Best of the Loket

People say the Czech Prague Republic is not a country, but a garden.

In the centre of a chain of mountains on the border, with deep and meditative forests covering the slopes, Prague, the Mother of Cities we find the land of Bohemia, strewn with the silver coins The undisputed crown and of lakes and criss-crossed the mother of Czech cities with the threads of rivers, is Prague, the beauty of or rippling with undulating a hundred spires and one of highlands. In the east lie the the most charming human historical lands of settlements on the planet. and Silesia, brightened with But if you limit yourself only the endless plains of golden to Prague, you will miss a lot. fields. History, recent as well There are so many interesting as ancient, has left its mark and unique treasures to be on this blissful landscape, found across the country The Czech Republic with many valuable and that it would be difficult to astonishing treasures in the see them all in one’s lifetime. form of historical towns, There are many keys to the castles and chateaux, gates of the Czech Republic. churches and cathedrals – The brochure you are holding true architectural and urban in your hands unlocks these masterpieces of all the eras gates with the key of UNESCO that came before us. world cultural heritage. The key rattles in the lock, the gate swings open and you can The Picturesque enter the land of wonders and Heart of Europe beauty. Kuks

Karlovy Vary

Vranov nad Dyjí

1 Charles Bridge Prague Castle

Discover the Story of No other Czech town has had Prague Castle as it is told so much written and spoken by a permanent exhibition on the Gothic floor of the about it as the capital city, Old Royal Palace at Prague Castle. The story reveals Prague. the mystery of a place where the greatest Czech sovereigns and saints are entombed, a place Genius loci of authentic artefacts, where all historical styles Standing on one of the most Walking through this city converge in one unique beautiful stone bridges in the now means being a part of all complex, a place which world, the Charles Bridge, and the magic and mystery of its protects the Czech Crown looking past the silhouettes past. Prague’s atmosphere Jewels, the St. Vitus of silent statues and the Old is unmatched by that of any Treasury and collections Town full of winding alleys other city in the world. The preserved from past times, Astronomical Clock and picturesque squares up list of all its monuments, and a place which is also toward the hill where Prague museums, galleries, amazing the dignified seat of the Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral spots and buildings, even in president of the Czech glisten in the sunlight is an its briefest form, far exceeds Republic. experience that even those the size of this small book. who have spent their whole Prague is a city you have to lives here never tire of. blend with, let it grow on you, become a part of it at least for The city of a hundred spires is a while – and then the city Do you like classical a mysterious labyrinth where may be persuaded to reveal music? Then visit the the past is interwoven with some of its secrets to you. Prague Spring International the present, a magical place www.praguewelcome.cz Music Festival, which where the most powerful men showcases the world’s of Europe, rulers, generals, top soloists, symphony alchemists and Jewish orchestras and chamber scholars met… It was here ensembles. It traditionally that Rabbi Loew breathed life begins on May 12, the into the Golem made of clay; anniversary of the death of where Arcimboldo painted his Czech composer Bedřich opulent portraits composed Smetana. Enjoy the of fruits and vegetables; and ultimate music experience! here that the alchemists at www.festival.cz the court of Emperor Rudolf Prague II struggled to find the Philosopher’s Stone in their crucibles and Franz Kafka wrote his dark and oppressive The Centre of a Magical works. It was here that Smetana and Dvořák, as well as Mozart and Liszt, enjoyed Labyrinth standing ovations from their enthusiastic audiences; that church reformer Jan Hus preached, and Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, Giordano Bruno, and Tycho de Brahe spent their time bent over their telescopes…

