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 12^th century, under the auspices of King Charles IV., based on plans by architect Peter Plat. The construction finished in the beginning of the 15^th century, from 16^th to 20^th 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.

Touristic attractions in the Giant Mountains region 1.

Královtsví water dam

Happy New Year!

Tourist attractions in South Moravia 1.

Mikulov

Touristic attractions in the Bohemian Paradise 1.

Kost

Tourist attractions in Highlands Region 1.

Telč

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

Tourist attractions in South Bohemia 1.

Červená Lhota

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 8^th 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.

Tourist attractions in Liberec Region 1.

Frýdlant Castle

Czech cuisine in pictures 2.

 Kulajda soup (Šumavská kulajda)

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

Tourist attractions in East Moravia 1.

Buchlov Castle

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.

Dívči Kámen (Girl’s Stone) Castle - Castles, fortresses and chateaux in the Czech Republic 4.

Location: near Křemže, South Bohemia

Monumental and romantical castle built on a high in the beautiful countryside above where the Křemžský stream meets the River Vltava between the towns of České Budějovice and Český Krumlov.

Dívči Kámen is one of the most extensive and well-preserved medieval monuments in the Czech Republic. The are of the castle was declared a natural reservation and is part of the Protected Landscape Area of Blanský les (Blansko Forest). The place is made even more attractive by a nearby Celt oppidum (fortified settlement) whose importance and size make it unique in Europe. The castle was founded by the Rosenberg family in 1349 and abandoned by them in 1506. Five hundred years later it came into the ownership of the village of Křemže. Currently, the castle is open all year round. Concerts, historical presentations, fencing and theatre, medieval markets and fairs, lectures and exhibitions are held within the castle.

Czech cuisine in pictures 1.

Garlic soup

Bat'a Shoe Museum - Museums and galleries in the Czech Republic 2.

Location: Zlín, East Moravia 

The museum is located in the entrance building of the former Tomas Baťa factory in the central part of the Zlín city (the Czech shoemaking capital) centre. The original collection (collected by the Baťa family, and the purchasing agents) was first presented to the public in 1931, so the this collection is one of the oldest shoe collection in the world. In 2012 the shoe exhibition is a part of the Southeast Moravian Museum, and its home, the Baťa Institute Building 14/15 was totally renewed, and modernised.

The Shoe Museum presents over 4000 exhibits and tell the history of shoes from the very beginning to present times. The most extensive and comprehensive collection in the museum deals with shoes manufactured by the Baťa company. The collection includes production from the year 1894 (foundation of the factory), until nationalisation in 1945. Beside that a quite unique collection of footwear from various foreign nations can be seen. It contains different types of footwear coming from all continents. Textile slippers from a feudal China, Ataman boots from 1911, African sandals, footwears from India, and sandals made of emu feather and human hair (used in ritual ceremonies in Australia). 

The collection also reflects footwear development from the earliest periods (shoe replicas) of the Czech history up to the present days. The replicas are made in Baťa modelling department according to original pictures and patterns. They received their names according to the presumed owners, so we can see a replica of a riding boot of King Wenceslas, high boots owned by Albrecht von Waldstein (Wallenstein), Božena Němcová's textile ankle-boots and elastic-sided shoes worn by Bedřich Smetana. The oldest original footwear dates back to the first half of the 17th century. Beside the beautiful shoes the visitors can also get a detailed overwiew about the development of the Baťa company, and city of Zlín.