Slavs
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Prague 1, day 95: Slovanský ostrov (Slavonic Island)
Originally published on X on 24 December 2023. The island was gradually formed by deposits of sand during the 16th century. It was initially settled by dyers, and therefore got the name of ‘Barvířský’ (a ‘dyer’ being a barvíř, derived from barva, which means colour). After flooding in 1784, walls were added to the island, Continue reading
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Prague 1, day 58: U Lužického semináře
Originally published on X on 3 November 2023. Before I get onto the seminar itself, here’s a (not terribly brief) guide to who would qualify as lužický: https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2024/02/14/prague-2-day-28-luzicka/ If you don’t want to read that: Sorbs are a Slavic ethnic group who currently live in Lusatia, which is in Saxony and Brandenburg in Germany. They Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 28: Lužická
Originally published on Twitter on 4 December 2022. Lužická was built around 1900. From 1940 to 1945, this was Rankova, after Leopold von Ranke (1795-1886), a historian and proponent of modern, source-based history. But Lužice / Lusatia / Lausitz / Łużyce is a historical territory, nowadays split between Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. Slavic Continue reading
What's in a Prague street name 