At some point, everyone wants to know what happens when you die. Dozens of worldwide religions answer this question with their own unique understanding of the afterlife, and hundreds of religious sects offer their own nuances of each of these beliefs. That being said, you may be surprised to see just how much major world… Keep Reading
Maria Amalia, Archduchess of Austria and Duchess of Parma, (1746-1804) was the daughter of Maria Theresia of Austria – Queen of Bohemia and Holy Roman Empress by marriage – and Emperor Francis Stephen. To ‘locate’ her historically, it is normally easier to refer to her simply as the elder sister of Maria Antonia – the… Keep Reading
A plaque exists to Mozart in Czechia, which is little known and whose location is unusual. It is not to be found in Prague, but en route to the city instead, again underlining the importance of Mozart’s peripatetic lifestyle as a freelance composer; the plaque is to be found in the small town of Caslav… Keep Reading
Easter traditions vary by country, community, culture, and religion. Americans celebrate Easter by giving Easter baskets filled with candy from the Easter Bunny and hunting for Easter eggs. Catholics, Protestants, and Mormons celebrate Easter by attending church on Easter Sunday to talk and sing about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here are… Keep Reading
Olomouc’s connections with the childhood of W. A. Mozart are both rich and poignant, resulting in musical composition, and a lasting legacy – although at first glance, it is a legacy less visible than that for example, he left in Brno and of course, Prague. The Moravian city became a place of residence for the… Keep Reading
Most probably, we think first of the legendary historical café on Vienna’s Albertinaplatz, when we hear the words ‘Café Mozart’, or perhaps of the café of the same name on Salzburg’s Getreidegasse, the same street as the Mozart Geburtshaus, where W. A Mozart was born in 1756. Yet there are other much lesser known cafés… Keep Reading
On 15 January 1787, W. A Mozart began a letter in Prague; unusually for him, especially in times of constant creativity, he finished it on the same day. The letter was addressed to one Gottfried von Jacquin (1767-92) back in Vienna. Jacquin worked at the Court Chancellery and had been one of Mozart’s closest friends… Keep Reading
Czech Christmas customs and traditions are different than what most people are accustomed to in their native countries. Yes, there are some similarities, but the actual customs are an excellent opportunity to experience life as a Czech. Travelers should be aware of some of the most common customs and traditions if traveling to the country… Keep Reading
On 29 September 1787, Mozart wrote a letter to his brother-in-law, Johann Baptist Franz Berchtold zu Sonnenburg to say he would be leaving early for Prague. This casual remark makes no mention of the fact that Mozart was travelling with his wife Constanze to direct the world premiere of the opera Don Giovanni (K527) which… Keep Reading
While Vienna was undoubtedly Mozart’s creative home, the city of Prague opened its arms to him in the 1780s and received him as the composer of ‘Figaro’, which was given its Czech premiere in the Estates Theatre in 1786, to overwhelming success. This particular appreciation for Mozart’s music was peculiar to a late eighteenth century… Keep Reading