Basic information About the Czech Republic Places of interest in the Czech Republic History State and public holidays Getting to the Czech Republic Famous personalities Basic travel costs Food BASIC INFORMATION Area: 78,865 sq. kilometres Population: 10,330,000 inhabitants Capital city: Prague Official language: Czech Constitution: president - elected bicameral parliament Currency: 1 crown (CZK) = 100 hellers Country identification mark: CZ Religious affiliation: Predominantly Roman Catholic (39.2%), non-believers (39.7%) Ethnic composition: 94% Czechs, 3% Slovaks, 1.3% Romanies, 0.6% Poles, 0.5% Germans, 0.6% Others Climate: temperate, four seasons, a mix of ocean and inland climate, changeable winters and warm summers. average temperature: 9,7°C summer season - July 20°C winter season - January -2°C Time: Central European (GMT+1), summer time - Central European +1 (GMT+2) Largest city: Prague Highest mountain: Snezka - 1602m above sea level in Krkonose mountains Lowest point: surface of the river Elbe at the border with Germany - 117m above sea level Longest river: Elbe - 1165 km (415 km within the Czech Republic) Deepest chasm: Macocha - 138 m Largest lake: Black Lake - 40.5 m deep, 18.2 ha Longest bridge: Zdakov bridge - 541 m ABOUT THE CZECH REPUBLIC The Czech Republic is situated in the heart of Europe, in the area where the cultural influences of East and West were meeting from time immemorial. Most travellers are impressed by the Czech Republic's architectural splendours, which include some of the finest Baroque, Art Nouveau and Cubist buildings in Europe, but Czechs have also excelled at less noticeable art forms, such as illuminated manuscripts, religious sculpture, and marionette & puppet theatre. At present time, the political, economic and cultural relations are focused on West European countries, and on historically close neighbours - Slovakia, Austria and Poland. The Czech Republic is a full member of NATO. The tourist trade is an important branch of the Czech economy. Visitors from abroad appreciate the wealth, diversity and accessibility of cultural and historical monuments, which are concentrated on a relatively cheap in comparison with most European countries. Besides Prague, which is a must for every tourist, the Czech Republic has eight other locations that are on the UNESCO list of the world cultural and natural heritage. The beautiful countryside is profoundly reflected in the soul of the nation. The border mountain regions are a paradise for those who enjoy summer hiking or winter sports, whereas the landscape of southern Bohemia, embroidered with a pattern of lakes, offers enchanting venues for long contemplative walks. The most valuable natural areas are protected in four national parks (Krkonose, Sumava, Podyji and Ceske Svycarsko) and in many protected landscape areas and nature reserves. Most protected areas are open to visitors free of charge, no special permission is required. A special kind of landscape is presented by sandstone areas, where millions of years of action by frost, water and wind created deep canyons and imposing rock labyrinths. The Cesky Raj (Bohemian Paradise) is fitting name for one such area. Limestone formations offer a chance to see caves and vast underground spaces; the Moravsky kras (Moravian Karst) north of Brno is the largest of these territories. The highly characteristic Wallachian regions with its wealth of rural folk architecture and the wine-growing areas of southern Moravia have also been much-visited destinations. The people who live there are friendly, hospitable and endowed with a special sense of humour. Czech music runs the gamut from classical to jazz & punk. Apprentice butcher Antonin Dvorak is generally regarded as the most popular Czech composer. He is noted for his symphony From the New World, composed in the USA while lecturing there. Czech jazz musicians were at the forefront of European jazz after WW II but this came to an end with the communist putsch. Keyboardist Jan Hamr, who escaped to the USA, became prominent in 1970s American jazz-rock under the name Jan Hammer. Since the Velvet Revolution, the jazz scene in Prague has been especially lively. The most famous Czech writer is undoubtedly Franz Kafka, who, with a circle of other German-speaking Jewish writers in Prague, played a major role in the literary scene at the beginning of this century. Internationally renowned modern' Czech novelists include Milan Kundera, Ivan Klima and Josef Skvorecky. Much less well known is the Czech poet Jaroslav Siefert, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1984. Whether