Official Name Czech Republic
Capital City Prague
Population 10,246,178
Language Czech
Time Zone GMT +1 in winter and GMT +2 in summer
Independence 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and
Slovakia)
National Holiday Czech Founding Day, 28 October (1918)
Currency Czech Koruna(CZK)
Summer Temp: 18º C
Winter Temp: 0º C
Ethnic Groups Czech 81.2%, Moravian 13.2%, Slovak 3.1%, Polish 0.6%, German
0.5%, Silesian 0.4%, Roma 0.3%, Hungarian 0.2%, other 0.5% (1991)
Religions Roman Catholic 39.2%, Protestant 4.6%, Orthodox 3%, other 13.4%, atheist
39.8%
Location Central Europe, southeast of Germany
Area
total: 78,703 sq km
land: 78,645 sq km
water: 58 sq km
Land boundaries
total: 1,881 km
border countries: Austria 362 km, Germany 646 km, Poland 658 km, Slovakia 215
km
Coastline 0 km (landlocked)
Climate temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus
surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country
Elevation extremes
lowest: Elbe River 115 m
highest: Snezka 1,602 m
Natural resources hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite
Natural hazards NA
Following the First World War, the closely related Czechs and Slovaks of the
former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form Czechoslovakia. During the interwar
years, the new country's leaders were frequently preoccupied with meeting the
demands of other ethnic minorities within the republic, most notably the Sudeten
Germans and the Ruthenians (Ukrainians). After World War II, a truncated Czechoslovakia
fell within the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact
troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize Communist party
rule and create 'socialism with a human face.' Anti-Soviet demonstrations the
following year ushered in a period of harsh repression. With the collapse of
Soviet authority in 1989, Czechoslovakia regained its freedom through a peaceful
'Velvet Revolution.' On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a 'velvet divorce'
into its two national components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech
Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004.
Getting There
International rail crossings outnumber international airports by 18 to one (the
airport in question being Prague), but both are outscored by the 30-plus international
road crossings.
Plane
Scheduled international flights arrive predominantly at the capital, Prague,
which is connected worldwide by at least two dozen international carriers, including
CSA (Ceske aerolinie), the old state-run airline. International flights fly
from Moscow to Karlovy Vary, and the country's second city, Brno, can be reached
by air from London and Munich. Prague is the central hub airport for low-cost
airline Smart Wings with regular flights to Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and
Denmark. Buying tickets in the republic won't save you much money, so if you're
only going to the one destination, take advantage of the lower cost of a return
(round-trip) ticket bought at home.
Train
Consider arriving by train, as it's the easiest (if not the cheapest) way to
get from Western Europe to the Czech Republic. There are some 18 rail crossings
into the Republic.
Car
By road, visitors can enter the Republic at over 30 points, and the list is
growing all the time. To avoid fines, a window decal can be obtained from petrol
stations to allow legal driving on the highways for a ten day period. Be aware
that statistically, Czech drivers are some of the worst in Europe. Excessive
speed and passing on blind corners are the main problems.
There are numerous mineral springs on the Czech territory which have been used for medicinal purposes since the early 15th century. Located in picturesque natural landscapes, Czech spa towns are attractive for both their layout and their unique spa architecture. Some spa houses even boast elaborate original furnishings
The Czech lands boast an extraordinarily high number of cultural monuments. Over 2,000 preserved castles and chateaux represent an important part of the national cultural heritage, both in terms of their number and in terms of their historical and artistic value; their significance transcends national borders, and more than a few of these structures are important even in the global cultural context.
Religious sites and places of pilgrimage are a great part of architectural heritage of the Czech Republic. Although most of the churches, monasteries, chapels and pilgrimage places are Roman-Catholic, there also are many Jewish and Orthodox Christian sights. Religious architecture has gone through more than a thousand years' development
The Czech Republic is an ideal country for active holiday, where you can relax as well as improve your physical condition. In case you decide for relaxation, you have a choice of various wellness offers. Lovers of adrenaline sports will be pleased by wide possibilities of bungee jumping.
Nature in the Czech Republic and its forests and mountains were
inhabited and cultivated since the ancient times. In spite of it we can still
find beautiful untouched, wild places, unique with their sceneries and formations.
The animals, which still live in these areas – such as the wolf, the wildcat,
the lynx, the big bustard and the grouse – are elsewhere known only from
books and zoological gardens.
Labyrinths of caves connected by underground rivers, large caverns with unique
stalagmites and stalactites, extensive halls with prehistoric traces, a river,
which in the depth of one hundred metres forges its way through the largest
Czech gorge.
History
Prague’s first inhabitants arrived during the early Stone Age. The hills
over the Vltava were first settled by members of an unknown tribe. Their descendants
gradually settled the entire area around the Vltava meander, whose shape –
that of the letter P – now seems to symbolize the place’s future
name. Archaeological finds of jewels from the prehistoric era, whose style is
similar to those from the Great Moravian Empire, confirm the existence of a
Slavic settlement.
The foundation of the Prague Castle, the building of the Christian church of
the Virgin Mary at its center, and the promotion of the Castle as the chief
seat of the Premyslid dynasty have all given the Prague basin settlements a
new mission. The Prague Castle became the heart of the Czech Principality; the
rise of the Premyslid princes to power, along with an advantageous position
at a crossroads of trading paths over the river, made Prague the most important
place in the entire country.
The metamorphosis of the fragmented agglomeration below the castle into a fortified
and privileged medieval city took three centuries. The “coming of age”
period is historically called the Romanesque era. The importance of the Castle
settlements was to a great extent the work of Prince Boøivoj, the first
known Czech ruler. Prague became a city at the end of the 12th and 13th centuries.
