History of Vánočka (Czech Christmas Bread)

“Vánočka” is a very large semi-sweet braided Czech Christmas bread that is the symbol of Christmas in Czech Republic. It’s a treat you can see in nearly every Czech household, just prior to and/or during the Christmas holidays. Its name derives from the very word for Christmas in Czech, which is “Vánoce”.

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The Column of Trajan tells a long winding story

Left: My close-up photo of the Colonna Traiana frieze. Right: Stock photo of the full length column.

Located in Rome, Italy, the Colonna Traiana (Column of Trajan) commemorates the Roman emperor Trajan’s victory in the Dacian wars (101-102 and 105-106). Continue reading