District 7 by Oleksandr Malynovskyi

District 7

Welcome to

A publication solely dedicated to the “hipster” neighborhood of Prague: Holešovice.

Hlávka’s Bridge Photo by Vanesa Vachova 2

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anked the 10th Coolest Neighborhood in Europe by The Guardian in 2020, Holešovice has not always been the artsy, moody, and innovative district that it is today.

Just under twenty years ago Holešovice was home to just residential buildings and factories. It has been in recent years that it has been taken over by art museums, innovative concept stores, and a wide range of bistros and cafés. And we aren’t complaining.

In this publication, we will take a look at how the 21st century has shaped Prague 7 in the areas of Gastronomy, Architecture, Nature, and more. We will show you some must-sees in this district but also give you our honest opinions about it.

We’ll give you the backstory and history lessons that are so important to know in ways that won’t bore you to death and show you the pictures that you won’t find on a travel blogger’s Pinterest page.

We hope you enjoy reading our take on this district. - The District 7 Team

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Adriana Mendez Editor & Writer Allyah Jaynice Hamilton Research & Advertising Anna Stava Editor & Writer Ines Borao Illustrator Julie Matzen Photographer & Editor Johanna Lang Writer

List of

Keyur Vithlani Writer & Advertising Laura Iglesias Illustrator & Writer Oleksandr Malynovskyi Editor & Writer Vanesa Vachova Photographer & Advertising The Prague Market Photo by Vanesa Vachova

Yasmin Ibrahim Writer & Illustrator

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Table of

VnitroBlock Photo by Vanesa Vachova

Neighborhood 4. First Impression of Holešovice as a Foreigner 6. Avant Garde Concepts of holešovice 8. Map of the Area 10. Best Date Spots in Holešovice 12. Best Art Galleries In Holešovice 18. Life as an expat in holešovice 20. Life as an artist in holešovice 26. What letters look like 28. Street art 34. Review of Vnitroblock 38. History of Coffee 40. Vegan Restaurants 42. Review of Lovely Day 46. Best Buildings of Holešovice 50. The Prague Market 53. The National Gallery

People Art Gastronomy

Architecture

Nature

56. Letna 60. Stromovka 5

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If you had to choose one word to describe the abundance of eclectic and unique stores in Holesovice, Avant Garde would encompass it all. From grabbing brunch at Bistro 8 to finishing your day partying at Fuchs 2, you will always stumble upon a store which is only unique to this neighborhood.

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The Prague Market Photo by Vanesa Vachova 3

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By Adri Mendez

First

of Holešovice as a Foreigner

had been living in Prague for almost a year and have heard A LOT about Holešovice, yet I still had not gone there myself. My apartment is in Prague 10 and my school in Prague 2 so I could name you all the tram stops, cafés, restaurants, and activities in both of these neighborhoods, but I had never had the necessity to go to Prague 7. To get to Holešovice, I have to cross the Vltava river and it takes about 40 minutes to get there from my house. When I would think about going there it really felt as if I would be traveling to a completely different city - which in some sense it kind of is.

One of the things that I realized the first time that I went there was that there was a huge contrast between the architecture of Holešovice and, for example, Vinohrady, Prague 2. It all stems from the historical background of Holešovice of course. Having been a huge industrial area of Prague for so many decades, most of the buildings that are currently being used were factories or breweries back in the day. Add to this the new, modern architecture that is being created there right now, plus the sense that you are in a port, in the middle of Europe… It really doesn’t

feel like the magical city of Prague anymore, it feels like the contemporary, hipster city of Holešovice. Before I had the chance to have a guided walk through Holešovice as research to create this magazine, I had only been to Prague 7 a handful of times. Once was to the DOX art gallery on a school trip, then to Cross Club for a night with friends, and another time for brunch at Lovely Day Cafe to celebrate a friend’s birthday. So I never really captured how connected everything in Holešovice is because if you compare it to districts ike Prague 4 or 5 (which are huge), Prague 7 is really small.

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DOX is just around the corner from Cross Club, and Lovely Day is super close to Pražská tržnice and all of this time I thought that they were far away from each other. However, in this 7.10 km2 piece of land surrounded by the Vltava river lie so many things to do, so many places to eat, and some of the best parks in the city of Prague (which I have definitely gotten lost in once or twice). The Urban Dictionary defines hipsters as “a subculture of men and women, who value independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive politics, and have an appreciation of art and indie-rock”

and that is exactly how I would describe what I think Holešovice is to me now that I’ve been able to explore it more. It’s filled with innovative concept stores and cafés that for some reason wouldn’t fit in the more local subculture of Vrsovice or Nusle. I think all of this makes Holešovice so attractive to foreigners and tourists. It has so much character and identity outside of what you think Prague should look like.

Výstaviště Photo Above (Vanesa V.) Building Photo (Yasmin I.)

“”

It’s a place where the new, the old, and the future collide, and I really wouldn’t have it any other way.

By Yasmin Ibrahim

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concept stores of Holešovice The district of Holešovice is home to some of the most innovative and creative minds in Prague (it’s called the hipster district for a reason). This has created a set of out-of-the-box concept stores and restaurants that bring different worlds together in Prague 7 that you wouldn’t find anywhere else in the city (or the world).

Bio Oko: Bio Oko is a community cinema and something is constantly happening there - from morning screenings for seniors, through family films, travel lectures, to evening screenings and sitting in the café after the film. Several times a year they even organize their own film festivals. Plus, their cool seats makes this an unusual cinematic experience.

Bike Jesus: You can visit Holesovice without visiting Bike Jesus, now hear me out, it is a bar, cycling studio, bistro, stage, gallery, gym and summer garden. Yes, you read that right, so if you need to get your bike fixed and be in an open minded music scene with a view on the best city, indie guitars, electronic music, low-fi, and zero mental barriers, you need to go to Bike Jesus.

