Czech Republic - Best of the West

About Prague

Prague has been an important cultural and economic center since the reign of Charles IV in the 14th century. The city is home to iconic sites dating back as far as the 14th century, including Charles University, the oldest in Europe; Prague Castle; and, of course, the magnificent Charles Bridge, an architectural wonder that has been connecting the two banks of the Vltava River for over 600 years. The bridge contains the figures of 30 saints that were added in the Baroque period). 

Prague has been an important cultural and economic center since the reign of Charles IV in the 14th century. The city is home to iconic sites dating back as far as the 14th century, including Charles University, the oldest in Europe; Prague Castle; and, of course, the magnificent Charles Bridge, an architectural wonder that has been connecting the two banks of the Vltava River for over 600 years. The bridge contains the figures of 30 saints that were added in the Baroque period). 

Prague’s 14th century Old Town Hall and Gothic tower are popular attractions, both for their beauty and for their views of nearby ancient buildings.  The Town Hall served as the seat of the city's rulers, and the tower, located on its southern wing, bears an iconic astronomical clock dating back to 1410. The hands of the clock are calibrated according to the time of sunset, so don’t count on it for finding out the actual time! The clock also contains the zodiac and at the top of each hour, from 9 AM to 11 PM, the bells ring and there is a moving display of the apostles that lasts for 45 seconds. The eastern wing of the Town Hall was destroyed during the uprising on May 8, 1945 and was never rebuilt. In the square behind the clock, there is a monument to Jan Hus, the Church reformer who was the inspiration for Hussitism, a predecessor to Protestantism. Hus was tried in the city of Constant in western Austria and put on the stake in 1415. The monument shows his failure in the war on the "White Mountain," and his famous sayings are engraved in stone. On the outskirts of the square stands the Church of Our Lady before Tyn. The impressive building with its multiple towers is a city icon. The original architecture is from the 14th century, but its turrets have been restored. Inside the church, there are 19 impressive altars and dozens of graves with worn tombstones – based on the ancient belief that stepping on a tombstone saves one from toothache. The impressive organ was renovated in 2000, and the triangular gable that can be seen between the towers, is an addition from the Baroque period. There is a façade in front of the church with convex capitals - this is the only structure that survived from the 13th century. The Powder Tower, a short walk from the town hall, is a remnant of the gate of the city’s walls and is where the city's supply of gunpowder was stored. The Old Town alleys, which combine many Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau styles, also lead to Prague's Old Jewish Quarter. The synagogues, the ancient cemetery, and the story of the "Golem" from Prague reveal the history of the Jewish community that lived here for generations. The Jewish Quarter is not open at all hours of the day, so be sure to confirm opening hours before arriving. Prague’s National Museum is a fifteen-minute walk from the ancient Town Hall. Along the way, walk through Wenceslas Square, named after Wenceslas I, King of Bohemia. It is a long square surrounded by boulevards and containing the statue of Wenceslaus on his horse. In front of the museum, there is a commemorative plaque for Jan Palach, the Czech student who set himself on fire in January 1969 as a protest against the Soviet invasion of Poland. If you are a fan of Art Nouveau, be sure to visit the Mucha Museum, an impressive museum that curates the works of the artist Alphonse Mucha. Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) is considered one of the oldest castles in the world, and it dominates the city's skyline. The citadel was the seat of kings and emperors for over a thousand years. The castle complex includes the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, the Golden Path, and other historical buildings. St. Vitus Cathedral is located within the Prague Castle complex and is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. It is the largest and most important cathedral in the Czech Republic, featuring stunning stained glass windows, beautiful chapels, and tombs of Bohemian kings and Holy Roman emperors.

About Teplice

Teplice is a statutory city in the Usti nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic, the capital of Teplice District. It is the state's second largest spa town, after Karlovy Vary. Teplice is located in the North Bohemia region, near the border with the German state of Saxony. It is situated in the valley of the Bilina river between the slopes of the Ore Mountains in the northwest and the Central Bohemian Uplands in the southeast.

