Filtered by: Top Picks

PRAGUE, Czech Republic – Filipinos and other tourists visiting the Czech Republic can once again see the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal at the foyer of the Czech National Bank.

Rizal’s bust, sculpted by Filipino artist Jose Giroy, was on display from 2018 until 2023, when it was temporarily placed in storage due to technical renovations at the bank.

CNB Supervision Department Executive Director Vladimir Tomšík on Monday welcomed Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Eduardo Martin Meñez and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Prague to the bust’s location.

“The public could visit Dr. Rizal’s bust free of charge. Visitors are welcome, but they need to go through security screening,” Tomšík said, adding that the location was previously the bank’s cashier desk.

The Philippine Embassy in Prague said the Knights of Rizal (KoR) in the Czech Republic first reported the bust’s absence in 2023, prompting the mission to coordinate with the Czech National Bank on the sculpture’s whereabouts.

The embassy was informed by the KoR that the bust was seen on display in December 2024, although there was no announcement from the Czech National Bank.

During Monday’s visit, Ambassador Meñez said it was his first time seeing the bust since he assumed the role in 2024.

The Czech National Bank stands today on what was then Hotel Modrá hvězda (“Blue Star” in Czech), where Rizal and Maximo Viola stayed on their visit to Prague in 1887.

Rizal and Viola toured Prague after their four-day stay in Leitmeritz (or the present-day Czech city of Litoměřice) to meet Austrian scholar Ferdinand Blumentritt, who was the Philippine hero’s friend and collaborator.

Hotel Modrá hvězda was the site where the peace treaty between the Kingdom of Prussia and the Austrian Empire was signed in August 1866.

In 1931, the hotel was demolished to make way for the building of today’s Czech National Bank headquarters.

Other attractions

The world's second-largest gold coin, a commemorative 130-kg coin with a nominal value of CZK 100 million (PHP 295.5 million) produced in 2019 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Czechoslovakian koruna.

Renovation in the Czech National Bank’s original bank hall began in 2021, and included the construction of the Visitor Center, which was opened to the public a year later.

CNB representatives told the visiting Filipino diplomats about plans to expand the Visiting Center and to place Rizal’s bust in an area more accessible to the public.

Currently, the center includes an exhibition on the history of money and monetary development installed in the bank’s basement.

It features the world’s second-largest gold coin, a commemorative 130-kg coin with a nominal value of CZK 100 million (PHP 295.5 million). The gold coin, produced in 2019 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Czechoslovak

Czech National Bank

The Czech National Bank (ČNB) is the central bank of the Czech Republic, established in 1993 following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. Its primary responsibilities include maintaining price stability, overseeing monetary policy, and regulating the financial system. The bank is headquartered in a historic building in Prague, which was originally designed for the former Živnostenská banka.

Hotel Modrá hvězda

Hotel Modrá hvězda (Blue Star Hotel) is a historic hotel located in the town of Tábor, Czech Republic, housed in a building with origins dating back to the 15th century. Originally a Gothic burgher house, it was later renovated in the Renaissance and Baroque styles, and it has served as a hotel since the early 20th century. Today, it is known for its charming historic atmosphere and central location near the town square, offering a glimpse into Tábor’s rich Hussite heritage.

Leitmeritz (Litoměřice)

Leitmeritz, known as Litoměřice in Czech, is a historic town in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic, founded in the 10th century. It served as a royal town and an important center of trade and culture, featuring a well-preserved medieval core with Gothic and Renaissance architecture. The town is also notable for its role in the 19th-century Czech National Revival and its beautiful cathedral, St. Stephen’s.

Visitor Center

A Visitor Center is typically the first stop for tourists at parks, museums, or historical sites, providing maps, exhibits, and information to enhance the visitor experience. Historically, these centers emerged in the mid-20th century as part of the National Park Service’s efforts in the United States to educate and guide the growing number of travelers. They often showcase the site’s cultural or natural history through interactive displays and knowledgeable staff.

gold coin

A gold coin is a coin made mostly or entirely of gold, historically used as a form of currency and a store of value. Gold coins have been minted since ancient times, such as the Lydian staters from around 600 BCE, and were widely used in trade and commerce across civilizations. Today, they are primarily produced as bullion coins for investment and collectors, with famous examples including the American Gold Eagle and the South African Krugerrand.