Fuchs 2: Away from the busy loud side of Prague, Fuchs chose somewhere where it can be the only source of noise for adventurous music and performing arts. They organise some of the biggest music events that take place in Prague and a lot of local and international DJs have performed there.

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Hol: Hol is a social hub for creativity, art, relaxation and culture of a wide range. The patronage of the functioning of Hol collective was provided by the civic association and that made it possible for them to be the destination for all of the events they hold.

Berlinskej Model Gallery: Berlinskej Model is a non-profit gallery founded in 2011 and it‘s known as a meeting point for the current art scene, crossing borders of local districts, genres and generations. The gallery also organizes workshops, discussion panels, concerts, and issues their own art magazine called RAJON. The cool concept of this gallery is that they have a pop up exhibition every Wednesday, with an opening and dernisage at the same time where artists are cooking a dinner as well.

Bistro 8: Looking for a perfect spot for breakfast and brunch? You don’t need to go out of this perfect neighborhood, Bistro 8 is one of the perfect places to grab a bite around Holesovice. The place has very cozy interiors and it is located on a very calm street with a view of the beautiful architecture of Holesovice.

Vnitroblock: Vnitroblock is a small world within Holesovice. If you’re looking for a space for music, dance or art, or food Vnitroblock is your destination! The space holds a lot of studios, cafe/bar and stores, it’s the perfect place if you are looking for a chill environment to work, study, have your yoga class or exhibit your artworks! Read more about Vnitroblock in our gastronomy section!

Ilustration by Yasmin Ibrahim

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Top places in HoleĹĄovice Map by Ines Borao

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By Yasmin Ibrahim

First date, second date, millionth date… whichever one it is, it’s always stressful to find a good place for a date but we’ve got you covered with some of the best date spots in Holešovice.

Ilustration by Yasmin Ibrahim

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Wildt If you feel like dancing or just having a chill time outdoors (when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s warmer of course), then Wildt is the place for you! It has an amazing outdoor area for some cold drinks during the day and once the night time comes, the best music in the area starts playing; you basically have the whole day sorted out just at one spot! Villa Villa combines the best of both worlds, having a drink outside by the river or being in one of the most cosiest places in Prague. Vila is located in Holesoviceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s golden island, with Bike Jesus in the horizon, you always have great music playing in the background. SaSaZu If you are looking for an unconventional dinner experience, then this is your destination. SaSaZu has been crowned as the best asian restaurant in Prague for a while, and we can see why it has been holding that title for a while; great food and music, and guess what? You can get a massage by one of their masseuses during selected days of the week!

Home Kitchen A truly elegant spot, the two chefs come up with a new menu on a daily basis and only use fresh, seasonal ingredients.The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming and the decor is simple yet classy. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and the food is so delicious that you might just want to try all three! Letna If you are into long walks and beer gardens, then Letna is the place. Overlooking the whole city, you can enjoy a warm day walking around or relaxing in the shade, you might run into some movie screening or even a party! Point is, you can never go wrong with Letna. Pet Penez Looking for a place with unconventional interiors? Pet Penezâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theme is definitely the winner of the most unique interiors for a restaurant; it will take you to a completely different era with the old interiors, maps and charts on the walls, even the menu is designed to look like an old notebook! The environment is incredibly cosy and the staff is super friendly as well.

By Adri Méndez

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in the neighbourhood

As one of the most expressive art districts in Prague (with so much personality that we even decided to create a whole magazine for it), Holešovice is home to art studios and galleries that showcase a great deal of art exhibitions throughout the year. Below is a rundown of my top six places where you can enjoy displays of all types of art in Prague 7.

DOX Centre for Contemporary Art: A former factory turned art gallery, DOX hosts some of the coolest exhibitions in Prague with some of them being interactive. After a whole day of immersing yourself in art you can sit back in the Guliver Airship (or brown blob as i like to call it) or at the DOX cafe and bistro.

Veletržní Palác: The Trade Fair Palace is the largest gallery site of the National Gallery of Prague. It showcases the NGP’s largest collection of art, mixing important Czech and international pieces including works by Picasso, van Gogh, Renoir, and more! Fun fact: This building was the first Functionalist building in Prague and you can read more about it in our “Best Buildings” article.

Jatka 78: When art meets the circus (and food). Jatka 78 is an arts and performance space located in the Prague Market (read more about it in our Pražská Tržnice article). It’s definitely a “boheme and alternative” gallery space that you can’t miss

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Trafo Gallery: A modern and electric gallery also in the Prague Market, Trafo is a 200m2 exhibition hall with a beautiful skylight, making it a contemporary artist’s dream. It hosts 6 expositions a year by great Czech artists and some foreign ones as well.

The Chemistry Gallery: This contemporary gallery showcasing young Czech talent is cooperating with their artists out of the Czech borders, even being at the SCOPE New York Arts Fair, making it an incredibly dynamic gallery.

The Streets: By “the streets” I don’t mean that there’s a gallery called like that, but I mean the actual streets of Holešovice. When you walk down practically any street in this district you will find some of the most interesting and fun street art designs in Prague. Sometimes even in streets that look completely plain there might be a piece of street art just around the corner. Plus, this way you don’t spend too much money on tickets and still see some awesome art!

