Králík na paprice
Looking back through my culinary related posts I note that many of the recipes I’ve included to reflect the cuisines of Germany, Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are variations … Continue reading
Revolution: A short history of Prague
“I shall now set forth our plan for all to admire. Ultimate goal: overthrow Austria. First step: take Prague. Modus operandi: seize the citadel and lookout point on the promontory … Continue reading
Vepřové pečeně
Gert lush goloptious slices of roast pork served with dumplings, cabbage, and sour cream gravy. Could there be anything better? For the Vepřové pečeně Ingredients: 1 kilo pork tenderloin Salt … Continue reading
Villa Tugendhat
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) along with Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier, Richard Neustra, Philip Johnson, and J. J. P. Oud, was one of the leading lights of the International … Continue reading
Gregor Mendel
Johann Mendel (1822-1884) was born in Heinzendorf, Austrian Silesia (Hynčice, Czech Republic). After studying at the University of Olmütz (Olomouc, Czech Republic) Johann joined the Augustinian order at the Altbrünn … Continue reading
Horse railway
In the 1830’s the Austro-Hungarian Empire boasted the world’s longest horse railway connecting Linz in Upper Austria to České Budějovice in Bohemia. Originally envisioned in 1807 by Professor Franz Joseph … Continue reading
South Bohemian Potato Soup
Ingredients: 340g potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 litre meat or vegetable stock Salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste 1 tsp caraway seeds, lightly crushed 1 bayleaf 1 small onion, … Continue reading
The Good Soldier Švejk
Having drunk away a gift of 10 crowns instead of buying a railway ticket Private Josef Švejk, unscrupulous dog dealer, idiot savant, and thorn in the side of his superiors, … Continue reading
Husité, part 2
The Hussites quickly united on a programme that in effect were the conditions for their acceptance of Sigismund. They called for the lay chalice to be authorized, for simony (the … Continue reading
Husité, part 1
On July 6, 1415, Jan Hus was led to the stake having been found guilty of charges of heresy by the Council of Constance against the doctrines of the Catholic … Continue reading
Leaping Lena
In 1954 a racing pigeon named Lena lost her sense of direction during a flight from Munich to her home in Klautzenbach and landed in Plzeň. She was found by … Continue reading
Pivo
To lager drinkers Plzeň is, or should be, a spiritual home as the birthplace of the pilsner style of pale lager which dominates the modern beer market. Brewing in Plzeň … Continue reading