Prague

A photo of the second sunset - Prague, Czechia

Prague – the capital for civilisations, empires and kingdoms. The city has grown and expanded over the years. This explains why architecture spanning centuries stands cheek by jowl with each other.

Its fortuitous location served many from Slavs to Bohemians; from the Holy Roman Empire to Germanic city states.

More than that, in World War II the Allied forces didn’t have planes which could reach the city. Their bombing missions concentrated on Nazi-occupied Europe. This is why Prague’s architecture is still in place; in other cities they had to rebuild buildings or lost them.

Articles about Prague, by district

Select one of the Prague districts to drill down and see articles and stories connected to it.

All Prague articles

  • The lost Judith bridge January 24, 2025 - Prague's Charles bridge is the main attraction in this medieval city. Few have heard of its predecessor and fewer have heard about the stories behind it. This article delves into… Continue Reading
  • RAF hijacking in Prague May 22, 2024 - In 1950, three ex-RAF pilots, persecuted by the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia, coordinated the hijacking of three flights, leading to a daring escape to the West. Continue Reading
  • Einstein in Prague April 22, 2024 - Albert Einstein developed key aspects of relativity during his 1911-1912 stay in Prague, lecturing at the local university. Continue Reading
  • The Hilsner Affair December 5, 2023 - Anti-Jewish sentiment has long been a problem - even before the Nazis. This article describes the infamous Hilsner affair from Bohemia. Continue Reading
  • St Stephen’s missing rotunda November 15, 2023 - The Rotunda of St Stephen in Prague, was part of the Christianization effort in Bohemia. Constructed in the Benedictine-owned village of Na Rybničku, the rotunda was later owned by Teutonic… Continue Reading
  • Double agent Colonel Alfred Redl February 22, 2023 - Colonel Alfred Redl was chief of intelligence for Austro-Hungary at the beginning of the 20th century. He also was a double-agent for Russia, France and Italy. There is a direct… Continue Reading
  • The German expulsion December 28, 2022 - I've written lots about how Germany and German influences affected Bohemia and Czechia. This is what led to a backlash after World War II. This article explores the little-known story… Continue Reading
  • The solstice and the double-sunset October 25, 2022 - Prague is full of esoteric and exotic features, which makes a random walk around the city a magnificent way of spotting all that the City of a Hundred Spires has… Continue Reading
  • The fake ruins of Baba July 20, 2022 - Europe is full of ruins that paint a delightful picture of its turbulent past. It's not every day you can see ruins that are as artificial as a fast food… Continue Reading
  • Sensational Egyptian imagery in a Catholic church May 28, 2022 - There is a Roman Catholic church in Prague which has Egyptian imagery on its walls. Since Catholicism tried to get rid of many pagan rituals, why would they represent Mary… Continue Reading
  • The occult plot to kill Hitler March 22, 2021 - Before World War II, Czechoslovak occultists tried to use black magic to kill Hitler. It sounds like the plot to a Hollywood B-movie, and in some ways it is. But… Continue Reading
  • Operation NEPTUNE January 4, 2021 - You may think 'fake news' is a modern invention, but you'd be wrong. One of Czechoslovakia's most famous disinformation campaigns was Operation NEPTUNE. This article explains why Czechoslovak spies carried… Continue Reading
  • Father Toufar – tortured by communists September 14, 2020 - Czechoslovak communists tortured Czech priest Josef Toufar in 1949 for a miracle which may or may not have happened. This article describes the story and the tragic ending of Father… Continue Reading
  • Prague’s Invalidovna August 24, 2020 - If you ask many people in Prague about 'Invalidovna' they'd be more likely to direct you to the metro stop of that name. Few know of the magnificent Baroque building… Continue Reading
  • The Rotunda of the finding of the Holy Cross July 13, 2020 - Prague's early chapels and churches seem to all have been rotundas. At least, that's all we seem to have left. Close to the Vltava river, almost overshadowed by newer buildings,… Continue Reading
  • The Allied bombing of Prague May 18, 2020 - During World War II, Prague wasn't as affected by bombing as many other European cities were. This was because planes didn’t have the range to reach Prague, and also because… Continue Reading
  • St Martin’s rotunda April 13, 2020 - I'm fascinated by the rotundas in Prague. This city has more of them than I'd ever seen in my life. St Martin's rotunda sits inside the Vyšehrad castle complex and… Continue Reading
  • Prague’s mysterious menhir March 2, 2020 - Prague has continued to expand in the same way many other cities have grown over the centuries. We may never know what they used the land for before becoming part… Continue Reading
  • The startling story behind the Hebrew inscription February 3, 2020 - One of the more curious sights on Prague’s Charles Bridge is that of Hebrew script on a Roman Catholic crucifix. The crucifix is a religious symbol that points to the… Continue Reading
