Czechia, as it is now known, has that unique distinction of having been created peacefully when the old Czechoslovakia split into Czechia and Slovakia. We can’t always say the same about other European nations.

This has been my home since 2012 and a great number of articles related to Czech life, culture and history show how I’ve fallen in love with this beautiful Central European country.

Articles about Czechia, by region

Select one of the Czech regions to drill down and see articles and stories connected to it.

All my Czechia articles

• Einstein in Prague April 22, 2024 - Albert Einstein developed key aspects of relativity during his 1911-1912 stay in Prague, lecturing at the local university. Continue Reading
• The Samo Empire February 21, 2024 - Samo, a French arms dealer, became king after leading a Slavic federation to victory against the Turks. He established the first Slavic state, which dissolved… Continue Reading
• St Stephen’s missing rotunda November 15, 2023 - The Rotunda of St Stephen in Prague, was part of the Christianization effort in Bohemia. Constructed in the Benedictine-owned village of Na Rybničku, the rotunda… Continue Reading
• The fake and fatal border crossing July 20, 2023 - The way a communist state handles border control is key to handling internal dissidents. It's always about tracking who goes out, as well as who… Continue Reading
• Air Battle over the Ore Mountains March 24, 2023 - On 11 September 1944, a massive, intense air battle took place over the mountains between Germany and what was then Czechoslovakia. The memory of this… Continue Reading
• Double agent Colonel Alfred Redl February 22, 2023 - Colonel Alfred Redl was chief of intelligence for Austro-Hungary at the beginning of the 20th century. He also was a double-agent for Russia, France and… Continue Reading
• The German expulsion December 28, 2022 - I've written lots about how Germany and German influences affected Bohemia and Czechia. This is what led to a backlash after World War II. This… Continue Reading
• The solstice and the double-sunset October 25, 2022 - Prague is full of esoteric and exotic features, which makes a random walk around the city a magnificent way of spotting all that the City… Continue Reading
• The Red Tower of Death September 5, 2022 - In western Czechia, there is a grim reminder of how the Communists treated prisoners. This article explains what the Red Tower of Death is, and… Continue Reading
• The fake ruins of Baba July 20, 2022 - Europe is full of ruins that paint a delightful picture of its turbulent past. It's not every day you can see ruins that are as… Continue Reading
• The Czech-German tri-point July 13, 2022 - Accidents of geography have determined as much of world history and culture as anything else. Rivers and mountains became natural, then political, borders. The Czech… Continue Reading
• Sensational Egyptian imagery in a Catholic church May 28, 2022 - There is a Roman Catholic church in Prague which has Egyptian imagery on its walls. Since Catholicism tried to get rid of many pagan rituals,… Continue Reading
• The occult plot to kill Hitler March 22, 2021 - Before World War II, Czechoslovak occultists tried to use black magic to kill Hitler. It sounds like the plot to a Hollywood B-movie, and in… Continue Reading
• The big Celtic invasion of central Europe January 18, 2021 - The word Celtic drums up images of Ireland and other parts of the British Isles. Some of us may even know of the Celtic connection… Continue Reading
• Operation NEPTUNE January 4, 2021 - You may think 'fake news' is a modern invention, but you'd be wrong. One of Czechoslovakia's most famous disinformation campaigns was Operation NEPTUNE. This article… Continue Reading
• Father Toufar – tortured by communists September 14, 2020 - Czechoslovak communists tortured Czech priest Josef Toufar in 1949 for a miracle which may or may not have happened. This article describes the story and… Continue Reading
• Prague’s Invalidovna August 24, 2020 - If you ask many people in Prague about 'Invalidovna' they'd be more likely to direct you to the metro stop of that name. Few know… Continue Reading
• The Soviets wanted to ‘protect’ Czechoslovakia August 17, 2020 - Following the fall of the Iron Curtain Soviet troops started to leave Europe. Czechoslovakia, as it then still was, was happy that the ‘temporary deployment’… Continue Reading
