In this episode of Prague off the Beaten Track, we head to Baba, a rocky plateau just north of Hanspaulka. Built in the 1930s as a model housing exhibition, the Baba villa colony combines functionalist architecture with sweeping views over Prague. From here, even the city’s most familiar landmarks appear — just from angles most visitors never see.

Was 2025 a genuine turning point for Czechia, or just a shift in political tone? In Czechast, Seznam Zprávy journalist and opinion editor Kateřina Šafaříková reflects on Czech society, public aggression, and the country’s post-election foreign-policy course. Drawing on years spent in Brussels, she offers a sober assessment of where Czechia now stands in Europe.

Hanspaulka is the focus of a new episode of Prague off the Beaten Track, now part of the podcast Czechast. This quiet Prague 6 neighbourhood is known for its interwar villas, famous artists and intellectuals, and a strong sense of place. Today, it remains one of the city’s most rewarding areas for slow walking and architectural discovery.

In a New Year’s Eve special edition, Czechast returns to a long conversation with Jakub Hrůša, one of today’s leading Czech conductors. Recorded in early 2025, the interview captures a moment just before his career reached new heights. It offers a thoughtful look at music, discipline, and a year that proved decisive for Jakub Hrůša.

As 2025 comes to an end, Czechia has achieved something unprecedented in its modern history: it is no longer dependent on Russian oil or gas. In Czechast, political scientist Martin Jirušek explains how this became possible and why it matters. The interview also looks ahead to new risks hidden in Europe’s energy transition.

In this episode of Czechast, we speak with Professor Bohumír Janský, one of the most respected Czech geographers of his generation. He is known worldwide for leading the scientific expeditions that mapped the true sources of the Amazon River in Peru. His work has reshaped our understanding of the world’s greatest river and remains a milestone in modern hydrological research.

Czechs embrace the Christmas season with enthusiasm, but long-term statistics show that church attendance in Czechia is among the lowest in Europe. In this episode of Czechast, we explore why these two realities coexist — and where the roots of this paradox lie. Religion editor Adam Šindelář offers historical context and insight into Czech attitudes toward faith, tradition and spirituality.

In this new Czechast episode, lawyer and entrepreneur Linda Tejchmanová talks about building a life and career in Belgium. From studying two law degrees in parallel to co-founding the Czech-Belgian Chamber of Commerce, her story reflects both opportunities and dilemmas many Czechs abroad face. Recorded in Leuven, the conversation explores identity, motherhood, community, and the cultural nuances between Czechia and Belgium.

The current tug-of-war between President Petr Pavel and Andrej Babiš centres on how the ANO leader — and billionaire owner of Agrofert — should publicly address his business interests before being appointed prime minister. While it dominates today’s headlines, history shows that such tensions between the Castle and the head of government have appeared many times before. In this Czechast special, we explore how these power dynamics shaped politics from the First Republic to the present day.

In this episode of Czechast, we reveal the unexpected Czech footprint behind one of the world’s most prestigious gastronomic symbols. Smalt Brno company manufactures the iconic enamel plaques displayed by Michelin-starred restaurants across the globe.