Jan Hus
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Prague 3, day 115: Husinecká
Originally published on Twitter on 16 August 2022. Husinecká was built in 1889. In 1898, a nearby street, Ambrožova (not the current one which is discussed under https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2022/11/21/prague-3-day-68-ambrozova/) was merged into Husinecká. Husinec (current population approx. 1,400) is a village in the Prachatice district in South Bohemia. It’s best known as the supposed birthplace of… Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 113: Kostnické náměstí
Originally published on Twitter on 14 August 2022. Kostnické náměstí was built in 1889. Kostnice is the Czech name for the German town that we’re allowed to call either Konstanz or Constance in English. It lies on Lake Constance, which you’ll hear many people calling Bodensee instead. Konstanz became a major spiritual centre in the 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 78: Chelčického
Originally published on Twitter on 10 July 2022. Chelčického was built in 1885. Petr Chelčický (1379-1460-ish) was most likely a pseudonym for Petr Záhorka, born in the Chelčice region (in South Bohemia). He was a writer, translator and theologian, one of the most important figures of the Czech Reformation. He didn’t have a university education, 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 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 26: Viklefova
Originally published on Twitter on 19 May 2022. Viklefova was built in 1930. It’s named after John Wycliffe (1320-1384-ish), an English theologian, and one of the first to translate the Bible into Middle English, though historians say he may not have done much of the translation himself. Wycliffe also wrote that papal claims of temporal 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
What's in a Prague street name 