Tag: Czechia

An engraving showing the view of the siege of Esztergom, 1595

The Battle of Strigonia

Sixteenth century Europe was ablaze with one war after another. The epoch-defining conflict was the one between the Ottomans and the Hapsburg Empire. This changed European, and Middle-Eastern history. One of this war's battles included a contingent of Maltese fighting forces. This article explains how they came to be there and the story of that siege.
A photo of the old bridge that gives Mustek its name - Prague, Czechia

The significance of the little bridge

Prague's Můstek neighborhood and metro station has a fascinating story behind it. This area represents a remarkable convergence of medieval history and modern urban development. What appears today as a bustling transit hub and shopping district used to be a crucial defensive boundary between different sections of a growing medieval city. Visitors can still see the remnants of this history today. This article explains the history and the legends behind this neighbourhood.
A portrait of Maria Theresa

The Empress who transformed a city

When Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV died in 1740, he didn’t leave any male heirs. His daughter, Maria Theresa, inherited the role and became the first Empress of the Empire. Her influence can be directly seen in Prague, which became one of the major imperial cities because of her.
A photo of reconstructed Puchov settlements - Havranok, Slovakia

The Púchov Culture

A fascinating and complex culture in late Iron Age Europe is the Púchov culture. It shows remarkable cultural synthesis and adaptation in the mountanous regions of present-day Slovakia and eastern Moravia. This article examines how this evolved from Celtic foundations, merged other European influences and shaped the cultural landscape of the Carpathian basin till the 2nd century.
A photo of a relief on the Column of Marcus Aurelius - Rome, Italy

The mysterious Marcomanni

I’ve often heard about the Marcomanni tribe when researching information about Czechia. References are always fleeting and there’s never enough information about them. I decided to look into this oddly-named Germanic tribe.
A photo of a gargoyle on the Town House in Munich

Banning Bohemian gargoyles

Gargoyles are an important architectural feature in Gothic buildings around Europe. These ornate water spouts depict grotesque creatures or human figures. As practical as they were, they seem to have existed from the 14th to the 16th century in Bohemia.
A photo of the organ and choir at St Clementine's - Prague, Czechia

St Clements in Pořiči

Near Prague's city centre, but not quite close enough, St Clement's church is possibly one of the oldest religious structures in the city. It is more than 1000 years' old.
A painting of the Judith bridge

The lost Judith bridge

Prague's Charles bridge is the main attraction in this medieval city. Few have heard of its predecessor and fewer have heard about the stories behind it. This article delves into the myths and mythology about the Judith bridge.
A picture of the coat of Arms of the House of Hohenstaufen (as Kings of Sicily)

From a Duchy to a Kingdom

In the 12th century, Otakar I was the Duke of Bohemia. Through wily politics, he elevated his duchy to a kingdom, forever enhancing Bohemia in the process. This article explains the political situation at the time and how Otakar pulled this off.
A photo of the aircraft at Erding US Air Force base

RAF hijacking in Prague

In 1950, three ex-RAF pilots, persecuted by the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia, coordinated the hijacking of three flights, leading to a daring escape to the West.