Albert Einstein loved strolling through Prague

Prague witnessed a momentous milestone in history, as acclaimed physicist Albert Einstein lived, lectured and developed his Theory of Relativity there. He arrived in the Czech capital in April 1911 to take a job as professor at what was then the German part of Charles University. National Geographic filmed a series about Einstein in Czechia, plus you can watch film on Netflix. So join us in following in the footsteps of this famous genius, who was born 145 years ago today.

A better life in Prague. An apartment with a maid

Albert Einstein’s most famous work is the Theory of Relativity, which he developed in his study in Viničná ulice in Prague, now home to the Faculty of Science of Charles University. He found a good place to live in Prague more than a hundred years ago. He became a respected professor for the first time, and even had an apartment with a maid. Historians claim this was also one of the reasons why he moved his family from Zurich to Prague. It is said that the Einsteins used kerosene lamps in Berne and gas lamps in Zurich but didn’t get electric lighting until they moved to Prague. That’s what you call a step up in the world.

In letters to his friends, Einstein praised Prague as a "magnificent city, so beautiful that it deserves a longer visit in itself." He carried his memories of the city of a hundred spires with him all his life.

He arrived in Prague as a wild-haired man of thirty with his wife Mileva and their two sons. They lived in a lovely apartment in Smíchov behind the Palacký Bridge, close to the Vltava embankment, now Lesnická ulice in the wider city centre. He taught fundamental physics at the Clementinum. His Institute of Theoretical Physics, which was established at the same time he took up his post, was located at Viničná 7, where a bust of Einstein now stands.

He always walked when making his way around Prague. And you yourself can walk the same route that famous theoretical physicist Albert Einstein took to work. Most of all, Einstein loved the view across Prague’s bridges (Jirásek Bridge, Palacký Bridge) spanning the Vltava River, and enjoyed walking through the historical centre of Prague and the city’s parks. He adored one of the world’s most beautiful libraries, which you can find at the Clementinum. It is home to the public National Library, the largest and oldest in Czechia.

Einstein's stay in Prague is commemorated by two plaques. The first is on the House at the White Unicorn (U Bílého jednorožce) on Old Town Square, where he met the writers Max Brod and Franz Kafka; the second, of course, is in Lesnická ulice in Smíchov, where the famous scientist used to live.

Genius by National Geographic

According to historians, Albert Einstein was very sociable, loved music, and greatly enjoyed debating various topics at Prague’s Louvre Café. This is how he is portrayed in the popular ten-part series Genius, shot by National Geographic from 2016 to 2017 in Prague, as well as in lots of other places around Czechia. It starred Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush.

The Apolinář Hospital in Prague stood in for Princeton University.
Photo: National Geographic/Dušan Martinček

Shooting locations in Prague included the Apolinář hospital, the Ministry of Transport and Agriculture, the Rudolfinum, Průhonice, Jablonec nad Nisou, Sychrov chateau, the universities in Brno and Plzeň, the Teplá monastery, and Loket. Some particularly important scenes were shot in the beautiful North Bohemian city of Liberec – Liberec Town Hill was the setting for the scenes from Einstein’s study, while the Ceremonial Hall stood in for the university auditorium in which Einstein lectured.

When you’re in Liberec, take a walk from the railway station and the central náměstí Dr. E. Beneše, past the Town Hall and the North Bohemian Museum as far as Masarykova ulice.