The Old Town of Prague came into existence in 1220 and joined with the Lesser
Town at the end of the 13th century. At the beginning of the 14th century, another
Prague town appeared: Hradcany (the Castle Quarter).
A period of great prosperity and growth came with the rule of Charles IV (1346-78),
who made Prague the greatest center of the European empire. After Rome, it was
the second Christian metropolis in Europe. Charles IV built the stone Chares
Bridge (1357), founded Charles University (1348) and, during the same year,
established Prague’s New Town. After his death, his son Wenceslas IV took
over and Prague becomes one of the most beautiful and splendid towns in the
whole world, fully deserving of its epithet, “Rome of the North”.
Its appearance did not change for another 200 years.
It was only during the Jagiellonian era that Prague completed its Gothic evolution.
The rule of the Habsburgs brought to Prague the spirit of the Renaissance, and
Emperor Rudolf II added to its lustre by making it the imperial seat of the
Holy Roman Empire. The series of heavy blows which fell on the Czech lands in
the wake of the Protestant Czech estates’ defeat in the Battle of the
White Mountain (1620), did not spare Prague. The Habsburg victory installed
Ferdinand II on the Czech throne and the city became a provincial capital, without
power or importance. Even the first woman on the Czech throne, Empress Maria
Theresa (1740-80) didn’t do much to raise hopes for its revival. The rule
of her son, Josef II, marked the beautiful city by its fervent abolition of
convents, monasteries, and churches, as well as by intense national repression.
Spreading re-catholicisation brought with it the construction of new churches,
convents and monasteries in the Baroque style. In the new fashion, a number
of palaces were also built, many of which still help define the appearance of
the city. After 1784, in the tumultuous period following the unification of
Prague’s many municipalities, a new style, that of burgher-like Classicism,
appeared. The Romantic era blew a breath of fresh air into Prague’s gardens
and parks. Mid-19th century brought with it a revival of previous styles, which
left its mark all over Europe, Prague not excepting. The Neo-Renaissance style
symbolized the rebirth of the Czech nation and found most use in the construction
of buildings closely associated with Czech national culture (e.g., the National
Museum, the National Theater, the Rudolfinum.) At the same time, Prague said
farewell to its old fortifications. Around the year 1900, Prague’s population
approached 200,000, and the prevailing style was Art Nouveau; the city then
was among the largest in the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.
On October 28, 1918, Prague became the capital of the newly independent Czechoslovakia.
With the dawn of a new era, new styles also arrived: functionalism and constructivism.
A unique group of Cubist houses can still be seen at the foot of the Vyšehrad
cliff near the river.
The development of the Czech metropolis was halted by World War II and the Nazi
occupation. The country’s new-found freedom was quickly suppressed by
the nascent Communism, which proceeded to inflict on Prague five decades of
“building Socialism”.
Prague today
The capital’s historical center, more than ten centuries
old, enchants its residents and visitors alike through its unique symbiosis
of many architectural styles – from Romanesque rotundas, Gothic towers,
and Renaissance burghers’ houses and palaces to the Jewish synagogues,
Baroque churches, convents and monasteries. The city is full of crooked lanes,
gold-tipped towers and church cupolas, standing side by side with more recent
Art Nouveau and Modernist architecture.
A poet once described Prague as a “symphony in stone”, and thus
perfectly expressed its character and unique beauty. This city of a hundred
spires, built along the meanders of the Vltava and on the surrounding seven
hills, has always enraptured poets, artists, and photographers. The architectural
jewels in Prague’s historical center are more than just stone-and-mortar
witnesses to the past. Prague always has been, and continues to be, a living
city with an unusual number of theaters, concert halls, galleries, museums and
exhibition spaces; its cultural offerings are rich and varied. Prague is as
multifaceted a city as one could wish for; to each visitor it reveals a different,
yet always charming, face.
The magical city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes,
whose image has been mirrored in the surface of the Vltava river for more than
ten centuries. Prague is also a modern European metropolis full of energy, music,
and art.
It's a city of contrasts: Serene green isles in the river and peaceful parks
draping the city's seven hills are just steps away from the architectural treasures
and bustling street life of the city center. Prague's atmosphere is both intimate
and romantic, and quite impossible to forget once you visit.
During a walk through the city, you will quickly discover that the history of
European architecture has left behind splendid representatives of its various
periods and styles. There are Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and
Classicist buildings, as well as various neo-historic styles and Art Nouveau.
Fifteen large bridges accent the panorama of Prague. Fourteen span the river
Vltava, one bridges the vast Nusle valley. The oldest and the most valuable
bridge was built in 1357 and bears the name of its founder, the Emperor Charles
IV. You cannot miss it when strolling along the Royal Way, the famous coronation
route of Czech kings connecting the Old Town with the Prague Castle.
One of the most breath-taking, as well as photogenic, views of the Castle opens
up from the very head of Charles Bridge. The Castle panorama features just about
all the historic architectural styles; it’s not an exaggeration to say
that you are looking at a thousand years’ worth of European architecture.
The islands in the Vltava offer entirely different views of the city. Although
these small islands are not very remarkable geographically, their greenery plays
an important part in city life. Amidst the urban bustle of the centre, these
islands are welcome oases of calm, perfect for impromptu relaxation.
Entertainment
Prague, the Czech capital, is among the fastest-developing and most progressive
regions in all of Europe. Over the past ten years, the city has transformed
itself from a dreary East Bloc capital to a modern European metropolis. Prague
maintains its hip factor and continues to attract young people from across the
world. Every few minutes aircraft from around the world touch down at Ruzyne
airport. Several times daily, red, green, and white EuroCity international express
trains stop at the Main Train Station’s historic platforms; and long-distance
coaches from all corners of Europe enter the gates of the Central Bus Terminal
practically every hour.
