1896
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Prague 2, day 145: Palackého náměstí
Originally published on X on 4 April 2023. Palackého náměstí was created in 1896 as a result of renovation of the nearby embankment. From 1942 to 1945, this was Rudolfovo náměstí, after Rudolph II (1552-1612), the Habsburg who certainly made Prague a more fascinating cultural centre than ever, but whose actions also indirectly led to Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 110: Boženy Němcové
Originally published on X on 28 February 2023. Boženy Němcové was built in 1896. The most common story is that Božena Němcová was born as Barbara Nowotny in Vienna in 1820, to an unmarried mother called Theresia Nowotná. When Barbara was a few months old, Theresia married an Austrian coachman, Johann Pankl, in Malá Skalice. Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 85: Pod Karlovem
Originally published on X on 30 January 2023. Pod Karlovem was built in 1896. Pod Karlovem is literally under Karlov, which is an area in Prague’s New Town, directly north of the Nusle valley. In 1350, Karel IV ordered the building of the Klášter augustiniánů kanovníků / Monastery of Augustinian Canons (located on what is Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 76: Rejskova
Originally published on X on 21 January 2023. Rejskova was built in 1896. It’s documented that Matěj Rejsek was born around 1445 in Prostějov. What isn’t documented is whether this is the Prostějov that’s near Chrudim or the one that’s in Moravia. Graduating in liberal arts from Prague University in 1469, he then became a Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 75: Sarajevská
Originally published on X on 20 January 2023. Sarajevská was built in 1896. Until 1940, and again from 1945 to 1947, this was Vyšehradská. I won’t explain that one any further for now, as: a) you’ve already guessed; b) there’s a current Prague 2 street called that anyway (spoiler alert). During the Nazi occupation, it Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 74: Fričova
Originally published on X on 19 January 2023. Fričova was built in 1896. Josef Václav Frič was born in 1829 in Prague. His father was Josef František Frič, a patriotic poet and professor at Charles University. In 1848, he became head of a radical student association, Slávie, and encouraged students to take to the barricades Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 65: Čermákova
Originally published on Twitter on 10 January 2023. Čermákova was built in 1896. Jaroslav Čermák was born in Prague’s Old Town in 1830. Born into a family of doctors, he suffered a major hip injury in his youth, and was confined to bed at times because of this – which may be why he developed Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 23: Kladská
Originally published on Twitter on 29 November 2022. Kladská was built in 1896. Kladsko in Czech is Kłodzko in Polish – a town of just under 27,000 people in Lower Silesia. First mentioned in 981, its name derives from the Czech word kláda (log), as its first bridges, houses and fortifications were made of wood. Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 21: Čerchovská
Originally published on Twitter on 27 November 2022. Čerchovská was built in 1896. Čerchov, 1,042 metres high, is the highest mountain in Český les (somewhat different English name: Upper Palatine Forest), as well as the 10th-highest in the country. It’s only two kilometres from the German border. In German, it’s called Schwarzkopf, and yes, I Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 15: Blanická
Originally published on Twitter on 21 November 2022. Horní (Upper) Blanická was built in 1889; Dolní (Lower) Blanická was built in 1896. They became one street in 1948. From 1940 to 1945, this was Schlözerova, after the aristocratic von Schlözer family, which included August Ludwig (1735-1809, a historian) and Dorothea (1770-1825, the first woman in Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 13: Anny Letenské
Originally published on Twitter on 19 November 2022. Anny Letenské was built in 1896. Until 1945, this was Ve Pštroce. Pštroska, also spelt Pštrosska, was an estate, including a vineyard called Křížovka, that was located round here. It was purchased by Jan and Babetta Pštross in 1815, and demolished in the late 19th century, partly Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 190: Milešovská
Originally published on Twitter on 30 October 2022. Milešovská was built in 1896. Milešovka, 837 metres high, is the highest peak in the České Středohoří, the Central Bohemian Uplands, in northern Bohemia. Bronze objects and ceramics from the Bronze Age have been found near the mountain; they suggest there was a mountain cult of sorts. Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 189: Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad
Originally published on Twitter on 29 October 2022. Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad was built in 1896. It was called Krále Jiřího (King George) until 1948, and it’s fften known as Jiřák if you’re Czech, often known as J-zee-P if you’re a foreigner (guilty, and I’m from a country where we say ‘zed’). George of Poděbrady Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 188: Laubova
Originally published on Twitter on 28 October 2022. Laubova was built in 1896. Nikki Lauba (1949-2019) was a Formula One driver from the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. No, sorry, wait. Until 1952, the street was called Vilímovská, possibly after a vineyard. There’s a street with the same name in Dejvice. Ferdinand Laub was born in 1832 Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 154: Jagellonská
Originally published on Twitter on 24 September 2022. Jagellonská was built in 1896. Continuing (and ending) this trilogy of streets, the Jagiellonian dynasty was founded by Jogaila, Grand Duke of Lithuania, in 1386. In their time, they ruled Poland, Lithuania, Hungary and Bohemia. The dynasty is known as the Jagiellonowie, the Jogailaičiai, the Jagelló and Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 153: Lucemburská
Originally published on Twitter on 23 September 2022. Lucemburská was built in 1896. The Lucemburkové, or the House of Luxembourg, or D’Lëtzebuerger Haus if you really want to be like that about it, ruled as Kings of Germany, Holy Roman Emperors, and Kings of Bohemia (and Hungary, and Croatia). Luckily, it’s a much shorter list Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 152: Přemyslovská
Originally published on Twitter on 22 September 2022. Přemyslovská was built in 1896. The Přemyslid dynasty ruled Bohemia from the mid-9th century until 1306. So here’s a very abbreviated and yet really quite long guide to all the ones who ruled. Years of rule are often best guesses in the early days. Bořivoj I (872-89): Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 136: Ježkova
Originally published on Twitter on 6 September 2022. Ježkova was built in 1896. Until 1940, and again from 1945 to 1947, this was Nerudova, after Jan Neruda (1834-91), journalist, author, poet, and main figure of the Májovci, a group of Czech novelists and poets inspired by the works of Mácha, Havlíček and Erben. From 1940 Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 109: Jeronýmova
Originally published on Twitter on 10 August 2022. Jeronýmova was built in 1896. Jeroným Pražský, or Jerome of Prague (1379-1416), studied at Charles University, as well as at Oxford, where he read the teachings of John Wycliffe (https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2022/11/19/prague-3-day-26-viklefova/). He later distributed Wycliffe’s works in Bohemia. In 1409, he was heavily involved in the Decree of Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 20: Ostromečská
Originally published on Twitter on 13 May 2022. Ostromečská was built in 1896. Ostromeč is a former castle, located north of the village of Hrazany in the Příbram district. Its foundations were laid in 1424 under the Hussite leadership of Jan Hvězda of Vícemilice. It was raided and demolished just four years later, but was Continue reading
What's in a Prague street name 