Author: Louis M.

The word ‘hipster’ gets thrown around a lot these days. Nobody is really sure what it means, but when applied to neighborhoods we can risk a rough definition: fashionable and cool places, mainly appealing to young people, with a big focus on edgy bars, cafes, and shops. Prague has always been a cool city in the cultural sense, attracting old-school hipster types such as Franz Kafka and others, who have flocked to the ancient city to take inspiration from the breath-taking architecture and Bohemian (in both senses of the word) vibe. Today, Prague retains its artsy, hip image, and draws…

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When people talk about cities in the Czech Republic, Prague tends to steal the show. There are plenty of good reasons for that – Prague is easily the biggest, most vibrant metropolis for many miles around. If you’re looking to escape the craziness of Prague and check out some of the country’s smaller cities though, Brno is a perfect choice. Formerly the capital of Moravia, the city is home to around 400,000 people, so it’s no tiny hamlet. In fact, Brno is a great destination for anyone interested in sampling great beer and wine, eating delicious food, and just enjoying…

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Located in Prague’s New Town, a few blocks from the Vltava River and not far from Karlovo Namesti Square, there lies a church that on first sight appears to be no different from all the others dotted around the city. Sure, it’s beautiful, an old Orthodox cathedral by the name of Saints Cyril and Methodius, but its elegant appearance hides a much more sensational past. Keen-eyed passers-by might notice the bullet holes in the walls, and the plaque next to them, the only outside reminder of what happened here more than half a century ago. It’s a story worth digging…

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Summer is drawing to a close, and long summer days by the river, trips to the beer garden, and long hikes in the country are all about to become a thing of the past in Prague. However, there’s no need to despair. The chilly Central European winter is still several months away, and the season of autumn (or fall) is one of the best times to be in Prague. With high tourist season at an end, the hordes of visitors that swamp the city during the summer months are now much reduced in number. With the end of August comes…

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The Czech Republic is a small country, but over the course of its history has made a big impact on the world. As this post shows, Prague and the surrounding country have been home to many creative minds and influential figures, who have contributed a great deal to various fields. Although many life-changing inventions have come from this country, their creators have often sadly gone without recognition, as the Communist state of the 20th Century often sold the rights for their ideas to other nations. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the most important creations to emerge from…

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In the last installment of Famous Praguers, we looked at some of the great creative minds of the city, who have influenced the entire world with their stories, plays, and works of art. But Prague’s legacy extends far beyond the world of creativity, and has been home to some of the most important scientific advancements and discoveries of all time. Charles University has one of the most illustrious histories of any educational institute, and throughout history it has drawn some of the most brilliant minds in the academic world to Prague. So much has been achieved from within the boundaries…

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It’s official – as of last month smoking in public places is now illegal in the Czech Republic. The law was approved in February of this year, after Czech President Milos Zeman followed through on his promise to approve the bill as long as it had the support of Parliament. It officially came into effect on 31 May. So, what exactly will the ban involve? Here are some of the key things that will change: Smoking will be banned in all cafes, restaurants, bars, and pubs There is also a ban on smoking at public transport stops, in entertainment venues…

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It’s no secret that Prague is bursting at the seams with history, and it’s hard to go anywhere in this city without stumbling upon some historical landmark or ancient relic. Some of these are pretty obvious, like the Old Town Square and Charles Bridge, but interesting stories can be found in even the most unexpected places. For example, you probably wouldn’t associate Prague’s underground transport system with historical tales and legends, but you may be surprised. Lots of the stations on Prague’s metro network have interesting names and stories to tell, which remain sadly unknown to so many of the…

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An hour or so outside of Prague, in the North of the Czech Republic and still (perhaps mercifully) largely unknown to tourists, there lies a national park and hiking area known as Český Ráj. The name translates as ‘Bohemian Paradise’, and it’s a name well earned. With dense forests, winding hiking trails, and majestic rock formations that look like they’ve come straight out of Jurassic Park, this place epitomises the Czech wilderness After hearing many glowing reviews from my Czech friends, I decided to take a trip out of the city this weekend to see what all the hype was…

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Prague is a city known for its culture. Just walking around the breathtakingly beautiful squares and among the ancient Gothic architecture is proof enough of the strong heritage of artistry that flows through the veins of this city. It’s no surprise, then, that Prague’s history is brimming with great artists, musicians, and writers, each having contributed something unique and special to the world. Some are more famous than others, and today we’ll take a look at three of the more well-known artists in Prague’s history. Franz Kafka Arguably Prague’s most famous writer, Kafka definitely left a big stamp on Prague…

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