Ilustration by Laura Iglesias

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DOX Gallery Photo by Yasmin Ibrahim

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By Adri Mendez

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from Honduras to Holešovice

ipster. Lively. Ideal. This is how Reina Cartagena, a marketing specialist from Honduras, describes Holešovice. I sat down with Reina to discuss what it is like to live in Holešovice as a foreigner and to find out if it’s really any different than living in other areas of Prague. “I’ve been in Prague for 7 years now and I’ve previously lived in Prague 10 and in Prague 5. I moved to Prague 7 just under a year ago when I moved in with my boyfriend,” explained Reina. In contrast to Holešovice, Prague 10 (Vršovice) is considered a very calm and local district, so I asked Reina what she thought the biggest difference between these two districts was… “I believe that in Holešovice there are many more options for activities to do compared to Vršovice. There are many

galleries, bars, restaurants that appeal to foreigners, and so many places to visit that you never get bored.” All of these activities make up for the fact that in Vršovice there’s a mall and Holešovice still doesn’t have one. But who needs a mall when you have hundreds of shops around you and great connections to the city center. “I love living in thiws part of town because in under 15 minutes I’m already in the center of Prague. One tram ride and I’m there” explained Reina when I asked about the public transportation in the area. “That’s one reason why it’s so ideal.” While comparing Holešovice to Klamovka, her previous neighborhood in Prague 5, Reina says that she feels safer and more comfortable walking the streets of Holešovice at night instead of the ones at Klamovka. This is a huge

contrast for her coming all the way from Honduras, a country considered one of the most violent places in the world. “I left Honduras, and the comfort of my family, to search for better job opportunities and a calmer lifestyle than back home. It hasn’t been easy but it’s worth it.” Like many foreigners who come to live in Prague, Reina has fallen in love with the city and isn’t planning on leaving any time soon. When asked what some of her favorite activities/spots in Prague 7 were, Reina mentioned: getting brunch at the Lovely Day café, working at Vnitroblock, and trying out all the other cool restaurants in the district including the maze that is Cross Club and the bitcoinonly Paralelni Polis. “I think Holešovice has things that other places in Prague don’t

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have which makes this place stand out as much as it does. She is not the only one who thinks so. Holešovice has gained international recognition in the recent months by publications such as The Guardian and Time Out, for its quick development in the past years, its mixture of industrial buildings and creative spaces2, and, as Reina pointed out, it’s many, many food options. As you can see in previous sections of this publication, Holešovice is not only buildings upon buildings but it is also home to two of the biggest parks in Prague, Letna, and Stromovka. In regards to her favorite one of the two Reina couldn’t pick one “I think Letna is great for evening strolls that turn into getting a beer with friends and dancing to the outdoor concerts that sometimes happen there. And Stromovka, due to how big it is, is great if you want to go biking or on a long run. It even has outdoor exercise places that are super popular nowadays.” This contrast of nature versus industrial life is just another reason why Holešovice is so distinct and so ideal to live in, compared to other areas of Prague. Along with its great connection to the city, it’s wide art district, endless food options, and growing innovative concept stores, Holešovice should definitely be a top option for any expat looking to move to the capital of the Czech Republic.

Above: Reina Cartagena Below: Kiss Our Ass Sign Both by Adri Méndez

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rkida Braculla is a visual artist/musician that has been living in Prague for the past 4 years and instantly fell in love with Holesovice after trying for so long to find a place to call “home” around Prague. Orkida has been living in Holesovice for 3 years and she can not see herself living anywhere else anytime soon. In this interview we went through a lot of topics about living in Holesovice as an artist and as an expat, we also talked about her favorite spots and the hidden gems that only the people who live there know about.

Do you think as an artist, that your neighborhood had an impact on the stuff you create (artworks or music)? I think I would still be creating

the same stuff in any other place, but definitely living in an artistic district inspired me a lot by being exposed to a lot of different art forms. I don’t really need to get out of my neighborhood as both of the studios where I create my art and music are also in the same neighborhood. Do you think it deserves the title of “one of most cool neighborhoods in Europe”? What makes it stand out? It is definitely, not trying to promote it just because I live here and I like it, but there is something so weird about Holesovice, it is so expat friendly yet so local in a way, which makes you feel connected to the country but at the same time you know you won’t have trouble getting around. It is also full of young people and students, which made a lot of places relocate to open their business in Holesovice. It also has its

By Yasmin Ibrahim

What attracted you the most about Holesovice? I have lived in multiple places before moving to Holesovice, but for some reason I would always change trams at Strossmayrovo Namesti and I always found it fascinating, I would be at the tram station thinking “It’d be really cool to

live in this neighborhood.”, one year later, I was looking for a room urgently and my wish came true, I found a room in an apartment right in front of the tram station. I had a honeymoon phase with the neighborhood, just walking around aimlessly discovering the hidden gems around the area. I also love the fact that I am surrounded by two of the biggest parks in Prague, which was great during the first lockdown, also being close to the river is a bonus. As an art student, it’s great to be living within walking distance of all of the exhibitions and galleries, it’s kind of an alternative artistic cultural center. On top of that, a lot of great places to eat, to have coffee and also it is quite close to work and school.

in Holešovice 20

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own scene, independent art galleries, art hubs, social hubs, it is like a city within a city, so I think that is what makes it stand out the most. What is your favorite spot and why? Bike Jesus, I spend a lot of time there as my band’s rehearsal space is there, also most of the events I attend are held there; it is nice to party within a walking distance from where you live. It has its own community specially because of all the causes they support and beneficiary events they have organised, I go there and I know everybody that works or frequents there. As an expat, has it been better than other neighborhoods around Prague? I have lived in Zizkov for a while, it was also quite expat friendly, however Holesovice is getting more and more popular Illustrations by Yasmin Ibrahim

as the “hipster” neighborhood, so a couple of places from zizkov actually decided to relocate and open their shops in Holesovice instead as it has a broader expat audience. What was your first impression of Holesovice and how did it change over the years? Holesovice was significantly different from what it is nowadays, it all started 5 years ago when it started to gain the reputation of the hipster/ artistic neighborhood, I think it aligned with the time of a lot of expats moving to Prague, it also wasn’t as expensive as it is now since it did not have all of these businesses open there.

