Prague Blog

A beautiful historical city in the heart of Europe offers a wide range of activities that can be enjoyed after the sunset. You can enjoy your dinner in one of Prague’s fabulous restaurants, have a drink in a bar near the Old Town Square and spend the night dancing in a fancy club. You can also enjoy the spectacular view of Prague’s castle, National Theatre or Charles bridge while strolling in a historical district in Prague 1. An evening boat ride on Vltava river will become an unforgettable memory.

If you are into cultural life, Prague offers you a wide range of cultural events that are taking place in various theatres, movie theatres and concert halls. There are many theatres which provide its customers with great choice of performances such as operas, ballets, musicals or typical Czech plays. Black theatre is another popular form of evening amusement activity enjoyed especially by tourists. There are various black theatre scenes in the very centre of Prague.

Many local bands and international music stars choose Prague for the concerts. Prague is offering a wide spectrum of music played by bands in small pubs, cozy restaurants as well as large concerting halls. The most modern concert and event hall is called Sazka Arena. It was built in 2004 and since then many famous artists performed at this place. I will just mention few idols who did have a concert at this hall. Well-known names such as Shakira, David Guetta, Bob Dylan, Depeche Mode, Madonna and other world’s icons performed at Sazka Arena.

As you can see, Prague has many things on offer in the evening hours. Now you can start your Prague’s evening experience.

Aquapark Barrandov has a lot of ways for you to make sport or relax. For children there is a wading pool with a mini switchback and mini spouters. If you are courageous you can try the 115 metres long, red switchback. For those who have yet more courage there is the blue 62 metres long switchback, which you slip down on two-seat inflatable crafts. But if you only want to relax, try a whirlpool, massage jets and waterspouters. And when you are fed up with water, there are massage beds with massage air. For better swimmers there is wild river with artificial back flow. In the centre there you can also find a 25 metres long swimming pool.

Water temperature in the swimming pool is 27-28°C, in child’s swimming pool is 32°C, in wild river is 29°C and in a whirlpool is 33°C. Air temperature is 30 – 32°C.

Opennig hours:
Openning hours from 3.9.2007 – change is noted
 
Monday
9:00 – 22:00
9:00 – 11:30*
Tuesday
6:00 – 22:00
6:00 – 11:30*
Wednesday
6:00 – 22:00
6:00 – 11:30*
Thursday
6:00 – 22:00
6:00 – 11:30*
Friday
6:00 – 22:00
6:00 – 11:30*
Saturday
8:00 – 22:00

Sunday
8:00 – 22:00

limited service – reduced entrance fees:

At the time of limited service, switchbacks, the part of the 25m swimming pool and waterspouters do not work. One lane in the 25m swimming pool, a whirlpool, wild river, a recreational pool, child’s pool, 4 steam chests, massage beds and a water club are in service. Entrance fees are modified in a price list.

Price list
Entrance fees from 3.9.2007
 
100 min.
adults 129 CZK (4,3 €)
students, pensioners, ZTP 89 CZK (2,9 €)
children under 15 years 89 CZK (2,9 €)

190 min.
adults 240 CZK (8 €)
students, pensioners 160 CZK (5,3 €)
children under 15 years 160 CZK (5,3 €)

children under 3 years free

At the time of limited service, price is for all visitors 79 CZK (2.6 €) for 90 minutes. Additional charge for every 15 minutes over is 20 CZK (0,6 €).

You also have possibility to buy an advantageous season – ticket: 1,000 CZK (33,3 €) discount 10% , 3,000 CZK (100 €) discount 15% , 5,000 CZK (166,6 €) discount 20%.

Adress of Aquadream Centre is: Sidliste Barrandov, Wassermanova ulice, Praha 5 -Hlubocepy. Telephone number is: +420 251 550 259.

Restaurant Mirage Blue
Restaurant Mirage Blue is located in the area of aquacentre on the first floor with view of the swimming pool and switchbacks. This restaurant is opened not only for visitors of aquacentre, but also for the general public. Restaurant Mirage Blue offers amount of dishes from world cuisine and wide selection of fish, meat specialities, pasta and salads. At midday you can chose lunch from midday menu.
In the restaurant it is possible to use free internet. There is wi-fi net and you can use your own computer or computers which are available in restaurant. It is also possible to charter this restaurant or the whole aquacentre for some company events. If you take interest in it call: +420 251 681 085 or write on: aquapark@miragebar.cz.

Very precious and unique old Czech manuscript is to be seen in Prague Klementinum – the National Library of the Czech Republic – from 20th September to 6th January.