you are looking for a place to relax, for sport or entertainment, if you want to become acquainted with history, art and the beauties of nature or need a suitable venue for congresses, scientific symposia, or commercial and training meetings, then the Czech Republic can certainly offer you a wide choice and favourable conditions. PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC UNESCO listed towns Český Krumlov - the historical centre of the town and the chateau Holašovice - folk architecture village (peasant baroque) Kroměříž - Archbishop´s chateau and gardens Kutná Hora - the historical centre of the town and the Cathedral of St. Barbara Lednice-Valtice Area - uniquely created landscape in the environs of the Lednice and Valtice Chateaux Litomyšl- chateau Olomouc - the Column of the Holy Trinity Prague - the historical centre of the town Telč - the historical centre of the town Žďár nad Sázavou - the church of St. John of Nepomuk Central Bohemia Castles - Český Šternberk, Karlštejn, Kokořín, Konopiště, Křivoklát, Nelahozeves, Žleby, Veltrusy, Mělník, Poděbrady The Bohemian Paradise - the oldest nature reserve Koněprusy Caves - an extensive system of caves in the Bohemian Karst Nature Reserve Lidice National Memorial - on 10.6.1942 the Nazis wiped out the entire village Kutná Hora - UNESCO listed town Mělník - the centre of the leading wine production area within Bohemia territory Příbram - important Czech mining town Poděbrady - spa town Kolín - known for its "Kmoch's Kolín" festival of brass music Western Bohemia Castles - Rábí, Horšovský Týn, Loket, Tachov Spa towns - Františkovy Lázně, Karlsbad, Konstantinovy Lázně, Lázně Kynžvart, Marienbad, Jáchymov Domažlice - centre of Chodsko, area with the traditional folklore Plzeň - the town of beer (Pilsen Urquell) Southern Bohemia Castles - Bechyně, Červená Lhota, Český Krumlov, Hluboká nad Vltavou, Jindřichův Hradec, Orlík nad Vltavou, Pelhřimov, Třeboň, Zvíkov České Budějovice - beer town (Budvar) Holašovice - folk architecture village (peasant baroque) Lipno Valley Reservoir The Bohemian Forest - a large part of this nature formation declared a national park Tábor - centre of the Hussite religious organisation Třeboň - spa town Vyšší Brod and Zlatá Koruna - Cistercian Monasteries Eastern Bohemia Castles - Karlova Koruna, Kuks, Lipnice nad Sázavou, Litomyšl, Opočno, Trosky The Adršpach-Teplice Cliffs - national nature reserve Broumov - monastery complex Dvůr Králové nad Labem - zoological gardens built in style of safari park Havlíčkův Brod - former silver mine Jičín - an urban conservation area Pardubice - known with Pardubice gingerbread and the Great Pardubice Steeplechase Sněžka - the highest mountain in the Czech Republic North Bohemia Castles - Bezděz, Děčín, Duchcov, Frýdlant, Litoměřice, Ploskovice, Zákupy The Czech Switzerland Říp - the Czech national mountain Teplice - oldest spa town in Bohemia Terezín - the baroque fortress used as a Nazi concentration camp 1940-45 Norther Moravia and Silesia Castles - Bouzov, Helfštýn, Velké Losiny Nový Jičín - an urban conservation area Olomouc - the old bishop's and later archbishops' city, UNESCO listed town Praděd - the highest mountain in Moravia Rožnov pod Radhoštěm - home to the Wallachian Outdoor Museum Southern Moravia Castles - Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou, Kroměříž, Lednice, Mikulov, Pernštejn, Velehrad, Valtice Rajhrad - the oldest monastery in Moravia Dolní Věstonice - famous for archaeological findings from the early Stone Age Moravian Karst Brno Jihlava - an urban conservation area Luhačovice - spa town Strážnice - museum of folk architecture Telč - UNESCO listed town Znojmo - an urban conservation area Žďár nad Sázavou - UNESCO listed town Krkonose mountains The highest summits are Snezka 1,602 m a.s.l., Lucni hora 1,555 m a.s.l., Studnicni hora 1,554 m a.s.l. and Vysoke kolo 1,509 m a.s.l. Source area of the following rivers - CZ: Labe, Upa, Jizerka and Mumlava; in Poland: Uomnica and Kamienna Glacier pools - CZ: Mechove jezirko; in Poland: Wielki Staw, Maly Staw and Sniezne Stawki Waterfalls - CZ: Labsky vodopad, Pancavsky vodopad, Mumlavsky vodopad, Horni Upsky vodopad and Dolni Upsky vodopad; in Poland: wodospad Kamienczyka and wdsp. Szklarki Climate is cold and very humid; dominant direction of winds - west winds from the Atlantic; average temperature is from +6oC to 0oC Permanent snow cover - app. 7 months; average height of snow cover - 150-200 cm; number of avalanche trails - app. 50 Number of vascular plants species - app. 1,200; dominant trees are Norway Spruce 87%, Swiss Mountain Pine 