A větrník is a delicious traditional Czech dessert. Similar to the French eclair or the Italian profiterole or even a St. Joseph’s Zeppole, this small rich and creamy treat is at the heart of many people who have had the chance to taste it. Made from a Choux pastry which is a light and airy...
Everybody knows and loves the Vespa, an Italian scooter first manufactured in 1946 which became famous through the iconic movie, Roman Holiday where Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn zipped through the streets of Rome getting ice-cream and falling in love on its two wheels. The infamous idealistic word Vespa, means ‘wasp’ in Italian. Surely it...
Rolls are a very popular dessert style all around the world, but especially in many parts of Europe. Some are made of sponge cake, others pastry dough, but our favorite is a meringue roláda. The fillings of these rolls can also differ depending on the culture and personal preference. In this recipe we will be...
Heraldry, or more specifically in this case, a coat of arms, is a visual armorial achievement displayed to identify states and or individuals. Heraldry has been around since the beginning of medieval times when battles were said to have gained their popularity, but pictures of crests and coats of arms can be found long before...
Yes, it is true. Talk to any old Moravian grandmother and she’ll tell you that the Wallachian delicacy known as Valašský frgál was originally an unsuccessful koláč, a mistake. Europeans are proud of their gastronomic heritage and culinary jewels across Europe are distinctly married to their citizens; Russia has its caviar, France has its champagne,...
Nové Struny are a Czech band made up of a younger generation of men who bringing back classic Czech tramp and swing music with a modern spin. Every Czech knows the nostalgic country sound that awoke and inspired feelings of freedom and patriotism back in the communist era. This campfire music, known as “Tramp music”...
Just like most places in the world, Czech currency is made up of paper bills along with coins, and though the Czech Republic is officially part of the European Union, Euros are rarely accepted at Czech establishments. Instead, the Czechs use their own form of currency known as the Koruna (meaning “Crown” in English), also abbreviated...
In The Czech Republic, Easter is a long holiday, much longer than most of us celebrate here in the United States. Besides celebrating Easter classically as we know it on Sunday, many Czech people celebrate the entire week leading up to this cheerful holiday. Back when the communists first started their occupation of the Czech...
Founded by Kašpar Maria Šternberg in 1818, the “National Gallery” has ten locations around the city of Prague. Each one features a different style/period of art, and combined, The National Gallery’s collection reaches almost 14 million items all together. Today we will be discussing the Trade Fair Palace which was originally built in 1925 as a place...
Have you ever wondered what that big beautiful building in The Knights of The Cross Square, just off the Charles Bridge house is? Well if so, you’re not the only one. Sometimes when you’re in a foreign place it’s hard to know the best places to go, especially if they are not advertised. The Colloredo-Mansfeld...
Zločin v Polné, or as it is more commonly known in English, Murder in Polna is a excellent two part film which follows the story of and deals with the Hilsner Affair. On an Easter Sunday in 1899, a nineteen year old seamstress named Anežka Hrůzová was found dead between the two towns of Věžníček, and Polná....
Zdeněk Fránek is an on edge architect who has created, among many other unusual structures in the Czech Republic, the infamous Skywalk. The Skywalk is an enormous wooden structure with a stainless steel and metal frame created as a scenic lookout tower for the beautiful surrounding landscape. Built together with the Brno-based architect and the construction company...
The Black Chapel (or Černá Kaple) is a funeral chapel built on the side of the parish church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Holešov, Czech Republic. The chapel was built on July, 25th, 1748 by the Bishop of Olomouc and Cardinal Ferdinand Julius, the Count of Troy. The owner of the entire estate was František Antonín Rottal, who...
The Estates Theater, or Stavovské Divadlo as it is more commonly known in Czech is Prague’s oldest theatre, and one of the most beautiful theater buildings in all of Europe. Built in the late 18th century and designed by Czech architect Anton Haffenecker, its construction, which only lasted two years was started by aristocrat František Antonín...
Coming from famous Czech director Jan Svěrák who also directed the film Kolya, comes Dark Blue World (2001). This is a historic action movie about a group of fighter pilots training to fight for their country which has been invaded by the Nazis in 1939. The plot follows two pilots in particular (Ondrej Vetchý and Krystof Hádekwho) who...
Kolya is a Czech drama released in 1996 that follows the story of Louka, (portrayed by famous Czech actor Zdenek Sverák) a former concert cellist at the Prague Philharmonic who now works playing among others at funerals where he barely makes ends meet. He agrees to marry a Russian woman who needs citizen papers in exchange for...