Prague bridges

2 Best of the Czech Republic 3 Karlštejn St. Barbara‘s Church Church interior Three Jewels in the Very Centre of Bohemia Konopiště of Fairy Tales In three cardinal directions Listen to the story of the from Prague, there lie three In the south, in the middle of church’s construction, a beautiful park with forests a story which was written of the country’s historical and lakes, we find a fairy tale over five centuries and chateau. But the spirit of this was interrupted several treasures. All are less than place is that of court etiquette times by historic events. of the early 20th century, the St. Barbara’s Church was an hour’s drive away. Three dress uniforms of the imperial originally intended as court, hunting jackets, and a representative building witnesses of the ancient and the first automobiles. The and was erected under the last person to transform the patronage of the wealthy recent past, protected by chateau to suit his liking was burghers of Kutná Hora. Its Archduke Franz Ferdinand, origins reflect the tensions UNESCO. heir to the Austro-Hungarian at that time between Kutná throne. His marvellous Hora and Prague and also Proud Karlštejn hunting trophies, armoury, between Kutná Hora and pompous drawing rooms and the powerful monastery West of Prague lies one of bedrooms, studies, as well in nearby Sedlec. This the symbols and landmarks as his private dining room, magnificent structure is Mysterious Kutná Hora of the Czech Republic, the all retain the spirit of the simply breathtaking, both majestic Karlštejn Castle, man whose death in faraway for its exterior architecture In the east lies the medieval built of stone, which is Sarajevo sparked the First and also for the rich murals town of Kutná Hora, the pride of Czech Gothic World War. inside the church. charming and mysterious. Its craftsmanship. It is as if Time www.zamek-konopiste.cz www.guide.kh.cz secrets include cathedrals, itself was sitting in the corner, cloisters, houses of the not daring to disturb the air aristocracy, mysterious full of history. Palaces and Sedlec Ossuary passageways, vaulted cellars chambers, long and spacious and masterpieces of Gothic corridors, impenetrable castle and architecture, walls and austere towers, and urban planning, and most importantly, the jewel sculpture. In the Middle of jewels, the Chapel of the Ages, silver was mined here Holy Cross with a unique and coins minted; trade collection of one hundred and flourished, and the Czech king twenty-nine Gothic paintings even had his seat here. by Master Theodoricus. You can stand in silent www.hradkarlstejn.cz admiration under the arched ceiling of one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in Europe, dedicated to Saint Barbara, walk through the Konopiště courtyards and chambers of the Italian Court, the former palace of Wenceslas IV, or hold your breath as you Kutná Hora descend into the Ossuary of the Cistercian Monastery and with awe and unease Karlštejn see the altars, coats of arms, chandeliers, pyramids and obelisks made of the bones of Konopiště plague victims. Then enter the unique Gothic Stone House and, for a while, become a medieval craftsman or even a cook… www.kutnahora.cz

4 Best of the Czech Republic 5 Holašovice Hluboká nad Vltavou

Český Krumlov A Medieval Pearl on the Banks One of the most beautiful historic European towns, of the River inscribed on the UNESCO list of world cultural and natural heritage sites, is located in South Bohemia. From the walls of its castle, Český Krumlov offers a lovely view of the forest-covered Šumava Castle Museum mountains. the best preserved groups Do not miss a tour of the of buildings constructed in Castle Museum with its walk through one of the city’s the Rural Baroque style and imaginative exposition. many galleries and museums, protected by UNESCO – You will see a model of the or board a boat and enjoy the houses that have for centuries castle as it looked in the views of the town from the kept their original, medieval, 16th century, a lapidarium, Český Krumlov river. and Baroque character. presentations on life in past www.ckrumlov.cz www.unesco-czech.cz eras, and even a cinema. The labyrinth of narrow The museum is open year and mysterious medieval The Land of Castles and round. alleyways has grown within Chateaux www.zamek-ceskykrumlov.eu the grip of uncompromising rocky slopes, on a plain as And if you are not ready to large as the hand of a friendly Holašovice – a Fairy Tale leave the fairy tale world just giant. The Gothic town of Village yet, nearby is the beautiful alchemists and stonemasons, Hluboká Chateau built in court jesters and proud Southern Bohemia, a the Tudor Gothic style, a aristocrats, crowned with hospitable landscape of lakes, white mirage floating above a beautiful Renaissance rivers, forests and meadows, the woods of Southern chateau – the largest in the water castles, splendid Bohemia, or the naiad of rock, Czech Republic after Prague chateaux, historical towns the scarlet Červená Lhota – is full of mysterious magic and picturesque villages, a chateau on a rocky island in and secrets. The winding paradise for water-lovers and the middle of a lake. And the In temperate South alleyways run from the fishermen. Here, close to the South Bohemian fairy tale Bohemia, a magnificent charming square and are town of České Budějovice, does not end there… system of artificial ponds directed by the omnipresent lies the most charming of all www.zamek-hluboka.eu was created over the Vltava river, winding its Czech villages, Holašovice. www.zamek-cervenalhota.eu centuries, connected by way through the town criss- ingeniously built canals. crossed by its many bridges. Standing in the centre of They were used primarily its spacious village green for fish farming. To this day, It is wonderful to lose and looking at the houses the region is a paradise yourself in the maze of proud and farmyards is like being for anglers and also the Renaissance and Gothic transported into a fairy tale. most popular destination houses, sombre monasteries The façades are gleaming for holiday trips, ideal and dignified churches, as white and the many round for hiking as well as there is a new surprise and gables soothe your soul. You cycling. Set aside plenty a new secret around every feel as if you are in a land of of time to discover all the corner. The town seems like a gingerbread houses covered beauty of the picturesque dream that changes with each in white marzipan. On the countryside of South journey. And if you get tired surface of the pond in the Bohemia – you will not of being lost, take a seat in centre of Holašovice, you regret it! Český Krumlov the revolving chateau theatre, can see a reflection of one of www.jiznicechy.cz

