Trips from Prague Contents Introduction Český Krumlov .................................. 2 A blend of influences from Czech, Karlovy Vary ...................................... 4 German and Jewish cultures in the Mariánské Lázně ................................ 5 Czech lands has always created an ideal DEUTSCHLAND POLSKA Kutná Hora ........................................ 6 environment for the development of the České Karlštejn Castle ................................. 8 arts, science and architecture – especially Švýcarsko Konopiště Chateau ............................ 9 in Prague, the nucleus of Czech history. Ústí nad Liberec Bohemian Switzerland ..................... 10 How could one day ever be enough Labem Český Šternberk Castle .................... 12 to absorb a thousand years’ worth Český Křivoklát Castle ................................ 13 of history? Terezín Mělník ráj Nelahozeves Chateau ....................... 14 Karlovy Hradec Mělník Chateau ................................ 15 Prague is not the only treasury Vary Nelahozeves Kutná Králové Bohemian Paradise .......................... 16 of cultural and natural wealth in the Hora Křivoklát Praha Pardubice Plzeň .................................................. 18 Czech Republic. But it is an ideal base Mariánské Olomouc .......................................... 20 for trips to places that are living Lázně Karlštejn Ostrava Český Terezín ........................................... 22 chronicles of European history and Konopiště Šternberk Plzeň Olomouc Practical information ...................... 24 culture as well as to places where you can enjoy adrenaline-fueled experiences and explore unique natural land formations. Jihlava Zlín České You won’t regret it! If you are charmed at Budějovice Brno first sight by Prague, then you will fall in Český love with the Czech Republic Krumlov for the rest of your life. ÖSTERREICH SLOVENSKO 1 the chateau garden with its cascading entertained by jugglers and comedians. so much animosity that he soon had Český fountain. The garden is dominated by The tradition of the celebrations in Český to leave the city. the fresco-decorated Bellarie Summer Krumlov has gone unbroken since the Krumlov Palace, which along with the park days of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. GPS: 48°48‘51.510“N, 14°19‘4.419“E becomes a backdrop for a revolving The festival is held at the beginning Český Krumlov is one of the most outdoor amphitheatre. of summer. 173 km; 2 hours 25 minutes. beautiful Renaissance cities in Europe The highlight of the cultural season and, after Prague Castle, it is the second is the annual Český Krumlov The Seidel Photo Studio Museum Connections from the Main most visited place in the country. International Music Festival. is an exceptional cultural landmark Railway Station leave every two hours, Just a stroll through the historic city with a unique archive of photographs with a change in České Budějovice; centre with its unparalleled medieval On the other bank of the river Vltava, of the local population from the turn journey time 3 hours 40 minutes. atmosphere will leave no doubt why which is connected with the chateau by of the 20th century. The historically Český Krumlov is one of the pearls a small bridge, is the old town, where preserved interiors and furnishings Direct connections from on the UNESCO World Heritage List. you will find the splendid architecture from 1905 will acquaint visitors the Florenc Bus Station of original town houses, the soaring with the daily lives of the studio’s and the Na Knížecí bus depot The dominant feature of the city is Church of St. Vitus with the tomb of the last owners. (adjacent to the Anděl metro station) a chateau with a six-storey tower which Rožmberk (Rosenberg) family, and rustic leave several times a day; journey is richly decorated with sgraffiti. From medieval taverns and pubs. The Egon Schiele Art Centre time around 3 hours. here, you will have one of the most presents changing exhibitions beautiful views of the picturesque old Reason to visit with the main attraction being IV – X (daily except Monday) town. Among the most noteworthy a permanent exhibition of works 9 a.m.–5 p.m. sights at the chateau are the St. George During the Celebrations of the Five- by the Austrian Expressionist Chapel, the Masquerade Hall and the Petalled Rose, the city comes alive with Egon Schiele. Let yourself be inspired bridge connecting the Upper Castle with jousting tournaments, craft markets, by Český Krumlov, just like Schiele, the gardens and chateau theatre. After music and a historical procession. who relocated here from Vienna visiting the best-preserved Baroque You will encounter characters in the role in 1910. His lifestyle and his nudes theatre in Europe, be sure not to miss of Rožmberk family members and be of underage girls provoked www.ckrumlov.cz 2 Trips from Prague 3 Reason to visit Mariánské The greatest wealth of Karlovy Vary is the 12 hot mineral springs used for Lázně treating problems of the digestive tract, metabolic disorders as well as oncological From the discovery of a healing spring and musculoskeletal diseases. You can in the woods by Premonstratensian stay at one of the dozens of beautiful monks in 1197, six centuries passed spa buildings, villas or resort complexes. before the location was granted Among the most important hotels are the the status of a spa and received its name, Grandhotel Pupp, the Imperial Hotel and derived from Mary’s Spring. In the the Thermal Hotel. 