5 May 2025, Prague – Prague City Tourism has curated a series of public events to commemorate a pivotal moment in history: the end of the Second World War and the Prague Uprising. As part of the Experience Prague and Prague Heritage programmes, the company is offering a range of guided walks and lectures exploring the city’s wartime past. From 6 May, visitors will be able to view a remarkable replica of the destroyed Old Town Bell – one of the oldest bells in Prague – on display on the ground floor of the Old Town Hall. The bell has been reconstructed by the Museum of Prague Museum. Prague City Tourism invites residents and visitors alike to take part in a meaningful remembrance of these events. Expert guides will lead themed tours to locations tied to the fighting and key moments of the uprising, bringing history vividly to life. “Our aim is not only to honour the bravery of Prague’s citizens, but to offer a deeper understanding of dramatic days that shaped the direction of the city and the nation,” says František Cipro, chair of Prague City Tourism’s boar, adding, “We’ve also created a dedicated webpage at prague.eu/80, where visitors can find all the events organised to mark the end of the Second World War, including those hosted by our partners. The site also features a unique archive recording of wartime radio broadcasts from the time of the Prague Uprising. The public can look forward to a series of walks revealing, for example, which well-known building in the city centre sheltered residents from bombing raids. A special lecture by Antonín Baloun, head of the Old Town Hall, will offer stirring stories of the building’s defenders who stood their ground in the final days. Attendees will also learn why the Hall’s eastern wing – destroyed during the last days of the war – was never rebuilt. “The Old Town Hall and its former eastern wing are powerful symbols of the events of 1945,” says Baloun. “The lecture will uncover how the defence unfolded, what took place within its walls and cellars, and how the final days of the war left their mark on the building’s interiors.” Alongside the lectures and guided walks, Prague City Tourism is joining forces with the Museum of Prague to bring the once-silenced Old Town Bell back to life. Destroyed at the end of the war, the bell has now been faithfully reconstructed, and will be on public display from 6 May on the ground floor of the Old Town Hall. In May 2025, the Czech Republic marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War, one of the defining moments of Czechoslovakia’s modern history. Its final chapter in the Czech Lands was written during the Prague Uprising, which took place between 5 and 9 May 1945. More details about the guided walks can be found at prague.eu/povstani80
