Czech Republic
Capital city: Prague
Population: 10.3 million
Total area: 78.866 km² (30.450 sq mi)
The highest point: Sněžka at 1.602 m (5.260 ft)
Government: Parliamentary republic (President: Miloš Zeman)
Annual tourist traffic: 6 680 400 (2007)
Official language: Czech
The Czech Republic is located at the very heart of Central Europe. This small nation boasts a host of spectacular cultural treasures and a varied, rich tapestry of natural wonders. Thanks to increased exports, the interest of foreign investors and the drive of domestic businesspeople, our economy continues to experience dynamic growth.
The historical lands of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia have been a crossroads of culture between the East and the West for more than a thousand years now. Their history, linked with the history of Europe, tells stories of an era of economic and cultural boom and decline, bitter wars, revolution but also national awakening. All of this was projected onto the character of the country and left appreciable traces there. Nowadays, the Czech Republic is a developed country which provides its visitors with everything they need to spend an unforgettable holiday in a country where there is constantly something new to discover.
Discover the most beautiful city
The true crown of the Czech lands is without a doubt the capital city of Prague. This city of a hundred spires, which has been paid homage by the greatest characters in world history over the centuries, is literally a living textbook of architecture. You will find here mysterious Romanesque rotundas, magnificent Gothic cathedrals, sumptuous Baroque palaces, wonderful Renaissance gardens and treasures of modern architecture in the style of Cubism or Functionalism. When you walk over the Charles Bridge and the sun sets over the monumental silhouette of Prague Castle, you will understand why Prague is said to be the most beautiful historical city in the world. But Prague does not only live for the past. It also offers you the contemporary and vibrant face of a modern global capital with renowned museums of modern art and a superb nightlife.
12 treasures of humanity
It would be a great pity to only stay in magical Prague. Set out for the other regions, which hide countless gems of history. A total of 12 of them have been included in the UNESCO world heritage list. You would be hard put to find such a high number in such a small area anywhere else in the world. Set out for example to the fairytale Český Krumlov with its wonderfully preserved historical centre, which makes it one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. You can get a feel for the true magnificence of the Gothic in Kutná Hora, which in fact boasts two cathedrals. The little town of Telč will then surely provide balm for your soul with its charming square that looks like the perfect backdrop to the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen. You can enjoy the harmony of superb architecture and nature in the gardens in the city of Kroměříž or in the Lednice – Valtice Complex, which is known as the Garden of Europe due to its magnificence. You can also get to know the unique mysticism of the place in the Church of St. John of Nepomuk at Zelená hora shrouded in many legends. Make sure not to miss out one of the most beautiful Czech villages, Holašovice, the gem of modern architecture that is Villa Tugendhat in Brno, the monumental Holy Trinity Column in historical Olomouc, the beautiful chateau in Litomyšl or the Třebíč Ghetto, which is the only Jewish monument to be included on the prestigious UNESCO list outside of the state of Israel.
If you prefer to spend your holiday in a more active way then the Czech Republic is the ideal destination for you. The diverse countryside here is protected in national parks and protected landscape areas. You can set out here along nature trails on the ridges of the Krkonoše Mountains, Šumava or the Jeseníky Mountains, experience the adrenaline of mountain climbing in the Adršpach Rocks, try your hand at yachting on the Lipno Reservoir or set out to discover the beauty of Vysočina along hundreds of kilometres of horse riding trails. You can then tend to your tired body or mind in one of the 37 spa locations spread all over the country, among which the world famous Spa Triangle above all stands out, this being created by the cites of Karlovy Vary, Mariánské lázně and Františkovy lázně.
Come to find inspiration
What sort of holiday would it be without good food and drink? You can make your visits to get to know the historical gems and unique monuments around the countryside more pleasant by partaking in some of the local specialities, among which it is above all Czech beer which stands out. This is reputedly the best in the world. You can thus enjoy the perfect holiday in a country which inspired many world famous personalities including Albert Einstein, Franz Kafka and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and experience your own unforgettable story here.
Famous people – scientists
Johan Gregor Mendel – founder of genetics
Jan Jessenius – executor of the first public necroscopy of the human body
Prokop Diviš – inventor of electropathy and the lightning conductor
Jan Evangelista Purkyně – author of cell theory
Sigmund Freud – inventor of deep psychology
Jaroslav Heyrovský – founder of the Czech polarographic school
For more information please go to www.czech.cz.