19th century, spa buildings sprang up around here faster than mushrooms Visit the Moser Museum, where you in the surrounding forests. By the time will discover the magical world of the the poet Goethe fell passionately luxurious crystal glass with a tradition in love with the young Ulrike here dating back more than 150 years and in the summer of 1823, a stay in learn why it is called “the glass Mariánské Lázně had already become of kings”. a must on the European social calendar. Other famous guests have included Ema In 1905, the first golf course Karlovy Vary The alchemy of producing Becherovka Destinnová, Richard Wagner, Frédéric in the Czech lands was opened here liqueur has been a closely guarded Chopin, Franz Kafka, Thomas Edison by King Edward VII of England. When King Charles IV sampled secret for more than 200 years, and and hundreds of others. The highlight of the club‘s history the mineral water from a spring it will not be divulged even at the Jan is obtaining the right to use the title in the forests surrounding Loket Castle Becher Museum. Enjoy a visit to the The importance of this spa town “Royal Golf Club” through a generous in 1350, he decided to establish newly reconstructed cellars where is confirmed by the fact that it is one decision by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003. a spa here. About 200 years later, Becherovka was made for 143 years, of the European spa towns applying It’s another reason why Mariánské Karlovy Vary was attracting famous and taste the herbal liqueur at the bar. for inclusion on the UNESCO World Lázně wears the royal crown guests from all over the world Heritage List. Come here to relax in the of Czech spas. and was the pearl of the West Bohemian GPS for the information centre: care of the professionals at the spa and spa triangle, which is a favourite to earn 50°13‘47.864“N, 12°51‘51.866“E to taste the delicious spa wafers. GPS for the information centre: a place on the UNESCO World 49°58‘31.091“N, 12°42‘10.767“E Heritage List. 130 km; 1 hour 40 minutes. Reason to visit 170 km; 1 hour 50 minutes. What to do first? Take a promenade Direct connections from the A real architectural gem and along the colonnade and taste the waters Main Railway Station every two hours; a perennially popular place to visit Direct connections from the from the 12 springs? Visit beautiful journey time 3 hours 20 minutes. is the cast-iron colonnade with Main Railway Station every two hours; church buildings? Sample a Becherovka the Singing Fountain, which at every journey time 2 hours 50 minutes. and spa wafers at the Grandhotel Pupp? Direct connections from the odd hour from April to October plays Spot the stars at the international Florenc Bus Station almost every hour; some of the most famous compositions film festival? Soak up the high-society journey time approximately 2 hours 15 of the international repertoire. If you atmosphere on the golf course or minutes. are a romantic spirit, make sure to come at the racetrack? With so much to choose back in the evening, when the music from in Karlovy Vary, you are spoilt for is complemented by lighting effects. choice! www.karlovyvary.cz www.marianskelazne.cz 4 Trips from Prague 5 of the Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Reason to visit Kutná Hora has an ossuary which is unique in the world. Its decoration was created from the bones of nearly 40,000 people from a liquidated cemetery. The ossuary is located in the underground part of the church in the Sedlec district of the city. After the abolition of the local monastery, the church and the ossuary passed into the possession of the Orlík branch of the Schwarzenberg family, who initiated the modification of the underground chapel’s decoration into its present form. The Royal Silvering is a historical celebration which recreates a visit Sedlec, known as the “cathedral of light” by the Czech and Roman King GPS for the information centre: Kutná Hora due to its huge windows. The prominent Wenceslas IV to Kutná Hora. 49°56‘59.125“N, 15°16‘7.410“E Czech architect Jan Blažej Santini A procession including members Kutná Hora, the city of silver, rightly Aichl took part in its reconstruction of the court, knights, burghers 84 km; 1 hour 30 minutes. earned the second nickname “treasury in the Baroque-Gothic style.