  • The lost rotunda of St Wenceslas January 6, 2020 - Rotundas used to be common in Central Europe. Prague was no exception and it is a shame so many have disappeared. This article explains how archaeologists re-discovered St Wenceslas’ rotunda… Continue Reading
  • A photographic ode to Holešovice November 25, 2019 - If there is one constant in life, it’s that things never remain the same. Like all neighbourhoods, the one I live in, Holešovice, changes too. This article is a photographic… Continue Reading
  • The truth behind the Sudetenland November 4, 2019 - Before living in Prague I thought I knew about the Sudetenland and how Hitler annexed it before World War II. There’s a lot I’ve learnt about the nuances of history… Continue Reading
  • The surprising connection between Prague and Rome October 28, 2019 - Architectural connections between cities are interesting because they show how influences affect architects visions. The connection alone tells a story about how something came to be. In this article I look into the… Continue Reading
  • The death of Tycho Brahe September 30, 2019 - One of the many illustrious people who lived in Prague was the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. He came for the mysteries of alchemy, and he died in Prague because he… Continue Reading
  • Prehistoric memes – the Funnel Beaker culture September 23, 2019 - We can only identify ancient civilisations by what they leave behind. It sounds obvious to say this in the absence of written records. Archeologists also classify history using other means… Continue Reading
  • Prague’s pentecostal uprising September 9, 2019 - In 1848, Prague citizens rebelled against their Austro-Hungarian rulers. Was this similar to the French revolution, also in 1848? Or was it a sign of something deeper than that? ?My… Continue Reading
  • Milada Horáková: Czech resistance fighter September 2, 2019 - People who speak out against a regime ? are targeted. We think this happens in dictatorships but a democratic society can face the wrath of an angry administration. Under communist… Continue Reading
  • The Infant Jesus of Prague August 12, 2019 - The Infant Jesus of Prague statue is a key point of interest for many tourists visiting Prague's Church of Our Lady Victorious. This article explains the legends behind it, and… Continue Reading
  • The man who was buried alive August 5, 2019 - There are many legends of accidental burial. I hadn't encountered a real story about this sort of thing until I saw the tomb of Count Mitrovice in the ⛪️ Basilica… Continue Reading
  • The Lasting effects of the Thirty Years’ War November 26, 2018 - I've written plenty of articles about the effects of the 30 Years' war on Prague and Czechia in general. I knew bits and pieces of the story so I decided… Continue Reading
  • How to find the hidden mysteries of alchemy in Prague November 12, 2018 - Prague has alchemical symbols hiding in plain sight. Regular readers will be familiar with some of these. There is a larger pattern of alchemical symbols hiding in the streets of… Continue Reading
  • The Lost Walls of Prague’s New Town October 15, 2018 - I've written about the walls of Prague's Old Town, which the city destroyed. It's unfortunate they removed such a historical feature. Once Prague had a New Town and external fortifications… Continue Reading
  • The surprising tunnel under Prague 7 June 11, 2018 - Sixteenth century Prague was smaller than it is today. Prague Castle was the only part of the city north of the river. The neighbourhood which is now known as Prague… Continue Reading
  • The superstition behind Charles Bridge May 7, 2018 - Every visitor to Prague ends up on the Charles Bridge. There is a magnificent view of the castle and the city from there, so it isn't surprising the bridge is… Continue Reading
  • The Cannonballs of Prague’s Church April 9, 2018 - Of all the wars Prague was an active participant in, few leave their mark on the city today. One exception is on the church of Charlemagne in Prague's New Town -… Continue Reading
  • Terrorist attack in Prague March 5, 2018 - Olga Hepnarová is not a name that is familiar to many people even in Czechia. She is infamous here as the last woman to be executed by the state in… Continue Reading
  • I didn’t know about these connections between Malta and Prague February 19, 2018 - I no longer am surprised at unusual connections between places. I've travelled enough over the years to know many things are connected in the strangest of ways. Imagine my surprise… Continue Reading
  • Finding Prague’s lost Old Town fortifications January 22, 2018 - Tourists from the New World chuckle when they read that Prague's New Town dates back to the 14th century. The New World barely existed in those days. Prague's Old Town… Continue Reading
  • St Christopher and the Alchemist December 18, 2017 - Prague's Charles Bridge is adorned with statues that accompany tourists on their walk across the Vltava river. St Christopher's statue is one of the more recent, but also full of… Continue Reading
  • Immortalising the Devil November 13, 2017 - People decorate their houses with different things - statues, sculptures, art; that sort of thing. It isn't often that I see decorations related to devils, but one building in Prague… Continue Reading
