Hussites
-
Prague 4, day 280: Korandova
Korandova was built in 1925. We don’t know when Václav Koranda was born, but we do know that, by 1414, he had founded a Hussite community in Plzeň, taking part in and often leading pilgrimages to the mountains. Leaving Plzeň in 1419, he joined Jan Žižka’s forces, and took part in the Battle of Sudoměř Continue reading
-
Prague 4, day 268: Poberova
Poberova was built in 1935. We’ve been on a bit of a break, so let’s recap some key information. Alois Jirásek was a writer of historical novels and plays; these were written at a time when the Czech nation was seriously (re-)discovering itself. He has a square named after him in Prague 2: https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2024/09/01/prague-2-day-154-jiraskovo-namesti/. As Continue reading
-
Prague 4, day 266: Aksamitova
Aksamitova was built in 1932. We don’t know anything about Petr Aksamit’s life before 1440, when he was put in command of the Brotherhood / bratříci troops in Upper Hungary (present-day Slovakia). These bratříci were former Hussite fighters, operating as independent units, from 1445 to 1467, not only in today’s Slovakia but in its neighbouring Continue reading
-
Prague 4, day 230: Jiskrova
A street with this name was founded in Braník in 1935, but was destroyed in 1990 during construction works. In 1991, this street – about a kilometre away from the original Jiskrova – was given the name instead. Internet searches indicate that it was originally part of Modřanská (https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2025/09/29/prague-4-day-185-modranska/), but the map above isn’t helping Continue reading
-
Prague 4, day 98: Sinkulova
Sinkulova was built in 1892. It was initially called Krušinova, after Hynek Krušina z Lichtenburka, a noble who first fought on the Hussite side in the 1400s, then on the side of the Catholics. Having been lengthened by taking over another street in the 1930s, the street has had its present name since 1948. Václav Continue reading
-
Prague 4, day 96: Mikuláše z Husi
Mikuláše z Husi was built in 1906. Until 1940, and again from 1945 to 1947, the street was known as Husova – as is a street in Prague 1: https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2024/10/05/prague-1-day-169-husova/. Mikuláš z Pístného was born around 1375, and the earliest written reference we have to him is from 1389. In 1406, King Václav/Wenceslas IV made Continue reading
-
Prague 4, day 90: Na bitevní pláni
Na bitevní pláni was built in 1911. You may remember a nearby street whose name translates as ‘On the Victory Plain’, and which commemorates the Battle of Vyšehrad of November 1420: https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2025/02/01/prague-4-day-21-na-vitezne-plani/. Well, today’s street translates as ‘On the Battle Plain’ – or ‘On the Battlefield’ – and commemorates exactly the same battle. Continue reading
-
Prague 4, day 89: Viktorinova
Viktorinova was built in 1931. Viktorín Boček z Kunštátu was a nobleman; the earliest written mention we have of him is from 1417. When the Hussite Wars broke out two years later, he became one of the most important Hussite commanders. In 1420, he participated in the Battle of Vyšehrad (https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2025/02/01/prague-4-day-21-na-vitezne-plani/), but left Prague shortly Continue reading
-
Prague 4, day 88: Bohuslava ze Švamberka
Bohuslava ze Švamberka was built in 1938. Bohuslav (the sixth) was the son of Bohuslav (the fifth), who was the highest judge in Bohemia from 1390 to 1398. The Švamberks were a noble Catholic family. In 1417, Václav IV asked him to ensure security (ie to protect Catholics from Hussites) in Western Bohemia. Within a Continue reading
-
Prague 4, day 87: Hradeckých
Hradeckých was built in 1931. This one can be explained by pointing to a few previous stories. Hradečtí are people from Hradec Králové, which, with 94,000 inhabitants, is Czechia’s eighth-largest city, and has a street named after it in Prague 3: https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2023/06/24/prague-3-day-176-hradecka/. By association, Hradečtí are also soldiers from Hradec Králové, and, near here, there Continue reading
-
Prague 4, day 81: Hvězdova
Hvězdova was built in 1900. Jan Hvězda, nicknamed Bzdinka, was born in Vícemilice (near Čáslav, and nowadays known as Licoměřice), but we know nothing else about his early years. In the summer of 1421, Hussite priest Jan Želivský (https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2022/11/19/prague-3-day-23-jana-zelivskeho/) launched a coup; in October, he suggested that Hvězda be appointed Chief Hetman of Prague. In Continue reading
-
Prague 4, day 26: Táborská
Originally, this was part of the road from Prague to České Budějovice and then on to Linz, and was therefore known as Linecká, Budějovická, or, reflecting its direct surroundings, Nuselská. From 1900 to 1940, and again from 1945 to 1947, it was named Palackého – see https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2024/08/31/prague-2-day-145-palackeho-namesti/ to learn about Mr Palacký. Tábor, population 34,000, Continue reading
-
Prague 4, day 21: Na Vítězné pláni
Na Vítězné pláni (On the Victory Plain) already existed in the first half of the 20th century, but wasn’t given its name until 1993. If you were ever a Czech schoolkid, you’ll be familiar with the Hussite Wars; if you weren’t, let’s take a trip back to 1420. In March, Pope Martin V issued a Papal Continue reading
-
Prague 4, day 19: Petra Rezka
Petra Rezka was built in 1931. Until 1948, the street was named Leflova, after Jindřich Lefl z Lažan, a Polish-Czech nobleman who initially supported Jan Hus, and gave him a place to hide, but later changed sides and was killed by the Hussites at the Battle of Vyšehrad (more on that in two days’ time). Continue reading
-
Prague 1, day 205: Mikulášská
Originally posted on X on 21 April 2024. And once again, I remind myself that ‘Mikuláš’ is Czech for ‘Nicholas’. Saint Nicholas (of Bari) died in 343, and was known for secret gift-giving, hence Dutch folklore coming up with Sinterklaas, who is one of the sources for Santa Claus. Saint Nicholas is also the patron Continue reading
-
Prague 1, day 190: Staroměstské náměstí (Old Town Square)
Published on X on 2 and 3 April 2024 (there was a fair amount to say). Part 1: the history In 1338, John of Luxembourg (King of Bohemia from 1310 to 1346) gave the Old Town permission to build itself a town hall. This seemed like the perfect location, as a major market had existed Continue reading
-
Prague 1, day 173: Michalská
Originally published on X on 16 March 2024. In the latter part of the 12th century, a Romanesque church was built round these parts. In the 1360s, the church was given a Gothic makeover (which was not so much a makeover as a virtual replacement of the entire building). The church became known for being Continue reading
-
Prague 1, day 171: Jilská
Originally published on X on 14 March 2024. ‘Jiljí’ is the Czech version of ‘Aegidius’. This is a name that’s changed more than many others when entering other languages – in English, we know it as ‘Giles’. Saint Giles, meanwhile, was born in Athens and is said to have founded the Abbey of Saint-Gilles in Continue reading
-
Prague 1, day 169: Husova
Originally published on X on 12 March 2024. Jan Hus was born around 1370, most likely in Husinec (https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2022/12/22/prague-3-day-115-husinecka/), and probably studied at the monastery in Prachatice until he was sixteen, when he moved to Prague. He later studied at Charles University, graduating in 1393, although he was much more interested in being a teacher Continue reading
-
Prague 1, day 160: Betlémské náměstí
Originally published on X on 3 March 2024. In the Middle Ages, there was a Romanesque church here devoted to Saints Philip and James – and so the accompanying street became known as U Filipa a Jakuba. Between 1391 and 1394, a chapel – the Bethlehem Chapel / Betlémská kaple was also constructed. The intention Continue reading
What's in a Prague street name 