What would you recommend to someone who doesn’t know the neighborhood? I would recommend just walking around and exploring the neighborhood on their own, because Holesovice has a lot of options that suit everybody’s tastes, if you are looking for galleries and exhibitions, if you are looking for cosy coffee shops with reading corners, if you are looking for bars that go all night, if you are looking for party spots, you will find all of them within the same neighborhood. I am glad things worked out the way they did that made me end up here. I don’t see myself going anywhere for a while. 21

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Gas 899/37 HoleĹĄovice Prague 7 170 00 ÂŠ The Holepoint - Urban gastro-art zone in Prague - 2020

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Graffiti is prevalent in most parts of Prague, however, Holesovice has taken action in embracing graffiti culture and opening walls dedicated to that specific art form. Street art plays a large role in creating the atmosphere that is felt within the neighborhood today and it acts as a form of artistic expression.

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in Holešovice?

ABCDE

olešovice is famous for its unconventional combination of different design eras. While in architecture certain movements like constructivism, brutalism and functionalism stand out, the design of billboards, signboards seem to be much more chaotic. Holešovice has a visual language that is different from all other areas of Prague. It is expressed not only in the presence of modern buildings or sculptures, but also in the graphic design. The fonts used are nonconventionally presented as headings for all kinds of coffee shops, book stores, as well as used goods stores. It would be difficult to come up with

a systematic organisation for all the typefaces, but one should not underestimate the influence of modernism and graphic design of the late twentieth century. Although there are more sans serif fonts than serif ones, we cannot miss fonts like Souvenir (used for hardware store and other household goods) or Colonel Serial (used for shoes shop). Despite mentioning modernism, all of these words are not designed in a minimalistic way. In fact, we often find that typography is used with outline, shadows or with a grungy texture. That all adds up well to the look of Holešovice, since its industrial elements stand out.

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The letters used in street art are quite organically blended with the texts on the signs. This is because graffitis, for example, mimic various sans serif fonts and naturally have elements of texture. Even the area of DOX, art gallery of contemporary art, has a graffiti on its building that uses a tad old-fashioned looking text “wash your dirty money with my art”. Not only the shapes of the letters resemble the 20th century, but also the harsh black shadow: this is the phenomenon of this unusual area of Prague. Walking through this extraordinary area, it is also impossible not to notice some influence of the so-called “retro style”, also noted in the typefaces of small posters. Flaunting a bit lonely on the streets, small posters came here as if from the United States of the early twentieth century. The only thing that tells us for sure that this is not so are Czech accents. Deliscript Italic, used in one of such signboards, breathes with the atmosphere of a completely different time, like everything else does in Holešovice. Such a mixture of styles and eras can hardly be found anywhere else in Europe.

When we compare all of the above with the center of Prague, we feel an incredible difference in style. The center is full of monumental architecture from the early Renaissance, and one can hardly find a vivid expression of street art. The fonts are completely different from those in Prague 7. Take Paris Street, for example. Expensive shops, luxury goods - all of these are a magnet for serif fonts. Holešovice is different in every possible perspective and it makes it an incredibly unique are; a great experience of diversity and eccentricity. By Alex Malynovskyi

By Anna Stava

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a look into Holesoviceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s counter-culture and how it has shaped todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current art scene

Graphiti in Vnitroblock By Vanesa Vachova

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;?

These graffiti walls are a place for artists to express themselves...

ome to two of Pragueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most famous art galleries, DOX and the National Gallery, Holesovice also contains a large street and underground art scene. The graffiti around the city could be viewed as controversial to some, but acknowledging the use of graffiti as a form of expression used in the 1970s can help people understand why it is still important to Czech culture. The newest mural in Holesovice was revealed in early October commemorating the beginning of the Solidarity movement in 1980, the cooperation of Polish and Czechoslovak dissenters against communism. The creators of the graphic design, with one half located in Prague and the other half in Warsaw, are young Czech and Polish artists from the Good Looking studio. The idea for a PolishCzech mural came from the National Centre of Culture and the Polish Institute in Prague. The City District Prague 7

then selected and provided space on the wall of a nursing home in Tusarova Street. The Vltavska Metro Station in particular is widely known for its liberal take on graffiti. The walls have been graffiti sprayed by famous artists like Mode 2 who once painted people engaged in doing everyday things, while another part of the wall is graffiti in chrome and black paints, illustrating that commerce has taken over street art. Today, the tension between the older and younger generation regarding graffiti is growing. The younger generation firmly believes that graffiti is an avenue to express themselves in a free and unimpeded manner, while the older Czechs believe it crosses the line of vandalism. Fortunately, there are parts of Prague where graffiti is legal, which are taken advantage of by the younger artists. These graffiti walls are a place for artists to express themselves in a legal matter, although it can be argued that the illegality of it is what makes graffiti prevalent.

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Graphiti in Vnitroblock By Vanesa Vachova

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Food preferences are abundant and going hungry while exploring Holesovice will never be an option for you. Catering to all dietary restrictions, we have reviewed some of the top cafes within the area so you do not have to worry about finding one that suits your needs.

