Thanks to its long and rich history and the diversity of its natural environment, the Czech Republic is a great attraction for the millions of guests who visit it every year. The jewel in the Czech crown is Prague with its gorgeous and rich architectural styles but the country is also dotted with numerous historical city centres, castles and chateaux. Outside the urban areas, deep woods, rock formations and limestone caves are among the many interesting sites the Czech Republic has to offer.
Since the Czech lands lie exactly on the border of Eastern and Western Europe, the country has come under the influence of several different cultures throughout the course of history. Each of these influences indelibly marked the face of the country with architectural or artistic monuments. This accounts for the uniquely rich cultural heritage of this relatively small country. In addition, the Czech lands are extraordinary in Europe due to the fact that they are practically untouched by the large-scale destruction of war.
The attractiveness of Prague lies in the breadth and diversity of its offerings. The ordinary tourist is fascinated and forever captivated by the unique atmosphere of the city, which has been called the "heart of Europe" for ages. Among the most fascinating places are the "genius loci" of the inner historical parts of Prague - Hradcany (the Prague Castle), the Lesser Town (Mala Strana) and the Old Town (Stare Mesto). These areas, which virtually amount to small unique cities within the larger city have their own particular features. Hradcany, the large-scale, historically rich complex, has been the residence and symbol of Czech statehood for centuries. The grandiose Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, dominates the Lesser Town roofs and offers a beautiful view of dozens of Old Town towers. Charles Bridge, the oldest stone bridge in Central Europe, connects the two historic sites of the city. Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and especially in the Old Town - Art Nouveau, cubism and modern styles from the beginning of the century from a unique aesthetic unit.
There is only room here to describe a handful of examples from the more than forty historically valuable cities in the country.
This town competed in richness and architectural beauty with Prague during the Middle Ages when silver was mined here.
This beatiful city is dominated by its castle, which is located at the top of a sheer granite cliff. The castle is almost comparable in size with the one in Prague and the entire city has been included on the UNESCO list of protected cities.
A Renaissance chateau and Renaissance and Baroque houses constitute this city of European importance.
This city contains the second most important collection of historical monuments in the Czech Republic (after Prague). Some of the oldest parts of the city were built by the Premyslid dynasty in the 11th century.
Kings and influential nobility built dozens of castles in order to protect their lands, important trade routes, and regional frontiers. Over time many of them fell into ruin, while others were rebuilt as chateaux or used for business purposes. Nevertheless, many castles still dominate the Czech landscape today.
The biggest or the most important of these are the architecturally beautiful Zvikov castle known as "the king of Czech castles," the 15th century Gothic castle Krivoklat, Karlstejn built by Charles IV to protect the coronation jewels, and the Gothic castle Bouzov which looks like something out of a fairy tale.
During the l6th century the nobility started to leave the uncomfortable castles and to build new, more comfortable residences. Among them are the Romantic Konopiste chateau which houses a large collection of hunting trophies, the Baroque Kuks chateau which houses a unique collection of statues by M.B. Braun illustrating the Virtues and Vices, the Romantic chateau Lednice containing the highest minaret outside Islamic countries and the most romantic chateau in the country, the Cervena Lhota which is built on a rock in the middle of a lake.
The Czech Republic is also home to hundreds of churches, cathedrals and monasteries of all types, including Benectine, Cisterian and Pemonstratensian monasteries.
Many monuments of folk architecture have been preserved in the Czech Republic - dwellings of stone and brick (more than 5,000 of them). In addition, technical monuments have been preserved - smithy forges, mills and so on. Other attractions include uniquely preserved open-air folk museums in Moravia, picturesque, traditional villages in Southern Bohemia preserved in their original appearance and colorful folk festivals.
The custom of wearing local folk costumes has survived in Moravia as well as in the Chodsko and Blata regions of Bohemia.
The Czech Republic is an outstanding world leader with regard to spas. In addition to the world-famous Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne and Frantiskovy Lazne, the Czech Republic offers treatment at 50 additional spas. Many famous figures from European cultural history enjoyed relaxing at Czech spas, among them Goethe, Schiller and Janacek.
The countryside is covered with hundreds of protected scenic regions and natural preserves. They are accessible through a network of hiking trails that allow visitors to wander through breathtaking pieces of natural beauty. Tourist maps carry detailed depictions of the trails.
Krkonose (Giant Mountains)
The highest and most frequently visited mountains of the Czech lands are the Krkonose. They offer terrain for summer Alpine tourism as well as for cross-country and downhill skiing in the winter. The highest peak is Mt. Snezka measuring 1,602 metres.
Sumava (Bohemian Forest)
The picturesque beauty of the Sumava with its elongated slopes and deep forests has attracted nature lovers for generations. Its jewels are five glacial lakes, three of which are in the territory of the Czech Republic: Cerne (46 acres and 130 ft deep), Certovo and Plesne.
The nature preserve of the Boubin Primeval Forest is one of the most valuable examples of virgin nature in Central Europe. In addition to giant trees which are several centuries old, the preserve features bizarre tangles of overhead roots.