Codex Gigas, which is in possession of the Swedish National Library in Stockholm, is the biggest manuscript in the world. It measures approximately 90×50 centimeters and weights about 75 kilos! This wonderful thick book is also known under names Gigas Librorum, Liber Pergandis or the Devil’s Bible. It was created in the first half of the 13th century, most probably in 1229, in the Benedictine convent in Podlazice, close to town of Chrudim. But nothing is sure about the author or reasons why and for whom was this huge manuscript originally made. Historians suggest, that this amazing book, which was considered as a world miracle in the middle ages, may have been created by one person, who dedicated maybe even 20 years of his life to its creation.

There is a legend explaining the creation of this amazing work of 624 pages. It says that there lived a monk in the Podlazice monastery, who was for his evil crime sentenced to immuring alive. To avoid a punishment, he promised to write the biggest book in the whole world during one single night – and this would not be possible without a help of the devil. As an act of gratitude, the monk painted the devil’s picture in the book. And this drawing, full page and colorful picture, is the most noticeable part of the whole opus.

The book is composed from different texts: the Bible, precepts for priests, magical formulas and so on, but especially there is the Chronica Bohemorum – The Czech Chronicle. Although created in the Podlazice monastery, by the time the book became possession of other different Czech monasteries, later ended up in the collections of the emperor Rudolf II. and from there Swedish army stole it during the 30 years war. Klementinum now offers possibility to see it again back in Czech. Especially because of this exhibit was even built a special safe depository room here.
Exhibition, which presents not only the book itself, but also details of its fate and history, is probably one of the most important Prague events of this fall for all history lovers.

Well, it seems now that all Prague monuments are being reconstructed at the moment. That is great news for all who love Prague and old architecture. However, it is not as good news for those who came to Prague to admire its famous sights.

Take the example of Charles Bridge. It is the number one on every tourist’s must-see list. And yet, they find their symbol of Prague under reconstruction. Yes, Yes, I know that it is really needed. The bridge was in a bad shape for way too long. Nevertheless I can picture myself as an eager tourist who has come all the way to Prague and instead of seeing the celebrated Charles Bridge, he or she gets a building site(even when the other half of the bridge is opened).

And Charles Bridge is not the only sightseeing which is now undergoing some rebuilding. The monument of a philosopher and reformer Jan Hus that is placed in the middle of the Old Town Square is also being renovated. Working conditions can be found on Wenceslas Square as well. I have not deciphered what they have actually been working on there.

Not to mention other sites like the Memorial at Vitkov or the National Theater where the statues on the roof are in the process of reconstruction as well. In the same condition you may find the Prague’s main train station (Hlavni Nadrazi in Czech).

But it is to say that Prague is not only about Charles Bridge, Old Town Square or Wenceslas Square. Prague has so much more to offer.

I admit, though, that if you are in Prague for the first time, you may be disappointed. I would be mad myself. Pictures with scaffoldings are somewhat not as appealing. Nevertheless, all those reconstructions are necessary. We mustn’t be selfish. We must preserve the beauty of Prague for other generations as well.

Bambini di Praga was established after WW II. It was a concept of post-war Czechoslovak radio. The official title of the choir was the Children‘s choir of Czechoslovak Radio, but they were called “Kulincata” (Kulinsky’s Children). This choir originated in Ostrava – Hrabuvka in Moravia. Young teacher Bohumil Kulinsky founded his first choir and called it the Hrabuvka singers. It was an excellent choir and in the year of its foundation it won a country-wide anonymous competition of children choirs. It was the competition which was announced by School radio in the then Nazi-occupied Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. And so the choirmaster of the victorious choir was invited to the post-war Czechoslovak radio. It happened in September 1945. Since then the children’s choir could be heard on waves of Czechoslovak radio for almost 30 years.

It was the successful era. The choir became one of the top bodies of choir art. A lot of Czech musical composers were inspired to create new, most demanding compositions. Many of great singers, actors, musicians, writers and even politicians attended this choir. For instance: Zdena Salivarova-Skvorecka, Marta Vancurova, Jiri Korn, Jana Koubkova, Vera Novakova, Zdenka Lorencova, Petr Janda, Jaroslav Uhlir and our current President Vaclav Klaus.

In 1973 co-operation with Czechoslovak radio was suddenly broken off without explanation. They had to left the radio and had no place to practise. But soon an opportunity to practise at a Prague basic school appeared. The school was situated on Lyckovo square in the district of Karlin, where the choir established itself for 29 years, until the floods on August 2002. Since 1973 they were called “Bambini di Praga”. In 1977 Bohumil Kulinsky junior took over the choir and became choirmaster. Before it, in 1977, he created the fourth generation of the “Kulincata” – “Bimbi di Praga”. In the “Bimbi” there were the most talented and youngest singers. Nowadays the choir Bambini di Praga represents the top of Czech choir singing and is one of the leading representants of Czech musical art abroad.
In the dynasty of the Kulinsky family there is also short episode – Boys‘ choir of the Prague men’s FOK. It was directed by Blanka Kulinska. This male collective was attended by excellent and highly successful musicians and actors like David Koller, Petr Malasek, Jan Censky, Tomas Trapl, Martin Kumzak and Radek Krejci.