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review of

hen we say that Holešovice has a lot of avant-garde concept stores that you wouldn’t find somewhere else in Prague… we mean it. And Vnitroblock is at the top of that list. Coffee, dance, art, fashion, movies, you name it. The innovation that has gone into putting Vnitroblock together is an inspiration for the countless of people who go there to get a coffee and get some work done everyday. Because, if you ask any person in Prague to recommend cafés to go and work in, I’m sure Vnitroblock will be on that list. Their fun, mismatched couches and chairs give the sitting area a retro, but cozy, vibe. The drinks and pastries that they have at the bar are of really good quality, and the people who work there always have a smile on their faces. All of this makes the café

area of Vnitroblock have a super nice atmosphere that you can’t find anywhere else in Prague. However, Vnitroblock spans over a whole street which they have filled with dance studios, exhibition spaces, event halls, and so.much. more. So I believe that everytime you go there you find something new. And when the weather is nice outside, they even have an outdoor sitting area for you to chill in. This place is really any creative’s dream. Vnitroblock used to be a factory, like many of the buildings in our beloved Holešovice, and it was ready to be demolished before it was taken over and transformed into the multiplex that it is today. Nevertheless, the unfinished apperance and relics of the factory make Vnitroblock a staple and must-go of Prague 7 and a prime example of everything that the modern Holešovice stands for.

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By Adri MĂŠndez

Inside Vnitroblock By Vanesa Vachova

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Inside Vnitroblock By Vanesa Vachova

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f you want to know a little bit about the History of Coffee you are in the right section!, it began in Turkey around XV, they used coffee beans prepared as any else infusion. But quickly it got spread between hight classes and military soldiers because of its properties. Through that socio-economical interest of these powered beans, they developed different extractions.

The first one emerged in France in 1802, through the “Caféolette” by a doctor, a basic “Italian coffee machine”. The next machine was the “French Press”, made by accident in 1850, this method is another way of infusion your coffee but applying a certain amount of pressure therefore to obtain different hints. Furthermore, in 1884 when the first Expresso Machine was built in Italy, moreover it’s function consisted of using highlypressurized hot water applying force on a smooth ground coffee to get a rich and deep flavour taste. Followed by the first coffee filters created in 1902 by a woman named Amelie Melita Bentz, who started her new future by building a business with his husband that develops a new type of filters.

Italian Coffee

Cafe

French Press

Expresso Machine

Martin

Chemex

Sifon Illustrations by Laura Iglesias

Cold Brew

By Laura Iglesias

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Expresso

Capuchino Latte Flat White

Machiato Coffee

ni Coffee

Cold Brew

In Prague 7 Until the nineties, Holesovice was an industrial area but by a few of brilliant minds started to develop artistically and contributed new extraction methods of coffee with speciality beans, cafes begun to be specifically popular, mixed with art and culture. Nowadays in Holesovice, a great cup of coffee it’s crucial because it’s the most hipster interior decoration area and you can observe a few artists drinking their inspiration around these magic places, surrounded by books.

Irish Coffee Afogato

In the Czech Republic Besides all of these developments, Prague started to feel coffee’s taste on 1700 through coffee infusions, these habits belonged to highest classes until 1909, where lot’s of cafés opened through the Art Nouveau movement. Everyone wanted to pertain to that new lifestyle. However, when the tragedy of the First and the Second World War became, coffee returned to belong to the hight classes. After the war, roasters, that pertained to companies were nationalized and a huge amount of the bourgeois First Republic cafés were closed. Still, Czeck people used “Turek” coffee, with other words, an average coffee infusion because was the cheapest way to prepare the coffee.

Through that "boom" and the demand of coffee speciality, the cafés started to innovate on coffee services, such as different preparations of Coffee Macchiato until an alcohol touch of Martini Coffee, a powered option during nights.

Moca Coffee

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list of

If you’re surprised to learn that there are many vegan restaurants in Prague 7, you are not alone. The Art District of Prague has plenty of options for vegans and here is a showcase of some of the vegan restaurants that you’ll find around Prague 7. Vegtral: Vegtral restaurants & bar is one of the most popular restaurants for vegan and vegetarian lovers. There is an extensive menu of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. They have a special lunch menu on weekdays and you can order some burgers and some tortilla twister from the permanent menu.

Waipawa: Waipawa is where you can taste a range of Czech dishes in vegan design and many others. They have very good soya and jalapenos burgers on their menu. You can spend your afternoon on weekdays with a special vegan lunch menu. For drinks, they have special “Hubertus” Czech beer.

Loving Bistro: The loving bistro is a Chain of vegan restaurants in Prague. And one of them is in Holešovice. It has a wide range of dishes like noodles, rice, faux meat dishes, tofu, pasta, and soups in their daily buffet menu. Along with vegan desserts and nonalcoholic beverages.

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in Holešovice By Keyur Vithlani

Forkey’s: Forky’s is a modern bistro-restaurant concept, where all food is prepared only from purely plant ingredients. They offer completely new concept dishes of Czech and world cuisines.

Chut Point: The self-service bistro Chut point offers gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan dishes. On weekdays they offer you an extensive lunch buffet menu. They also have a delicious, healthy, and varied alternative to regular “fast” meals in Prague 7.

Salt’N’Pepa Kitchen: salt’N’Pepa kitchen is in the heart of Letna. They offer a daily menu and quality classic cuisines such as real Slovak brynza dumplings or chicken on paprika. But also a lot of Asian fusion, grilled meat dishes as well as salads and treats for vegetarians.

