Aug 15 2008
Trips outside of Prague
The Czech Republic has very rich cultural heritage. Its capital Prague has hundreds of golden spires, but the surrounding area is filled with some of Europe’s most beautiful castles and historical monuments that luckily managed to survive everything. And there are cities in Czech Republic not worse than Prague and they retain their glory throughout the ages. If you are visiting Prague, visit all Czech Republic to have full and completed impression about this country. Prague hotels usually have information on tours.
Not far from Prague is Karlstejn, probably the most famous Czech castle overlooking Berounka river with looming towers is simply must see it is and one of the most popular tours outside Prague. It is Charles’s IV pride and joy, the Czech King and the Roman Emperor who founded the castle in 1348 as a place for safekeeping of the royal treasures, especially Charles’s collection of holy relics and the coronation jewels of the Roman Empire.
Different parts of the castle are located at the various height levels. The massive prismatic tower called “Great” is dominated in Karlstejn Castle. Karlštejn makes deep impression on everyone with its stately manner and the same mood is passed to visitors by its interior, adjusted as much as possible to the original Medieval appearance. Nowadays the Castle hosts the world’s largest collection of panel paintings by Master Theodoric, the largest portrait gallery of Czech rulers in the country and the replica of the Czech Kings Crown.
It is up to 30 km from Prague; you can reach by train from Hlavní and Smíchovské nadrazi train stations. It is closed in February.
Other big Castle is Konopiste built as a castle in the first half of the 14th century. Originally Konopiste castle was built in the Early Gothic style. Renaissance and Baroque reconstruction changed the castle and then at the end of the 19th century it was refurbished in the Romantic style for Franz Ferdinand d´Este, successor to the Habsburg throne. Konopiště keeps extraordinarily rich collections that make it one of the most interesting manors of Central Europe. It includes artistic, arts and crafts articles covering the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and also modern periods. Konopiste Castle is less than 50 kilometres from the capital city Prague. You reach it by bus from Roztyly metro station to Benesov or train from Main Station to Benesov.
Ceský Krumlov situated on the banks of the Vltava river is the town that preserved much of its Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Ceský Krumlov has entered in 1992 the UNESCO register of monuments of world significance for its well-preserved Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. There is Castle in Český Krumlov from the 13th century, which is the 2nd largest castle complex in Czech Republic after Prague castle.
Kutna Hora town is also included in UNESCO register for historical centre of the town, together with the Church of Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Sedlec and the St. Barbara´s Cathedral. This town was the silver heart of Medieval Europe, one of the most important royal towns with silver mining competed with Prague economically, politically and culturally at that time. Sedlec’s Church “Kostnice” is the most impressive view of 40,000 dead form morbidly fascinating sculptures and artwork; skeletons meticulously fashioned in 1870 by a wood carver. You can reach Kutna Hora by train from Prague Hlavní nádraží or Masarykovo nádraží or by bus from the Florenc bus station and it will take a little bit more than 1 hour travel.
Karlovy Vary (German name of Karlsbad) is the world famous spa town founded in 1350 by the Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. It was known as the “Saloon of Europe” – the most fashionable spa on continent and was visited by such celebrities like Casanova, Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Kafka, Alphonse Mucha and many others. Big event in Karlovy Vary is International Film Festival that takes part annually. To get there you can use a bus from Prague that will get you to Karlovy Vary in around 2 hours.