Prague is easy to get around thanks to an excellent public transit system. Three
metro lines represent its backbone, while connecting trams, city and suburban
buses make up the network’s flesh. Even more distant parts of the city
are well connected with the center, even at night.
Prague is an affordable place for young visitors, who will be happy to find
a number of budget-priced accommodation options. After arrival, many offices
located at larger traffic hubs offer accommodations in private apartments, hostels,
pensions, and hotels, both in Prague and on its outskirts.
Prague also offers a wide range of affordable basic foodstuffs and other essential
products for daily use, as well as plenty of inexpensive fast food options of
a decent European standard. The main tourist routes are dotted with Czech and
international restaurants; but do try something new: leave the hustle and bustle
of the main streets behind and immerse yourself in the quiet side streets of
the Old or New Town, or even more distant parts which, as if forgotten, will
be happy to welcome the chance visitor in their restaurants, pubs, bars and
tearooms. You might be surprised how much lower the prices are once you leave
the beaten track.
Students will find a wide range of discounts. International student identity
cards are recognized by many museums, galleries, theaters, and movie multiplexes.
“Classic” Sightseeing
Prague Castle complex (St. Vitus cathedral, Golden Lane), the Loretto, the Strahov
monastery, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Josefov (the Jewish
Quarter), view from the Žižkov TV tower
A Romantic Walk
The Petrín hill, observation tower and mirror maze, gardens of the Prague
castle, the Wallenstein garden, the Ledebourg and Small Pálffy gardens,
the Vltava islands, renting a rowboat on the Vltava, Kampa (the John Lennon
wall), The Letná parks, the zoo, the Stromovka park, the Troja chateau
complex
Fitness
Swimming pools: Letnany Lagoon, Lázne AXA, YMCA, Slavia Praha, Výstavište,
Podolí
Tennis: sportovní centrum Cechie Karlín, areál Štvanice,
areál Cibulka
Sports and fitness: Pasáž u divadla, Sport centrum duo, Hit fitness
Flora, Bowling Ran
Music and Dance
Radost FX, Roxy, club Lávka, Karlovy Lázne, Malostranská
beseda, Lucerna Music Bar, Club Duplex, Club Mecca, jazz club Železná,
jazz club Agharta, jazz club Reduta
Prague multiplex theaters
Village Cinemas Andel and Cerný Most, Palác Cinemas Nový
Smíchov, Slovanský dum, Hostivar a Letnany, Cinema City Zlicín
Shopping
The “Zlatý kríž” area (Wenceslas Square –
Na Príkope Street – Mustek – Národní)
Department stores (Kotva, Tesco, Bílá Labut, Krone)
Shopping centers (Pavilon, Cerná ruže, Myslbek)
Malls (Nový Smíchov, Zlatý Andel)
Shopping zones (Nový Smíchov, Zlatý Andel, Cerný
Most, Zlicín, Letnany, Pruhonice, Hostivar)
Prague Castle
Prague Castle is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest
castle in the world. In addition to the breathtaking experience caused by the
monumental size of the building, Prague Castle also offers a number of cultural
events.
National Gallery
The National Gallery is situated in several buildings in Prague. The collections
are divided into individual buildings according to individual periods, and in
many cases the National Gallery have managed to have a collection of a particular
period housed in a building of the same architectural style, which brings an
internal as well as an external consistency and thereby reflects perfectly the
artistic style in question. Each of the National Gallery buildings is unique
and outstandingly valuable in architectural terms.
Sternberg Palace
The Šternberg Palace is interesting for international visitors, because
it houses a collection of European art, from the art of the Ancient world through
to the late Baroque period. The displayed works of art include paintings by
Italian, Spanish, French, Flemish and Dutch masters.
St. George Monastery (Klášter sv. Jirí)
A permanent exposition in the St. George Monastery presents works of the highest
artistic quality, painted between the end of the 16th century and the late 18th
century in countries of the former Czech Crown. The modern and visually attractive
layout of the newly opened exhibition of Czech Mannerism and Baroque is best
qualified to attract the attention of art lovers, both Czech and from abroad.
St. Agnes Monastery (Klášter sv. Anežky Ceské)
The authentic interior of the first Czech monastery of the Clarisse order provides
a wonderful setting for this permanent exhibition of Medieval and early Renaissance
Czech and European art. At the end of 2004, the National Gallery launched a
new project – an exhibition of casts of Czech medieval sculptures dating
from the 13th to 15th centuries. The exhibition is designed for visually-challenged
visitors as well.
Veletržní Palace
The Functionalist Veletržní Palace houses a permanent exhibition
of 19th, 20th and 21st century art both domestic and international. The works
by 20th and 21st century artists cover paintings, sculptures and pieces of utility
art, which have never been exhibited together in the Czech Republic before (works
of Russian avant-garde artists, a set of Spanish paintings, the works of Italian,
Spanish and French artists of the 1960s and 70s and paintings by Polish, Croatian
and Russian artists of the past decade).
The Kinsky Palace
May 28, 2004 saw the launch of a new permanent exhibition of Czech landscape
painting of the 17th to 20th centuries, covering most work of the significant
landscape painters. The exhibition is complemented by a set of 19th and 20th
century photographs and a graphic series, which will gradually introduce the
developing plan of landscape painting in drawing and graphic art, from the 18th
century to today.
Dum U cerné Matky Boží (The House
of the Black Madonna)
There are only several purely Cubist houses in the whole world. One of them
happens to be the building Dum U cerné Matky Boží (The House
of the Black Madonna). This unique building was designed by the architect Josef
Gocár between 1911 and 1912. The Cubist epoch, which in global terms
was most pronounced in painting and sculpture, has its most significant architectural
masterpiece in Prague. The exhibition of Czech Cubism, displayed on the second
and third floors of the House of the Black Madonna, is focused on the period
between 1910 and 1919, i.e., the most significant stage of Cubism in the Czech
lands. The exhibited pieces of art include paintings by Emil Filla, Bohumil
Kubišta, Václav Špála, Josef Capek, and sculptures by
Otto Gutfreund.