Illustration by Ines Borao

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review of

By Adri Méndez

reshly baked chocolate brownies that melt in your mouth, a stack of pancakes that taste like they were made by angels, and smoothies that will make you wish they never end… those are just a few of the things I’ve tried at the Lovely Day Bistro. Just around the corner of The Prague Market, Lovely Day is a small but beautiful place to have brunch, coffee, or any other food of the day. They have countless of options to choose from in terms of drinks, baked goods, and full meals that not only look good but are outstandingly tasty. The first time I went here was with a group of friends to celebrate one of their birthdays. Even with the limited space, the waiters had set

apart a table for our group and tended to our brunchdesiring dreams. When the food came you could see everyone at the table taking pictures of the food because it was so Instagram-worthy and because the place is beautifully decorated. It’s the perfect, cozy place for a rainy day when you don’t feel like cooking, or even for a sunny day when you also don’t feel like cooking. It’s funny to see how much the Lovely Day Bistro stands out in such a grunge, industrial area of Prague due to its boho-chic decorations. Their chalk wall where they write up some of the items from the menu and have fun doodles and quotes along with their wooden crate decorate-wall is a Pinterestgirl’s dream (or maybe just my dream, but anyways…).

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Above: Photo by Vanesa V. Other Two: by Adri M.

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Prague is already known for its intricate architecture, however, Holesovice is a unique comparison to the overall architecture in the city. Combining industrial and contemporary buildings, it gives the entire neighborhood a different emotion and is a stark contrast from the rest of the city.

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By Vanessa Vachova & Allyah Hamilton

in holešovice Veletržní Palác One of the outstanding buildings of Prague 7 is undoubtedly the monumental building of the Trade Fair Palace. This very modern building was designed by architects Josef Fuchs and Oldřich Tyl. The internal division was conceived according to the construction’s original purpose: organizing trade fairs. During World War II, the building was confiscated by the occupying authorities. After the arrival of the communists, the building was used as the seat of foreign trade enterprises. In August 1974, the Palace burned down. However, it was decided that the Palace would be repaired, and that the collection of modern art of the National Gallery would be located there.

Výstaviště Výstaviště in Prague is an exhibition ground used to showcase art, music, markets, and other cultural events, founded in 1891 in the surroundings of Stromovka. This prominent building has on its premises the Industrial Palace, Křižík’s Light fountain, the Lapidarium of the National Museum, and even an amusement park.

Industrial Palace The Industrial Palace in Holešovice is an Art Nouveau building and the largest landmark of the Prague Exhibition Centre. Typical external features of Art Nouveau are decorative flowing lines, floral ornaments, geometrical forms and the usage of symbolic figures. The glass building with steel construction is divided into three independent parts: the right wing, the left wing and the middle hall featuring a 51 m high clock tower. As a project formed from the workshop of architects Bedřich Münzberger and František Prášil it was finished in 1891 with intended use for exhibitional and various cultural purposes.

Výstaviště Photo by Vanesa V.

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Místodržitelský letohrádek The Governor’s Summer Palace is one of the oldest monuments in Prague 7.Although several alterations have influenced its present appearance, it was built at the very end of the 15th century. When under Rudolf II, the Holy Roman Emperor, the imperial court moved to Prague and he acquired this as his summer house and the adjacent royal game reserve. In 1804, it was decided to rebuild the summer house into the seat of the highest burgrave Jan Rudolf Chotek. The building thus acquired its current neoGothic appearance. At this time, a beautiful neo-Gothic gate was also built at the entrance of Bubeneč. Since the end of the 1940s, the building has served as a study of the National Museum’s magazines.

Šlechtova restaurace Although it may not be evident at first glance, the building of the so-called Noble Restaurant in Stromovka is also one of the oldest buildings in Prague 7. The foundation of the building was laid in the 1690s. The building’s core was a large hall for court festivities, supplemented on the sides by smaller “relaxation” rooms. The restaurant got its name from one of its tenants Václav Šlecht, who operated it since 1882. In addition to the building itself, guests were also using the adjacent garden called Kaštanka that has a gazebo. The gazebo was also used as a stage for performers during concerts. DOX Gallery DOX is an independent gallery whose vision is to present contemporary art that talks about the issues that are shaping our world today. It has become a hub of avant-garde art and design in the middle of Europe. The building that DOX resides in originated in the 19th century as a factory, originally intended for metal works. It was renovated with an investment of almost two hundred million Czech crowns. It encompases a 3000m2 space with large exhibition areas featuring artworks from czech and foreign artists, various multifunctional halls, the Gulliver Airship as well as a designshop, bookstore and more.

Cross Club The Cross Club is an underground club featuring bars, indoor stages, a theater, rehearsal studio, cafe and restaurant as well as an outdoor sitting area. The club is decorated with rotating and twinkling statues, different light installations and many many other things. It follows a steam-punk futuristic style guide, being made mainly from trash metal and other waste materials. The Cross Club has hosted numerous acts from various music and cultural fields. Focusing mainly on the unconventional musicscene and cultural diversity.

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Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Palace By Vanessa Vachova

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By Vanessa Vachova

The Prague Mar Photos by Vanes

rket ssa Vachova

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It was possible to house up to 2,700 head of beef cattle and six thousand pigs

he Prague Market spreads over more than 100,000 m2 of land, which is a larger area than the Prague Castle, with the Wenceslas Square being able to fit here 2.5 times. This diverse maze of shops, restaurants, and art galleries that we know today started out as Prague’s central slaughterhouse being built in 1893 by architect Josef Srdínek. The construction began on March 6, 1893, and on July 1, 1895, was ceremoniously opened. It was possible to house up to 2,700 head of beef cattle and six thousand pigs. The slaughterhouse area’s capacity was designed so that it was possible to supply the produced meat to 350,000 and later half a million people based on a survey on meat consumption in Prague. The whole slaughterhouse was divided into three parts - the western part (tracks connected from the Bubny station for unloading cattle),

the middle part (office building, inn, a monument to the fallen in the First World War) and the eastern part (a place to slaughter cattle, underground cold stores, stables, boiler room, engine room, water tower and more). The complex served its purpose until 1983, when new meat processing plants were opened in Čakovice and Písnice. The Prague slaughterhouse then began to serve as a marketplace, but the buildings’ condition was not good, and the water flood in 2002 didn’t help the condition either. The Prague market now has undergone several changes both successful and unsuccessful. Despite some shortcomings and the fact that some parts of the area are unused, the market is a popular shopping place for citizens and foreigners. The biggest attraction is probably fresh vegetables and cheap clothes. However, given the demands of this century, it needs to be revived.