  • The House of the Two Bears October 30, 2017 - Tucked into the entrance of an alley beside the road leading to Prague's Old Town Square lies the House of Two Bears. The imagery, which suggests a link to alchemy,… Continue Reading
  • The Jilted Turkish lover October 16, 2017 - We're used to haunted stories about ghosts, strange creatures and brutal deaths. In Prague, there also is a haunting by a jilted lover. Continue Reading
  • The Bullet Holes in the Gas Tank October 2, 2017 - A gas tank is not the sort of thing most people put on your "Must see" list. In the Prague suburbs, there is one of the world's last surviving gas… Continue Reading
  • The flaming skeleton of Prague September 18, 2017 - There are many ghost stories surrounding a medieval city like Prague. The most spectacular ghost (if you see him) is the flaming skeleton riding a black coach. Continue Reading
  • Illuminati symbols in Catholic Churches? September 11, 2017 - As I explore and stroll through churches and public buildings I can't help but notice patterns and symbols. Often, these symbols explain something to me. The Illuminati all-seeing eye had… Continue Reading
  • The not-so-old part of historical Prague September 4, 2017 - As tourists, we tend to make the mistake of assuming that any structure which looks suitably old is automatically ancient. It's easy to walk around any city and make this… Continue Reading
  • The Headless Templar of Prague August 21, 2017 - Close to the Old Town Square, between midnight and 1:00 am, you may witness the Headless Templar of Prague riding past. Or maybe you won't. When tourists leave the Charles Bridge… Continue Reading
  • Prague’s Marian Column August 7, 2017 - Prague’s Old Town Square used to contain one of the largest sundials I’ve ever heard of. Judging by reports in the local news, it just might be rebuilt too. And… Continue Reading
  • The Stone Lamb House in Prague May 29, 2017 - Prague's Old Town Square is a feast for the eyes. Everywhere you look, buildings are either architectural marvels or have detailed facades. It's easy to overlook the Stone Lamb house.… Continue Reading
  • Prague’s Metronome – and Communist Past April 24, 2017 - With a hand that is around 75 feet long (22.8 metres), the metronome that waves above Prague is impressive enough as it is. Its location is no random choice and… Continue Reading
  • Laura – The Headless Ghost in Prague April 10, 2017 - I blinked as a few droplets of rain got in my eye. Behind me a night tram trundled away into the city leaving me in the scenic Malá Strana (Lesser Town)… Continue Reading
  • The Sundial Protecting Prague March 27, 2017 - Tourists in Prague know of the cable car that takes them up to the top of Petrin Hill. Some also stop in the park which contains the cable car. Few… Continue Reading
  • Prague executed 27 noblemen February 27, 2017 - Like all medieval cities, Prague had its fair share of brutality and executions. One particular execution of 27 noblemen is faithfully recorded in the paving of the Old Town Square.… Continue Reading
  • Celebrate Mozart in Prague – A Walking Tour January 16, 2017 - The name 'Mozart' is indelibly linked with Vienna, and rightly so. He visited Prague too and his itinerary is well documented: In January 1787, he debuted his Symphony #38 in… Continue Reading
  • The Prague Merman January 2, 2017 - Mermaids are a feature of most culture's mythology (Have you read my article about Warsaw yet?) but Prague is slightly unique in that it has a story of a merman,… Continue Reading
  • The Two Suns of Prague December 19, 2016 - An enigmatic cartouche of two suns watches you as you walk up to Prague's famous Castle complex. On either end of the suns, two faces in profile look in opposite directions;… Continue Reading
  • Renaissance Pavillions … and Communism? December 5, 2016 - The Royal Garden beside the castle in Prague is a joy to behold. There is a Renaissance pavilion there which seems to have a connection to Czechia's recent communism-tainted past.… Continue Reading
  • Prague’s Golden Apples November 21, 2016 - Prague castle boasts one of the most spectacular views of the city. On your way up, you can see the Golden Apples of Greek mythology hanging above a doorway. Not… Continue Reading
  • The Stone Column House November 7, 2016 - I've written about many alchemists legends and stories in Prague. The city has many other symbols and images on its beautiful facades which you just cannot ignore while walking around the… Continue Reading
  • The Golden Ship of Prague October 24, 2016 - Wandering the back streets of Prague, it's easy to forget you're in a bustling city. Prague is like that - busy in one street but quiet and residential in another. Around Namesti… Continue Reading
  • The Bridges of Prague October 10, 2016 - Prague's lengthy promenades along the river Vltava are one of the most underrated features of the city. Walking along them using the bridges as stepping stones provides you with a great… Continue Reading
  • A Gargoyle of a Czech Boy September 26, 2016 - Gargoyles are a common feature on Gothic or medieval buildings. They are primarily meant to ensure water does not trickle down masonry, but some of them are merely decorative. During… Continue Reading
