In the historic mining town of Jáchymov, the Radium Palace Hotel is a relic from an era when radioactivity was considered a miracle of modern medicine. The "treatment" here comes from radon. Even today, guests immerse themselves for 20-minute sessions, making it the oldest Radon Spa in the world.
Strahov Series | Part 6: In our final installment, we look at the Philosophical Hall—a room designed to prove that the world’s knowledge could be collected, ordered, and made visible. Despite empires rising and falling, the library remains a testament to the endurance of the written word.
Strahov Series | Part 5: We examine the extraordinary fresco in Theological Hall, titled "The Spiritual Development of Humanity." The focal point is not a deity, but Sapientia (Wisdom). She stands between the two Testaments. It suggests that religious study is about expanding human understanding.
Strahov Series | Part 4: While the monks here believed in scholarship, some knowledge was forbidden. The "golden cages" contained restricted books detailed in the Index Librorum Prohibitorum. During the Communist regime, the order was dissolved, monks were arrested, and the library became a museum.
Strahov Series | Part 3: Exploring the personification of Wisdom and how this monastery survived the collapse of the monastic world. Throughout the Theological Hall, Sapientia (Wisdom) appears repeatedly as a powerful woman in the frescoes. These paintings place secular knowledge over religion.
Strahov Series | Part 2: Exploring how the Premonstratensian monks embraced the Enlightenment and transformed their monastery into a global center for research. The monks were dedicated scholars who actively produced knowledge across all disciplines, including law, medicine, philosophy, and science.
In Part 1 of our Strahov Monastery series, we explore the Theological Hall, with its collections of 20,000 Bibles and theological books. The Premonstratensian monastery was established in 1143. Its library maintained a continuous history from the 12th century, surviving numerous political shifts.
A group of visionaries gathered in a brewery attic to expand women's role in Czech society. They called themselves the American Ladies Club, inspired by the progress they observed in women's rights in the US. The club was founded in 1865; the first-of-its-kind secular organization for Czech women.
For International Women’s Day, we recognize pioneers like Eliška Krásnohorská who transformed Prague into a beacon of progress for women’s education. Krásnohorská opened the first high school for girls in Central Europe which taught a rigorous curriculum, preparing them for university and careers.
Dominating the west facade of the Kulturpalast is a famous example of Socialist Realist art: the massive mural titled "Der Weg der roten Fahne" (The Way of the Red Flag). The artwork presents a timeline of the "revolutionary struggle" of the German working class. What story does this mosaic tell?
The Kulturpalast in Dresden is an example of East German Modernism. During the GDR era, the "Kulti" was the site of political rallies, but today it's a democratic space for fine art and daily life alike. Inside, the mural by Willi Sitte promotes the unity of the intelligentsia and the working class.
On this day, February 25, in 1948, the fate of Czechoslovakia changed when Communist leader Klement Gottwald gave a monumental speech on the balcony of Kinský Palace. Known as Victorious February, the Communists organized general strikes and "People's Militias," days prior to paralyze the country.
At the top of Wenceslas Square, this building is one of the most controversial examples of Czech Brutalist architecture. It went from being the site of the Prague Stock Exchange to the Federal Assembly of Czechoslovakia to the headquarters of Radio Free Europe and finally joined the National Museum.
On Wenceslas Square, the Jalta Hotel is a legendary site of Cold War espionage. Its name refers to the 1945 Yalta Conference, when three world leaders met to decide the future of Europe. Beneath the hotel lies a nuclear fallout shelter designed to protect high-ranking officials in case of an attack.
Standing on the southern side of Charles Bridge is a very dramatic sculpture. The monument honors St. John of Matha, founder of the Trinitarians, whose mission was to ransom Christian knights captured during the Crusades. Look closely and find a grumpy jailor, a dog, and a logo you might recognize.
