Section Archive Spotlight
Varnsdorf, a north Bohemian town in the path of Buddha
A town surrounded by deep pine forests, dotted with old timbered
German-style villas and occasional Communist-era prefab houses, a town
boasting many parks, a river, two churches – and the country’s first
Buddhist temple. This is Varnsdorf, a town of 16,000 in the northernmost
part of the Czech Republic. More
Prague’s “Rocket” TV Tower undergoes re-fuelling on 20th anniversary
In this week's Spotlight, we visit Prague's infamous TV tower and find it
in the middle of a major re-construction. More
The Cross Club – independent culture centre with a twist
In this week’s Spotlight we take you to an independent culture centre
decorated with an abstract array of industrial machine part artistry. More
The Mánes Exhibition Hall – an icon of functionalist architecture
The functionalist Mánes Exhibition Hall, located on the right bank of the
Vltava river between the bridges Jiraskův most and Most Legií, is one of
only two buildings in Prague that were expressly designed to house art –
the other one being the famous Rudolfinum gallery. Martin Pavala, the
chairman of the supervisory board of the Czech Art Foundation, which owns
it, explains that the art gallery’s history started in 1930. More
Karlín – Prague’s first suburb
Prague’s leafy central suburb of Karlín may best be known outside of the
Czech Republic for the devastating floods that laid ruin to it in 2002, but
much of the world has been using the machines and products born of Karlín
factories for more than a hundred years and aside from that it is also
Prague’s oldest suburb – a point recalled by an exhibition being held
this year at the City Museum in Prague that was created by historian Dr.
Zdeněk Míka: More
The House of the Black Madonna – home of the only surviving Cubist café in the world
Nestled between busy Wenceslas Square and Prague’s number one tourist
destination, Old Town Square, the House of the Black Madonna houses a small
museum of Cubism as well as the only surviving Cubist café in the world
– the Grand Café Orient, which was renovated between 2002 and 2005. More
Through Emperor Rudolf’s water tunnel under Letná
The Habsburg Emperor Rudolf II left a deep mark in Czech history. Various
legends and myths surround the 16th century ruler who made Prague his
imperial seat and whose diverse interests made the city a centre of
Renaissance arts and sciences. One monument from his time is hidden beneath
the surface of the earth – a water tunnel carved deep into the rock of
one of Prague’s hills. More
The Museum of Decorative Arts – a must-see destination for fans of Czech design
Lovers of Czech applied arts and design will find a veritable treasure
trove of interesting items, ranging from glass wares to clocks and metal
works, in Prague’s Museum of Decorative Arts. Located right across the
street from the well-known Rudolfinum palace, the museum is housed in a
stunning Neo-Renaissance building. It was one of the last in Prague to be
designed in that style. The architect was Josef Schulz, who also was behind
the Czech National Museum. More
Jilemnice - the cradle of Czech skiing
It is early on a Friday morning, the air is freezing and there is no sign
of the sun in the sky. Yet, the creaky old Karosa bus heading towards
Krkonoše or Giant Mountains is almost full when I arrive at the bus
station. Many people from Prague have taken their day off in order to enjoy
some snow. Unlike most of my fellow travellers, I am not heading towards
the ski slopes and racing tracks. My destination is the little town of
Jilemnice, crouching at the foothills of the Giant Mountains in north
Bohemia. Jilemnice was one of the very first skiing centres in the country
and it proudly calls itself the Cradle of Czech skiing. Petra Pohůnkova
from the local Town Hall has promised to give me a tour through the town.
We meet on the central square, right in front of the Town Hall building: More
The Lucerna Palace
The Lucerna Palace, long considered a beacon of Czech national pride has
been celebrating its centenary this year without too much of the fanfare
usually reserved for such occasions. Situated off Wenceslas Square in the
very heart of Prague, and established by civil engineer, designer and
builder Václav M. Havel in 1907, it was the first multi-purpose arcade of
its kind ever to be built in this country. More
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