INTRO 2026
A handful of Central European destinations boast a remarkable blend of Gothic, Art Nouveau, and contemporary architecture, and the Czech capital is one of them. Its Art Nouveau and Art Deco locus classicus, the Industrial Palace, sat forlorn for over a dozen years after a devastating 2008 fire engulfed it. This year, the imposing edifice reopened after a meticulous renovation and welcomed its first guests, including a major design conference. Praised as an ingenious work of Czech craftsmanship, the building is set to benefit event organisers and locals alike. Beyond the grand opening, the city continues to upgrade its abodes, refining its well-kept boltholes and hosting international conferences. With 3.8 million visitors flocking in the first half of the year, Prague Airport supports the city, serving more than 195 destinations worldwide.
Once touted as a more affordable, yet equally beautiful, alternative to Vienna, Prague debunked that myth long ago. The city’s glistening spheres, below which trams whizz punctually and tourists move between both banks of the Vltava, no longer draw weekend tourists.
Instead, Prague is targeting high-end visitors and business guests, whose spending is rising rapidly. All this means the city can stand toe-to-toe with other Central European capitals. With a range of stunning, stately, or less conventional industrial venues, the city is also a haven for creative conferences. Kongres Magazine visited the 28th DesignBlok, Central Europe’s largest design conference, to uncover the buzz behind the building adorned with the inscription “1891” and to keep an eye out for Prague’s unconventional conventions.
NEED TO KNOW IN 2026
The inscription “1891” on the Industrial Palace recalls its origins as the centrepiece of Prague’s Jubilee Exhibition, when its steel-and-glass construction embodied the age’s technical confidence. The 16 October 2008 fire destroyed its left wing, leaving the building incomplete for almost eighteen years. Comprehensive reconstruction began in January 2022 and continued until September 2026, returning the palace to use and making DesignBlok one of its opening highlights. The 28th festival took place from 7 to 11 October, while DesignBlok Talks brought its professional programme to the central hall on 6 and 7 October.
The restoration’s most compelling achievements reside in its craftsmanship. More than 5,000 stained-glass panels, containing over 100,000 individual pieces of glass, make up part of the renewed building. Its painted ceiling and ornamental details demanded the combined expertise of restorers, carpenters, metalworkers and clockmakers.
DID YOU KNOW?
Prague’s monastic breweries offer a particularly agreeable detour through the city’s cultural history. Within the grounds of Strahov Monastery, founded in 1142, the present brewery continues a brewing tradition more than six centuries old. Its contemporary revival began in 2000, and today it offers more than twenty-five varieties of craft beer. A visit brings Czech cuisine and brewing craftsmanship into proximity with the castle district, offering an appealing setting for a leisurely encounter after a demanding conference programme.
Břevnov Monastery traces its brewing association to its foundation in 993. That venerable lineage has experienced interruptions, with the modern brewery established in 2011 in the former Baroque stables. Producing up to twenty beer styles annually, it combines a remarkable historical setting with a distinctly contemporary approach to brewing.
BEST INCENTIVE IDEA IN 2026
Prague’s labyrinthine streets invite intrigue, and QUIX Event has translated that atmosphere into Secrets of Prague, a premium outdoor experience inspired by Dan Brown’s world. Historical maps, cryptographic challenges, and augmented reality guide participants through a narrative brought to life by professional actors portraying costumed guardians. The city becomes an elaborate stage where participants decipher clues and share discoveries, giving familiar surroundings a fresh layer of mystery.
PERFECT GIFT
A chocolatier’s anniversary might ordinarily be celebrated with something destined to disappear in a few indulgent mouthfuls. Steiner & Kovařík has chosen a more enduring expression, marking twenty years with a limited edition collaboration with Czech footwear brand BOTAS. The “Gold” Botasky Iconic collection pairs chocolate-inspired design with shoemaking craftsmanship, with each handmade pair combining smooth leather and suede. Created with Silvia Steiner and footwear specialists in Zlín, the collection pays tribute to the imagination behind the chocolate brand’s development.