• The Rotunda of the finding of the Holy Cross July 13, 2020 - Prague's early chapels and churches seem to all have been rotundas. At least, that's all we seem to have left. Close to the Vltava river,… Continue Reading
• The Great Moravian Empire June 15, 2020 - I grew up with a Mediterranean-centric view of history, so I'm fascinated by stories of Central and Eastern Europe. Learning them for the first time… Continue Reading
• The church that moved June 8, 2020 - We often hear of buildings being “in the way” of new developments. It’s a constant argument between conservationists and modernisers. Sometimes, ancient treasures are even… Continue Reading
• The Allied bombing of Prague May 18, 2020 - During World War II, Prague wasn't as affected by bombing as many other European cities were. This was because planes didn’t have the range to… Continue Reading
• The improvements to Bouzov castle May 11, 2020 - Many people marvel at European historical sites. Few realise that what we see today may be quite different from what was in use. People restored,… Continue Reading
• St Martin’s rotunda April 13, 2020 - I'm fascinated by the rotundas in Prague. This city has more of them than I'd ever seen in my life. St Martin's rotunda sits inside… Continue Reading
• Italian political prisoners in Czechia March 30, 2020 - One of the most dangerous secret societies in 19th century Italy was the Carbonari. Fighting for a united Italy, many across Europe feared them and… Continue Reading
• Prague’s mysterious menhir March 2, 2020 - Prague has continued to expand in the same way many other cities have grown over the centuries. We may never know what they used the… Continue Reading
• The World War II Death Marches February 17, 2020 - While travelling overland across Europe, it’s easy to enjoy the scenery and hospitality without a second thought to horrific acts which took place over the… Continue Reading
• The startling story behind the Hebrew inscription February 3, 2020 - One of the more curious sights on Prague’s Charles Bridge is that of Hebrew script on a Roman Catholic crucifix. The crucifix is a religious… Continue Reading
• The amazing Koněprusy caves January 27, 2020 - The Koněprusy cave complex is in the middle of a nature reserve and is 40 km away from Prague. Don’t think this is a mere… Continue Reading
• The lost rotunda of St Wenceslas January 6, 2020 - Rotundas used to be common in Central Europe. Prague was no exception and it is a shame so many have disappeared. This article explains how… Continue Reading
• The trek to Drahotuše castle ruins December 16, 2019 - The Drahotuše ruins are magnificent - huge gnarled tree trunks grow through these ruins abandoned since the 15th century. Apart from a brisk hike through… Continue Reading
• A photographic ode to Holešovice November 25, 2019 - If there is one constant in life, it’s that things never remain the same. Like all neighbourhoods, the one I live in, Holešovice, changes too.… Continue Reading
• Frydberk castle November 18, 2019 - The criminals who built Frydberk ? castle terrorised the Bohemian countryside in mediaeval times. Conquered, plundered, turned into a ? brewery and then the Church… Continue Reading
• The truth behind the Sudetenland November 4, 2019 - Before living in Prague I thought I knew about the Sudetenland and how Hitler annexed it before World War II. There’s a lot I’ve learnt… Continue Reading
• The surprising connection between Prague and Rome October 28, 2019 - Architectural connections between cities are interesting because they show how influences affect architects visions. The connection alone tells a story about how something came to be. In this… Continue Reading
• The Punctation of Olomouc: Prussia vs Austria October 21, 2019 - The small town of Olomouc in Moravia is the place were the issue of German unity became a sore point in the 19th century between… Continue Reading
• The death of Tycho Brahe September 30, 2019 - One of the many illustrious people who lived in Prague was the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. He came for the mysteries of alchemy, and he… Continue Reading
• Prehistoric memes – the Funnel Beaker culture September 23, 2019 - We can only identify ancient civilisations by what they leave behind. It sounds obvious to say this in the absence of written records. Archeologists also… Continue Reading
• Prague’s pentecostal uprising September 9, 2019 - In 1848, Prague citizens rebelled against their Austro-Hungarian rulers. Was this similar to the French revolution, also in 1848? Or was it a sign of… Continue Reading
