Church of St. Nicholas, Veliny - Churches, chapels, monasteries 4.
Location: Veliny, Pardubice Region
At the site of the present day church once stood an evidently older
church (annonymous record from the middle of the 14th century stored in
the archives of the Vatican). The timber, single-aisle church, with a
shingle roof in the shape of a traingle is a unique monument of baroque,
folk architecture. Two bells have been preserved in the present day
belfry, dating back to the 16th, respectively 15th century. The timber
mortuary with a picture of St. Nicholas, dating back to the 1st half of
the 18th century.
The Český Krumlov Castle - Castles, fortresses and chateaux in the Czech Republic 6.
Location: Český Krumlov, South Bohemia
The Český Krumlov Castle is the second largest
castle in the Czech Republic following the Prague Castle. The mighty
complex of the castle is erected on the rock promontory which has
been sculpted by the Vltava river from the southern side and by
Polečnice stream from the northern side.
This
place was an important guard point on the old trade route leading
from the Alpine region and Podunají to the heart of Bohemia that
used the valley of the Vltava river as early as the Bronze Age. The
original Gothic castle was founded by the Lords of Krumlov, family of
Witigonen before 1250. In 1302, their relatives the Rosenbergs
inherited the castle and had their seat here till 1602. This period
was the greatest era of the town and castle, because the Rosenbergs
established a mighty and splendid Renaissance residence with a
vibrant cultural and political life. They were followed by the
Eggenberg family. Johann Christian I. von Eggenberg developed of
farming, building activities and arts, and converted Český Krumlov
to an impressive Baroque seat.
In
1719, a new dynasty, the Schwarzenbergs inherited Krumlov. In this
period the city and the Castle became European importance because of
the enrichment of building innovations, social and cultural life.
Towards the end of the 18th century, and especially in the 19th
century, the stagnation of art and economy became evident, and after
the middle of the 19th century the Český Krumlov Castle lost its
role. In 1947, the Schwarzenberg property, including Český Krumlov,
was transferred to the Czech provincial properties and in 1950 it
became the property of the Czechoslovak State.
In
the Castle complex there are forty buildings and palaces, situated
around five castle courts and a castle park spanning an area of seven
hectares. We can visit here some guided tours, the Castle Theater,
Castle Museum and Lapidarium. Those who likes the steps, they can
climb up to the colorful Tower, which is the symbol of the town.
After the 162 steps the visitors can enjoy a beautiful view of the
old town and Český Krumlov surroundings. The
Castle is the main attraction of the medieval and mystical atmosphere
town, Český Krumlov. The town's appearance has been slightly
changed since the 18th century and the buildings have been
beautifully restored.
In
1992, Český Krumlov was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Tábor – Historical Main Squares in the Czech Republic 3.
Location:
South Bohemia, about 90 kilometers of Prague.
The
old town square of Tábor is one of the most attractive squares in
the country. This main square called Žižkovo náměsti, is named
after the great military genius Jan Žižka, who was responsible for
all the Hussite victories. His statue occupies a prominent place on
one side of the square. The main building of the square is the Gotich
Dean Church (Děkanský kostel), which dates from the early 16th
century, when Tábor become a royal town. The church is situated on
the highest point of the town. In the building of the late-Gotich
Town Hall is located the Hussite Museum.
The Žižka Square is
encircled with architecturally precious houses, like Škoch House
(No. 22.), Lichvic House (No. 5.), Ctibor House (No. 6.). On the
central part of the square a Renaissance fountain can be seen. The
tower of Dean Church offers spectacular views over the square and the
surrounding countryside.
Charles Bridge (Karlův most) - Prague - Technical sights and industrial monuments in the Czech Republic 1.
The
Charles Bridge is one of the
Prague's finest attractions. This stone bridge is linking the two
sides of Prague, the Vltava River flows beneath it. Protected
national monument. Its construction started in 1357 in the place of
the former Judita bridge originated from the 12th century,
under the auspices of King Charles IV., based on plans by architect
Peter Plat. The construction finished in the beginning of the 15th
century, from 16th to 20th century completed
with a collection of 31 statues and statuaries. The most interesting
statue, as well as the oldest, is that of John of Nepomuk. The
entrance to Charles Bridge is marked at both ends by towers: the Old
Town Bridge Tower and the Lesser Town Bridge Tower.
Technical and Crafts Museum – Koloveč - Museums and Galleries in the Czech Republic 4.
Location: Koloveč, West Bohemia
The Technical and Craft
Museum in Koloveč with its area of 1000m2 and more than 7500 exhibits
is one of the largest museums of that kind in the Czech Republic. We
can find here all traditional handicrafts and trades which were
performed by people in the country. Visitors explore 47 period shops,
handicraft workshops, trades and 12 technical exhibitions in the
museum: butcher’s, baker’s, confectioner’s, wig-maker’s,
coopery, saddler’s, hatter’s, brush maker’s, stonecutter’s,
watchmaker’s, hairdresser’s and barber’s, pub, grocery, weaver
and dentist’s with a lab. We can see here collections of clocks and
music machines, children prams and toys, electric devices, kitchen
equipment, traps, milk processing and fire station. The highlight of
the museum is the famous “Magic Mill” where old women are
“recycled” to young girls.
We shouldn’t miss
the family Volf’s potter’s workshop where traditional pottery is
produced since 1785. Reddish brown clay and a simple decoration are
typical for the Koloveč
pottery. Since 1900 a dark blue colour appears in addition to the
reddish brown.
Open: March – October / daily 9:00 – 17:00, November – February / after agreement
More information:
www.muzeum-kolovec.cz
Kašperk castle - Castles, fortresses and chateaux in the Czech Republic 5.