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By Alex Malynovskyi

here are two main national galleries in Prague: one in the central square and the other in Prague 7. Despite the unified system and centralisation of the exhibition halls, the galleries differ quite a lot in the content and style of exhibition materials. This is due to the fact that the variety of art cannot fit into one building. To preserve the epochmaking integrity, the galleries are divided into modern and more classical, containing all kinds of masterpieces of the Renaissance. Modern, as you might have guessed, is located in Prague 7, and this is no coincidence: you will not find a more ultra-modern and hipster district in Prague. Tons of concrete, symmetrically

Illustrations by Ines Borao

arranged in geometric shapes with barely transparent windows - this is how any traveler would describe this truly gigantic building. The monumental building of Czech Functionalist architecture has been used as a gallery since 1976 - 44 years. First it served the Prague Sample Trade Fairs company and, after the war, it housed various foreign trade companies. The history of the building was dramatically affected on August 14, 1974, when it was nearly destroyed by a huge fire that took six days (until August 20) before being quenched. In 1976, a decision was made to renovate the building; the reconstruction progressed slowly and was finally

completed in the 1990s. If for some reason you do not like such a stately grey building, then do not get upset too soon: inside you will find a typical modern European interior with bright lighting, white walls, high ceilings, prevailing over all minimalism and everything that creates the spirit of modern European galleries. The art of the 19th and 20th centuries is mainly exhibited here, much attention, of course, is paid to national creativity. The National Gallery Prague also offers a variety of programmes: guided tours, lectures, discussions, seminars, art studios and courses for children and adults. Can’t come? Well, that’s not a problem. You can organise your

own tour from the comfort of your couch. To do this, you just need to go online and go to the official website. After browsing thousands of highresolution art, you can even pick your favourites and order T-shirts and other merchandise with them!

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In addition to exhibitions, various social events are also regularly held here; souvenirs, books, designer items are sold here, as well as several entertainment places, places for rest from art: all kinds of cafes and restaurants. It is also a great place to spend a weekend with the family, as people of all ages and tastes can find entertainment here.

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Home to two of the most popular and largest parks in Prague, Leta and Stromovka provide tranquil atmospheres whilst staying in the city limits. Treat yourself to a beer or a calm walk in either of the parks and discover a side of Prague that only exists in Holesovice.

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tretching along the left side of the Vltava and connecting the Petrin Gardens to Holesovice, Letna Park is a popular hangout spot for both locals and tourists. Offering stunning views, an expansive beer garden and sport areas, there is never a bad time to visit. The park also holds a rich history, mainly surrounding the iconic metronome that sits at the top of the park. Before skateboarders transformed the metronome into a recreational area, there used to be a giant granite statue of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin with a line of workers and scientists behind him. The statue, in place from May 1, 1955, until the end of 1962, was the largest group statue in Europe and weighed 17,000 tons. When Stalin died in 1953, the statue still was not complete resulting in loss of interest and overall embarrassment surrounding the statue. The sculptor, Otakar Švec, killed

himself just before it was unveiled. When the sculpture was destroyed, only the base remained intact which turned into the current metronome. This current art statement stands at 23 meters tall and can be seen from Old Town. It was built in 1991 according to a design by Vratislav Novák and was made for the General Czechoslovak Exhibition A cable car also used to adorn the side of the park, available for those who preferred to avoid the steep incline into the park. It was the city’s first cable car and was opened on May 31, 1891, and operated until 1916. Once taken down, there was a moving wooden staircase in the space where the cable car used to run from 1926-1935. The park was also home to Prague’s first electric tram, which linked Letna to Stromovka. Operating for nine short years between 18911900, the journey took about five minutes and traveled one direction at a time.

Letna Park Photo by Julie Matzen

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A unique wooden carousel sits behind the beer garden and boasts an impressive history. It is one of the oldest of its type in Europe ,built in 1892 in Vinohrady and moved to the park in 1894. It was originally powered manually with a person rotating it by hand, but by 1903, an electric motor replaced the human. The carousel was listed as protected heritage in 1991, but has been officially closed since 2006 due to damage. The locals hope to see it spin once again in the coming years. Currently, Letna is widely known for its beer garden, the largest in the city! You can choose from a selection of Czech beers as well as some bites of food to nibble on whilst overlooking the river and Old Town. Although most popular in the summer months, Letna Park can be enjoyed throughout the year! By Anna Stava

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Tram In Stromovka By Vanessa Vachova

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Stromovka Photo by Vanesa V.

By Anna Stava

oined as the largest park in Prague, Stromovka boasts a summerhouse in Neo-Gothic style, a planetarium, a former gamekeeper’s lodge, a former ice house, a former railway building, two restaurants, three playgrounds and a picnic area, all while retaining a rich history. Translating to literally “place of trees”, you can always find people picnicking, jogging, cycling or skating. Stromovka dates back to 1268 when the Czech king Přemysl Otakar II established a royal hunting park there. Later, in the mid 16th century, the park was

newly planted and a big pond was created in the central area of the park. During the reign of Rudolf II the park was enlarged and a tunnel was drilled under Letná to supply the pond with water. Another pond was created and exotic animals and plants were brought to the park.The park was opened to public in 1804, and even more smaller bodies of water were added to create a scenic and relaxing atmosphere. Unfortunately, heavy rains and floods damaged the park which led to extensive renovations, but reopened in 2003.