  • The House of the Golden Hive September 12, 2016 - The centre of Prague certainly has many legends and stories associated with it. This is quite obvious; the centre is older than the outskirts so it's reasonable to expect more… Continue Reading
  • The Golden Wheel August 22, 2016 - The thoroughfare in Prague between the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square is always packed. As tourists cross the junction with Rytirska street, many don't realise a alchemist's symbol -… Continue Reading
  • The Mummified Thief’s Arm August 8, 2016 - Dodge behind the impressive Old Town Square in the heart of Prague. In the winding streets just off the Royal Way, you will find the Basilica of St James((Oxford dictionary… Continue Reading
  • The Statue of a Bearded Lady June 6, 2016 - Once you leave the famous Prague castle complex, most people tend to saunter down the hill back to the city centre. This is a shame as the sheer quantity of… Continue Reading
  • St Valentine’s Shoulder in Prague May 16, 2016 - I've written about saintly relics before. They exist all over the world because there is a belief that proximity to even part of a saint means  'something' can rub off.… Continue Reading
  • Prague’s Golden Sun March 28, 2016 - I've written about the Black Sun of Prague and the connection between esotericism and this symbol. Prague also features a Golden Sun on the facade of one its buildings too. (The… Continue Reading
  • The Black Sun of Prague February 8, 2016 - I've written about symbols visible in Celetna Street in Prague - The Black Madonna, the White Peacock and the Powder Tower. At No 8, you can see a decorative Baroque symbol of… Continue Reading
  • The Myth of Sylvanus January 4, 2016 - Throughout the ages, man had a certain respect for nature. Many cultures imagined that there must be some spirit or god responsible for nature and the wilderness. The Romans called… Continue Reading
  • The Spooky Statue of a Rotting Corpse December 7, 2015 - Prague's castle complex is one of the beauties of this Bohemian city. It also contains a spooky statue of a skeletal rotting corpse, a woman with frogs and snakes entwined in… Continue Reading
  • The Significance of the Alchemist’s White Peacock November 23, 2015 - I've written about the Royal Way in Prague - the path that the procession to a coronation would take through the city of Prague. I've also noted the connections to… Continue Reading
  • The Best Places to View a City from November 9, 2015 - If there is one thing that fascinates me about cities, it is the view from the top of a skyscraper. Nothing quite beats the moment of "Good Grief!" that hits… Continue Reading
  • The Legend of St John’s 5 Stars November 2, 2015 - Uniquely amongst Catholic saints, the statue of the Bohemian St John of Nepomuk has 5 stars on its halo. Catholic tradition usually portrays the Virgin Mary with stars (and all… Continue Reading
  • Prague’s Darth Vader October 5, 2015 - There are many things Prague is known for - Charles Bridge, the Prague castle, weekend breaks - but connections with Darth Vader tend to be few and far. Which isn't… Continue Reading
  • The Mystery of Mercury in the centre of Prague June 29, 2015 - As you approach the Old Town Square, heading down Celetna, you will be forgiven for missing the Golden Angel that stares down at you while you saunter across the cobbled… Continue Reading
  • Revealing the House of the Black Madonna June 15, 2015 - Behind the hustle and bustle of Prague's shopping district, just off the Fruit Market (Ovocny Trh), the House of the Black Madonna stands watch at the junction of the market… Continue Reading
  • Entering Prague like a King – The Powder Tower May 18, 2015 - When touring a city, we tend to see it the way it is now. After centuries of development, certain nuances are lost or hidden and it is only if you… Continue Reading
  • Lost Prague – Tesnov Train Station April 20, 2015 - Like any city, Prague has lost certain elements of its past to the mists of time. Now, these items live on only as a name whose significance few understand. The lost train station… Continue Reading
  • 5 Useful Tips for Hassle-Free Train Travel from Prague March 23, 2015 - The train system from Prague is well-connected to most central and eastern European destinations which makes train travel from here particularly easy. Here are my 5 top tips to travelling… Continue Reading
  • The Legend of the Golden Well October 27, 2014 - Prague is a city built on legends and stories which abound with every street corner. One of my favourite activities here is to roam around noting the magnificent designs on… Continue Reading
  • A Crystal Night September 8, 2014 - One juggling act travellers face is simple - when choosing a restaurant do you go for something close to the reassuring familiarity of the tourist centre or do you opt for… Continue Reading
  • A Guide to Walking Around Prague May 2, 2014 - Prague is a city with many attractions, all of which are easily accessible on foot. Walking around Prague can be a great way to see explore the city. Do put… Continue Reading
  • Lunch In The Sky September 23, 2013 - I recently had the opportunity to have Lunch In The Sky here in Prague. This is a unique concept where you eat and drink while hanging 50m off the ground… Continue Reading