PLACES OF INTEREST

CZECH REPUBLIC

Brno - 200 km (130 miles) E from Prague
The second larges city in the Czech Republic and the metropolis of Moravia. Brno is famous for its rich architectural and cultural heritage (e.g. Spilberk Fortress, St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Old Town Hall) and for many international trade fairs, exhibitions and car and motorcycle Grand Prix.

Boskovice – 35 km (23 miles) N from Brno (Moravia)
The Boskovice Jewish community represented one of the largest communities in Moravia. The Jewish ghetto was most probably established in the 15^th century and it consisted of about 150 houses with up to 2 000 inhabitants and used to be the seat of the Moravian Chief Rabbi.The Jewish quarter was mostly rebuilt in the 19^th century and has been declared an urban conservation area. The Jewish cemetery is one of the larges cemeteries in Moravia. A ruin of the Gothic castle dating from the end of the 14th century is located above the town. A chateau was built on the site of the Dominican cloister in the beginning of the 19th century.

Ceské Budejovice- 140 km (90 miles) S from Prague
The regional capital of South Bohemia and an attractive medieval city almost entirely rebuilt in the Renaissance period. The main square with its magnificent 18^th century arches is one of the larges in Europe. Ceské Budejovice is the home of Budweiser (Budvar) beer.

Cesky Krumlov - 165 km (106 miles) S from Prague
C. Krumlov is a historical town reserve preserved by UNESCO. This small medieval town, almost unchanged since the 18^th century, is one of the most picturesque in Europe. Krumlov Castle is the second largest fortification in the Czech Republic after Prague Castle and certainly one of the oldest. The most ancient part is the round tower dating from the second half of the 13^th century. The whole complex was reconstructed in the 16^th century in the Renaissance style.

Cesky Sternberk - 50 km (33 miles) SE from Prague
Cesky Sternberk Castle was one of the strongest in medieval Bohemia and stands comparison with the biggest royal castles of Europe. The oldest parts are dating from the first half of 13^th century, the Late Gothic reconstruction lent the castle its present appearance, marked by a typical silhouette with crenallated walls and bastions.

Hermanuv Mestec - 110 km (70 miles) ES from Prague
Small town in Bohemia, founded and chartered in the 14^th century. Jews lived in Hermanuv Mestec as early as the 15^th century, in the 17^th century there was a fairly large community here with a prayer room. The Jewish cemetery has been preserved . There are many remarkable Renaissance, Baroque and Empire tombstones here and several ark-shaped tombs, the oldest preserved tombstone dates from 1647.

Hluboká Chateau - 130 km (87 miles) S from Prague
Southern Bohemia is often called the green sea of the woods and meadows, the characteristic feature of it´s countryside is made by the ponds. Among all these treasures of the nature you can find The Hluboká Castle – the precious pearl of Southern Bohemia. This originaly Gothic royal castle, founded in the 13^th century, got its present romantic appearance during the final rebuilding in the style of English-Gothic revival in the second half of the 19^th century.

Holasovice - 150 km (96 miles) S from Prague
The pearl of South Bohemian peasant Baroque. Holasovice is a small picturesque village situated in the South Bohemian region just 14,5 km west from the town Ceské Budejovice. Its layout is characteristic by the rectangular order of farm-houses with the pond in the centre. Originally there were 17 farm-houses, but in the 17^th and mainly in the 18^th century they were divided into smaller farms and so there are 22 of them today. Large gardens encircled by massive stone walls are just behind the farm-houses. Holasovice is a village seeping in tradition, history and true county style.

Jindrichuv Hradec - 120 km (78 miles) S from Prague
The ancient town of Jindrichuv Hradec forms southeast Bohemia´s core. Once the residence of the powerful lords of Hradec, and later of the Cernín family, it reaped the benefits of its favourable location at the junction between Vienna and Prague over a long period . Economic and cultural life floourished there in the latter half of the 16^th century, cloaking the town and its spacious castle grounds in the Renaissance garb it has preserved to this day.

Karlovy Vary - 140 km (90 miles) W from Prague
The best known spa in the Czech Republic. The Bohemian King and Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV, gave his name to this town in the 14^th century. Spa treatment at Karlovy Vary is based on the local thermal springs. The mineral waters are used for drinking cures and baths for treatment of diseases of the digestive system and metabolic disorders .