Prague City Gallery
The exhibitions of the Prague City Gallery (Galerie hlavního mesta Prahy
- GHMP) tend to be focused mainly on Czech art of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Gallery currently regularly houses exhibitions, through which it makes the
general public acquainted with the work of noteworthy domestic and international
artists. The collected works (sculptures, paintings, drawings, and graphic arts)
contain remarkable and integral collections of works by such luminaries as Alfons
Mucha, Václav Brožík, Emil Filla, Josef Václav Myslbek,
Ladislav Šaloun, as well as the truly unique legacy of the sculptor František
Bílek.
The House of the Golden Ring (Dum U zlatého prstenu)
Visitors to the House of the Golden Ring can explore a collection of 20th century
Czech art. The thematically-arranged exhibition introduces a number of unique
cycles from the period between 1900-1990, for example, works by Toyen, J. Šíma,
J. Zrzavý, J. Kolár, K. Nepraš, J. Sopek, J.Róna and
others.
The Troja Chateau
The permanent exhibition in the Troja Chateau surveys the development of Czech
painting throughout the 19th century, its response to the European art of that
period and its relation to Czech history and the life of the capital, Prague
(works by V. Brožík, J. Cermák, J. Marák, V. Hynais,
F. Ženíšek and others.).
Bílkova Villa
Obecní Dum (The prague Municipal House)
The Obecní dum is an exemplary sample of Art Nouveau architecture and
ranks among the most significant monuments of its kind in the world. In addition
to generating a unique architectural experience, this building, situated in
the very heart of Prague, also hosts a number of cultural events, such as concerts,
social gatherings and art exhibitions.
Kampa Museum – the Jan and Meda Mládek foundation
The permanent exhibition here consists of the Jan and Meda Mládek collection
– one of the largest and most significant collections of works by František
Krupka, a pioneer of abstract art, and by Otto Gutfreund, the Czech Cubist sculptor.
The museum also houses a unique collection of Modern Central European art, which
includes hundreds of paintings, sculptures, drawings and graphic work by noteworthy
Czech, Slovak, Polish, Hungarian and Yugoslavian artists.
The Strahov Gallery
The art collection housed in the Strahov monastery, which has been accumulated
over the centuries, includes many works from the schools of both free-form painting
and the decorative arts.
The core of the collection is found in the picture gallery. The art collection
comprises over a thousand printings and drawings. The Strahov gallery presents
coherent groups of paintings and sculptures of both Czech Gothic and Central
European Gothic, painting from the period of the rule of Rudolph II, and Czech
and Central European Baroque and Rococo painting. There are significant paintings
representing Dutch, Flemish and Italian styles of the 17th and 18th centuries.
The final part of the exhibition is devoted to the leading Czech painters from
the beginning of the 19th century
The Cabinet of Czech Graphic Art
This gallery contains what is probably the largest current private collection
of graphic art in the Czech Republic. Its core is made up of classic examples
of modern Czech graphic design, which is gradually being complemented by the
works of younger generations.
National Museum
The National Museum is an association of a number of smaller museums. The main
building is situated on Wenceslas Square and houses natural and historical collections.
The other associated buildings include the Náprstkovo Museum of African,
Asian and American cultures and the Czech Museum of Music, which is of particular
interest in international terms. The Czech Museum of Music has recently opened
a new exhibition called Man – Instrument – Music, which is being
hosted by the former Baroque Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Malá Strana.
The Czech Music Museum also includes the Antonín Dvorák Museum
and Bedrich Smetana Museum.
Prague City Museum
The permanent exhibitions of the Prague City Museum are situated in three buildings:
the main building is located at the Florenc underground station and is a real
architectural jewel -- listed as a Czech cultural monument. The exhibitions
cover the history of Prague from its very beginning until the amalgamation of
the Prague towns in 1784.
A unique exhibit is the “Langweil model of Prague”, which was made
in the first half of the 20th century. This model provides unparalleled documentation
of the design of the Old Town, Lesser Town and the Prague Castle, before they
were reconstructed at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century.
The 2nd building – the former customs house na Výtoni, no. 412,
situated on what is today the Rašín embankment (Rašínovo
nábreží), is, in addition to the early Baroque church of
St. Kosmas and Damián, the last preserved remnant of the ancient fishing
settlement called Podskalí, which was founded in the 12th century. The
new exhibitions called The Perished Podskalí Region – Rafts and
Boats on the River Vltava was opened in 2003 and consists of 4 parts: Raft timber
transport on the Vltava, the History of the Podskalí Region, Freight
boat transport on the Vltava, and Prague passenger steamboat transport. The
last building, the Müller Villa, was designed by the famed architect Adolf
Loos. This unique piece of modern architecture has unparalleled significance
and renown in the whole Czech Republic and ranks among the six most significant
20th century villa houses in the world.
Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum is in charge of the following buildings and premises: the
Maisel synagogue, the Pinkas synagogue, the Spanish synagogue, the Klausen synagogue,
the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Ceremonial Hall, the Robert Guttmann Gallery and
the Educational and Cultural Centre.
Mozart Muzeum in Bertramka
The Bertramka Villa is one of the few historic buildings in the world which
have been preserved in the same shape and condition as it was when the musical
genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was staying there. The Bertramka Villa was the
building which provided Mozart with both the shelter and the inspiration that
enabled him to complete his phenomenal opera Don Giovanni in the autumn of 1787.
