Explore Lower Žižkov this weekend with an English-friendly walk

Non-profit Open House Praha organizes a special walking tour in English on Feb. 5 which includes a look inside the Bethlehem Chapel.

Ioana Caloianu

Written by Ioana Caloianu Published on 02.02.2023 13:43:00 (updated on 02.02.2023) Reading time: 2 minutes

Put on your walking shoes this Sunday and discover the architectural wonders of the lower part of the Žižkov district, as well as the local Bethlehem Chapel, during a tour organized by the Open House Praha non-profit organization.

There is no doubt that Žižkov is a very special Prague district. During the tour, we will talk about how the district has developed since the 19th century and why it has such a unique spirit.

Michal Šedivý, guide of the tour and member of Open House Praha

Bordering on the upscale Vinohrady district, Žižkov was once the realm of factory workers, and Vinohrady was more likely to house factory owners, but that distinction is no longer true. While it retains its counterculture ambiance, the new housing, more shops, and amenities that have come to Žižkov in recent years have transformed the look and feel of the neighborhood.

Šedivý will the introduce lower part of Žižkov, talk about the urban planning of this residential area, show some of the oldest local houses as well as the most historically significant ones, and introduce visitors to the Bethlehem Chapel.

Not to be confused with the medieval religious building in the Old Town, this modernist building has cubist elements, and is hidden in an inner courtyard of a tenement house near the Žižkov Town Hall.

As Šedivý notes, the fact that the tour is in English makes it accessible both to “long-term residents and foreign visitors of Prague.”

what is open house praha?

  • Open House Praha is a non-profit, non-governmental organization known for a festival of the same name, which is an important architectural event that gives people access to the city’s hidden architectural gems, and usually inaccessible buildings and spaces.
  • The 9th Open House Prague is set to take place on May 15–21, 2023. The program will include open buildings on the weekend and accompanying events on the weekdays.
  • Aside from the festival, the organization also focuses on various year-long activities (for volunteers, partners, the Architecture Lovers Club, the public), including educational programs for children, young adults, and people with disabilities.

The tour starts at 1:30 p.m. and is expected to last approximately 90 minutes. Tickets to the event are available at GoOut.net. The profit from this event goes to support the activities of Open House Praha.

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