National Theatre
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Prague 4, day 173: Bohuslava Martinů
Bohuslava Martinů was built in 1966. Bohuslav Martinů was born in a church in Polička (near Pardubice) in 1890. From 1906 to 1910, he attended the Prague Conservatory, studying the violin, the organ and composition, but didn’t complete his studies, partly because he was much more interested in exploring Prague (Bohuslav, I hear you). However, Continue reading
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Prague 1, day 163: Anenské náměstí
Originally published on X on 6 March 2024. In this spot, there was once a rotunda devoted to St Lawrence (Vavřinec). In 1230, the Knights Templar bought the land and had the rotunda expanded into a church. Pope Clement V disbanded the Knights Templar in 1312, largely due to the machinations of Philip IV of Continue reading
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Prague 1, day 105: Divadelní
Originally published on X on 6 January 2024. In 1845, František Palacký (https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2024/08/31/prague-2-day-145-palackeho-namesti/) submitted a request to the Bohemian Diet (i.e. the Czech Parliament) for the construction and management of an independent Czech theatre. This was granted in the same year, but it wasn’t until 1851 that a board was set up for the project, Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 148: Trojanova
Originally published on X on 7 April 2023. Trojanova was built in 1897. Trojanova replaced a smaller street called ‘Kočičí’ when the district was given a major facelift in the late 19th century. Kočičí translate as ‘feline’ or ‘cat-like’, which is therefore the best street name ever, and, no offence to Mr Trojan or anyone, Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 145: Palackého náměstí
Originally published on X on 4 April 2023. Palackého náměstí was created in 1896 as a result of renovation of the nearby embankment. From 1942 to 1945, this was Rudolfovo náměstí, after Rudolph II (1552-1612), the Habsburg who certainly made Prague a more fascinating cultural centre than ever, but whose actions also indirectly led to Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 44: Šubertova
Originally published on Twitter on 2o December 2022. Šubertova was built in 1905. Like Ibsenova (which is on the other side of the Vinohrady Theatre), this was originally called U divadla (By the Theatre). However, while what is now Ibsenova was renamed to Divadelní in 1920 (and Ibsenova in 1928), its other half maintained its Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 146: Zvonařova
Originally published on Twitter on 16 September 2022. Zvonařova was built in 1904. Josef Leopold Zvonař was born near in Kublov near Beroun in 1824. At the age of 18, he moved to Prague to train to study pedagogy, but, as he was already proficient in several instruments, music was a greater attraction. Therefore, he Continue reading
What's in a Prague street name 