The permanent exhibition in the former residential floor of the villa contains
a number of valuable documents, period engravings, paintings, musical scores
and private objects once belonging to Mozart and his hosts the Dušeks.
There are also absolutely unique exhibits, a lock of Mozart’s hair and
two keyboard instruments which Mozart played when giving concerts in Prague.
Alfons Mucha Museum
The Alfons Mucha Museum is the only museum in the world to be dedicated to the
life and work of Alfons Mucha (1860-1939) the renowned representative of Czech
Art Nouveau. The exhibition covers an area of 500 m2 and provides art lovers
with a wonderful opportunity to admire a unique collection dedicated to the
life and work of this premier Czech painter and designer.
The exhibition is divided into seven sections: Decorative arts, Parisian posters,
Documents décoratifs, Czech posters, Paintings, Drawings and pastels,
and Personal belongings of the artist. Some of the exhibits had never been seen
before in public. They were borrowed directly from the privately-controlled
Mucha House in Prague.
Museum of Decorative Arts
In 2000, the Museum of Decorative Arts introduced its new plans for a permanent
exhibition. The fundamental change proposed was that the individual halls are
fragmented according to the particular collections and also the time span of
the entire exhibition has been widened so that it now covers a period from late
antiquity up until the 20th century.
Places of Interest Outside Prague
Ždár monastery
The abbot of the Ždár monastery had this pilgrimage church built
to celebrate the memory of the Czech martyr and saint, John of Nepomuk. It is
a unique testament to the genius of the Prague architect Giovanni Blasius Santini,
who decided to use the five-pointed star as the principal symbol in his remarkable
structure.
According to legend, a crown with five stars appeared above the body of the
drowned martyr. The building in the so-called Baroque Gothic style is characteristic
by its composition based on the five-pointed star shape: a star-shaped ground
plan with five exits, five stars and five angels on the main altar. The main
altar depicts the martyr being carried by angels to heaven. The side altars
are devoted to the four Evangelists. All the figures find themselves amidst
a vortex of flames, and their expressions are deeply stirred. The apex of the
cupola contains a giant tongue, the symbol od St. John of Nepomuk, surrounded
by a fiery circle.
Ždár nad Sázavou is located some 120 km from Prague, near
the Prague-Brno highway.
Kromeríž
In 1777, this town, located in Central Moravia at the foot of the Chriby hills,
became the seat of the bishops of Olomouc. The splendid Kromeríž
chateau and its beautiful gardens are considered an especially attractive and
well-preserved example of Baroque palatial and garden design. They played an
important role in the development of Central European Baroque architecture of
gardens and palaces.
Kromeríž is located some 50 km from Brno, near the Brno –
Olomouc highway, and is also well-connected through the regional rail network.
Kutná Hora
During the Middle Ages, profits from the Kutná Hora silver mines brought
fame to the lands of the Czech Crown, and Kutná Hora became the richest
and most powerful town in the Czech lands. At the turn of the 14th and 15th
centuries, Kutná Hora became the seat of King Václav IV.
The Gothic St. James’ Church (1330) and the St. Barbara’s Cathedral
(1388), devoted to the patroness of miners, are among the most important architectural
monuments. Among other jewels is the former mint – The Vlašský
dvur (Italian Court) from the 13th century, and several patrician houses. The
building called Hrádek (Little Castle), which is part of the former municipal
fortifications, houses a museum of mining; the tour includes a visit to a former
medieval mine.
Other worthwhile monuments are the former Latin school and the cloister church
in a suburb called Sedlec, which houses a curious ossuary. Its interior is composed
exclusively of human bones, dating mostly from the Thirty Years' War..
Cultural events: Musical programs, the Silver Mining Festival, the St. Wenceslas
Winemaking Festival.
Kutná Hora is situated 60 km east of Prague. A quick connection to Prague
is ensured by a number of domestic express trains and regional bus lines.
Ceský Krumlov
This picturesque town lies in a deep, meandering valley of the Vltava river
in the very South of Bohemia. Its golden age came about during the rule of the
Lords of Rožmberk (Rosenberg), in 1302-1602, who made their residence there.
At that time, Krumlov was a point of contact between the Czech interior, the
Austrian/German Danube region, and Northern Italy. The Italian Renaissance greatly
influenced the appearance of the town and its castle.
At the end of the 17th century, during the rule of the Eggenberg dynasty, a
Baroque theater was built and the chateau garden remodelled. During the rule
of the Schwarzenbergs, Krumlov received a decorative Baroque makeover. However,
Ceský Krumlov equals more than an exceptional complex of 300 historical
buildings. The town presents itself to visitors also as a hub of culture, conventions
and tourism. The International Music Festival takes place annually in August,
as does a festival of Renaissance music; theatrical productions are held in
the castle garden, the Festival of the Five-Petalled Rose is a major summer
attraction, and the Egon Schiele Center is open to visitors the year round.
Ceský Krumlov is situated some 180 km south of Prague, near the border
with Austria. A network of long-distance bus lines connects it to major cities.
In the summer, an express train from Prague (the Šumava) comes here daily.
Trebíc
Trebíc is the town of uncommon religious sights, the most famous of which
is the Romanesque-Gothic Basilica of St. Procope. The abbot cathedral was originally
dedicated to the Virgin Mary, but after being damaged during the wars, it had
been used for secular purposes for more than two centuries. After its renovation
the Church has been using it again. Among the most precious parts of the basilica
there is the crypt with a more than seven hundred years old timbering of the
ceiling, the presbytery vaulted by the cross stone vault, the rose window in
the eastern part of the apse and the northern portal, which is a unique piece
of stone work. Architect Kamil Hilbert created the recent look of the basilica
interior in the years 1924-1935.
Trebíc used to belong to the important centres of Jewish culture in Moravia.
