Hussite Wars
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Prague 3, day 110: U Božích bojovníků
Originally published on Twitter on 11 August, 2022. U Božích bojovníků was built in 1885. Boží bojovníci are ‘warriors of God’. Yes, we’re obviously talking about Hussites again. But today I get to compensate for that with music! Ktož jsú boží bojovníci (written ‘Ktoz jsu bozi boyownici’ back in the day) / ‘Ye who are Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 87: Tovačovského
Originally published on Twitter on 19 July 2022. Tovačovského was built in 1904. Jan Tovačovský z Cimburka st. (1400-ish to 1464) was a Moravian nobleman. Born a Catholic, he converted to the Kalisz faith and became a faithful follower of Jiří z Poděbrad. He took part in the battles of Ústí nad Labem (1426) and Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 81: Roháčova
Roháčova was built in 1872. A ‘roháč’ is a stag beetle. Sadly, this is not the insect section of Žižkov, and Roháčova is named after – who else? – a Hussite. Jan Roháč z Dubé / Jan Roháč of Dubá was a Taborite, appointed as a hetman by Jan Žižka in Lomnica nad Lužnicí in Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 77: Prokopova
Prokopova was built in 1872. Prokop Holý (the Bald) was born around 1380 in Prague. The identity of his family is unclear, but it’s known that he was born into wealth and was able to travel extensively around Europe as a young man. His uncle ordained him as a priest, but, no later than 1420, Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 68: Ambrožova
Originally published on Twitter on 30 June 2022. Ambrožova was built in 1932. Ambrož of Hradec, or Ambrož Hradecký, was pastor of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Hradec Králové, until he was banished from the town in 1419 for his Hussite beliefs. In 1420, he founded the Orebites, the Hussites’ followers in Eastern Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 65: Biskupcova
Originally published on Twitter on 27 June 2022. Biskupcova was built in 1930. Mikuláš z Pelhřimova, or Nikolaus von Pelgrims, *or* Mikuláš Biskupec (1385-1459 approx.) was born in, yes, Pelhřimov, but started studying in Prague around 1406. Around this time, he became a devoted follower of Jan Hus. In 1415, he was ordained as a Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 45: Kunešova
Kunešova was built in 1977, making it the newest street to date. And we’re back on the Hussites! Kuneš z Bělovic (born in the 14th century) was a comrade of Jan Žižka. The first written mention of him is from 1422, when he tried to overthrow Sigismund Korybut (Zikmund Korybutovič), who was acknowledged as governor of Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 27: Loudova
Originally published on Twitter on 20 May 2022. Loudova was built in 1930. Matěj Louda z Chlumčan (died 1460) was commander of Písek, a Hussite warrior and diplomat, and owner of a farm in Chlumčany near Louny. He studied at Charles University. He didn’t complete his studies, but he did became aware of Jan Hus’s Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 25: Buchovcova
Originally published on Twitter on 18 May 2022. Buchovcova was built in 1930. Zbyněk Buchovec z Buchova (died 1436?) was a Hussite warrior and commander (hejtman). Coming from a peasant family, he was elected one of the four governors of the newly founded town of Tábor in 1420 (one of the other three being Jan Žižka). Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 24: Rečkova
Rečkova was built in 1930. The name has nothing to do with Greece, which is Řecko in Czech (sometimes when I’m whizzing past here on the tram, I mistakenly think it’s called Řeckova, and yes, that name would make no grammatical sense). Jan Reček z Ledče was a maltster and a well-to-do citizen of Prague’s Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 23: Jana Želivského
Originally posted on Twitter on 16 May 2022. Jana Želivského was built in 1931. It was originally named Mladoňovicova, after Petr z Mladoňovic (died 1451), a Hussite writer and scribe to Jan z Chlumu (https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2022/11/19/prague-3-day-18-chlumova/). Jan Želivský (1380-1422) was a priest during the Hussite Reformation, with a taste for somewhat apocalyptic sermons. On 30 July 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
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Prague 3, day 18: Chlumova
Originally published on Twitter on 11 May 2022. We’ve reached the western end of Koněvova, so now we’re crossing the road and it’s time for Chlumova, built in 1872. Jan Kepka z Chlumu / John of Chlum (date of birth unknown) came from the Česká Lípa region (the modern village of Chlum has 259 inhabitants). Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 17: Tachovské náměstí
Originally published on 10 May 2022. Tachovské náměstí / Tachov Square, which has had this name since 1958. It’s home to the southern entrance to Žižkov Tunnel. Between 1875 and 1958, it was Žižkovo náměstí / Žižkov Square. There’s now another square called that instead, 800 metres away. The Battle of Tachov took place in Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 14: Domažlická
Originally posted on Twitter on 7 May 2022. Domažlická was built in 1904, which counts as old compared to what we’ve covered so far. Domažlice, population 11,000, is a town in the Plzeň region, converted into a fortified royal town in 1265 by Otakar II of Bohemia. Its German name is Taus. At the Battle Continue reading
What's in a Prague street name 