6 Best of the Czech Republic 7 Karlovy Vary

The Seductive Beauty of Spa Colonnades

Karlovy Vary Mariánské Lázně

The most famous Czech spa, Mariánské Lázně the importance of which far exceeds the borders of the country, lies in the westernmost part of Bohemia, in the charming Teplá river valley. According to legend, the now-famous spa springs were discovered by accident in the 14th century by a hunting party of the Lázně, particularly knowing Karlovy Vary International Emperor and King Charles IV. that in this modestly-sized Film Festival – see the stars town there are more than of the silver screen. forty healing springs and Reach for the stars! Karlovy Vary town and see the beauty far another sixty in the vicinity The Karlovy Vary Inter- below you. Karlovy Vary will of the town. The town of national Film Festival is one Karlovy Vary is a magical take a place in your heart, and Jáchymov, not far from of the most prestigious film place. It is difficult to you will always be happy to here, is home to one of the festivals in the world and resist the worry-free and return here. most unique spas in the has a stellar reputation. ceremonial feeling of strolling www.karlovyvary.cz world – providing treatments Every year in early July, you on the quiet promenade using the beneficial effects can see with your own eyes between the rich fronts of Czech Spas – Health of powerful radioactive the actors and filmmakers noble houses, among the Springs from Below the springs. Karlovy Vary, with as they walk the red carpet columns of richly decorated Ground its twelve healing springs and – and, of course, you can colonnades. Knowing that the famous geyser with a jet go to the cinema to watch from the same springs at the In the Czech Republic, reaching up to fifteen metres, high-quality films. foot of Corinthian columns healing springs bubble up like is the shiniest jewel in the www.kviff.com of the fascinating Mlýnská golden thread on a precious crown of Czech spas. Colonnade, hot healing water tapestry. Poděbrady in was poured into the delicate Central Bohemia, Luhačovice china cups of Peter the Great, in Moravia, Jánské Lázně Maria Theresa, Bach, Goethe, in the north… But the most Casanova, and Beethoven is healing springs can be found Františkovy Lázně something that uplifts the in the famous “spa triangle” soul and makes a journey in West Bohemia. through the town of many All spa towns have grown springs an unforgettable into beautiful places with experience. a rich social life, and today we can admire the gleaming Magic Hidden in a Bottle buildings of Františkovy Lázně that look like they were And if you sample not only made by a skilled confectioner the healing water but also to decorate a wedding cake. Becherovka, the famed local At the same time, we can herbal liquor, the city will draw on the health to be look even more attractive found in the local peat spa, than before. And it is just as the oldest in Europe. Let magical to climb one of the yourself be enchanted by many trails leading through the dignified calmness of the Karlovy Vary the forest slopes above the Classical palaces of Mariánské

8 Best of the Czech Republic 9 We recommend a tour of Plzeň Brewery gate the Pilsner Urquell Brewery or a visit to the Brewery Museum, which is located in the centre of the city. Discover the story of beer Plzeň from ancient times to the present! www.prazdrojvisit.cz The City of Beer and Culture

All Czechs will proudly agree Cheers! that the best beer in the world has been brewed since 1842 in Plzeň, the largest city of West Bohemia. The beer capital, however, is also famous for its cultural tradition, culminating in its being awarded the title of European Capital of Culture for the year 2015.