If you’ve walked across Charles Bridge, you’ve likely seen a crowd gathered around this statue, touching the brass relief on the base. It is the monument to St. John of Nepomuk, a national saint of Bohemia and patron saint of bridges. Watch to discover the legend of Czechia's own saint! #visitprague
The tradition of monastic brewing here is centuries old, with the first documented brewery operating as far back as the 13th century. Today, the St. Norbert Brewery at Strahov Monastery carries on this legacy, serving craft beers named after the monastery's founder right in the spiritual complex.
Masopust is the traditional Czech carnival, including abundant feasting and colorful parades before the start of Lent. The name literally translates to "meat fast." At the heart of the celebration is the costumed procession, featuring animals. It’s a loud, joyful glimpse into Czech folk traditions!
Did you know the hamburger traces its roots back to Central and Eastern Europe?
In Czech Republic, "tatarský biftek" (beef tartare) is a pub staple, a beer snack served throughout the country.
In the 1800s, waves of immigrants came from Hamburg to the USA, bringing The "Hamburg Steak" with them.
On Holocaust Remembrance Day, we recall one remarkable teen victim: Jindřich / Heinz Prossnitz.
Jindřich lived at U obecního dvora 2 in Prague's Old Town. He organized a network with other teens, to send thousands of kilos of food (mainly bread) to prisoners in the concentration camps.
🍃 Originally known as the Royal Game Reserve, Stromovka is Prague’s largest park, located in the Bubeneč district. 🔓 In 1804, the park was officially opened to the general public. ✨ It is an example of how - under a democracy - natural landscapes can be shared by everyone! #Stromovka #snowday
🏢 The Hotel International, often called Stalin's Cake, is a prominent example of Socialist Realist architecture.
📸 To understand the grandeur and political tension of the Cold War era, this is a must-see.
#PragueHotelInternational #SocialistRealism #LouisArmstrong #BenGazzara #AlexejČepička
Jan Palach (1948–1969) was a philosophy student at Charles University who carried out a public protest by self-immolation on January 16, 1969, four months after the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia.
On this anniversary, we remember him and his call to resist the normalization of oppression.
The Loreta is a Baroque pilgrimage site located just steps from Prague Castle.
Founded in 1626, it centers around the "Santa Casa," a replica of the Virgin Mary’s home in Nazareth.
Contact us to include this site on your next tour! We customize tours to many unique sites with expert guides.
In Prague, winter swimming is a holiday tradition.
🏰🌊 On December 26 (St Stephen’s Day), hundreds plunge into the Vltava river below Prague Castle.
🇨🇿 It’s called the Alfred Nikodém Memorial Swim, for the legendary founder who started the tradition over 100 years ago — cold, communal, and very Czech.
🏰 St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague took nearly six centuries to complete. Construction usually coincided with rulers who envisioned Prague as a capital city.
📸 Today, the stained glass and soaring spires of St Vitus draw millions of visitors from around the world.
#StVitusCathedral #PragueHistory
🎄 A Czech Christmas Feast: Fried Carp 🇨🇿
Here in the Czech Republic, Christmas Eve dinner consists of fried carp and potato salad. Curious to know why? Take a look!
What's the traditional Christmas meal in your country? Let us know in the comments and Merry Christmas!
Hansa Studios is a recording facility located in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district, situated just meters away from the Berlin Wall.
Many icons of rock-n-roll music recorded in this humble studio, including David Bowie and U2. Watch to find out why!
Our guide, Lee, leads our "Bowie in Berlin" Tours.
🗓️ In the Czech Republic, the celebration of St. Nicholas Day, known as Mikuláš, takes place on December 5th, the eve of the Feast Day of Saint Nicholas.
The main figure is Mikuláš, dressed as a benevolent bishop, accompanied by an Angel and a Devil. 😈
#Mikuláš #CzechChristmas #PragueTradition
🗓️ In the Czech Republic, the celebration of St. Nicholas Day, known as Mikuláš, takes place on December 5th, the eve of the Feast Day of Saint Nicholas.
The main figure is Mikuláš, dressed as a benevolent bishop, accompanied by an Angel and a Devil. 😈
#Mikuláš #CzechChristmas #PragueTradition
