My Czech Republic Blog » News

Google Maps for the Czech Republic – Street View and Usability Updates

Jeff — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:54:06 +0000

Google Street View for the Czech Republic went live earlier this month. Prague and some nearby cities such as Mělník and Poděbrady are included, in addition to the D1 freeway to Brno. However, it looks like Brno is not yet available. I have linked to the original Google announcement and show the coverage map and some selected street views. You can scroll around on the embedded street views or click for a larger version.

There were other updates to Google maps this month that affected the Czech Republic. There were changes to the look and feel of the maps that improved the readability of such items as street names and roads. The latest update added more businesses to the map with an icon to get detailed information. It looks like this data covers the country.

Evolving the look of Google Maps

More, more, more real estate in Google Maps

Google Street View announcement on the Google LatLong Blog
A gold medal-worthy Street View update

Google Street View Coverage Map of the Czech Republic (highlighted in blue)

Municiapl House (Obecní dům) in Prague

View Larger Map

The Čertovka and Charles Bridge (Karlův most) in Prague

View Larger Map

View of the road to Mělník and the Mělník Castle

View Larger Map

Trains to Safety

Jeff — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:40:16 +0000

This month there were two anniversaries to celebrate train rides to freedom. On September 4, a train from Prague arrived in London to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the “Winton Trains”, which carried 669 mostly Jewish Czechoslovak children to safety in the United Kingdom and Sweden in the months preceding World War II.

One last trip for Winton Train (Prague Post)
Czech evacuees thank their saviour (BBC News)

Today, September 30, marked the 20th anniversary of the announcement that enabled thousands of East Germans who were staying in a makeshift camp at the West German Embassy in Prague to leave for the West.

Freedom Train recalls East Germans flight to West via Prague (ČTK)
September 30 marks 20th anniversary of dramatic announcement that East German refugees in Prague could emigrate to West (Radio.cz)

Prague Train Station Getting a Major Facelift

Dana — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:58:50 +0000

The Prague main train station (hlavní nádraží) is finally starting to look like a train station. A nice one I mean. One that a city like Prague deserves. A clean one. Bright and airy. Organized. With ways for passengers with strollers, bikes and heavy luggage to get to their platforms without having to drag their strollers, bikes and luggage up stairs and non-working escalators. With wide hallways and civilized looking public toilets (still paid, but oh well…). The repulsive, dreary, smelly basement luggage locker area is gone! It magically disappeared into thin air and was replaced by an open, modern ticket window and information center that doesn’t smell of urine. Boutiques, bakeries, fast food restaurants, regular restaurants, flower shops, and a really nice bookstore are now in place of the handful of tired looking newsstands and plastic wrapped sandwich stands that were once your only “entertainment” and “refreshment” options at the station.

The restoration of the Prague central station is far from finished, but the city no longer has to be ashamed of the pathetic welcome it offered its train traveling visitors until recent months. The work is currently estimated to be finished by 2012. Let’s see what other surprises the Italian investor has in store for us for the coming years.

Here’s just a little personal request: Would it be at all possible to put benches on the platforms? Please?

Czech Roundup 31-May-09

Jeff — Sun, 31 May 2009 21:05:38 +0000

Czech student film wins prize at Cannes festival

Congratulations to Zuzana Špidlová! Her film Bába was awarded the top prize for the best student and youth film at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.

Slovak, Czech ForMins want youth to better know the other language

Even though the Czech and Slovak languages are similar, Czech and Slovak children are having a more difficult time understanding each other’s language.

New British star Susan Boyle to record her CD in Prague

Susan Boyle, Britain’s Got Talent runner-up and YouTube video star, will record her CD with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, according to idnes.cz.

George Lucas appeals for Czech filming incentives

Tax incentives have been discussed before. Will a law be passed to help the Czech film industry compete with European countries that have them?

Two Michelin Stars for Prague in 2009

Jeff — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:33:48 +0000

The MICHELIN Main Cities of Europe 2009 guide, which contains information and ratings on hotels and restaurants in 20 countries in Europe, is being released tomorrow. The Michelin Guide is famous for its 1 – 2 – 3 star restaurant rating system, with three stars being the highest. Last year, the Prague restaurant Allegro at the Four Seasons Hotel received the first Michelin star ever awarded in the Czech Republic. Gordon Ramsay’s Maze at the Hilton Hotel was awarded a star this year in addition to Allegro. Ramsay previously announced that he was pulling out of Prague. If the restaurant changes name and ownership, then it will lose the Michelin star.