The uniquely preserved Jewish Town remains a witness of the coexistence of the
Jews and the Christians. The unique Jewish quarter with dense housing, narrow
isles, dark corners, vaulted passages and romantic little squares, includes
more than 120 residential houses. Besides them there have been preserved the
buildings of the former Jewish institutions – e.g. the Town Hall, the
school, the rabbinate and the poorhouse. The Back Synagogue was completely reconstructed.
Its interior, decorated with unique wall paintings from the early 18th century,
houses the exposition of the history of the former ghetto. Various cultural
events, such as exhibitions, concerts, meetings and seminaries, take place here.
The Front Synagogue serves today as a chapel of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church.
The original Jewish cemetery was relocated in the 17th century to the northern
slope of the Hrádek Hill. Around 3000 tombstones, the eldest of which
dates back to 1625, are situated in a beautiful park with tall trees and mysterious
atmosphere. The cemetery includes the Ceremonial Hall from 1903 with uniquely
preserved interiors. Funeral ceremonies have been taking place here still according
to the old Jewish tradition. Today, the cemetery belongs to the best-preserved
Jewish cemeteries in the Czech Republic. Besides Jerusalem the Trebíc
Jewish sights are the only ones, which have been included in the UNESCO list
as separate.
Trebíc is situated between the towns Brno, Jihlava and Znojmo. It is
180 km from Prague and only 60 km from Brno.
Lednice and Valtice
An extensive Baroque complex built for the Liechtenstein family by renowned
architects like C.Tencalla, D.Martinelli, J.B.Fischer von Erlach, and J.Ospel.
The area is spread between the little towns of Lednice and Valtice southeast
of Brno, and covers 250 square kilometers.
The complex consists of various chateau buildings, garden structures and decorative
sculpture of various styles, set amidst ponds and woods. The Valtice chateau
is surrounded by a beautiful natural park dotted with many Romantic structures
(“follies”), rare trees and greenhouses with tropical plants.
The area is crisscrossed with a dense network of hiking and biking trails and
is perfect for exploring in combination with the surrounding wine country.
The chateau area is located near the Austrian borders and is accessible from
the Prague – Brno – Bratislava (- Vienna) via an access route from
Brno. Good rail connection several times daily via trains to Breclav and Znojmo.
Holašovice
This South-Bohemian village from the 13th century is considered a true pearl
of the rustic Baroque style. Its 22 farmhouses with painted Baroque gables in
the front and gardens in the rear are situated around a central pond. The pond
was used for breeding freshwater fish; the entire area is still known for its
fish industry. The village is a living monument to the rustic traditions, such
as those we know from the Bartered Bride, perhaps the most famous Czech opera.
(The village even served as a set for the its film version.)
Holašovice is situated 14.5 km west of Ceské Budejovice.
Litomyšl
In the small town of Litomyšl, the aristocratic family of Pernštejn
had a mediaeval castle remodeled into a Renaissance chateau the second half
of the 16th century. The chateau is an exceptional example of an original Italian
arcaded structure which was adapted for the Czech environment. It is a fine
illustration of an aristocratic residence built during mediaeval Renaissance,
with later developments under the influence of new styles. The town of Litomyšl
is also the birthplace of the great Czech composer Bedrich Smetana; an annual
music festival (Smetana’s Litomyšl) bears his name.
The town and chateau are located some 50 km southeast of Hradec Králové
on the main road to Svitavy and Brno.
Telc
Originally a royal water keep founded in the 13th century on the crossroads
of several busy trade routes. It obtained its current appearance in thr 16trh
century, when the chateau as well as the town center were rebuilt. This development
was in part the work of the Jesuit order, which then had a significant presence
in the town. Beside the chateau and its park, among the most important monuments
is the square – a unique complex of Renaissance and Baroque houses. The
houses’ arcades and gables were built according to a integrated plan.
Music and visual arts play an important role in Telc’s contemporary life.
Cultural events: International folklore festival; French-Czech music academy.
Telc is best reached from the Praha – Brno – Vienna highway. Other
connections include the regional bus and rail network.
Museums
The Museum of Historical Motorcycles in Becov nad Teplou
The Museum of Historical Motorcycles in Becov nad Teplou exhibits approximately
40 historical motorcycles, historical bicycles and motorcycle engines.
The exhibition is continuously growing and some of the items on display are
absolutely unique exhibits – of which there is just one remaining sample
in the entire world – while others are the only ones left in the Czech
Republic.
Egon Schiele Art Centre, Ceský Krumlov
The Egon Schiele Art Centre covers an area of more than 4 000 square metres
and presents mainly 20th century art and contemporary art, both Czech and international.
In addition to the year-long exhibition of the graphic arts of Egon Schiele
and exhibitions that document his life and work, visitors may also examine the
cartographic reconstruction of Schiele’s motifs from Ceský Krumlov
or see some of the other various exhibitions the museum is currently organizing.
Czech Paradise museum in Turnov
What makes the museum in Turnov different from the other regional geographical
museums is its special focus on documenting, processing and collecting precious
stones. The museum documents the miscellaneous mineralogical fiches of the region
and its four-hundred-year-old tradition in cutting precious stones and the goldsmith’s
craft.
Moser Museum in Karlovy Vary
The Moser Museum houses a permanent exhibition which surveys the history and
development of the glassworks since its establishment in 1853. The tour of the
museum is free of charge.
The tour of the glassworks also comprises organized study trips to the metallurgical
section of the plant. This part of the study trip entails expert commentary
by a guide, for which a fee is charged per person (students and retired people
pay half price).
Jan Becher Museum, Karlovy Vary
In 1976, Karlovy Vary saw the launch of its Exhibition Hall, which was converted
into the Jan Becher Museum just five years ago. Around thirty thousand fans
of the Becherovka herbal drink from all over the world have paid a visit to
this museum, and included in this number are many celebrities. To give just
one example, on 15 September 2003, the Jan Becher Museum was visited by the
famous explorer and writer, Erich von Däniken.