Karlstejn Castle - 25 km (16 miles) SW from Prague
A glorious example of medieval architecture built in the middle of 14^th century by Charles IV as a safe deposit for the crown jewels and important state documents. The castle was designed by the famous French architect Matthias of Arras. Part of the original furnishings and decorations can still be seen. The Chapel of Holy Cross is decorated with precious stones set in the wall and with the wood panelpaintings – work of Master Theodoric (middle of the 14^th century). The village itself is also worth a visit and the pisturesque surrounding countryside is ideal for walking tours.

Kolín - 60 km (40 miles) E from Prague
A district town in Bohemia, chartered in the second half of the 13^th century. Jews resided in Kolín as early as the 14^th century. The Kolín Jewish community gave birth to many significant personalities in the field of culture , politics and economics. The new and old cemeteries , the synagogue, the school and some Baroque and Classicist houses have been preserved . Kolín is the scene of annual brass-band festival called “Kmoch´s Kolín” (Kmoch – the famous Bohemian brass-band conductor of the 19^th century).

Konopiste Chateau - 45 km (28 miles) SE from Prague
Originally a Gothic castle built in the 14^th century. The palace was totally altered in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries by Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination in Sarajevo in 1914 sparked off World War I. Franz Ferdinand engaged the architect J. Mocker to conver the castle into an opulent residence filled with rich furniture, works of art and lavish decorations. A large collection of weapons and hunting trophies, late Gothic sculptures and paintings, tapestries and various artefacts which belonged to the royal family can be seen.

Kozí Hrádek - 4 km (2,5 miles) S from Tábor (South Bohemia)
The national cultural monument – the ruins of a 14^th century castle where Jan Hus lived from 1412 –1414. Jan Hus - the religious reformer whosse death by burnign at the stake in 1415 sparked off the Hussite wars in Bohemia.

Krtiny – 20 km (13 miles) NE from Brno (Moravia)
Small village with the pilgrimage Church of the Virgin Mary´s Name, which is one of the oldest and most notable pilgrimage places in Moravia.

Kutná Hora– 80 km ( 50 miles) E from Prague
The royal mining town and a gem of Gothic architecture. Kurná Hora, after Prague the second most important town in the Kingdom of Bohemia in the Middle Ages, owed much of its wealth and fame to silver mining, which experienced its greatest boom in the second half of the 13^th century and became the mainstay of life in the town. Covering an area of 60 hectares, Kutná Hora´s historic core, one of Europe´s most remarkable architectural gems, contains more than 300 protected historic monuments which have led to the town´s being designated an urban reserve. The Church of St. Barbara, patron saint of miners, is a jewel in the crown of Gothic architecture the world over.

Lednice - 50 km ( 33miles) S from Brno (Moravia)
This originally Gothic fortress was re-built as a Renaissance chateau and extended in the baroque style. The chateau gained its final appearance after the pseudo-Gothic restoration in the Thudor style in 1846-1858 . It includes a green house and a large English park with a number of romantic constructions, a palm green house and the Malawi aquarium with salt- and freshwater fish. A minaret with a look-out is located in the park. A unique mammoth head is displayed in the museum. Since 1996 the area of Lednice and Valtice has been listed on the UNESCO list.

Libochovice Chateau – 70 km (45 miles) NW from Prague
The history of the chateau goes back to its existence as an Gothic fort, later converted into a Renaissance chateau. The Baroque reconstruction lent the castle its present appearance. The chateau is surrounded by a large English park as well as French formal gardens with an orangery.

Mariánské Lázne - 160 km (100 miles) W from Prague
The second largest spa resort in the Czech Republic founded in the last century. Carefully arranged large parks, spa forests, specific architecture, florishing cultural, sports and social life – those are the features to characterise this beautiful town. Of the 140 mineral springs in the town 39 are used for treating kidneys, respiratory and urinary disorders.

Melník – 35 km (23 miles) N from Prague
Melník is situated on the confluence of the rivers Vltava and Elbe, it is the centre of Bohemian wine production. The high tower of the Romanesque church is the local landmark, while Melník castle with its terraces overlooking the vinyards adds grandeur and beauty to the scene.

Nelahozeves – 30 km (20 miles) N fom Prague
Nelahozeves is one of the finest renaissance castles in Bohemia dating back to the 16^th century and is situated on a rocky cliff above the Vltava River. In the early 17^th century the Nelahozeves estates were purchased by Polyxena of Lobkowicz and remained in the family until 1949 when they were confiscated by the state. The property was returned to the Roudnice branch of the Lobkowicz family in 1993. Just below the castle is the birth-place and now Museum of the world famous composer Antonín Dvorák.

