said. Paměť národa emphasized that the campaign is not only...
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