Visitors may examine both the museum itself, whose exhibits date from 1805 until
today, and also a part of the current production plant. Considering the fact
that the Museum is situated inside the “Becherovka factory”, visitors
may have first hand experience with the production process and see the individual
stages of the creation of this delicious beverage.
Muzeum of Alchemy in Kutná Hora
Ora et labora – Prayer and Work – this is the creed of all alchemists.
The Museum of Alchemy leads the visitors first into a subterranean laboratory
in the cellar, the abode of the practical work, and then up into the soaring
interior of a Gothic chapel, where princes, alchemists and poets alike might
have prayed for the success of their grand alchemist work – their magnum
opuses.
The tour gives visitors an opportunity to sort through both fact and fiction
and use their imaginations, after being exposed to a number of extraordinary
objects, secret texts, amazing visual metaphors from the world of alchemy and
possible clues on the quest for the Philosopher’s Stone. The exhibition
defines alchemy within a global context, and therefore puts a strong emphasis
on the history of alchemy in the Czech territory and its practical relationship
with the mining and metallurgical tradition in Kutná Hora.
Portmoneum – The Josef Váchal Museum in Litomyšl
The Portmoneum complements the cultural offerings of the town of Litomyšl,
featuring mainly a Renaissance chateau, the Regional Museum and the Litomyšl
Municipal Gallery.
Josef Váchal, an unconventional and exceptional artist, is most famous
for his graphic artwork and also for a beautiful book, which he conceived as
an original artistic artefact and which he created by himself – including
his own artistic handwriting, typesetting, colour and black-and-white woodcuts
and binding.
The Mining Museum in Príbram
The Mining Museum in Príbram houses 36 permanent exhibitions situated
in the historic mining buildings, a mint, a Baroque granary (in the Museum of
Village Architecture in the middle part of the Vltava valley, situated in the
village of Vysoký Chlumec), and the War Memorial – a former prison
dating from the times of the Communist regime.
Exhibitions in the Mining Museum in Príbram have an international significance.
The water wheel of the Drkolnov mine, dating from the 19th century, is the only
one of its kind accessible to the Czech public, the subterranean Prokopská
tunnel, one of the deepest mines in Central Europe, can be examined in a mining
train that goes down through it. One of the oldest pieces of mining equipment
is the steam winding engine of the Vojtech mine, dating from 1889 and the winding
engine of the Anna mine, dating from 1914.
Vysociny Museum
The Vysociny Museum (the Highlands Museum) has several branches, located in
some of the most beautiful towns in the Czech Highlands – Trebíc,
Telc and Jihlava
The historic centre of Telc and the Basilica of St. Prokop, the Jewish quarter
and Jewish cemetery in Trebíc. The most exquisite collections in the
Vysociny Museum are especially those from Trebíc, represented by a collection
of Nativity Scenes (crèches) and a collection of 276 pipes. The most
beautiful items are various meerschaum pipes and pipes made from sepiolite.
The most precious are pipes made of alder wood. Also of interest are pipes with
medicinal uses. In addition to the noted pipe collection, visitors may also
admire various pieces of smoking paraphanelia – matches, tobacco boxes,
smoking tables and pipe racks.
Museum of Southeast Moravian Villages in Strážnice
The exhibitions, situated in select buildings, acquaint visitors with the lifestyle
and living conditions of people in the highlands in Southern Moravia and in
the fertile part of the valley of the river Morava, which uses most of its cultivated
land for growing grapes for wine. A sample of vineyard constructions and equipment,
illustrating the wine industry past and present, is the only exhibition of its
kind in the Czech Republic.
Trades are well-represented by the smithy in Lipov and the weaving mill in Nová
Lhota in the Upper Moravia region. Every year, the premises of the museum host
traditional rituals organized by the National Folklore Institute. These include,
among others, Maypole building, Harvest Thanksgiving, “Pushing down a
mountain”, samples of handicrafts, activities for children, etc. The last
weekend in June the museum premises always provide an attractive environment
for the programmes of the International Folklore Festival in Strážnice.
Art Museum in Olomouc
The Art Museum in Olomouc hosts two permanent exhibitions: The “Olomouc
Picture Hall” includes Dutch and Flemish painting of the 16th to 18th
centuries. It consists of approximately 80 top works which clearly illustrate
the major Dutch and Flemish painting schools.
The “Art Lovers’ House” acquaints its visitors with art and
crafts dating back to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibition
was opened in 2003 and presents one of the most prolific periods of art history,
namely the two decades between 1894 and 1914, which generated Art Nouveau, the
Modern style and Cubism. These styles influenced a wider range of artistic endeavour
– architecture, painting, utility art, graphic art, book design, etc.
Regional Highland Galleries in Jihlava
The gallery tends to focus on collecting 20th century art (which now includes
the 21st century), but it also sporadically has 19th century exhibits. The 19th
century collection is not very large but it provides quite a faithful illustration
of the development of the Czech art of that period, both in terms of form and
theme.
The Technical Museum in Koprivnice (TATRA Koprivnice)
The exhibition itself is divided into the five stages of the development of
the Tatra Koprivnice car factory. A replica of the Präsident, the first
car ever manufactured in the factory, is one of the 75 passenger cars, sports
cars, racing cars and military vehicles, which are on display here.
The displayed cars are complemented by 8 interesting types of chassis, a prototype
of an aero-sledge dating from 1942, the T 15/30 passenger track inspection railcar,
the T 131 two-seat sport airplane (suspended above the heads of the visitors),
and 16 engines of both passenger and freight cars, including airplane engines.
