The trek to Drahotuše castle ruins
The Drahotuše ruins are magnificent – huge gnarled tree trunks grow through these ruins abandoned since the 15th century. Apart from a brisk hike through the forest, I discovered the
A photographic ode to Holešovice
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. This article is a photographic ode to place I currently call home.
Frydberk castle
The criminals who built Frydberk ? castle terrorised the Bohemian countryside in mediaeval times. Conquered, plundered, turned into a ? brewery and then the Church built a place of worship out of its tower. This is the castle's amazing story ?
The truth behind the Sudetenland
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 about the nuances of history in the region/s that carry this name. This article is my attempt at straightening out the facts from the commonly-held myths.
The surprising connection between Prague and Rome
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 article I look into the connection between the Church of St Francis of Assisi in Prague and Rome’s twin churches in the Piazza del Popolo.
The Punctation of Olomouc: Prussia vs Austria
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 expansionist Prussia and dominant Austria. This article examines the power-play between the two and how Olomouc bore witness to Russian meddling in Central European affairs.
The death of Tycho Brahe
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 died in Prague because he was overly polite. Would you have risked your life like this?
Prehistoric memes – the Funnel Beaker culture
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 classify history using other means
Prague’s pentecostal uprising
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 something deeper than that? ?My article examines what happened, and what the implications were.
Milada Horáková: Czech resistance fighter
People who speak out against a regime ? are targeted. We think this happens in dictatorships but a democratic society can face the wrath of an angry administration. Under communist rule, Czechoslovakia targeted the resistance fighter Milada Horáková as brutally as possible.