6,9%, European Beech 2,6% and Larch 0,9% Number of Vertebrate Species - app. 250; representatives of mammals - roe deer, red deer, fox, marten and badger HISTORY 3rd – 2nd century BC A Celtic tribe, the Boii, settles in the region (Boiohaemum = home of the Boii) 5th – 6th century AD Arrivals of Slav tribes 1st half of 7th century Samos´s Empire 833 – 906/7 Greater Moravian Empire 874 - 891 Reign of Prince Borivoj I, the first known Przemyslid ruler 935 Prince Wenceslas murdered, declared the country´s patron saint later in the 10th century 1061 - 1092 Reign of Prince Vratislav II (becomes the first king of Bohemia in 1085) 25.09.1212 Sicilian Golden Bull confirms the inheritability of the crown for Bohemian sovereigns 1253 - 1278 Reign of King Przemysl Otakar II, Bohemia becomes a European power 26.08. 1278 Battle of Marchfeld, death of Przemysl Otakar II 04.08. 1306 King Wenceslas III, the last Przemyslid, murdered in Olomouc 1310 - 1437 House of Luxembourg reigns in Bohemia 1344 Prague becomes an archbishopric, commencement of the construction of St. Vitus´ Cathedral 26.08. 1346 Battle of Crécy, death of King John of Luxembourg 1346 - 1378 Reign of emperor Charles IV of Luxembourg 07.04. 1348 Foundation of Charles University in Prague 06.07.1415 Jan Hus (John Huss) burnt at the stake in Constance 30.07. 1419 First Defenestration of Prague: start of the Hussite Revolution 1471 -1526 Reign of the House of Jagiellonian 29.08.1526 Battle of Mohács, death of Ludwig Jagiellonian, king of Bohemia and Hungary 23.10. 1526 Ferdinand I, a Hapsburg, elected king of Bohemia 1526 - 1918 Reign of the House of Jagiellonian 08.11. 1620 Battle of White Mountain, defeat of the uprising of the Bohemian estates against king Ferdinand II 21.06. 1621 27 Czech lords, members of the Bohemian uprising, are executed 1740 - 1780 Reign of Maria Theresa 1780 - 1790 Josef II is king of Bohemia 02.12. 1805 Battle of the Three Emperors at Austerlitz 1848 - 1916 Reign of Franz Josef I 18.11. 1883 Opening of the National Theatre in Prague 1914 - 1918 First World War 28.10.1918 Establishment of an independent Czechoslovak Republic 29.9.1938 Signing of the Treaty of Munich on the hand-over of border areas to Germany 1939 - 1945 Second World War 16.3.1939 Establishment of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, country occupied by Germany 8.5.1945 End of the Second World War in Europe, restoration of the pre-war Czechoslovak Republic 25.2.1948 Communist take-over 21.8.1968 Invasion of the country by troops of the Warsaw Pact nations: end of the “Prague Spring” Nov. – Dec. 1989 “Velvet Revolution”: end of Communist Party rule 1.1.1993 Establishment of an independent Czech Republic 12.3.1999 The Czech Republic was admitted to the NATO STATE AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 1st January New Year´s Day   Easter Monday 1st May May Day (Labour day) 8th May National day – Day of Liberation from Fascism, 1945 5th July National Day – Day of Slavic Missionaries Constantin and Methodius 6th July National Day – Master John Huss was burnt at the stake in Constance, 1415 28th September National Day - Day of the Czech State 28th October National Holiday – Foundation of Independent Czechoslovak State, 1918 17th October National Holiday - Day of the fight for freedom and democracy 24th December Christmas Eve 25th December Christmas Day 26th December Boxing Day GETTING TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC By air: Prague´s Ruzyně International Airport is situated 16 Km (10 Ml) north-west of the centre. Trip time between centre and the terminal is 25-40 min. by taxi or shuttle, 45-60 min. by public transport. By bus, by train or by car: The Czech Republic can easily be reached by bus, by car or by train. A number of Czech and foreign companies provide international connections with other European countries. If you would like to know more information about the transport contact our office at web@oktours.cz. Speed limitation: 50 km/hr.: Is the maximum allowed speed in built up areas 90 km/hr.: Is the maximum allowed speed for cars and buses of up to 3,500 kg on roads 130 km/hr.: Is the maximum allowed speed on motorways The Czech traffic regulations are almost identical with those in effect in other countries. The consumption of alcohol is not allowed before or during driving. Seat belts must be fastened during the entire journey. The fee for the use of motorways and roads by motor vehicles in the Czech Republic is paid in the form of the so-called motorways stickers. FAMOUS PERSONALITIES Baťa Tomáš 1876 - 1932 Industrialist and businessman (Bata shoes) Čapek