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Come along this tour and experience Prague during Communism based on Vaclav Havel´s story and places connected to decisive events which led to the fall of Communism in Czechoslovakia.
Havel had been arrested by the Communists just two months prior to his election as president of Czechoslovakia in December of 1989, after the Velvet Revolution marked the downfall of the totalitarian regime’s hold on the country. The shy, modest man who had spent almost five years behind bars had become a symbol of Czechoslovak freedom and even addressed a joint session of the US Congress in February of 1990. To say that with Václav Havel’s death on Sunday, December 18 at age 75 marks the end of an era is a great understatement. The last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic shaped his nation into a Western-style democracy during a presidency that endured 13 years. Under his leadership the Czech Republic became a member of NATO (1999), and he greatly contributed to the nation’s acceptance into the European Union, though official membership was not granted until 2004, a year after the champion of human rights and moral authority had left the political scene. Havel also holds his place in Czech literary history as one of the country’s premiere writers, as his plays, essays, letters, poetry and speeches have made a significant impact.
Czech and Slovak students were honoring students killed during the Nazi Occupation on November 17, International Students Day, by marching through Prague in a peaceful demonstration. When they came to National Avenue, the police beat the students. This police brutality triggered what is today called The Velvet Revolution – the period from November 17 to December 29, during which dissidents and students protested against the Communist regime. Theatres went on strike, and from November 19 to late December demonstrations took place in Prague and other cities. Dissident playwright Vaclav Havel organized the Civic Forum, which openly challenged the Czechoslovak political system and demanded that all political prisoners in the country be released. On December 10, the first largely non-Communist government since 1948 was sworn in. Dubcek was named speaker of the federal parliament on December 28, and Havel was elected president of the country on December 29.
And why did Czechoslovakia split into Czech and Slovakia during the so-called Velvet divorce? Come along this tour and get answers to all your questions.
Last but not least, we will visit a pub where Vaclav Havel went with US presindent Clinton for a beer and clinked their glasses with one of the most famous Czech writers of the 20th century – Bohumil Hrabal.
On you wish we can also visit the Museum of Communism or the Museum of Cold War in Prague.
| Location | Prague |
| Sights to See | New Town, Wenceslas Square, National Street, Prague Castle, Memorial to the Victims of Communism, Dancing House, St Anne Church - The Prague Crossroads Centre, Theatre On Balustrade (Divadlo Na zábradlí), John Lennon Wall, Jan Palach Square |
| Interiors | Museum of Communism, Cafe Slavia |
| Included | Local, licensed, experienced and fun tour guide, Prague map with discount coupons, Prague souvenir magnet (supporting charity) |
| Excluded | Entrance fees, food and drinks |
| Availability From-To | All year round |
| Departure Time and Location | We will pick you up at the agreed place and time, most likely at the reception of your hotel in Prague. (To be specified in the request form below) |
| Duration | 4 hours |
| Return Location | We will finish the tour anywhere you wish in Prague. |
| Means of Transportation | Walking and/or Walking / Public Transportation (upon request) |
| Required Walking Ability | Medium |
| Language | All tours are in English, but exceptions can be made in advance. |