The objects on display also include various models of cars manufactured in a
series, and car prototypes, car-building studies, as well as cups and trophies
from several race tracks world-wide.
Brno City Museum
The exhibitions of the Brno City Museum are found in the Špilberk castle,
in the Tugendhat Villa, and at the Menínská brána gate.
The most interesting exhibitions would definitely include Kasematy, with its
permanent exhibition about Baroque fortress architecture, and about the penal
system of the time of Joseph II, Špilberk – the dungeon of nations.
This exhibition introduces its visitors to Špilberk castle as the notorious
dungeon of the Habsburg monarchy, known all across 18th and 19th century Europe.
Moravian Gallery in Brno
The Moravian Gallery in Brno is the second largest art museum in the Czech Republic.
It consists of three buildings – Pražákuv palace, Místodržitelský
palace and the Museum of Decorative Arts. The gallery takes pride chiefly in
its collection of old artwork and a collection of Czech modern art.
East Bohemian Museum in Hradec Králové
The East Bohemian Museum in Hradec Králové is one of the largest
regional geographical museums in Bohemia. It focuses on collecting, administering
and the expert use of archaeological, historical and natural collections. In
addition to exhibitions, it also organizes cultural and social events.
Brewery Museum in Pilsen
One of the oldest museums of its kind in the world, the Brewery Museum in Pilsen
has been open now for almost 43 years. The old licenced brewery house, which
houses the museum, is a unique historical building. Hundreds of outstanding
exhibits document the history of beer brewing and the culture of beer drinking
from the beginning of time up to the present day.
The museum portrays the beer brewing process from the very origins of the industry
in Ancient Mesopotamia up until the 20th century. The development of beer-drinking
culture is demonstrated by presenting two completely different types of pub
– a 19th century village pub and a town pub from the beginning of the
20th century. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the building also houses
a gallery which is open all year round and hosts exhibitions of famous painters
and photographers.
The Shoe Museum in Zlín
The more than one thousand exhibits will make visitors acquainted with shoes
of the past and present, the development of shoe production and the history
of the shoemaking craft. The collections illustrate the development of shoes
from early Czech history to today.
The earliest period in question is portrayed by replicas – the oldest
original exhibits date back to the end of the 16th century. The exhibition also
includes a unique collection of shoes, worn by various nations. This collection
comprises shoes from all over the world. Arguably the most precious rarity is
the set of textile shoes worn in the Chinese Empire. There is also a very interesting
collection of Ottoman shoes, purchased in 1911 by the last owner of the Buchlov
estate, a set of African sandals and a large collection of shoes from India.
Visitors tend to be most interested in the sandals made from Emu feathers and
human hair which were used for rituals in central Australia (the “Outback”).
The largest and probably the most coherent collection of the Shoe Museum is
the set of shoes manufactured by Bata. The collection portrays the development
of the first factory in 1894 up until the confiscation of the shoemaking company
by the authorities in 1945.
Food
"Dobro Chut" is what Czechs say to each other before they begin a
meal. It means "Bon appetit" or "Hope it tastes good!" Most
Czechs enjoy their food very much and mealtimes are special occasions. Czech
food is rich and hearty, but if you've never tried it, there are a few things
worth knowing. The "knedlik" is the most common side dish. It is a
dumpling, made of either wheat or potato flour that is boiled as a roll of dough,
then cut into slices and served with gravy. Most dishes are pork, or beef, but
chicken, turkey, fresh-water fish, duck, lamb and rabbit are common, too. On
menus you often see the word "Medallions": it just means a piece of
meat, sliced flat, like a medal. A "spis" is like a shish-kebab, grilled
meat and vegetables on a spear. "Svickova" (pronounced sveech-kova)
is the national dish. And get ready to eat lots of potatoes.
Czechs like sugar in just about everything, it seems. Sauces, gravies, and salad
dressings are uncommonly sweet. A common meal for children is noodles, with
loads of sugar, ground poppy seeds and melted butter. Other flavours seem to
be used very sparingly; the overall effect is, some would say, perhaps a bit
bland. Spices most commonly used are: caraway, poppy, paprika and dill. Condiments
are: mustard (smooth and grainy), sauerkraut, tartar sauce, horseradish and
very sweet ketchup. Most dishes come with "Zeli" or cabbage. Many
things are marinated. Czech food is not exactly diet food. When you buy a "salad"
at a deli, what you often get is a very thick mayonnaise-based dressing and
small pieces of vegetables and meat. Vegetarianism is only recently catching
on in Central Europe, so there aren't many options, unfortunately. But if you
like beets, turnips, carrots, onions and potatoes, you're in luck.
If you want to sample Czech cuisine, start with "Veprove Knedliky,"
your basic pork plus dumplings. Ordering "Teleci Kyta" will result
in a leg of deer. "Beefsteak na Kyselo" is a steak with a sour, creamy
gravy. For something zesty and hearty, you can't go wrong with a bowl of goulash,
although that's technically Hungarian, not Czech. A bowl of garlic soup will
satisfy the flavour seeker - it's called "Cesnekovy Polevka." The
onion soup is good, try a fish soup as well, such as "Drstkova Polevka,"
or tripe. The national fish is the Carp, so try "Kapr Peceny s Kyselou
Omackou," which is carp with sour cream sauce. The potato pancake "Bramborak"
and the fried cheese "Smazeny Syr" – are two excellent side
dishes. Meat is generally fresh and the quality is good, but it can be a bit
gristly, for some tastes. It's just that the whole cut is served, leaving the
diner to remove any less desirable parts. As for the bread - it's not stale
- it's supposed to be dry and chewy. Dip it in your soup!
The national drink is beer, but the national liquor is Becherovka, a medicinal
aperitif made of many herbs, and said to aid digestion.