The Gourmet Paradise of culture, there is still that And often it doesn’t end Look for restaurants marvellously cold beer with with beer, as Czechs are also marked with the a white, foaming head… known to be fond of their designation Czech Being in Plzeň and not www.plzen.eu food. The local cuisine won’t Specials – it is a guarantee visiting the local brewery or likely win any prizes for being of quality. You will find tasting the world-renowned The Czech sometimes call the healthiest, but it is hard these restaurants in Pilsner beer would be an beer „Liquid Bread“ to resist. A key component frequently visited locations unforgivable sin. But it would is always soup, without throughout the Czech also be a mistake not to get A famous Czech saying says which no meal is considered Republic. In addition to to know the real soul of the that a government that raises complete. The most famous traditional Czech dishes, try city. This soul can be felt with the price of beer will fall. The local speciality is dumplings, some regional specialties! every step, in the walls of the Czechs’ relationship to beer is a typical Czech side dish www.czechspecials.com houses, in the streets, and on delicate and intimate. Having served with meat and the squares. For Plzeň has the a lot of beer to choose from, sauces; the most well-known soul of an artist, a joyful soul, they are true connoisseurs. specialities are roast beef and one that the city wishes to All over the country, there are in creamy Svíčková sauce share with everyone. hundreds of regional brands or roast pork or duck with made in large as well as small cabbage and, of course, Art on Every Corner family breweries. dumplings. And something sweet to finish off the meal? Several major theatres, the Czech beer is a geographical Delicious cakes and again local philharmonic orchestra, indication protected by the dumplings, but this time filled galleries, cultural cafés, the European Union. And such an with fruit… many music, theatre, and honour is not just handed out folklore festivals – all of – everyone brewing beer in this together with the living the Czech Republic does their artistic craft still seen in the best to maintain this prestige. streets. Budding artists show While beer from Plzeň is their skills, crossing many considered the true national genres – be it in the shade of treasure, there are excellent St. Bartholomew’s cathedral and original golden brews or on the busy main street, in to be found in all regions of the parks or in underground Bohemia and Moravia. clubs. And should you tire

Gambrinus

10 Best of the Czech Republic 11 Litomyšl A Renaissance Treasure Trove Filled with Music

Musical inspiration

In the rolling Eastern Bohemian landscape full of sun is the small town of Litomyšl, which surrounds a castle inscribed on the UNESCO cultural heritage list. History has created a marvellous urban complex here, enchantingly harmonic and picturesque. Concert