Teplice is a statutory city in the Usti nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic, the capital of Teplice District. It is the state's second largest spa town, after Karlovy Vary. Teplice is located in the North Bohemia region, near the border with the German state of Saxony. It is situated in the valley of the Bilina river between the slopes of the Ore Mountains in the northwest and the Central Bohemian Uplands in the southeast.

About Karlovy Vary

The first Celtic settlers came there before the Middle Ages. In 14C, Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and Czech king, gave the privileges to the city. According to legend after he had acclaimed the healing power of the hot springs. Earlier settlements can be found in the outskirts of today's city. In 19C, it became a popular tourist destination, especially for international celebrities visiting for spa treatment. The city is also known for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, which has become one of Europe's major film events. The famous Karlovarske oplatky (Carlsbad spa wafers) originated in the city in 1867. The city has also given its name to the delicacy known as "Carlsbad plums".

The first Celtic settlers came there before the Middle Ages. In 14C, Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and Czech king, gave the privileges to the city. According to legend after he had acclaimed the healing power of the hot springs. Earlier settlements can be found in the outskirts of today's city. In 19C, it became a popular tourist destination, especially for international celebrities visiting for spa treatment. The city is also known for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, which has become one of Europe's major film events. The famous Karlovarske oplatky (Carlsbad spa wafers) originated in the city in 1867. The city has also given its name to the delicacy known as "Carlsbad plums".

About Marianske Lazne

The town, surrounded by green mountains, is a mosaic of parks and noble houses. Most of its buildings come from the town's Golden Era in the second half of 19C, when many celebrities and top European rulers came to enjoy the 100 curative carbon dioxide springs. Most of them are well-kept and often pavilions and/or colonnades are built around them. Because of the diverse number of visitors the town is able to maintain churches of several denominations. These include the Anglican Church, which is no longer in use as a place of worship and is now a concert hall.

The town, surrounded by green mountains, is a mosaic of parks and noble houses. Most of its buildings come from the town's Golden Era in the second half of 19C, when many celebrities and top European rulers came to enjoy the 100 curative carbon dioxide springs. Most of them are well-kept and often pavilions and/or colonnades are built around them. Because of the diverse number of visitors the town is able to maintain churches of several denominations. These include the Anglican Church, which is no longer in use as a place of worship and is now a concert hall.

About Pilsen

Plzen is a city in western Bohemia in the Czech Republic. It is the fourth most populous city in the Czech Republic. The city is known worldwide for Pilsner beer, created by Bavarian brewer Josef Groll here in 1842. The most prominent sights of Plzen are the Gothic St. Bartholomew's Cathedral, the Renaissance Town Hall, and the Moorish Revival Great Synagogue, the second largest synagogue in Europe. There is also a historic underground tunnel network and Part of this network is open to the public for tours of about 750 metres.

Plzen is a city in western Bohemia in the Czech Republic. It is the fourth most populous city in the Czech Republic. The city is known worldwide for Pilsner beer, created by Bavarian brewer Josef Groll here in 1842. The most prominent sights of Plzen are the Gothic St. Bartholomew's Cathedral, the Renaissance Town Hall, and the Moorish Revival Great Synagogue, the second largest synagogue in Europe. There is also a historic underground tunnel network and Part of this network is open to the public for tours of about 750 metres.

About Cesky Krumlov

Cesky Krumlov Castle is unusually large for a town of Krumlov's size; within the Czech Republic it is second in extent only to the Hradcany castle complex of Prague. Cesky Krumlov Castle preserves its Baroque theatre, built from 1680-82 under Prince Johann Christian I von Eggenberg and renovated with modern (at the time) stage equipment under Josef Adam zu Schwarzenberg from 1765-66. With this original stage machinery, scenery and props it is among only a few such court theatres that still exist. Krumlov has a museum dedicated to the painter Egon Schiele, who lived in the town.

