Strange Old World podcast's Prague episode talks Easter whipping, pig sticking, and pickled cheese

Launched in 2023, the Strange Old World podcast highlights peculiar attractions and unusual aspects of cities worldwide.

In each episode, a local city expert recommends a strange thing to see, a strange thing to do, a strange festival or event, a strange food or drink, a strange local myth or slice of history, and a strange day trip. Recently, it was Prague’s turn.

In the podcast’s Prague-themed episode, capital-based travel journalist Mark Pickering shared some of his adopted hometown’s weird and wonderful experiences.

Mark’s recommendations included the Streams sculpture by David Černý and many of the artist’s other offbeat city artworks, joining a Pragulic city tour with a homeless guide, and a visit to the Church of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, with its exhibition devoted to Operation Anthropoid, the World War II assassination of Reinhard Heydrich.

He also talked about his experiences with Czech traditions, including zabijačka (the Czech pick-sticking tradition) and pomlázka (the whip used in a controversial Easter tradition), while sharing his love of traditional Prague pubs and nakládaný hermelín (pickled cheese).

Beyond Prague, Mark chose Sedlec Ossuary in Kutná Hora as his favorite strange day trip. He also shared a few of his “regular” travel tips for visitors to Prague, from walking in parks like Stromovka and Grébovka to dining out in Vietnamese restaurants such as Pho u Letné.

Local listeners will also appreciate the podcast’s humorous discussion of Czech-language mishaps and the particular Czech directness when excusing themselves to use the facilities.

The podcast is hosted by Joe Reaney, another Prague-based travel journalist who writes for Lonely Planet, DK Eyewitness, National Geographic Traveller, and Fodor’s. Joe also chose his favorite Prague oddity: the mummified arm in the Basilica of St. James.

As well as the Czech capital, the podcast has featured cities such as London, Oslo, and Istanbul, with upcoming episodes on Tbilisi, Tokyo, Lisbon, Ljubljana, Bangkok, and more.

You can listen to the Prague episode of Strange Old World on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.