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Prague 1, day 221: Dvořákovo nábřeží
Originally published on X on 7 May 2024. Antonín Leopold Dvořák was born in Nelahozeves, in Mělník District, in 1841, as the eldest of nine children. He started learning the violin at the age of six, also studying music theory, piano and organ during his schooldays. In 1857, he went to Prague to study at Continue reading
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Prague 1, day 106: Národní (‘National’)
Originally published on X on 7 January 2024. Until 1781, there was a moat here, which had the somewhat inconvenient effect of separating the Old Town and the New Town. Therefore, it was decided to fill the ditch and create a street in its place. Originally called Nové Aleje (New Avenue), this later turned into Continue reading
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Prague 1, day 41: Thunovská
Originally published on X on 17 October 2023. In the 1300s, this area was given the hugely creative and cryptic name of ‘Pod stupni Pražského hradu’ (Under the steps of Prague Castle), and you can read about those steps here: https://whatsinapraguestreetname.com/2024/09/08/prague-1-day-40-zamecke-schody/ At some point, the name ‘Kavčí hora’ also appears, which will be hugely distracting Continue reading
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Prague 2, day 41: Londýnská
Originally published on Twitter on 17 December 2022. Londýnská was built in 1875. From 1875 to 1884, this was Tunelová, named after the tunnel under the street, connecting the main train station with the one in Nusle. Then it became Hálkova until 1926, after Vítězslav Hálek (1835-74), a poet, writer and journalist who was one Continue reading
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Prague 3, day 126: Náměstí Winstona Churchilla
Originally published on Twitter on 27 August 2022. Náměstí Winstona Churchilla was built in 1935. Until 1955, this was U Pensijního ústavu (‘At the Pension Institute’), named after the large functionalist building on the square, once the tallest office building in Czechoslovakia. It became known as the Dům odborových svazů (House of Trade Unions) in Continue reading
What's in a Prague street name 