Southern Bohemia
This is the least industrialized part of the Czech lands. A characteristic feature of South Bohemia is its large amount of lakes, moors, meadows and mixed woods. It offers countless possibilities for recreation near water and many historical monuments.
Cesky Raj (Bohemian Paradise)
Here are vast granite rock cities, deep-cut valleys and river canyons, which are located near Turnov, Jicin and Mnichovo Hradiste.
Moravsky kras (Moravian Karst)
This rather small limestone territory northeast of Brno contains dozens of kilometres of caves with rich stalactite decoration. An extraordinary experience awaits tourists who take a boat ride on the underground river Punkva. The famous Macocha Abyss came into existence after the collapse of several cave floors. It is 138,4 metres deep, and at the upper part 174 metres long and 76 metres wide.
Skiing
Particularly outstanding terrain and slopes for downhill and cross-country skiing are located in the Krkonose ski areas (Pec pod Snezkou, Spindleruv Mlyn, Harachov), and in the Sumava, the Jizera, the Jeseniky, and the Krusne (Ore) Mountains.
Mountain Climbing
Unique granite rocks offering varying degrees of scaling difficulty ( more than l,000 separate rocky towers) are situated in the Cesky raj, near Decin, and near Adrspach at Broumov.
Golf
- Despite 4O years of communist government, golf associations in Prague and Marienbad are still operating.
- The largest new golf course is under construction near Karlstejn castle, approximately 13 mi from Prague\
Horseback riding in the countryside is offered by many riding schools.
Long boat rides on the Vltava, Luznice or Sazava rivers offer unusual views of the Czech landscape.
Ideal conditions for sailing and windsurfing exist on the Lipenska and Orlicka Dams in Southern Bohemia or on the Vranovska Dam (Southern Moravia)
Documents necessary for the entrance and stay in the Czech Republic:
The Czech Republic airport provides international passenger transport:
Prague - Ruzyne (cca 20 km from the city center)
Main railroad lines:
Prague - Decin - Berlin - Hamburg
Prague - Plzen - Munchen - Zurich - Barcelona
Prague - Plzen - Frankfurt (M) - Oostende/Amsterdam
Prague - Ceske Budejovice - Salzburg - Venezia
Prague - Breclav - Wien
Prague - Breclav - Budapest - Beograd - Athenes/Istanbul
Prague - Olomouc - Kosice - Kyjev - Moskva
Prague - Dresden - Frankfurt (M) - Paris
Prague - Hradec Kralove - Warszawa - Brest - Moskva
Main international roads and border points with 24 hrs.service:
On the German border:
E55: Prague - Teplice - Cinovec - Zinnwald - Dresden - Berlin
E48: Prague - Karlovy Vary - Pomezi n. - Schirnding - - Frankfurt - Brussel - London
E50: Prague - Plzen - Rozvadov - Waidhaus - Nurnberg - Paris
E53: Prague - Plzen - Zelezna Ruda - Bayer.Eisenstein - Munchen
On the Austrian border:
E55: Prague - Ceske Budejovice - Dolni Dvoriste - Wullowitz
E59: Prague - Jihlava - Hate - Klein Haugsdorf - Wien
E461: Prague - Brno - Mikulov - Drassenhofen - Wien
On the Slovak border:
E65: Prague - Brno - Lanzhot - Kuty - Bratislava
E462: Prague - Olomouc - Horni Becva - Makov - Zilina - Poprad - Ukraine
On the Polish border:
E462: Prague - Ostrava - Cesky Tesin - Cieszyn - Krakow - Belarus
E67: Prague - Hradec Kralove - Nachod - Kudowa Slone -
- Wroclav - Warszawa
At the present time 10 days a year are recognized as state holidays or religious holidays acknowledged by the state.
1st January - New Year
17th April - Easter Monday (in 1995)
1st May - May Day
8th May - Liberation Day (1945)
5th July - St. Cyril and St. Methodious
6th July - Jan Hus
28th October - Day of the establishment of independent Czechoslovakia (1918)
24th December - Christmas Eve
25th - 26th December - Christmas holidays
The Czech Republic is located in the Central European Time zone. In line with neighbouring countries it uses the so-called summer time from the last Sunday in March until the last Saturday in September ( summer time means a 1 hour shift of time ahead from normal Central European Time).
The Czech cuisine is rich in meat, most usually served with dumplings or potatoes. Among the most common meals are various kinds of goulash, beef with special cream sauce ( svickova ) or other sauces with various flavors (dill, tomato, etc.) The real Czech specialty, dumplings filled with fruit, are not often included on the menus of most restaurants. In the centers of big cities, even the lower grade restaurants serve select meals from international cuisine including fish and poultry meals. Venison is popular, too.
Czech beer is one of the best in the world (Pilsen, Budvar and Velkopopovicke beer are among the finest). Excellent wine is produced in South Moravia and the Bohemian regions around Zernoseky and Roudnice. A rather unique drink is the Czech herb liquer, Becherovka. In central Moravia, in the area around Vizovice, plum brandy (slivovice) is very popular. It contains up to 90% alcohol.