chateau tower reaching geniuses – Bohuslav Martinů, to the sky. The chateau is Josef Suk, Josef Mysliveček, surrounded by a fascinating Jan Václav Stamic, and Jan In the arcades of the English-style park and a Dismas Zelenka, as well as Renaissance houses on French garden. And there Gustav Mahler who was born Litomyšl square, warm air is music in the air. Bedřich and raised close to Jihlava, shimmers lazily. Litomyšl is Smetana, one of the most in the Bohemian-Moravian a white pearl in a Renaissance important Czech composers, Highlands. Czech performers necklace. The majestic was born here in 1824 and the have also achieved worldwide complex of historical houses, city, proud of its native son, renown – conductors Václav churches, and cloisters is has hosted the prestigious Talich, Václav Neumann, topped off with a lovely Smetana’s Litomyšl opera Karel Ančerl, Jiří Bělohlávek, chateau, where the sun festival for six decades. and Libor Pešek, the brilliant pours on the sgraffiti and www.litomysl.cz opera singers Emma wind blows through the airy Destinová, Magdalena loggias. Inside, there is a Kožená, Dagmar Pecková, and charming courtyard, Every Czech is a Musician Eva Urbanová, and the many a Baroque theatre, opulent Czech virtuosos of classical halls, an exhibition of Czechs love music. The and jazz music… historic pianos, a mysterious heritage of Czech music is Music clearly has a home in basement as well as the rich, beautiful and varied, just the Czech Republic. like the country’s landscape. Its charm and rawness can Did you know that in Chateau Theatre be heard in the symphonies addition to its great and operas, are reflected in classical heritage, Czech the colourful and passionate music has also contributed folklore, and resonate in some small pearls to the dreamy jazz melodies. world? One of them is the famous Beer Barrel Polka The treasure box of Czech (Rosamunde), which during music has been filled by the Second World War composers, many of whom became a sort of anthem form an unforgettable part for soldiers on both sides of the world concert stage. of the front. It was written Antonín Dvořák, Bedřich in 1927 by the composer Smetana, and Leoš Janáček and bandleader Jaromír are the three most famous Vejvoda as Škoda lásky ones. But right behind them (Wasted Love) – his first Litomyšl is a long list of other musical song.

12 Best of the Czech Republic 13 Lednice Chateau Brno Brno A Living Architectural Treasure

The second largest city in the Tugendhat Villa Czech Republic is located in the fertile lowlands of South Moravia. The Moravian capital has always played an important part in the life of the country, with each era leaving its architectural mark. Its most Taste the Landscape famed monument is not even And all around are vineyards, wine cellars, and the unique Liechtenstein Trails one hundred years old. Moravian wine. The Znojmo, Mikulov, Velké Pavlovice, and Slovácko regions are all places Admire the local beauty where, for example, on the from the seat of a bicycle! vineyard cycling trails The comfortable Liechten- you can meet hospitable and stein Trails lead you Brno The Lednice-Valtice friendly winemakers who through the entire Lednice- Landscape – Traces of will be happy to share their Valtice area and allow you Brno is a city where you never History in the Land of Wine pride: white wines with an to visit all the important feel lost, because despite interesting spectrum of scents sights – the romantic its size it is an intimate and In the very south of Moravia, and spicy flavours, combined chateaux in Lednice and friendly town. Its two main in a romantic landscape with the fullness of the fertile Valtice, the mysterious features are the Gothic castle where the carpet of forests Moravian soil, the earthy red Janův hrad (John’s Castle), of Špilberk and the neo- meets the golden expanses wines, or the fresh and light the Rendez-vous hunting Gothic St. Peter and Paul‘s of fields, where all slopes rosés… lodge and countless Cathedral – even though the are lined with vineyards and www.unesco-czech.cz others. Discover the special two buildings were built 650 silvery lakes bloom with genius loci of this cultural years apart. white lilies, there is a unique landscape. Enchantment abounds as you complex of historic buildings can see, next to each other, beautifully set in natural opulent Baroque churches surroundings. and modernist exhibition palaces (Brno is the trade fair The majestic Baroque chateau Brno is an excellent centre of the Czech Republic), of Valtice is on one side and starting point for exploring plague monuments, fountains the stately Lednice chateau the attractions of South and palaces of the nobility, built in the Tudor Gothic style Moravia. For example, a monumental neo- is on the other, surrounded you can follow the trail of Renaissance theatre, and by a system of artificial lakes the Napoleonic Wars! In many jewels of functionalism. and river canals. In between, 1805 near Slavkov u Brna One of the most valuable there are Chinese gazebos, (Austerlitz), the Battle of of the functional buildings, bridges, romantic summer the Three Emperors was and one of the most houses, hunting lodges in the fought, in which the French fascinating villas in the world, Empire style, a colonnade army led by Napoleon is Tugendhat Villa. The with beautiful vistas, and defeated the army of allies UNESCO-protected villa was even a minaret from which Russia and Austria. A peace built in 1930 by the world- there is a splendid view of monument is located renowned architect Ludwig the countryside; this is the near the village of Prace, Mies van der Rohe and is a Lednice-Valtice complex, part just outside Slavkov. Also wonderful example of modern of the UNESCO world cultural worth a visit is the Baroque architecture. heritage. chateau in Slavkov, where www.ticbrno.cz the armistice was signed. Battle of Austerlitz www.zamek-slavkov.cz

