10 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
The Czech Republic has become a favorite tourist destination for many travelers who crave something off of the traditional European tour path. It is a favorite destination for those who like older architecture, partially because this small landlocked country went mostly untouched during the world wars, and partially because the area has been owned by many different nations with different architectural influences throughout the last millennium. Prices are lower for those who like to find the best deal, and the culture is more “authentic”, or unspoiled by tourist demands. The result is a charming step back into a fairytale world of “Real Europe.” Here are some of the best places to visit in the Czech Republic:
-1- PLZEN
This western Bohemian city is the fourth largest in the Czech Republic, and is known worldwide as the home and the namesake of Pilsner beer. For those looking for great architecture, St Bartholemew’s Cathedral, the Great Synagogue, and the Renaissance style Town Hall are must-sees. The town is a vibrant economic center, home of breweries like Pilsner Urquell, and the well-known University of West Bohemia, the nation’s premiere college of
Law.
-2- MORAVIAN KARST
This geologic phenomenon is in a naturally protected region of the Czech Republic, just north of Brno. This is a giant series of underground limestone caverns and gorges that stretch for thousands of square kilometers. The region includes such highlights as the Macocha Abyss, a gorge 138 meter (453 foot) deep, which formed during a collapse of one of the underground cavern ceilings. In addition to caverns, Moravian Karst also contains well-marked bicycle trails and hiking paths to explore.
-3- LITOMYSL
This eastern town on the once border between Bohemia and Moravia sat on an important trade route called the Tristenice Path. In the late sixteenth century, the most notable building in the town was created, a renaissance-style castle. This palace is the birthplace of noted classical music composer Bedrich Smetana. Another highlight in the town is the Portmoneum, the former home of art lover Josef Portmon, and a tribute to graphic art that covers walls, floors, ceilings and furniture in a completely immersive style.
-4- OLOMOUC
Olomouc was originally created as a Roman fort during the imperial period. The name is a corrupted version of its Roman name, Mount Julius. It later became the residence of the Moravian governor. There is much to see here, as the town was considered important during almost every century of the last millennium. Olomouc Castle dates back to the twelfth century, and has in it the beautiful Saint Wencelas Cathedral. The town is populated with more than a dozen lovely religious buildings from progressive architectural styles, six notable baroque fountains that are a point of pride, a notable art museum, and the spectacular astronomical clock.
-5- TELC
This town in the Moravia region of the South was created as a port town in the 14th Century to facilitate trade between Bohemia, Moravia, and Austria. The town’s historic center boasts easter-egg colors and renaissance architecture, which make it a picturesque place to visit. The local Gothic palace was redone in the 17th century to remake it in Renaissance style. Beautiful churches like the church of the Holy Ghost and the local Jesuit Church make this a lovely place for photographers, architectural and history buffs.
-6- CASTLE KARLSTEJN
This 14th Century Gothic Castle was the home of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. It is located about 30 km (18 miles) from Prague, and makes a nice day trip for tourists staying in the city. The castle has served as a war fortress, a storehouse for treasure, and a royal home at different points. The building is designed with three terraced levels, each standing for different levels of importance. From lowest to highest, the sections are called the Imperial Palace, the Marian Tower, and the Big Tower. The Knights and the Emperor inhabited the imperial palace, the Marian Tower was reserved for the Empress, and the Big Tower w