• Milada Horáková: Czech resistance fighter September 2, 2019 - People who speak out against a regime ? are targeted. We think this happens in dictatorships but a democratic society can face the wrath of… Continue Reading
• Český Šternberk Castle August 26, 2019 - It’s not everyday you find castles still owned by the original family. Czechia's Český Šternberk ? towers over the town of the same name, and… Continue Reading
• The Infant Jesus of Prague August 12, 2019 - The Infant Jesus of Prague statue is a key point of interest for many tourists visiting Prague's Church of Our Lady Victorious. This article explains… Continue Reading
• The man who was buried alive August 5, 2019 - There are many legends of accidental burial. I hadn't encountered a real story about this sort of thing until I saw the tomb of Count… Continue Reading
• The Lasting effects of the Thirty Years’ War November 26, 2018 - I've written plenty of articles about the effects of the 30 Years' war on Prague and Czechia in general. I knew bits and pieces of… Continue Reading
• How to find the hidden mysteries of alchemy in Prague November 12, 2018 - Prague has alchemical symbols hiding in plain sight. Regular readers will be familiar with some of these. There is a larger pattern of alchemical symbols… Continue Reading
• For people who love exploring old castle ruins October 29, 2018 - I’ve often seen forts and castles built according to the geography of the land. I’d never seen one designed according to the material used to… Continue Reading
• The Lost Walls of Prague’s New Town October 15, 2018 - I've written about the walls of Prague's Old Town, which the city destroyed. It's unfortunate they removed such a historical feature. Once Prague had a… Continue Reading
• How to see a quarter of Bohemia in one go October 1, 2018 - About an hour's drive north-east of Prague, the Gothic Bezděz castle watches over the region of Liberec. The view from the top of the Devil's… Continue Reading
• Do you know where the Gates to Hell are? September 10, 2018 - Houska Castle is a thirteenth century castle in the middle of a large unpopulated area in Bohemia. It's only an hour's drive north from Prague… Continue Reading
• The Hated and Feared Czech Witch Hunter August 27, 2018 - In 1678, Jindřich František Boblig arrived in the small town of Velke Losiny in Northern Moravia. It was the beginning of a horrifying nightmare from… Continue Reading
• The surprising secret behind Bohemian Renaissance June 18, 2018 - I yawned as I weaved my way through the road works on the motorway out of Prague. I was on my way to see the… Continue Reading
• The surprising tunnel under Prague 7 June 11, 2018 - Sixteenth century Prague was smaller than it is today. Prague Castle was the only part of the city north of the river. The neighbourhood which… Continue Reading
• The superstition behind Charles Bridge May 7, 2018 - Every visitor to Prague ends up on the Charles Bridge. There is a magnificent view of the castle and the city from there, so it… Continue Reading
• Jičin – A scenic Bohemian pit stop April 16, 2018 - Driving through Bohemia heading to (or from) Poland means driving through some beautiful landscapes. If you're looking for a pit stop but don't want a… Continue Reading
• The Cannonballs of Prague’s Church April 9, 2018 - Of all the wars Prague was an active participant in, few leave their mark on the city today. One exception is on the church of Charlemagne… Continue Reading
• Terrorist attack in Prague March 5, 2018 - Olga Hepnarová is not a name that is familiar to many people even in Czechia. She is infamous here as the last woman to be… Continue Reading
• I didn’t know about these connections between Malta and Prague February 19, 2018 - I no longer am surprised at unusual connections between places. I've travelled enough over the years to know many things are connected in the strangest… Continue Reading
• The Possessed Fairy Tale Farmhouse February 12, 2018 - If a building is abandoned for a long enough time, it doesn't take long before stories about hauntings begin to emerge. In Czechia, the Fairy Tale… Continue Reading
• Sychrov Chateau: A Czech-French Chateau January 29, 2018 - Picture the situation: It's the French revolution and you are a member of the French nobility. What's the best way of making sure your head… Continue Reading
