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Kromeríž

Where to go in the Czech Republic

Historic Centre of Prague

Czech Republic

There are various structures that can be found at the Historic Centre of Prague, all of which say a lot about the significance of the place in the country’s history. There are many monuments that display great architecture, including the St. Vitus Cathedral, Hradcani Castle, and several other palaces and churches, which were built in the 14th century.

The Historic Centre of Prague serves as a representation of medieval urbanism, with architectural structures that date back to the Gothic period, the High Baroque era, and the beginning of modernism after 1900. It is also a physical documentation ofPrague’s 1,100 years of existence.

Špilberk Castle

nice castle on summery day

On the hilltop of the city of Brno stands an ancient castle known as the Špilberk Castle. The city, which is situated at the southern part of Moravia, was founded in the year 1000 and is also where the Supreme Court of the Czech Republic is located.

The Špilberk Castle has a rich past that dates back to the first half of the 13th century. It was intentionally built as a major royal castle, but during the 17th century, it was transformed into a big baroque fortress.

During the reign of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the structure was used as a prison, and many people from different places in Europe were tortured there.

The castle is now a museum, where locals and tourists visit not only to learn about its past, but also to enjoy the food at its restaurant and to stroll and breathe in the beauty of the park that surrounds the structure.

Its courtyards also serve as a venue for many cultural performances, historical shows, and sports events during the summer season.

The Historic Centre of Telc

The Historic Centre of Telc

The town of Telc can be found in southern Moravia. It used to be a royal water fort located at the crossroads of the paths where merchants passed when traveling along Moravia,Bohemia, and Austria. Today, it is the perfect spot for people who are interested in great architectural pieces and lots of historical treasures.

In December 1992, the Historic Centre of Telc was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town square has a long urban plaza, where you will be impressed by the numerous houses that showcase Baroque and Renaissance architecture. Many of these houses have built-in shops and art galleries.

Telc is also where a Gothic castle is situated, which is one of the town’s top tourist attractions.

It is quite safe to tour around the town by foot.  But there are also boats for hire on the moats that surround the Historic Centre.

Prague Castle

Prague Castle

The Prague Castle serves as an ancient symbol for the Czech lands. It was listed in the Guinness World Records as the largest coherent castle complex in the world. The structure, which has a total surface area of 7.28 hectares, was built in the 9th century.

On the same site where the castle can be found, you can also visit the St. Vitus Cathedral. This has a lookout tower, where you can take a peek at the picturesque view below.

You can opt to take a tour of the castle for a fee. The tour typically begins with the elite Prague Castle Guard, welcoming the guests at the gates. You can witness the ceremonies of the changing of the guard, which happens every hour. At noon, flag ceremony happens at the First Courtyard.

Kromeríž

Kromeríž

After seeing the Kromeríž’s formal flower gardens and breathtaking baroque chateau, you will instantly know why it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage protection list.

The chateau now serves as a shelter and home to many of the country’s notable artworks. It was also the setting for the Academy Award-winning film Amadeus by Miloš Forman.

What’s more amazing about the place is the fact that the handsome chateau is rather well preserved. The structure is of European Baroque influence, and the landscape and gardens are beautiful and have been around since the 17th and 18th centuries.

Litomyšl

Litomyšl

Litomyšl is already worth seeing for its architectural and historical feats, but the place has even more to offer, as it is continuously being developed as a city of corporate tourism. It now houses several modern buildings. Actually, the place has been given the moniker “Europe’s Blooming City.”

Its establishment dates back to the latter part of the 10th century and the beginning of the 11th century. This is where you will find the Italianate Renaissance castle, which was included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Heritage List in 1999.

The town may be small, but it has lots to offer, especially if you want to make the most out of your stay in the Czech Republic. You can stroll on its historical streets or check out the Portmoneum Museum, which contains the murals made by Josef Váchal, a Czech painter.

Litomyšl also plays host to an annual opera festival, which is held in commemoration of composer Bedrich Smetana, who was born here.

Ceský Krumlov

Ceský Krumlov

The beautiful town of Ceský Krumlov is situated in Southern Bohemia. Many tourists love checking out the castle complex in this place because it is not only a magnificent sight, but the entrance is absolutely free!

However, you do need to pay a small entrance fee if you wish to go to the top of the castle tower, or hire the services of a tour guide to accompany you to the Castle Baroque Theater.

A large number of tourists arrive at Ceský Krumlov during summer, so it is an extremely busy season for the town. For a place as endearing as Ceský Krumlov, which has been part of the World Heritage List since 1992, getting lots of visitors is not surprising.

It is quite amazing how the town’s façade has changed only a little since the 18th century. Ancient buildings, houses, and structures are well maintained.

Aside from enjoying the view, you can also do other things while in town. You may want to try rafting on the Vltava River, go boating in rented vessels, or try some outdoor activities like riding a mountain bike, fishing, and horseback riding.

Sedlec Ossuary

Sedlec Ossuary

The Sedlec Ossuary is situated in the town of Kutná Horain the country’s Central Bohemia region. The town, which used to be a silver mining place during the Medieval era, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995. Sedlec is a suburb of this town, where the ossuary, a small Roman Catholic chapel, can be found.

What makes the site interesting is that many of the furnishings and decor that can be found inside the chapel are made from human skeletons. The number of skeletons range from 40,000 to 70,000.

If this sounds creepy to you, you might be stunned to know that the chapel is situated beneath the Cemetery Church of All Saints. Creepy or not, its popularity among tourists is proof that many people find the Sedlec Ossuary an interesting place to visit. It is estimated that the chapel is able to attract more than 200,000 visitors in a year.

Karlsbad

Karlsbad

After you have toured most of the country or even if you are only beginning your exploration, it will be very worthwhile to drop by this historic city of Karlovy Varyor Karlsbad, which is quite famous among tourist groups from Germany and Russia.

The city of Karlovy Vary is located in Bohemia, at the western part of the country. Its name literally means “Charles’Bath.” The city was founded in 1370 by the person whom the city was named after, Charles IV. He was the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia.

There are many spa buildings that you can check out while in the city. Aside from spas, there are 12 hot springs that are situated here.

You can also witness great architectural works and traces of history as you tour the city. Here you’ll find Karl Marx Monument, Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, and Church of St. Lucas. The city also houses the Karlovy Vary Museum and the Jan Becher Museum.

Pilsen (Plzen)

Pilsen (Plzen)

The city of Pilsen is most famous for the beer variety that was named after it, the original Pilsner Urquell. You can get here by train if you will be coming from Germany.

The city center is compact and you can simply walk around to take a look at many of its sights. There are also public transport services that you can take if you want to take a tour of the whole city.

Aside from partaking of some tasty beer, there are many sights to see in the city. These include the St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, which was founded at the latter part of the 13th century; the Great Synagogue, the historical underground network; lots of museums; and art galleries.

You can also book a tour of the Pilsner Urquell Brewery, which was founded in 1842.