Cesky Krumlov Castle is unusually large for a town of Krumlov's size; within the Czech Republic it is second in extent only to the Hradcany castle complex of Prague. Cesky Krumlov Castle preserves its Baroque theatre, built from 1680-82 under Prince Johann Christian I von Eggenberg and renovated with modern (at the time) stage equipment under Josef Adam zu Schwarzenberg from 1765-66. With this original stage machinery, scenery and props it is among only a few such court theatres that still exist. Krumlov has a museum dedicated to the painter Egon Schiele, who lived in the town.

About Prague

Prague has been an important cultural and economic center since the reign of Charles IV in the 14th century. The city is home to iconic sites dating back as far as the 14th century, including Charles University, the oldest in Europe; Prague Castle; and, of course, the magnificent Charles Bridge, an architectural wonder that has been connecting the two banks of the Vltava River for over 600 years. The bridge contains the figures of 30 saints that were added in the Baroque period). 

Prague has been an important cultural and economic center since the reign of Charles IV in the 14th century. The city is home to iconic sites dating back as far as the 14th century, including Charles University, the oldest in Europe; Prague Castle; and, of course, the magnificent Charles Bridge, an architectural wonder that has been connecting the two banks of the Vltava River for over 600 years. The bridge contains the figures of 30 saints that were added in the Baroque period). 

Prague’s 14th century Old Town Hall and Gothic tower are popular attractions, both for their beauty and for their views of nearby ancient buildings.  The Town Hall served as the seat of the city's rulers, and the tower, located on its southern wing, bears an iconic astronomical clock dating back to 1410. The hands of the clock are calibrated according to the time of sunset, so don’t count on it for finding out the actual time! The clock also contains the zodiac and at the top of each hour, from 9 AM to 11 PM, the bells ring and there is a moving display of the apostles that lasts for 45 seconds. The eastern wing of the Town Hall was destroyed during the uprising on May 8, 1945 and was never rebuilt. In the square behind the clock, there is a monument to Jan Hus, the Church reformer who was the inspiration for Hussitism, a predecessor to Protestantism. Hus was tried in the city of Constant in western Austria and put on the stake in 1415. The monument shows his failure in the war on the "White Mountain," and his famous sayings are engraved in stone. On the outskirts of the square stands the Church of Our Lady before Tyn. The impressive building with its multiple towers is a city icon. The original architecture is from the 14th century, but its turrets have been restored. Inside the church, there are 19 impressive altars and dozens of graves with worn tombstones – based on the ancient belief that stepping on a tombstone saves one from toothache. The impressive organ was renovated in 2000, and the triangular gable that can be seen between the towers, is an addition from the Baroque period. There is a façade in front of the church with convex capitals - this is the only structure that survived from the 13th century. The Powder Tower, a short walk from the town hall, is a remnant of the gate of the city’s walls and is where the city's supply of gunpowder was stored. The Old Town alleys, which combine many Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau styles, also lead to Prague's Old Jewish Quarter. The synagogues, the ancient cemetery, and the story of the "Golem" from Prague reveal the history of the Jewish community that lived here for generations. The Jewish Quarter is not open at all hours of the day, so be sure to confirm opening hours before arriving. Prague’s National Museum is a fifteen-minute walk from the ancient Town Hall. Along the way, walk through Wenceslas Square, named after Wenceslas I, King of Bohemia. It is a long square surrounded by boulevards and containing the statue of Wenceslaus on his horse. In front of the museum, there is a commemorative plaque for Jan Palach, the Czech student who set himself on fire in January 1969 as a protest against the Soviet invasion of Poland. If you are a fan of Art Nouveau, be sure to visit the Mucha Museum, an impressive museum that curates the works of the artist Alphonse Mucha. Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) is considered one of the oldest castles in the world, and it dominates the city's skyline. The citadel was the seat of kings and emperors for over a thousand years. The castle complex includes the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, the Golden Path, and other historical buildings. St. Vitus Cathedral is located within the Prague Castle complex and is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. It is the largest and most important cathedral in the Czech Republic, featuring stunning stained glass windows, beautiful chapels, and tombs of Bohemian kings and Holy Roman emperors.