• Finding Prague’s lost Old Town fortifications January 22, 2018 - Tourists from the New World chuckle when they read that Prague's New Town dates back to the 14th century. The New World barely existed in… Continue Reading
• St Christopher and the Alchemist December 18, 2017 - Prague's Charles Bridge is adorned with statues that accompany tourists on their walk across the Vltava river. St Christopher's statue is one of the more… Continue Reading
• Loučeň Castle November 27, 2017 - Most stately homes and castles in Czechia close for the winter months. I suppose not many people enjoy traipsing around an unheated building when it's -20… Continue Reading
• Immortalising the Devil November 13, 2017 - People decorate their houses with different things - statues, sculptures, art; that sort of thing. It isn't often that I see decorations related to devils,… Continue Reading
• The House of the Two Bears October 30, 2017 - Tucked into the entrance of an alley beside the road leading to Prague's Old Town Square lies the House of Two Bears. The imagery, which… Continue Reading
• The Jilted Turkish lover October 16, 2017 - We're used to haunted stories about ghosts, strange creatures and brutal deaths. In Prague, there also is a haunting by a jilted lover. Continue Reading
• The Bullet Holes in the Gas Tank October 2, 2017 - A gas tank is not the sort of thing most people put on your "Must see" list. In the Prague suburbs, there is one of… Continue Reading
• Konopiště Castle and World War I September 25, 2017 - No more than a 30-minute train ride south of Prague you can visit Konopiště castle. This is where the Archduke Franz Ferdinand travelled from when… Continue Reading
• The flaming skeleton of Prague September 18, 2017 - There are many ghost stories surrounding a medieval city like Prague. The most spectacular ghost (if you see him) is the flaming skeleton riding a… Continue Reading
• Illuminati symbols in Catholic Churches? September 11, 2017 - As I explore and stroll through churches and public buildings I can't help but notice patterns and symbols. Often, these symbols explain something to me.… Continue Reading
• The not-so-old part of historical Prague September 4, 2017 - As tourists, we tend to make the mistake of assuming that any structure which looks suitably old is automatically ancient. It's easy to walk around… Continue Reading
• The Mansion that thinks it’s a Castle August 28, 2017 - About an hour's drive from Prague, you can discover the grandly named Mnichovo Hradiště castle. I say "grandly named" because it is nothing more than… Continue Reading
• The Headless Templar of Prague August 21, 2017 - Close to the Old Town Square, between midnight and 1:00 am, you may witness the Headless Templar of Prague riding past. Or maybe you won't.… Continue Reading
• Prague’s Marian Column August 7, 2017 - Prague’s Old Town Square used to contain one of the largest sundials I’ve ever heard of. Judging by reports in the local news, it just… Continue Reading
• Charles’ Crown Castle July 31, 2017 - As architectural designs go, insisting on a new castle that resembles a crown is quite original. Wanting this sort of thing to impress the king… Continue Reading
• The Stone Lamb House in Prague May 29, 2017 - Prague's Old Town Square is a feast for the eyes. Everywhere you look, buildings are either architectural marvels or have detailed facades. It's easy to… Continue Reading
• The Cathedral of Bones May 22, 2017 - I seem to have written many morbid articles about ossuaries, ghosts and skeletons lately. There are plenty of these stories here in Czechia so this… Continue Reading
• Naked Butt Guy on a Church May 1, 2017 - There is plenty to enjoy about Gothic architecture - the scale, the beauty, the decor. If you know what to look for, you may find… Continue Reading
• Prague’s Metronome – and Communist Past April 24, 2017 - With a hand that is around 75 feet long (22.8 metres), the metronome that waves above Prague is impressive enough as it is. Its location… Continue Reading
• The con man who sold the Eiffel Tower April 17, 2017 - One of the smoothest con men who ever lived managed to fool people into buying France's Eiffel Tower from him. Twice. His name is Victor… Continue Reading
• Laura – The Headless Ghost in Prague April 10, 2017 - I blinked as a few droplets of rain got in my eye. Behind me a night tram trundled away into the city leaving me in the… Continue Reading