Nizbor - 40 km (25 miles) SW from Prague
Glassworks Nizbor (one of the three former glassworks of the Ruckl family) is a part of Antonín Ruckl and Sons Ltd. which was established 150 years ago. The Ruckls, the famous glass family, originated in the St. Gallen region of Switzerland came to Bohemia in the beginning of the 18^th century. The current range of glass production is made up of lead crystal items manufactured by manual technologies for both hot shaped glass (blowing to wooden moulds) and decorated glass (hand cutting and polishing). The high quality of design as well as the workmanship on unique items has helped Nižbor crystal to be selected as official state gifts for world famous personalities like US President Bill Clinton, Pope John Paul II or Queen Elizabeth II of England .

Orlík Castle - 80 km (53 miles) S from Prague
Originally an Early Gothic Castle, later rebuilt in Renaissance style and reconverted into the Gothic in the 19^th century. The interior of the castle is wellpreserved . It has magnificent rooms with splendid collections , includign hunting trophies and carvings .

Straznice – 90 km ( 60miles) SE from Brno ( South Moravia)
Little South Moravian town with the long-time tradition of annual International Festival of Folk Songs and Dances, the centre of folklore with an open-air museum of folk architecture .

Svata Hora (Holy Mountain) - 60 km (40 miles) SW from Prague
The most significant Our Lady pilgrimage destination in Bohemia, on a hill overlooking the town of Príbram. The 14^th century church, originally built in Gothic style, gained Baroque additions in 17^th century.

Stirín - 25 km (16 miles) SE from Prague
Stirín Chateau is an example of a medium-size splendid aristocratic residence , it is a pearl of the late Baroque period – a historical memorial , which was in the 1985 – 1993 period restored very sensitively with a view to its future use as a hotel. Professional restoration of the 12-hectare park and 180-hectare forest commenced in 1985 and a golf course with nine holes was added during this reconstruction of the park, which romantic beauty creates a unique milieu.

Tábor - 90 km (60 miles) S from Prague
Historical Town Reserve and National Monument Tábor was founded by Jan Žižka and his Hussites in 1420 on the principles of collective possession and responsibility. The town played an important role in the Hussite movement.There are mainly Gothic and Early Renaissance houses later reconstructed in Renaissance and Baroque styles in the historical centre. You can visit the original Gothic castle (later converted into a brewery) and a Gothic church in the historical centre, too.

Telc – 160 km (100 miles) SE from Prague
Historical Town Reserve Telc is one of the best-preserved ancient towns in the Czech Republic. A combination of pure Renaissance and Baroque buildings, typically grouped , makes Telc one of the finest examples of mediaeval urban architecture. The magnificent large square, surrounded by arcaded houses and with a Baroque fountain in its centre, still retains the atmosphere of the Renaissance period. The Telc Chateau - one of the most beautiful in Moravia – was originally a Gothic castle from the 14^th century (converted into the Renaissance building in the second half of the 16^th century). The chateau interiors have rich decoration , carved and painted ceilings, frescoes and other splendid features.

Terezín - 70 km (45 miles) NW from Prague
The town and fortress of Terezín were founded in 1780 by Joseph II. in neo-Classicist style. The Small Fortress was turned into a Nazi concentration camp run by the Gestapo in June 1940, by the end of the war over 90 000 prisoners had passed through its gates. In February 1942 the town of Terezín itself became a Jewish ghetto and 160 000 Jews from 35 different countries were brought here.

Trebon - 135 km ( 90 miles) S from Prague
This small spa town is nestling in a sea of fishing lakes in a protected area in South Bohemia. The lakes were created centuries ago to breed fish and the larges lake in the Czech Republic, called Rožumberk, is situated just 3 km (2 miles) from Trebon. The treatment in this spa resort is based on the local marshy peat, which is very rich in minerals.

Velehrad - 75 km (50 miles) E from Brno (Moravia)
The monumental Romanesque basilica of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Velehrad was founded with the Cistercian monastery in 1205. It is a wellknown place of pilgrimage, Pope John Paul II. paid a visit here in 1990.

Veltrusy Chateau – 35 km (23 miles) NW from Prague
The Baroque Veltrusy Chateau was built as a hunting lodge in the early 18^th century. Several decades later, a park was founded on a former Vltava island in its vicinity. The park was re-done in the English style in 1785, and linked with a game preserve, in which a herd of falow deer is still kept.

Vyssí Brod – 180 km (120 miles) S from Prague
The Cistercian abbey at Vyssí Brod, founded by the Rožumberk family in 13^th century, is the most authentic monastic locality in Bohemia. The monastery has now been restored to life by the Cistercian order. The visitors can see not only the Early and High Gothic core of the monastery area, but also the third most important Baroque library interior in this country.