What's in a Prague street name

Every street in Prague, one by one.


Butchers

  • Prague 1, day 235: Masná

    Originally published on X on 23 May 2024. In the early 1300s (we’ll call this the ‘John of Bohemia era’), there were already meat shops around here. The local butchers formed their own guild in 1359, and regarded St Jacob’s as their place of worship (https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2024/10/11/prague-1-day-185-jakubska/). The street (which was smaller at the time) therefore Continue reading

  • Prague 1, day 218: Červená

    Originally published on X on 4 May 2024. I’m not in Prague today, but if you are, and have cleaning tools and a ladder, here’s an idea for a fun day out. ‘Červená’ means ‘red’. Jewish butchers had their shops round here, and these were painted red. Originally, the street was called Řeznická (a ‘řezník’ Continue reading

  • Prague 1, day 118: Řeznická

    Originally published on X on 19 January 2024. A řezník is a butcher. And butchers were a well-respected group round this area in the Middle Ages. So much so that they formed a guild and ended up purchasing the church on nearby Lazarská: https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2024/09/01/prague-2-day-165-lazarska/. The name has been in place since the 1400s; before then, Continue reading

  • Prague 2, day 165: Lazarská

    Originally published on X on 24 April 2023. Lazarská was built around 1348, when the New Town was founded. Until the early 18th century, this was known as Dolejšek Dobytčího trhu, i.e. the part just below the Livestock Market, i.e. present-day Karlovo náměstí (https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2024/09/01/prague-2-day-164-karlovo-namesti/). After 1848, when Karlák got its current name, this street came Continue reading