Three Prague restaurants, Aromi, Le Cornichon, and Le Terroir received the Bib Gourmand, which highlights “good food at moderate prices”.

For further reading see:
Another Prague restaurant wins Michelin star
Ramsay Wins 13th Michelin Star as Chef Counts Cost of Expansion
Gordon Ramsay pulls out of Maze Prague

If you are interested in purchasing the guide:
MICHELIN Main Cities of Europe 2009 – from Amazon.co.uk (published on March 18)
MICHELIN Main Cities of Europe 2009 – from Amazon.com (published on May 15)

Czech Roundup 01-Feb-09

Jeff — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:56:03 +0000

Czech Lion film award shortlist revealed
Official awards website
Up for the best picture award are The Karamazovs (Karamazovi), Tobruk and Country Teacher (Venkovský učitel). The Czech Lion (Český lev) awards will take place on March 3.

Danish experts ask to open astronomer Tycho Brahe’s grave
Tycho Brahe, who was the imperial astronomer under Rudolf II (Holy Roman Emperor, King of Bohemia) starting around the year 1600, is buried in Prague’s Týn Church. A team of Danish scientists want to determine if Tycho Brahe was murdered.

SkyEurope fleet shrinks as new airline hits Prague
Hungarian budget airline Wizz Air is adding a new base in Prague with flights to Brussels, Eindhoven, London, Milan, Paris, and Rome.

Prague approves skyscrapers despite UNESCO
More high-rise buildings are going up in the Pankrác district of Prague.

Czech Roundup 20-Jul-08

Jeff — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:41:40 +0000

Czechs join Slovakia to register salami and sausage
If they publish the recipes, I would be interested in knowing what exactly is inside.

European Tour returns to Czech Republic in 2009 after 12 years
Golf has been gaining in popularity over the years here and this should give it a boost.

Dogs – Czechs’ best friends
I do see a lot of dogs around and unfortunately you have to watch where you step when walking on the sidewalk.

Season tickets in Prague to be replaced by chip cards
It would be very convenient to buy monthly/yearly tickets or to just add credit online.

Karlovy Vary – And the winner is …

Jeff — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:02:38 +0000

The 43rd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival wrapped up yesterday. The closing film was the movie Mamma Mia!, which is based on the musical of the same name and features songs from ABBA. The Danish film Terribly Happy (Frygtelig Lykkelig) won the Crystal Globe for best feature film.

If you are interested in reading more about the festival, I have linked to the official site and some news articles.

Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (official website)
Karlovy Vary: the best of the fest
Danish film Terribly Happy wins Karlovy Vary festival
Czech film Karamazovs wins critics’ award in Karlovy Vary

The main venue for screenings is at the Hotel Thermal (see picture below). On our site, we have a section on the famous spa town of Karlovy Vary.

Charles Bridge Reconstruction

Jeff — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:35:41 +0000

I meant to post this last month after visiting Charles Bridge. Actually, I had wanted to make other posts too, but just did not get around to it. I hope to have a chance to post more often.

The reconstruction work on Charles Bridge that started last year is expected to be completed in 2010. Along with work to stabilize the bridge and replace cobblestones, gas lamps are going to be installed. The work on the bridge is being done is phases, so only a small portion of the bridge is closed off at any time. You can get an idea as to how they are doing that from the pictures below.

You can read more about the work being done by clicking on the following links:

Reconstruction of Charles Bridge
http://www.praha.eu/jnp/en/visitors/charles_bridge/reconstruction/index.html

Charles Bridge gets a facelift
http://www.radio.cz/en/article/94644

Czech Roundup 04-May-08

Jeff — Sun, 04 May 2008 20:52:27 +0000

Czech wines excel at international wine contest
- Southern Moravian wines are winning medals

TV makers give Central Europe high ratings
- LCD and plasma television manufacturing big in Czech Republic and its neighbors

Vivaldi’s long-lost opera returns to Prague after 278 years
- missing manuscript completed and performed at Prague Castle

Fake blog caught promoting bank
The curious case of the phantom blogger
- fake blogs also an issue in the Czech Republic