The Bambini di Praga choir has been guest on many stages around the world, for example: in Paris, Berlin, Rome, Helsinki, Leipzig, Tokyo, New York, Osaka, Hong Kong, Jerusalem, Monte Carlo, Abu Dhabi, Boston, Johannesburg, Oslo, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, and elsewhere.

The members of the Bambini di Praga’s concert choir are children from 5 to 12. They studied choral singing, music theory, intonation and rythm and also English language and motion training.

Czech Republic is well-known for beer production as well as beer consumption. Czech people are probably doing even better with the consumption since Czech Republic is the number one nation in the world known for beer consumption.

If you come to Prague, you should try Czech beer. You should experience the great refreshening taste of a golden colour brewed beverage. In Czech Republic you can choose in between draft or bottled beer. Draft beer is always of a very good quality. If you come to a typical Czech pub and indulge yourself into a glass of beer, you will definitely experience friendly atmosphere of the environment.

The best place in Prague to experience “the friendly beer atmosphere” is the restaurant U Fleku. This restaurant offers 13 degree draft beer (rather a strong beer). This beer is prepared according to the traditional brewing process and its taste is incommutable. The brewery U fleků was founded in 1499 and ever since, people came to this place to enjoy the taste of delicious beer as well as Czech cuisine specialties. Beer is a delightful temptation and before you finish your first glass, there will be another one in front of you. While you are smoothly drinking the second glass of beer, waiters will start bringing typical czech herbal spirit Becherovka. If you get hungry by that point, you can order a typical czech dish for very inexpensive prices. The atmosphere of this place is very friendly, and you will get chance to talk to interesting people while sipping your third or fourth beer.

There are other places where you can try the taste of a Czech beer such as Pilsner Urquell or Budweiser Budvar. If you come to Prague, don’t forget to try the Czech beer. Your visit would be incomplete without indulging yourself into one glass…

Petr Kolar is one of the most popular singers in the Czech Republic. He is also a holder of a brilliant voice. If you would like to see and hear this charismatic man, you are lucky. On 24th September, he started a tour called “Petr Kolar 40” which is related to his jubilee. This tour will finish on 7th November in Prague.

Petr Kolar on tour to his 40th birthday
His new album called “Without wings” gained the award Gold Album in less than a week. It was released on 24th September, so you can look forward to new songs which they have never heard before, but also to older songs. The songs will be performed as blocks from each period of Petr’s production. And so everyone could hear what he/she likes the most.

Slovakian band I.M.T Smile is the guest on the tour. Petr Kolar says, “I feel myself like Czechoslovak, so that’s why I addressed these boys. I would like to perform in Slovakia but since the time we have split there have been less possibilities. So I would like to help boys to perform here in the Czech Republic and I hope they will help me in Slovakia.”

Petr Kolar was born in Ceske Budejovice. He studied percussion play and began his career after his arrival to Prague in 1993. He started to perform in musicals as Dracula, Hamlet, Ratcatcher, Three musketeers, Galileo, Excalibur and so on. He also performed with bands – Precedens, Arakain, than he cooperated with legendary Karel Svoboda and other famous persons like Lucie Bila, Karel Gott, Peter Dvorsky, Eva Urbanova, Daniel Landa, Daniel Hulka and so on. His best hits are: “Jeste, ze te, lasko mam” or “Den, kdy se vrati laska” (together with Leona Machalkova) it was song for the soap opera “Pojistovna stesti” of TV Nova. In 2005 he left the bands and released his own album called “Album”.

If you want to hear romantic rock balads, a lot of hits and a great show, come to Letna in Prague on 7th November. The concert will take place in AC Sparta’s basketball hall. Tickets are available at Petr Kolar official website

“Music washes the dust of everyday life away from the soul.”  ~Berthold Auerbach

The Czech Philharmony‘s very first concert was on 4th January 1896 at the Rudolfinum and was conducted by Antonin Dvorak. In 1901, Ludvik Celansky became the first Chief Conductor. Then Vaclav Talich took up the Chief Conductor’s baton. He was the first internationally known conductor and conducted totaly 924 concerts and he is considered the founder of its interpretational tradition. After Talich’s great sucess, other outstanding conductors came. The period from 1950 to 1968 is considered the orchestra’s greatest period of artistic development. It was under Karel Ancerl’s leadership.

