The Prague Technical Administration of Communications has signed a contract for the design and planning of a major renovation of Čech Bridge, which spans the Vltava River, connecting the Old Town with Letná. The engineering firms Pontex and Pragoprojekt, along with experts from the Czech Technical University, will oversee the project’s documentation and preparation. The last major renovation of Čech Bridge took place between 2000 and 2001, when tram traffic was disrupted for ten months. At the time, road and sidewalk surfaces were removed, and the steel structure was insulated and repaired. Now, based on a recent diagnostic survey, a complete replacement of the bridge deck is planned. The new deck will be constructed using ultra-high-performance concrete, a material increasingly used in Prague due to its durability. The project will also include anti-corrosion treatment of the supporting structure and general maintenance. Since the bridge deck replacement affects tram tracks and railings, the existing structures will be temporarily removed and later reinstalled. Utility networks will also be relocated, including a temporary transfer to a separate structure during the repairs. The reconstruction aims to extend the lifespan of Čech Bridge while preserving its historical significance. The project will be coordinated with the...
Construction work has officially begun on the renovation of the legendary Kotva department store in Prague, exactly 50 years after its grand opening. The project, led by Generali Real Estate, aims to modernize the brutalist landmark while preserving its architectural integrity. The completion is scheduled for the final quarter of 2027. Kotva, designed by architects Vladimír and Věra Machoninová, has been closed since February 1 of last year. Since then, workers have been preparing the site for reconstruction, while the owners navigated the necessary permitting process. Modernization While Preserving a Brutalist Icon The updated building will feature six floors of retail and services, along with two floors of office space. A key aspect of the renovation is the replacement of the façade shell, ensuring the preservation of Kotva’s iconic hexagonal structures and brutalist concrete communication towers. Heritage Protection and Architectural Significance The reconstruction project also involves revitalizing the surrounding area. The complete approval process, including consultations with state authorities, was finalized last July. Alongside the original architects, the Prague City Hall’s Department of Monument Preservation and the National Heritage Institute played a role in the project’s development. Kotva originally opened its doors on February 10, 1975, as one of the...
Bolt has introduced a new ride category in Prague, exclusively connecting female drivers with female passengers, aiming to enhance safety and comfort. The Women for Women service is now available in the Czech capital, with plans for expansion to other cities. Hundreds of female drivers are already operating in Prague, offering women a safer and more comfortable travel option starting today. “The launch of Women for Women is our next step in increasing safety for both passengers and drivers. Safety and comfort remain our top priorities. We already offer features such as route sharing, audio recording, and real-time driver verification. Now, this new category also supports women considering becoming driver partners,” said Josef Rückl, Bolt’s General Manager for the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Enhanced Security Measures for Women A key feature of the Women for Women category is stricter security to ensure that only women use the service. To achieve this, Bolt has introduced Rider Verification, requiring female passengers to verify their identity by uploading an ID card and a selfie before requesting a ride. The system then automatically compares the images for authentication. Bolt has also implemented additional safeguards to prevent misuse. If a driver finds that a passenger...
Still not sure what to do with your significant other on the most romantic day of the year – St. Valentine’s Day? Get inspired with our tips! 1. A romantic cruise on the Vltava River One of the most romantic films of all time? Definitely the Titanic. Put yourselves in the place of Kate and Leo and confess your love on the waves. Naturally, your story will have a happy ending and will take place on the Vltava River. Take a cruise on a stylish steamboat, a cultural monument, or a huge glass boat. Add a romantic dinner or lunch. 2. Fall in love with art The exhibition offers insight into artists more famous in interwar Paris than in their own country, such as Georges Kars, Othon Coubine and François Zdeněk Eberl, whose work will be exhibited in Prague for the first time. Adding a global dimension to the exhibition, pieces by other famed École de Paris artists, such as Amedeo Modigliani, Chaim Soutine, and Jules Pascin, will also be on display. 3. Dive into Some Bubbles They say that love will warm you up. But we recommend not taking any chances and warming up in other ways as well. Dive into some...
