The ABCs (and sometimes S) of Prague

A is for Architecture

Prague is full of architectural gems as the city escaped largely unscathed from the Second World War. You can find Romanesque rotundas, Gothic cathedrals and bridges, and more Baroque than you ever imagined possible. That’s just the start. You will also find Art Nouveau and some intriguing dancing modern buildings. 

At the very top of your must-see list should be a walk through the Prague castle, across Charles Bridge, and up to the horse statue at Wenceslas Square. You might remember some of these places from history books covering the events of 1939, 1968, or 1989. While you are walking, keep an eye out for small details, like decorative frogs creeping up a building façade or the human hand hanging up in the back of St. Jakub Catherdal. Or simply enjoy the atmosphere of an early autumn in Prague.

For additional tips, check out Prague Architecture.

 

B is for Beer

 

Beer has been a central part of Prague and Bohemian life since at least 993. That is when brewing started at the Břevnov Monastery in Prague. In the 14th century, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV – in addition to building a bridge and founding a university – was also a big supporter of growing hops around the country. From this time to the present, local malt and hops have developed a global reputation. 

Bohemia has an unforgettable place in beer geography. The world’s first clear lager was brewed in Pilsen, down the road from Prague back in 1842. There is the beer brewed in the city of Czech Budweis. In addition to the two internationally known beers from these cities, there are a number of microbreweries such as U Fleků in Prague – and it’s been brewing since 1499. 

Almost all Czech beer is of the pils type, brewed with barley malt, bottom fermentation, and wonderfully hopped. Czechs have a per capita beer consumption of around 140 liters a year. This is used to wash down savory dishes such as pork and dumplings, potato pancakes, and grilled meat.  

Historically, beer is connected to the country’s literary works such as “The Good Soldier Švejk, the Oscar-winning film “Slow Moving Trains,” and “Audience,” a play set in the brewmaster’s office by the first Czech President Vaclav Havel. 

Read more about the Czech "liquid gold" in this Beer Guide.

 

C is for Computers

Czechs kicked off the age of computers by inventing the word robot. It was coined by the Čapek brothers in the 1920s from the old Slavic word for labor. They first used this in the play Rossum's Universal Robots as the name for automated machines which later took over the world. 

Apart from robots, Czechs have had long history with technology as the originators of the sugar cube, contact lenses, and Semtex plastique explosive. Ferdinand Porsche was also born in Liberec and there is also Skoda Auto. More recently, Czechs were behind the development of Avast antivirus software and our own MyQ print management software. 

If you want to see more, visit the National Technical Museum.

S is for Sports

The primary Czech sports are hockey and football. Czechs have been playing hockey for over a century. The national highlights of this game have been the country’s victory over the Soviet Union at the 1969 World Championships and winning the gold medal at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano. Sparta, one of the top professional Czech teams, plays around the corner from the MyQ office. Hockey is also a favored sport at MyQ with Martin Janus known to mix hockey matches with software development. Check out this video of the MyQ hockey team in action.