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Welcome to the Czech Republic HISTORY AT EVERY STEP... Before the arrival of the Slavs in the 6th century this area was inhabited by Germanic and Celtic tribes. A lot of rulers and kings ruled the people in Bohemia from the 7th to 19th centuries. Let us notice two of them: emperor Charles IV and emperor Rudolf II. During the reign of Charles IV (1346-78), as king of Bohemia and Holy Roman emperor, Prague grew into one of the largest cities in Europe. It acquired its fine Gothic face and landmarks including Charles University, Charles Bridge and St. Vitus Cathedral. At the beginning of the 20th century Bohemia was a part of Austrian Empire. After World War I in 1918 Czechoslovakia declared its independence. In October 1938 the Nazis occupied the Sudetenland, with the acquiescence of Britain and France, after the infamous Munich Agreement. After World War II in 1945 Czechoslovakia was re-established as an independent state. In the 1946 elections, the Communists became the largest party with 36% of the popular vote and formed coalition government. he communist government resignated in November 1989 after a week of demonstrations known as the Velvet Revolution. The popular Vaclav Havel was elected president of the republic. At the end of 1992 Czechoslovakia split into Czech Republic (Bohemia and Moravia) and Slovak Republic (Slovakia). Twelve years later, on May 1, 2004 Czech Republic became a part of the European Union. http://www.czechsite.com/history.html
THE APPEAL OF CASTLES AND CHATEAUX... The Czech Republic boasts a wonderful cultural heritage in the form of castles and chateaux. Over 2,000 preserved castles and chateaux (more per square mile than any other country in the world!) represent an important part of the national cultural heritage, both in terms of their number and in terms of their historical and artistic value. The most famous among them is Karlštejn. Zvítkov in Southern Bohemia is referred to as the jewel in the crown of Czech castles. Other notable structures include the royal castle of Křivoklát, hidden in forest, and huge Kost Castle , surrounded by the „rock towns“ of a scenic area called Český Ráj (Bohemian Paradise). Loket, one of the oldest Czech castles, is situated not far away from the spa town of Karlovy Vary. The Gothic-Renaissance Pernštejn Castle in Moravia, once the same name, is the of the most magnificent of its kind. The Litomyšl Chateau, added to the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage, is a treasure of Renaissance architecture. The marks of renaissance we could find also on the Český Krumlov Castle. Then there is Jindřichův Hradec Castle and Chateau and many others...
SPAS - PLACES FOR RELAXATION AND RECUPERATION There are a number of mineral springs on the Czech territory, which have been used for medicinal purposes since the early 15th century. Czech spa towns are invariably located in picturesque natural landscapes and are attractive for both their urban layout and their specific spa architecture. Some spa houses even boast elaborate original furnishings. Between the oldest and most visited are the spas of Karlovy Vary,Františkovy Lázně and Teplice.
HEALTHY AND ACTIVE HOLIDAYS... Nature in the Czech Republic and its forests and mountains have been inhabited and cultivated since ancient times; however, we can still find beautiful untouched, wild places, unique in their scenery and formations. The animals that still live in these areas – such as the wolf, the wildcat, the lynx, the big bustard and the grouse – are elsewhere known only from books and zoological gardens. You don't have to spend your holiday in the Czech Republic simply admiring uncountable sights. There is a wide range of various sports activities, especially during the summer season: water sports, fishing, horse riding, as well as increasingly popular aviation sports. Nature lovers can find a plethora of well-marked hiking and cycle-tourist trails here, especially in the Šumava, Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, the Polabí Region and Southern Moravia. Rural farms offer riding trips, sandstone, limestone and granite rocks (Bohemian Paradise, the Kokořín are and a range of others) provide people with an opportunity to test their skills while tackling a variety of climbing routes. In winter, modern mountain centres and skiing grounds, particularly those in the Krkonoše Mountains, are open for winter sports enthusiasts. |