From February 28 to March 8, Manifesto Market Anděl will host a series of events bringing the energy and traditions of Rio Carnival to Prague. The program includes live music, samba performances, and Brazilian-inspired food and drinks, offering visitors a taste of Brazil’s renowned festival. The event begins on February 28 with performances by DJ Joshua from Brazil and DJ Erk from Angola, playing samba, Brazilian funk, and Latin beats. Dancers Emilson Bernardes, Eduardo, and Jamba Jamba will also take part, engaging the audience with interactive performances. On March 6, musician Gabriel Guerreiro will bring live Brazilian music to the venue. A costume party and samba night follow on March 7, encouraging attendees to dress in carnival attire while DJ Erk, Eduardo Diego, and Anderson de Jesus provide the soundtrack. An open samba class will also be available. The festivities conclude on March 8 with the Vibrazil Samba Show, featuring Brazilian dancers, live performances, and DJ sets. Entry to the event is free, and Brazilian-inspired cocktails and dishes will be available throughout the week. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
Finding places in Prague that hold a child’s attention while offering something of value to adults is not always easy. One option that manages both is Back in Time Prague, an interactive exhibition located in Máj – House of Fun, just off Národní třída. Rather than relying on glass cases and written explanations, it uses technology and storytelling to guide visitors through key moments of Czech history. The exhibition is designed as a continuous walk-through experience. Children are not expected to read panels or listen to long explanations. Instead, history unfolds around them. Visitors are greeted by a lifelike hologram of Emperor Charles IV, projected against a hand-painted panorama of 14th-century Prague. Further on, the legend of the Golem is brought to life through a combination of animatronics, film projections, detailed sets and carefully chosen scents that evoke the atmosphere of Renaissance Prague. Sound and image play a central role throughout the exhibition. More than 200 square metres of projection space and hundreds of directional audio channels ensure that voices, music and effects come from exactly where the action is happening. Laser projectors and mapped visuals shift the environment as visitors move between historical periods, creating the sense of being...
Prague saw a record-breaking 8.1 million guests accommodated in hotels and other mass lodging facilities in 2024, marking an 8.6% increase from the previous year. This figure even surpassed pre-pandemic levels, exceeding 2019 numbers by 35,000 visitors. The rise was driven by a surge in foreign tourists, while the number of domestic guests slightly declined. Overall, the total number of overnight stays rose by 8.7%, according to data from the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO). Foreign Visitors Drive Growth A total of 1.57 million Czech guests stayed in Prague’s hotels, guesthouses, and campsites in 2024, reflecting a 0.3% year-on-year decline. In contrast, 6.5 million foreign tourists visited the capital, an increase of 10.9% compared to 2023. In total, 18.3 million overnight stays were recorded in Prague’s accommodation facilities. Of these, foreign visitors accounted for 15.7 million stays, while Czech guests contributed 2.6 million nights. On average, each guest spent 2.3 nights in Prague. Foreign tourists stayed slightly longer, averaging 2.4 nights, while domestic travelers spent 1.7 nights in the city. Germany Leads, Followed by the U.S. and U.K. The largest group of international visitors came from Germany, with 1.05 million guests. They were followed by Americans (493,000) and British tourists (472,000)....
“We used to get a grant for the parade regularly,” says a spokesperson for the Prague Pride association, reflecting on the festival’s uncertain future after losing access to US funding. The Trump administration has suspended a grant of approximately half a million crowns, previously allocated for the annual LGBTQ+ parade in Prague. The US Embassy in Prague confirmed the decision, stating that the Prague Pride association—organizers of the festival since 2011—will no longer receive financial support from the US government, at least for now. The funding freeze came just two weeks after Donald Trump took office. Shortly after his inauguration, Trump ordered a 90-day suspension of all foreign financial aid, citing the need to evaluate its effectiveness and alignment with US foreign policy objectives. The move has affected numerous organizations worldwide, including Prague Pride. The festival, which has grown into one of Central Europe’s most significant LGBTQ+ events, now faces financial uncertainty. Organizers are exploring alternative funding sources to ensure the continuation of the parade and related events. Prague Pride festival aims to support LGBT+ people, mediate their voice in society, commemorate the history and culture of the movement for their equality and enlightenment, and educate against homophobia and transphobia in the...