14 Best of the Czech Republic 15 The Thousand-Year- Old Spiritual Centre of Moravia

Olomouc Church of St. Maurice You almost feel out of place The Haná region shines In the heart of Moravia, here if you don’t have a not only because of its in the centre of the most powdered Baroque wig. welcoming atmosphere Rather than saunter, you but also thanks to the fertile fields in the country will pass excitedly through wholesome natural regional the exquisitely and finely delicacies. The most in a region known as Haná, decorated halls of the famous local product is chateau, valuable library, and Olomouc tvarůžky. This stands the proud and the chateau gallery featuring delicious low-fat cheese the works of Titian, Cranach, with a strong aroma is ancient city of Olomouc, Veronese, and Breughel prepared in various ways by (incidentally the second the local restaurants. And one of the most important most valuable collection in in the information centre in the Czech Republic). And the arcade of the Olomouc centres of the Bohemian let’s not forget the outdoors Town Hall, there is even a and many fantastic gardens unique vending machine Kingdom for as long as – the Podzámecká, a large selling this delicacy. English-style park, or Květná, www.tvaruzky.cz anyone can remember. The with perfectly symmetrical city maintains its dignity and and sophisticated flower patterns, garden beds and spiritual strength; a city full of shrubberies of the uniquely preserved system of a French history, Baroque beauty, and garden with mazes, fountains, summer houses and an reverence for God. unusual eight-sided rotunda where a Foucault’s pendulum measures the time. UNESCO all – the impressive column is protecting this marvellous commemorating the end city, and for good reason. Come to tour a collection of of a plague, protected by www.zamek-kromeriz.cz some 135,000 art objects Olomouc UNESCO, and the largest gathered in the Archbishop group of Baroque sculptures Chateau in Kroměříž. The Visiting Olomouc is like in Central Europe. And collections (paintings, meeting a wise and respected one curiosity as well – the drawings, prints, coins and old man who has been down Workers’ Astronomical Clock medals, a musical archive, many roads and whose from 1955. furnishings and a library) single word is worth a stack www.tourism.olomouc.eu rank among the most of books. With each step, valuable such collections in you are surprised by the the world. large number of important and majestic monuments – imposing and picturesque churches, rich palaces of Kroměříž – The Heavenly the burghers, monumental Gardens of the Athens of monasteries. The awe- Haná inspiring Bishop Palace, one of the pinnacles of European In the fertile Moravian Romanesque architecture, Haná close to Olomouc lies Gothic churches and the Kroměříž, the city in the cathedral, Renaissance middle of gardens. The noble palaces with richly decorated Archbishop Chateau built façades, but most importantly in the early Baroque style is the Olomouc Baroque. the centre of a fascinating Beautiful fountains, the labyrinth of perfectly kept Archbishop Palace, the gardens that maintain to Hradisko Monastery known this day their historic park as the “Moravian Escorial”, architecture. the pilgrimage basilica on Kroměříž Olomouc the Holy Hill and above

16 Best of the Czech Republic 17 Three Cities, Three Diamonds

Telč Square in Telč Telč Between Bohemia and Did you know that the Třebíč town of Telč, thanks to its Moravia in the south of the attractive appearance, has been the backdrop for Žďár nad Sázavou country, in the charming many Czech and foreign films? And many films landscape of small hills where, have been set in the local as the saying goes, the bread chateau! ends and the rocks begin, lie three fascinating towns that UNESCO has taken under its wing.