Location: Kašperk, South Bohemia
Kašperk,
the most highly situated royal castle in Bohemia (886 metres above
sea levels) dominates the Bohemian Forest scenery already more than
860 years. Castle visitors are attracted not only by the impressive
landscape view but also by the atmosphere of a Middle Ages castle.
Kašperk is also regarded as a typical example of the period of
Charles IV architecture.
The
castle was built by order of the Czech king and Roman emperor Charles
IV in just five years during 1356-1361. Since the very beginning, the
castle crew had to fulfil three missions: protect the local
gold-bearing district, guard the border with the neighbouring Bavaria
and secure the traffic on the trading road, so called Golden Path.
Ruins of an advanced fortifications, so called Pustý hrádek, have
been preserved about 400 metres from the castle and offer a beautiful
view to the castle itself as well as the surroundings.
Two
different sight-seeing tour are prepared for the tourists. Both of
them finish with a beautiful view from the castle tower.
Velký Lopeník Lookout Tower - Lookout and TV Towers in the Czech Republic 3.
Location: East Moravia
The Velký Lopeník Lookout Tower is a twenty-two metres high
wooden lookout tower. It was constructed at the second highest hill of
the White Carpathians, 911 metres above sea level. It symbolizes the
Czech-Slovak friendship. A spectaculous view on the Czech and Slovak
part of the White Carpathians opens in front of us, if we climb 101
stairs. Without attendance only at our own risk.
Opening hours: Tue-Sun
10-18
More information:
www.obec-lopenik.cz
Dudák - Czech Breweries 3.
Location: Strakonice, South Bohemia
Strakonice has a long
beer brewing tradition. The town grew from the villages below the
castle built in 1230. Beer had been brewed there since before 1308.
Bavor IV of Strakonice granted the local people the right to brew
beer on 8th
December 1367.
Due to the hardships of the Thirty Years’ War, the
impoverished beer makers agreed with the town authorities to
establish a common brewery in house No. 47 in 1649. At that time,
there were 158 houses with the right to brew beer in Strakonice. The
town brewery was expanding, and the old technology was replaced by
new industrial ones. In 1873-74 a steam-driven brewery was built on
the bank of the Otava river, and the old house turned into a malt
house. The World War I. and II. was a catastrophe for the local beer
making too, and in 1948 the brewery was nationalized and incorporated
into South Bohemian Breweries. After the Velvet Revolution the life
of the brewery has been changed. After a long process of
privatization, in 2005 the Strakonice Brewery went to the ownership
of the city, and now the town of Strakonice is the only shareholder
of this company. Extensive modernization was started and it will
completed in 2019. In 2011 the company changed its name to DUDÁK
(Bagpiper). The brewery offers various types of beer that are
demanded, among others Švanda
draught pale ale, Dudák premium pale and dark lager, Klostermann
semi-dark lager, or Král Šumavy
pale lager. Another popular brand is Sklepák unfiltered lager. The
taste of Strakonice beer is strong and popular.
Velké Losiny / Museum of paper - Museums and galleries in the Czech Republic 3.
Location: Velké
Losiny, Central Moravia
One
of the oldest manufactures for paper production in Europe was founded
in Velké Losiny in the mid 90’s of the 16th century by John the
younger of Žerotín – first mentioned in the year 1596. Nowadays
Classicist appearance with typical mansard shingle roof was obtained
in the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.
The handmade
paper factory has still made the paper by the traditional process
from cotton and flax. Thanks to its high quality and century-long
durability it is mainly used by artists, by firms for their
bibliophiles, and also for bookmaking and restoration practice.
Handmade paper and the current exclusive product range from these
papers have won a standing position and permanent popularity among
those who love traditional Czech handmade products. The second,
additional visit tour was opened for the season 2007 offering
untraditional view of the technical background of paper mill in Velké
Losiny.
Paper Museum
was founded in the year 1987, it is only one paper museum in the
Czech Republic, and is opened for the public all the year. Also
Museum gallery and stylish restaurant Losín were opened after the
entire premises have undergone several stages of costly repairs in
the years 1996-2006. The
unique premises of this important technical monument with a history
of more than four centuries of continuous traditional production of
handmade paper have no match in Central Europe. It was declared
National Cultural Monument by the Czech Government in 2002 and is
listed in UNESCO tentative World Heritage list. www.rucnipapirna.cz,
www.papermuseum.eu
.JPG)
The Bozkov Dolomites Caves – Natural and landscape values of the Czech Republic 3.
Location: Bozkov, Bohemian Paradise
The
Bozkov Dolomite Caves are situated on the northern slope of the
Bozkov village in the hilly landscape of the Krkonoše foothills. The
Caves are the longest cave system in the Czech Republic formed in
dolomite limestone.
The
entrance into the underground space was discovered by dolomite miners
in the 1940s, but only in 1957 the underground system of fissure
corridors, partly filled with water, was discovered. The Bozkov
dolomite caves is a labyrinth of underground corridors and cavities
situated not very deep under the surface. Alongside the rare
stalactite decoration the walls of the underground corridors and
halls are decorated with the unique honeycomb and reticular silica
structures formed by so –called selective corrosion. The visit
culminates in the Lake Dome with the beautifully lit largest
underground lake in Bohemia.
The
Bozkov dolomite caves is the only cave system in North Bohemia
accessible to the public. The groups are recommended to reserve the
guided tour in advance: www.caves.cz.
The caves and their surroundings is a protected area conditioned by
the nature and landscape protection law.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)