• Brno’s Twisted Pinnacle April 3, 2017 - Brno is a lovely collection of stories. Apart from the bells that ring an hour early, there is also a bent pinnacle on the Gothic… Continue Reading
• The Sundial Protecting Prague March 27, 2017 - Tourists in Prague know of the cable car that takes them up to the top of Petrin Hill. Some also stop in the park which… Continue Reading
• The Brno Ossuary March 6, 2017 - An ossuary is a building where human remains are stored. To be precise, it's considered to be a final resting place for human remains. In… Continue Reading
• Prague executed 27 noblemen February 27, 2017 - Like all medieval cities, Prague had its fair share of brutality and executions. One particular execution of 27 noblemen is faithfully recorded in the paving… Continue Reading
• The Bells that Changed the Future February 6, 2017 - The Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul watches over the city of Brno in Czechia. Its towers are a fine example of Gothic Revival… Continue Reading
• The Ještěd Tower January 23, 2017 - The snow melted into my boots, making me shiver. I was standing at a tram stop a few minutes away from one of the highest… Continue Reading
• Celebrate Mozart in Prague – A Walking Tour January 16, 2017 - The name 'Mozart' is indelibly linked with Vienna, and rightly so. He visited Prague too and his itinerary is well documented: In January 1787, he… Continue Reading
• The Prague Merman January 2, 2017 - Mermaids are a feature of most culture's mythology (Have you read my article about Warsaw yet?) but Prague is slightly unique in that it has… Continue Reading
• The Two Suns of Prague December 19, 2016 - An enigmatic cartouche of two suns watches you as you walk up to Prague's famous Castle complex. On either end of the suns, two faces in… Continue Reading
• Renaissance Pavillions … and Communism? December 5, 2016 - The Royal Garden beside the castle in Prague is a joy to behold. There is a Renaissance pavilion there which seems to have a connection… Continue Reading
• Prague’s Golden Apples November 21, 2016 - Prague castle boasts one of the most spectacular views of the city. On your way up, you can see the Golden Apples of Greek mythology… Continue Reading
• The Communist Clock of Olomouc November 14, 2016 - In Prague, tourists push one another to catch a glimpse of the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square. In Olomouc, there are not that many… Continue Reading
• The Stone Column House November 7, 2016 - I've written about many alchemists legends and stories in Prague. The city has many other symbols and images on its beautiful facades which you just cannot… Continue Reading
• The Golden Ship of Prague October 24, 2016 - Wandering the back streets of Prague, it's easy to forget you're in a bustling city. Prague is like that - busy in one street but quiet and… Continue Reading
• The Bridges of Prague October 10, 2016 - Prague's lengthy promenades along the river Vltava are one of the most underrated features of the city. Walking along them using the bridges as stepping stones… Continue Reading
• A Gargoyle of a Czech Boy September 26, 2016 - Gargoyles are a common feature on Gothic or medieval buildings. They are primarily meant to ensure water does not trickle down masonry, but some of… Continue Reading
• The House of the Golden Hive September 12, 2016 - The centre of Prague certainly has many legends and stories associated with it. This is quite obvious; the centre is older than the outskirts so… Continue Reading
• The Golden Wheel August 22, 2016 - The thoroughfare in Prague between the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square is always packed. As tourists cross the junction with Rytirska street, many don't… Continue Reading
• The Mummified Thief’s Arm August 8, 2016 - Dodge behind the impressive Old Town Square in the heart of Prague. In the winding streets just off the Royal Way, you will find the… Continue Reading
• The Statue of a Bearded Lady June 6, 2016 - Once you leave the famous Prague castle complex, most people tend to saunter down the hill back to the city centre. This is a shame… Continue Reading
• The Bohemian Chapel of Bones May 23, 2016 - About 20 minutes' drive north of Prague lies the small town of Melnik. Its tall church belfry squatting on the top of the hill, overlooking a wide… Continue Reading
• St Valentine’s Shoulder in Prague May 16, 2016 - I've written about saintly relics before. They exist all over the world because there is a belief that proximity to even part of a saint… Continue Reading