Karel 1890 - 1938 Writer and dramatist, works: The White Illness, Krakatit, War with the Newts Čáslavská Věra *1942 Gymnast, multiple Olympic champion Destinnová Ema 1878 - 1930 Opera singer Drtikol František 1883 - 1961 Photographer, painter and graphic designer Dvořák Antonín 1841 - 1904 Composer, works: Symphony No.9 “From the New World”, Rusalka, Slavonic Dances Forman Miloš *1932 Film director, works: One Flew Over the Cuckoo´s Nest, Hair, Amadeus, Man on the Moon Freud Sigmund 1856 - 1939 Psychiatrist, the founder of psychoanalysis Gočár Josef 1880 - 1945 Architect, works: the Church of St. Wenceslas in Prague, the Phoenix Palace in Prague Hašek Jaroslav 1883 - 1923 Writer and journalist, works: The Good Soldier Švejk Havel Václav *1936 Czech president, prominent playwright and poet, one of the leading intellectual figures and moral forces in Eastern Europe, works: The Garden Party, The Memorandum, Audience, The Increased Difficulty of Concentration Heyrovský Jaroslav 1890 - 1967 Chemist, winner of the Nobel Prize in 1959, best known for inventing polarography Hrabal Bohumil 1914 - 1997 Writer, works: Closely Watched Trains, The Gentle Barbarian Hrozný Bedřich 1879 - 1952 Orientalist, deciphered the ancient language of the Hittites Jágr Jaroslav *1972 Hockey player, Olympic champion in 1998 Janáček Leoš 1854 - 1928 Composer, works: Her Step-Daughter, The Cunning Little Vixen Janský Jan 1873 - 1921 Doctor, discoverer of the four basic blood groups Kafka Franz 1883 - 1924 Prague German writer, works: The Trial, The Castle, America Kašpar Jan 1883 - 1927 Czech aviation engineer and pioneer Kotěra Jan 1871 - 1923 Architect, works: the Law Faculty building in Prague Kubelík Rafael Jeroným 1914 - 1996 Conductor, composer and violinist Kupka František 1871 - 1957 Graphic artist, painter and illustrator Lendl Ivan *1960 Tennis player, 270 weeks at the top of the world rankings Lexa František 1876 - 1960 Egyptologist and archaeologist Mahler Gustav 1860 - 1911 Composer and conductor, works: symphonies and cycles of songs, Earth Song Martinů Bohuslav 1890 - 1959 Composer, teacher and violinist, works: Greek Passions, “Špalíček” Masaryk Tomáš Garrigue 1850 - 1937 Politician, philosopher and the first president of Czechoslovakia (1918 – 1935) Maxová Tereza *1971 The world known top model Mendel Johann Gregor 1822 - 1884 Founder of genetics Mucha Alfons 1860 - 1939 Painter, graphic artist and designer, works: advertising posters, The Slav Epic Navrátilová Martina *1956 Tenis player, holder of nineteen Wimbledon titles Purkyně Jan Evangelista 1787 - 1869 Scholar, scientist and philosopher Radetzky of Radeč, Count Jan Josef Václav 1766 - 1858 Field marshal Saudek Jan *1935 Photographer Seifert Jaroslav 1901 - 1986 Poet, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1984 Skupa Josef 1892 - 1957 Designer, puppeteer (creator of the characters Spejbl and Hurvínek) and dramatist Smetana Bedřich 1824 - 1894 Composer, works: Libuše, The Bartered Bride, My Country Sudek Josef 1896 - 1976 Artistic photographer Škoda Emil 1839 - 1900 Industrialist (engineering) Wichterle Otto 1913 - 1998 Chemist, inventor of soft contact lenses Zátopek Emil 1922 - 2000 Athlete, multiple Olympic champion Zítek Josef 1832 - 1909 Architect, works: the National Theatre in Prague BASIC TRAVEL COST food(rest)local: 70 - 200 CZK bread: 15+ CZK wine: 50 - 150 CZK coffee: 20 - 40 CZK Mineral Water: 1.5lt 13+CZK Coke (can): 15 +CZK beer (rest): 15 -30 CZK breakfast (Cont.): 40 CZK, breakfast(Am) 60-100 CZK, breakfast(local) 20 CZK ice Cream: 5+ CZK newspaper(foreign): 60 CZK FOOD A typical Czech meal is central European, with German, Hungarian and Polish influences. Meat is a huge feature, along with big portions of dumplings, potatoes or rice topped with a thick sauce, and a heavily cooked vegetable or sauerkraut. International food options are increasing. Here is a list of typical national meal: knedlo-vepro-zelo: dumplings, sauerkraut, and roast pork veprove: roast pork svickova: thick sauce with dumplings bramborak: potatoes pancake bramborovy salat se sekanou: potatoes salad with mince gulas s knedliky: goulash with dumplings Carp & Trout are popular fish options Deserts: buchty: stuffed cake (filled with poppy-seeds, jam or cottage cheese) jablkovy zavin: apple strudel lazenske oplatky: spa biscuits ovocne knedliky: fruit dumplings palacinky: pancakes Drinks: kava: coffee - turecka kava - Turkish is the cheapest option caj: tea pivo: beer in pubs - Pilsner Urquell, Budweiser or Staropramen vino: wine, the main producer is Moravia Becherovka: herb liqueur Slivovice: plum brandy