The orchestra gained a reputation as a first-class ensemble of the world. Karel Ancerl continued in his plan in the tradition of his forerunners, it means that he continued in the Czech repertoire, but enriched it by works of foreign composers. For example by works of Stravinsky, Strauss, Bartók, Shostakovich, and Prokofiev. At the beginning of the 2003/2004 season, Zdeněk Mácal became the tenth Chief Conductor of the Czech Philharmonic. Philharmony’s reputation has been furthered by internationally-esteemed guest conductors since the beginning of its existence – Edvard Grieg, Eugene Ysaye, Sergey Rachmaninoff, Artur Nikisch, and Gustav Mahler.

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra also performed abroad and it contributed to its international renown. The orchestra’s reputation within Europe was built already before the war. They performed in Great Britain where they guest to this day. Above all in the prestigious BBC Proms and at the Edinburgh Festival. In the first concert overseas in 1959, the Orchestra performed in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, China, India, and the Soviet Union.

On January 4th, 2006, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra celebrated its 110th year of existence in the best state of artistic well-being imaginable, and is about to launch its 111th concert season. Concernig the newest orchestra’s released CD – recordings made for the Japanese market has met big acclaim. Czech Philharmony and Zdenek Macal together with Octavia Records have been progressively working on record the complete symphonies of Antonín Dvořák, Gustav Mahler, P. I. Tchaikovsky and Johannes Brahms.
Everything concernig Czech Philharmonic orchestra, other informations, prices, tickets and concert schedule, you can find at the websites.

On September 5th, the Mayor of Prague Pavel Bem together with the President of the Czech Olympic Committee Milan Jirasek signed the letter in which they applied for candidature for organizing Olympic Games in 2016. Is it an unreal dream or a good and achievable idea? The Czech nation is riven. Some people believe that Olympic Games could make the Czech Republic visible and that we can make a profit on it. On the other hand there are opinions concerning corruption and economic collapse. I will write some informations about this “big action” for you to make your own opinion.

Olympic Games will cost 135 milliard CZK. This amount was counted by financial experts from PriceWaterhouse Coopers who produced economic analysis of the project “Praha olympijska” (Olympic Prague). “The state will share approximately 28% costs which is about 37 milliard CZK (1,23 milliard €) and 660 millions €) fall to Prague. The rest of the costs will be covered by revenues of International Olympic Committee for media rights, tickets etc.”, said Tomas Petera, the chairman of generaly beneficial company Praha olympijska. He also said that all concept of Olympic Games will be completed in the middle of November and that the development of approximately 130 sport fields in 70 towns or places in the whole Czech Republic is being envisaged. However there are other expenses for building infrastructure – motorways, beltway in Prague etc. which will cost other 487 milliard CZK (16,23 milliards €). There could be also other cities hosting Olympic Games; for example: Ostrava, Olomouc, Brno, Jihlava, Plzen, Racice and Lipno.

The Czech President Vaclav Klaus is belongs people who are not obviously for Olympic Games. He sees the estimations of profitable Olympic Games as impossible. According to him, If we want to make the Olympics, we should stand for it and don’t look at the costs. He also claims that we should simultaneously say that the Games will be at the expense of a lot of things.

So what do you think now? Is the Czech Republic prepaired for that big event? Or you think that there are other things which should be financed and Olympic Games are a waste of money…

Joe Cocker comes to present his new album Hymn for my soul on 12th December to Prague. This charismatic British singer is called “the father of white soul”. He will play music from his new album and also songs which made him famous.

Joe Cocker was born in Sheffield, England on May 20, 1944. In 1966, by day he worked as an apprentice gas fitter and by night he became Vance Arnold, and sang with The Avengers in rough Sheffield pubs in a dark suit and a bow tie. In 1963 his big moment came. They forerunned The Rolling Stones in Sheffield City Hall and brought the house down. In 1967 Cocker released his first single, a cover-version of The Beatles “I’ll Cry Instead”. His band Joe Cocker Big Blue got a large following.

Then Joe met the man called the greatest musician in the world, Chris Stainton. With Chris The Grease Band was formed. Joe sang at rock festivals and concerts all over the world. In 1987 he married Pam, a suppoting wife, according to his words. On his official websites you can read that among many prestigious shows, he has played for British royalty at a “Princes Trust Gala,” “Nelson Mandela’s Birthday Concert,” the “Konzert for Berlin” that celebrated the breaching of the Wall and, in his adopted homeland of America, the inauguration ceremony for President George Bush.

So come and see this rock legend in Sazka Arena in Prague. Buy the tickets in Sazkaticket and Ticketrpo. Prices range from 790 CZK (26,3 €)to 1290 CZK (43 €).