• The Tongue of St John (Of Nepomuk) April 25, 2016 - I've written before about the Czech saint St John of Nepomuk - but I hadn't visited the main church dedicated to him, right in the… Continue Reading
• Prague’s Golden Sun March 28, 2016 - I've written about the Black Sun of Prague and the connection between esotericism and this symbol. Prague also features a Golden Sun on the facade… Continue Reading
• The Black Sun of Prague February 8, 2016 - I've written about symbols visible in Celetna Street in Prague - The Black Madonna, the White Peacock and the Powder Tower. At No 8, you can see… Continue Reading
• The Myth of Sylvanus January 4, 2016 - Throughout the ages, man had a certain respect for nature. Many cultures imagined that there must be some spirit or god responsible for nature and… Continue Reading
• The Spooky Statue of a Rotting Corpse December 7, 2015 - Prague's castle complex is one of the beauties of this Bohemian city. It also contains a spooky statue of a skeletal rotting corpse, a woman with… Continue Reading
• The Significance of the Alchemist’s White Peacock November 23, 2015 - I've written about the Royal Way in Prague - the path that the procession to a coronation would take through the city of Prague. I've… Continue Reading
• The Best Places to View a City from November 9, 2015 - If there is one thing that fascinates me about cities, it is the view from the top of a skyscraper. Nothing quite beats the moment… Continue Reading
• The Legend of St John’s 5 Stars November 2, 2015 - Uniquely amongst Catholic saints, the statue of the Bohemian St John of Nepomuk has 5 stars on its halo. Catholic tradition usually portrays the Virgin… Continue Reading
• Prague’s Darth Vader October 5, 2015 - There are many things Prague is known for - Charles Bridge, the Prague castle, weekend breaks - but connections with Darth Vader tend to be… Continue Reading
• Evidence of The Prussian Invasion of Prague August 17, 2015 - The Seven Years' War took place between 1756 & 1763 when Prussian troops invaded Bohemia under King Frederick II. The story behind most wars is… Continue Reading
• The Mystery of Mercury in the centre of Prague June 29, 2015 - As you approach the Old Town Square, heading down Celetna, you will be forgiven for missing the Golden Angel that stares down at you while… Continue Reading
• Revealing the House of the Black Madonna June 15, 2015 - Behind the hustle and bustle of Prague's shopping district, just off the Fruit Market (Ovocny Trh), the House of the Black Madonna stands watch at… Continue Reading
• Entering Prague like a King – The Powder Tower May 18, 2015 - When touring a city, we tend to see it the way it is now. After centuries of development, certain nuances are lost or hidden and… Continue Reading
• My Disappointing Trip to Karlovy Vary May 4, 2015 - I've been living in Czechia for 2.5 years now and I realised earlier this year that it is about time I started to explore the… Continue Reading
• Lost Prague – Tesnov Train Station April 20, 2015 - Like any city, Prague has lost certain elements of its past to the mists of time. Now, these items live on only as a name whose significance… Continue Reading
• 5 Useful Tips for Hassle-Free Train Travel from Prague March 23, 2015 - The train system from Prague is well-connected to most central and eastern European destinations which makes train travel from here particularly easy. Here are my… Continue Reading
• The Legend of the Golden Well October 27, 2014 - Prague is a city built on legends and stories which abound with every street corner. One of my favourite activities here is to roam around… Continue Reading
• A Crystal Night September 8, 2014 - One juggling act travellers face is simple - when choosing a restaurant do you go for something close to the reassuring familiarity of the tourist centre… Continue Reading
• A Guide to Walking Around Prague May 2, 2014 - Prague is a city with many attractions, all of which are easily accessible on foot. Walking around Prague can be a great way to see… Continue Reading
• Lunch In The Sky September 23, 2013 - I recently had the opportunity to have Lunch In The Sky here in Prague. This is a unique concept where you eat and drink while… Continue Reading
• The Falcon’s Nest August 5, 2013 - If you're in or around Prague and fancy a bit of a hike, you may be pointed to the Falcon's Nest and the stone archway… Continue Reading