What's in a Prague street name

Originally published on Twitter on 6 June 2022.

V Bezpečí was built in 1938, and translates as ‘in safety’.

Two options come to mind. Firstly, I’ve mentioned more than once that it’s really lovely and quiet round here.

On the other hand, the street is close to Strážní (https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2022/11/19/prague-3-day-7-strazni/), and stráž means ‘guard’.

It’s also close to Na hlídce (https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2022/11/19/prague-3-day-8-na-hlidce/), which means ‘on a watch’.

So V Bezpečí could also easily be named after/in honour of the state employees that this district was built to house in the first place. This seems the more likely option to me.

Whatever the truth is, if you’re in this street, you can say that you’re literally safe, or out of harm’s way. Which I like.