A brand-new three-story glass pavilion at the reconstructed InterContinental Hotel on Pařížská Street is set to reopen in March as Fairmont Golden Prague. A New Cultural Landmark on the Vltava Located at the intersection of Dvořákovo Nábřeží and Náměstí Curieových, the new glass pavilion will open its doors this spring. The project is part of the Fairmont Golden Prague’s large-scale renovation, which also includes a garden and a passageway to the embankment, set to open to the public in early spring. Officially referred to as the Concept Store, the pavilion will serve as a home for Kodl Contemporary. “We had been looking for the right space for quite some time,” says Jakub Kodl, the youngest member of the renowned Prague art-collecting family. “When this opportunity arose thanks to the redevelopment of the former InterContinental Hotel, it became clear that this was the perfect location for us.” Art and Architecture in Harmony A major draw of the new space is its all-glass design, allowing natural light to play a key role in the gallery’s ambiance. “At night, the illuminated pavilion will beautifully enhance the embankment,” says Kodl. Demand for space in the new building was high, but R2G, the investment group...
The Prague municipality plans to plant 197 trees and shrubs in the western part of Letná Plain and along Milady Horákové Street. Additionally, the city aims to reduce the sandy area near the parking lot, replacing part of it with a gravel lawn. However, Prague 7 officials are pushing for a broader study on the transformation of the entire plain, arguing that the city’s current plan is too limited in scope. New Green Spaces and Bosquets Prague has already commissioned a study to evaluate how tree planting near the entrance to the Dejvický tunnel could be designed without disrupting large public events. The study proposes a double row of trees along Milady Horákové Street and a gravel lawn to replace part of the sandy surface, making the area more resilient to occasional vehicle traffic. In addition, two bosquets — small groves of trees and shrubs — will be planted opposite each other in the grassy area. These green enclaves will create semi-private spaces for various activities while ensuring they do not interfere with major gatherings. According to the proposal, the bosquets will be spacious enough to accommodate two or three circus tents with diameters of up to 32 meters. The...
Prague Airport is reconsidering its exclusive contract with Uber after ongoing criticism from passengers, including former Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek. The airport is now discussing introducing a traditional taxi service alongside its app-based system with Uber. If an agreement is not reached, the state-owned company plans to launch a tender for an additional taxi operator to serve the airport. Controversial Taxi Contract Under Scrutiny The five-year contract between Uber and Prague Airport, signed in September 2023, was intended to eliminate overcharging by rogue taxi drivers—an issue that had long plagued travel to and from the airport. The deal requires Uber to fix fares in advance, ensuring that passengers are not charged extra due to route changes or traffic delays. However, the shift to a digital ordering system, which requires passengers to book through an app or a kiosk, has sparked dissatisfaction among those who prefer the convenience of hailing a taxi on the spot. Kalousek has been among the most vocal critics, calling the current setup a disgrace. “To get a taxi, I have to order it via the app or register at the terminal. I don’t want an app, nor do I want to register anywhere. I want a...
Prague’s first Expat Festival will take place on September 27 – 28, 2025 outside and inside Cross Club in Holešovice, at the crossroads of cultures, genres, and cuisines. Join our vibrant expat communities to celebrate a weekend full of music, delicious food, family-friendly fun, and positive vibes. Expect to hear your favorite expat artists, DJs, buskers, and bands, browse through the art zone full of international arts and crafts, take part in creative workshops, or programs for children of all ages, taste cosmopolitan food and drinks, and enjoy festivities in great company. We will be announcing the first batch of headliners, vendors, and attractions soon, so stay tuned for more details and follow us on social media. Practical info: When? September 27 – 28, 2025 Where?: Cross Club (outside and inside), Plynární 23, Prague 7
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