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While visiting the park, stop by the Vozovna restaurant in the middle of the park where you can enjoy delicious food in a serene area. The planetarium also offers great year-round programs, and while most events are in Czech, there are some English-language showings available. If you love stars and the universe, this is the perfect place to check out. For the architecture fanatics, the exhibition grounds is not the place to miss.The main building of the grounds is the Industrial Palace, a beautiful Art Nouveau building made from glass and steel. The entire Exhibition Centre was built for the General Land Centennial Exhibition in 1891.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the same exhibition that gave Prague its own small version of the Eiffel Tower. For even more art, venture to the Trade Fair Palace which is a part of the National Gallery. Stromovka Park is the perfect getaway from busy city life whilst still remaining relatively close to the city center and urban life. In the recent years, more ponds, green spaces and footpaths have been added to further draw visitors and create a welcoming environment. Join the 4 million visitors that come to the park each year to experience it for yourself!

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Illustration 62 by Laura iglesias

Johanna Lang Vanessa, Vachova Adriana Mendez, Yasmin Ibrahim, L’aura Iglesias, Allyah Jaynice Hamilton, Oleksandr Malynovskyi, Keyur Vihtlani, Julie Matzen, Anna Stava, Ines Borao, Johanna Lang Vanessa, Vachova, Adriana Mendez, Yasmin Ibrahim, L’aura Iglesias, Allyah Jaynice Hamilton, Oleksandr Malynovskyi, Keyur Vihtlani, Julie Matzen, Anna Stava, Ines Borao, Johanna Lang Vanessa, Vachova Adriana Mendez, Yasmin Ibrahim, L’aura Iglesias, Allyah Jaynice Hamilton, Oleksandr Malynovskyi, Keyur Vihtlani, Julie Matzen, Anna Stava, Ines Borao, Johanna Lang Vanessa, Vachova Adriana Mendez, Yasmin Ibrahim, L’aura Iglesias, Allyah Jaynice Hamilton, Oleksandr Malynovskyi, Keyur Vihtlani, Julie Matzen, Anna Stava, Ines Borao, Johanna Lang Vanessa, Vachova Adriana Mendez, Yasmin Ibrahim, L’aura Iglesias, Allyah Jaynice Hamilton, Oleksandr Malynovskyi, Keyur Vihtlani, Julie Matzen, Anna Stava, Ines Borao, Johanna Lang Vanessa, Vachova Adriana Mendez, Yasmin Ibrahim, L’aura Iglesias, Allyah Jaynice 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Oleksandr Malynovskyi, Keyur Vihtlani, Julie Matzen, Anna Stava, Ines Borao, Johanna Lang Vanessa, Vachova Adriana Mendez, Yasmin Ibrahim, L’aura Iglesias, Allyah Jaynice Hamilton, Oleksandr Malynovskyi, Keyur Vihtlani, Julie Matzen, Anna Stava, Ines Borao, Adriana Mendez, Johanna Lang, Vanessa, Vachova Adriana Mendez, Yasmin Ibrahim, L’aura Iglesias, Allyah Jaynice Hamilton, Oleksandr Malynovskyi, Keyur Vihtlani, Julie Matzen, Anna Stava, Ines Borao, Johanna Lang Vanessa, Vachova Adriana Mendez, Yasmin Ibrahim, L’aura Iglesias, Allyah Jaynice Hamilton, Oleksandr Malynovskyi, Keyur Vihtlani, Julie Matzen, Anna Stava, Ines Borao, Johanna Lang Vanessa, Vachova, Adriana Mendez, Yasmin Ibrahim, L’aura Iglesias, Allyah Jaynice Hamilton, Oleksandr Malynovskyi, Keyur Vihtlani, Julie Matzen, Anna Stava, Ines Borao, Johanna Lang Vanessa, Vachova Adriana Mendez, Yasmin Ibrahim, L’aura Iglesias, Allyah Jaynice Hamilton, Oleksandr Malynovskyi, Keyur Vihtlani, Julie Matzen, Anna Stava, Ines Borao, Johanna Lang Vanessa, Vachova Adriana Mendez, Yasmin Ibrahim, L’aura Iglesias, Allyah Jaynice Hamilton, Oleksandr Malynovskyi, Keyur Vihtlani, Julie Matzen, Anna Stava, Ines Borao, Johanna Lang Vanessa, Vachova Adriana Mendez, Yasmin Ibrahim, L’aura Iglesias, Allyah Jaynice Hamilton, Oleksandr Malynovskyi, Keyur Vihtlani, Julie Matzen, Anna Stava, Ines Borao, Johanna Lang Vanessa, Vachova Adriana Mendez, Yasmin Ibrahim, L’aura Iglesias, Allyah Jaynice Hamilton, Oleksandr Malynovskyi, Keyur Vihtlani, Julie Matzen, Anna Stava, Ines Borao, Johanna Lang Vanessa, Vachova Adriana Mendez, Yasmin Ibrahim, L’aura Iglesias, Allyah Jaynice Hamilton, Oleksandr Malynovskyi, Keyur Vihtlani, Julie Matzen, Anna Stava, Ines Borao, Johanna Lang Vanessa, Vachova Adriana Mendez, Yasmin Ibrahim, L’aura Iglesias, Allyah Jaynice Hamilton, Oleksandr Malynovskyi, Keyur Vihtlani, Julie Matzen, Anna Stava, Ines Borao, Johanna Lang, Vanesa Vachova, Adriana Mendez, Yasmin Ibrahim, L’aura Iglesias, Allyah Jaynice 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Illustration by Laura iglesias