PinkAgenda

Community Calendar and Travel Information

Gay in Prague, Czech Republic.

Carlos T. Mock, MD and William R. Rattan

Last Update August 2006

Airports | Climate | Currency | Dining | Getting Around | Holidays | Language | Lodging |Passports & Visa | References | Scene | Shopping | Things to See | Time Zones | Tipping

The magical and majestic "golden city" of Prague, in the newly recreated Czech Republic (formerly Czechoslovakia) has come of age as a world-class gay hotspot. The uninhibited Czechs legalized homosexuality way back in 1961, and today there's a thriving gay scene, with easily approachable young men. With its spectacular sights and inspiring combination of old and new, this tolerant city situated on the Vlatava river offers a mesmerizing mix of splendid architecture, from the medieval era to the centuries when Prague was the seat of the Holy Roman Empire, to the baroque excess of the Hapsburgs and the gilded age of the 19th century, when Prague gloried in its wealth and culture. Mercifully, the city escaped destruction during World War II, and though the Communist era was an architectural low point, the financial constraints of the Soviet-era revisionists prevented wholesale damage to the wonderful old structures that sat waiting to be renovated when the Czech and Slovak peoples finally broke free in 1989.

Since those heady days of the "Velvet Revolution," Prague has been at the center of a cultural and financial facelift that promises a better future for this still somewhat edgy society of over 10 million people. Despite low wages and difficult adjustments to a market economy, the city's shop-lined streets and crowded restaurants bustle with activity. The Czech crown's favorable exchange rate (currently about 26 to the US dollar) makes traveling affordable to Westerners.

Time Zone and Time Difference

There is no time difference between Prague and most western European capitals - with the exception of London and Dublin (one hour behind Danish time) and Helsinki/Finland (one hour ahead of Czech time). Time: Central European (GMT+1), summer time - Central European +1 (GMT+2). Check the "Time Ticker" for current time in Prague.

Jet Lag

Airports

The Praha Ruzyne (PRG) airport is located northwest of the outskirts of Prague, some 20 kilometers from the city center.

Inquiries on departures and arrivals - phone 2011 3314, 2011 3321 nonstop

Passport and Visa

A valid passport is required, but a visa is not necessary for U.S. citizens for tourism, short study or business visits up to 90 days. Visas are required for longer stays and for any gainful activity; application can be made at any Czech embassy or consulate (outside the Czech Republic). For further information concerning entry requirements for the Czech Republic, travelers can contact the Embassy of the Czech Republic at 3900 Spring of Freedom Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202)274-9103 or visit the Embassy's web site.

Health

Electricity

The normal electricity supply is 220 volts.

Currency

Forget traveler's checks, cash, or personal checks. All you really need is a valid ATM and credit card. Charge as much as you can, thus ensuring the best exchange rate at all times and only take out cash from an ATM machine as needed. Avoid exchanging back to US currency by paying your hotel bill with excess cash and charging the rest. All major credit cards are accepted everywhere Keep enough cash to get you to the airport. Remember your fare on the way down and keep that much for the return. At printing you could get around 23.75 Korunas per USD.

National Holidays 2005

1 January New Year
6 January National Holiday
28 March Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
8 May Victory Day
5 July St. Cyril and St Methodius
6 July Jan Hus Day (1415)
28 October Independence Day
17 November Struggle for Liberty and Democracy Day
24 & 25 December Christmas
26 December St. Stephen's day

Climate and Weather

Continental climate, the average temperature in Prague is

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Temperature[C] 2 3 8 14 19 22 25 24 20 13 8 3
Temperature [F] 36 37 46 58 66 72 75 73 68 55 46 37
Rainfall [mm] 20 20 25 40 60 70 65 55 40 25 25 20
Humidity [%] 70 63 57 49 49 48 51 49 57 63 78 81

Language

The official language is Czech, Slovak language being understood. Most people have basic or possibly intermediate knowledge of English and/or German language.

Tipping

Service and tip are included in the prices at hotels, in restaurants, and for taxi fares. For good service you may leave 10% extra at your discretion.

Getting Around

Taxis

Not long time ago it was definitively risky to hire a taxi in Prague, but fortunately since 1st of April 98, there are regulations. If you take a taxi for a trip within Prague and you do not go out of Prague's borders you can hire a cab without being scared if you pay attention to the following: Prior to setting off, the taximeter must be reset and the figure 30 Kc will appear on the display. There is for all taxis within the city of Prague a regulated maximum rate: A One-off boarding charge is max. 30; 1 kilometer within the city boundaries is max. 22 Kc and Waiting is max. 4 Kc per minute. Make sure you ask for a receipt before paying. Receipts have to be printed out by the taximeter since April 98 . Taxis ordered through the dispatcher are cheaper (updated 20th of Oct 2002).