crypt that is seven hundred years old, and the Jewish Telč – the Town of quarter with over a hundred Inspiration and twenty houses, a town hall, school and a rabbinate, A town that was made for synagogues and a large artists and dreamers, a town cemetery with some three with a touch of Italy, fragile thousand tombstones. and lovely. The handsome www.visittrebic.eu square with decorative façades of Gothic and Renaissance houses, delicate sgraffiti of the chateau St. Procopius Basilica, Třebíč reflected in the surfaces of town ponds, the perfect Ždár nad Sázavou – the City coffers on the ceilings of of Santini’s Brilliance a human skull, the interior chateau halls, the austere of a church, a horse stable, beauty of the churches, sunny At some point in 1706, the an inn, a hospital, and the gardens, and the hospitable abbot of the Žďár monastery monastery’s prelature. nature – even a bank clerk invited the young architect www.zdarns.cz would start writing poetry Jan Santini to the town for here. the first time. Santini came www.telc.eu and started working on his own style that brought him fame worldwide, the Baroque- Gothic. The pinnacle of his extraordinary inventiveness Head off on a nature trail is the chapel of St. John of that leads you through one Třebíč – the City of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora, of the most well-preserved Tolerance a unique chapel that seems to ghettos in Europe, a prime have been sent from another example of resourcefulness Follow the trail of St. John Jews and Christians together, world. A beauty of precise in making the best use of of Nepomuk, whose life calm and peaceful neighbours geometric splendour and the limited space given story played out in Prague. of a different faith but the lightness that is impossible to to its residents. Discover Visit the saint’s tomb in same fate. That is the history describe. It is not a church, the history of the Jewish the St. Vitus Cathedral at of the town of Třebíč, as but the most delicate settlement in Třebíč! Prague Castle and see the illustrated by its two jewels – lacework. Santini’s brilliance magical place from which the Basilica of St Procopius can also be seen in the his body was thrown off with a monumental rose town – the Plague Cemetery the Charles Bridge into the Žďár nad Sázavou window and unique vaulted built in the shape of Vltava River!

18 Best of the Czech Republic 19 Nature Sněžka Mountain Thousands of Beautiful Spots in a Country As Big As the Palm of Your Hand

The place marked as Skiing It is almost impossible to the source of the major believe how much beauty European river Elbe is located in the meadow there is in this small country. called Labská louka in the Krkonoše Mountains. You The Czech landscape is can get there, for instance, from the mountain range’s surprisingly varied – and the largest resort, Špindlerův Mlýn, following a path that greatest proof of this are four leads through the magical Elbe valley. The spot is national parks, each different decorated with coats of arms of the cities through and unique. which the Elbe flows.

mountain meadows and Šumava Podyjí waterfalls. Podyjí in southern Šumava, the mountain range Moravia is a canyon of in Southern Bohemia that can the Dyje river with deep be both charming and rough, meanders, rock cliffs, and is a landscape of silent forests, stone seas. České Švýcarsko highlands, and blossoming in the northwest is a romantic meadows and is, most landscape of breath-taking importantly, the kingdom of sandstone formations, tall water. Mysterious peat bogs, towers, and vaulted gates, and wild rivers full of gigantic a land of unique treasures boulders, glacial lakes… of folk architecture. But there are more rock towns On Mountain Ridges and in Bohemia – such as the among Rocks beautiful Bohemian Paradise, the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, Krkonoše, the highest Czech the Kokořín region… mountain range in the north of the country with the 1,602 www.krkonose.eu metre Sněžka Mountain, is www.isumava.cz home to numerous diverse www.nppodyji.cz and rare animals and plants www.ceskesvycarsko.cz living in a land shaped by glaciers, a land of majestic

Kašperk Castle

Published by CzechTourism, Prague 2013, 1st edition Written by: Rostislav Křivánek and CzechTourism Translation: České překlady s.r.o., Gillian Purves Bohemian Switzerland Photographs: archives of CzechTourism, Libor Sváček, Ladislav Renner, Pavel Ouředník, Ivanka Čištínová, Milan Drahoňovský, Martin Mařák, Lubor Mrázek, Michal Vitásek, Michaela Wecker, Sdružení České dědictví UNESCO Design, print: Vydavatelství MCU, www.mcumedia.cz

www.czechtourism.com The official tourist presentation of the Czech Republic Šumava ISBN: 978-80-87560-29-7

20 Best of the Czech Republic Best of the Czech Republic

CzechTourism Vinohradská 46 120 41 Praha 2 [email protected] www.czechtourism.com