Dukes
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Prague 4, day 36: Mojmírova
Mojmírova was built in 1892. Slavs started arriving on the territory of present-day Czechia in the 5th century; this was a gradual process, happening in several waves. We know that a king called Sámo formed the first West Slavic state – Samo’s Empire, in the 600s (from 623 or 631 to 658). It was most Continue reading
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Prague 4, day 30: Svatoslavova
I can’t say with certainty when Svatoslavova was built, but it’s had its name since 1900. There are Svatoslavs that the street could be named after. I’ll get the more Czech – but less interesting – one out of the way, and then I’ll move on to option two. Option 1 Svatoslav was an alleged Continue reading
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Prague 4, day 18: Křesomyslova
Křesomyslova was built in 1892. We’re not even a month into the Prague 4 series, but the story of the seven mythological dukes of Bohemia has already come up before: https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2025/01/03/prague-4-day-3-mnatova/. Křesomysl was the fifth of these seven alleged dukes. The verb ‘křesat’ means ‘to strike’ – as in making two hard materials collide so Continue reading
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Prague 4, day 14: Boleslavova
Boleslavova was built in 1892. Boleslav was born in or around 915, the son of Vratislav I, Duke of Bohemia (pictured as seen at St George’s Convent – more on that one later), and his wife, Drahomíra. Accounts of the first few years of his life vary – and, for all we know, they could Continue reading
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Prague 4, day 10: Vlastislavova
Vlastislavova was built in 1892. We’re back onto the mythological figures today. The story of the seven mythical dukes of Bohemia was last told on https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2025/01/03/prague-4-day-3-mnatova/. However, of more relevance is the story of Duke Number Four, Vnislav (https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2024/08/25/prague-2-day-102-vnislavova/), because he supposedly had a brother called Vlastislav. Their father was Vojen who, somehow, has missed Continue reading
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Prague 4, day 3: Mnatova
No street sign today, as this still seems to be a construction site, and I’m too British to ask if I’m allowed in. The first historically documented Duke of Bohemia was Bořivoj I, who ruled from about 867 until about 889 – more about him in Prague 3: https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2023/01/14/prague-3-day-134-borivojova/. Mythology tells us that there were Continue reading
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Prague 1, day 243: Anežská
Originally published on X on 1 June 2024. Přemysl Otakar I was Duke of Bohemia from 1192 to 1193, and again from 1197 to 1198. In the latter year, he became the third King of Bohemia, and would stay as such until 1230. He was the first ruler of Bohemia who inherited the title of Continue reading
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Prague 1, day 35: Břetislavova
Originally published on X on 9 October 2023. And, today, I give you options. OPTION 1 Břetislav was born around 1002, the son of Oldřich and a woman who was not Oldřich’s wife (at least at the time). Dad (https://x.com/ed__ley/status/ed__ley/status/1618142655611047939…) became Duke of Bohemia in 1012, deposing (and blinding*) his brother Jaromír. * You’re welcome Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 103: Neklanova
Originally published on 17 February 2023. Neklanova was built around 1885. We’re still on the post-Přemysl, pre-Bořivoj mythical princes. Neklan was number six, and was the father of number seven, Hostivít. Again, there are theories as to where his name came from. One is that, due to his love of peace*, Neklan did ‘not tilt’ Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 99: Vratislavova
Originally published on X on 13 February 2023. It’s not clear what year Vratislavova was built in. When Vyšehrad was a separate town from Prague, this was Hlavní, Vyšehrad’s Main Street, and included the town hall. It merged with nearby Vyšehradská in 1870, but broke free again in 1891, with its current name. The future Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 78: Spytihněvova
Originally published on X on 23 January 2023. Spytihněvova was built in 1892. Spytihněv I was born around 875. People do enjoy railing against nepo babies lately, so knock yourselves out with this one: dad was Bořivoj, the first documented Bohemian ruler (https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2023/01/14/prague-3-day-134-borivojova/), while mum was Ludmila, who later became a saint. Bořivoj died around Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 134: Bořivojova
Originally published on Twitter on 4 September 2022. Bořivojova was built in 1875. In 1947, this street joined with Riegrova (also built in 1875). Riegrova was named after František Ladislav Rieger (1818-1903), early leader of the Czech Nationalist Movement. Old Franta still gets a park in Vinohrady with – life goals alert – a beer Continue reading
What's in a Prague street name 