Things to see

Monuments

Prague Castle Lesser Town Old Town New Town
  • The Royal Palace
  • St. George's Monastery
  • St. Vitus Cathedral
  • Imperial stable
  • Golden Lane
  • The Daliborka Tower
  • The Mihulka Tower
  • Castle Gallery
  • Basilica of St. George
  • The Burgrave's House
  • Lobkovic Palace
  • The Royal Garden with Ball Hall (Micovna)
  • The Riding Hall
  • The Summer Palace of Queen Anne
  • Loretto
  • Cernin Palace
  • Strahov Monastery
  • St. Nicolas' Church
  • Neruda Street
  • Church of Our Lady Victorious - Prague Child Jesus
  • Lesser-Town Bridge Towers
  • Ledebour Garden
  • Pa?Llffy Garden
  • Vrtba Garden
  • Wallenstein Gardenand Palace
  • Petrin Look-out Tower
  • Petrin Labyrinth
  • Funicular
  • Charles Bridge
  • Kampa
  • Old Town Bridge Tower
  • Gallery of the Order of the Knights
  • Clementinum
  • The Municipal House
  • St. Agnes the Czech Convent
  • Powder Tower
  • The Estates' Theatre
  • Carolinum
  • Betlehem Chapel
  • The House of the Lords from Kunstat and Podebrady
  • Prague Ghetto
  • Old Town Square
  • The Old-Town Hall with the Astronomical Clock (horologe)
  • Church of Our Lady before Tyn
  • House At the Stone Bell
  • Rudolfinum
  • Wenceslas Square (Vaclavske namesti)
  • The National Museum
  • The National Theatre
  • Vysehrad
  • Emmaus
  • New Town Hall
  • Zizka Memorial
  • Brevnov Monastery
  • Industrial Palace
  • Ctenice
  • Rotunda of the Holy Rood
  • Rotunda of St. Longine
  • Rotunda of St.Martin

Museums

The Scene

The scene in Prague is maintain up to date by Gay Guide - Prague. We recommend you use them to find out what's the latest in the gay scene. They also cover the scene in Budapest, Hungary; Warsaw and Crackow in Poland; and Sofia in Bulgaria

Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1961. Laws against homosexual relations were repealed in 1990. The legal minimum age of consent (for heterosexual and homosexual relations alike) is 15 years (if no money is involved). Additionally it is an offense to expose a minor (under 18) to the "danger of depravation" by enabling him an "idle or indecent life" or by seducing him into such a life (Art. 217 CC; two years jail). According to the case law the "danger of depravation" must be the result of an intensive longer-lasting behavior by the perpetrator causing in the youth habits, preferences and interests leading to his moral decline and to his inability to lead an independent life.

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic. Best time to visit is from early April to middle of November. Prague has a lively gay scene and the scene is differentiated ... You will find gay bars and dance clubs for a specific audience (like leather bars, rent boy bars, older audience, younger crowd). But, unfortunately, there has never been a Gay Pride in Prague until now.

Homosexuality is considered a taboo by the majority of the population. However, Prague is a liberal city where many gay Czechs choose to live. There are no laws concerning tourists with HIV/AIDS. Registered partnerships have been discussed twice in the Parliament, but is not the law yet.

Prostitution and Promotion of Prostitution is legal, if the prostitute is at least 18 years old.

Publications & Organizations

Shopping

Opening hours

Department stores 8 a.m. till 8 p.m.; Supermarkets Mondays till Fridays 6 a.m. till 10 p.m. and also Saturdays and Sundays from 6 a.m. till 8 p.m.; Boutiques 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. and every neighborhood has 'Nonstop'-shops.

Gone are the days when a shop in the center might only have shelves and shelves of sugar, and only sugar, for sale. Now the butchers have exotic-looking cuts hanging in the window and the previously abundant strips of bacon, without the lean bits, have been relegated to a low shelf at the back. Gorgeous, fresh vegetables are everywhere, even if the shopkeeper might not quite know what to do with the particular vegetable that he is now selling. The large, Western-style supermarkets sell an intriguing selection of Czech goods and high-priced foreign imports. So, if you look about you might find what looks to be the same item selling in the same shop for vastly differing sums.

Day Trips

Cesky Krumlov

The medieval town in the charming South Bohemian countryside that has still retained its medieval nature. The town is called the pearl of Bohemia. Its historic center was listed in the 1992 UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. Two national cultural landmarks - the castle and the Gothic church of St.Vitus, dominate the town. The castle is the second largest one in the Czech Lands (after the Prague Castle). The mighty renaissance castle- once the seat of powerful Lords of the Rozmberks and the Schwarzenbergs - houses rich collections of period furniture, Flemish tapestries, historical weapons. You must see interiors of this splendid castle as well as the old town with romantic lanes and reconstructed medieval houses. In 1993, the Egon Schiele International Cultural Center was opened. Cesky Krumlov is situated 170 km from Prague.

Opening hours (castle)

Karlstejn Castle

The most outstanding medieval castle founded and built between 1348-1355 A.D. by Emperor Charles IV. as a depository for the Empire coronation jewels and state documents. In the Chapel of the Holy Rood, where the treasury is kept, is a unique collection of 132 panel Gothic paintings by Master Theodoric, which were done in 1360. This Gothic castle is situated 40 km southwest from Prague.

Opening hours:

Konopiste Castle

A lovely hunting castle, built in the 14th century, rebuilt in the 19th century, housing fascinating collections of historical weapons, furniture, paintings and tapestries. The castle is situated 50 km from Prague.

Opening hours:

Krivoklat Castle

Mention of the royal castle of Krivoklat was first made about 1100 AD Today?fs building is from the late 13th century. It was enlarged and fortified at the end of the 14th century. Thanks to all these renovations and additional buildings, the castle shows all phases of Gothic style. The castle is situated 50 km from Prague.

Opening hours:

Kutna Hora

Thanks to the prosperous silver mines, Kutna Hora became, after Prague, the second most important town of the kingdom Bohemia in the Middle Ages. There are plenty of precious Gothic constructions such as St. Barbara?fs Cathedral (1388 to 1565), one of the most beautiful Czech Gothic buildings, the Italian Court (Vlassky dvur) with its Royal Mint, where the famous Prague grosches were minted, the Stone House, the St.James?L Church etc. On request you can also visit the Ossuary. Kutna Hora was declared a world heritage and since then has been protected by UNESCO.

The town is situated 70 km from Prague.

References

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