Czech Cities

Many Czech cities and towns can be proud of their long history and rich architectonic heritage. Many of them were founded as early as the Early Middle Ages. This is one of the main reasons of such a popularity of the Czech Republic among tourists from all over the world.

Administratively the Czech Republic is divided into thirteen regions called kraje and the capital city of Prague as a separate administrative unit. In tourist ads and guides the country is very often divided according to historic regions and local peculiarities.

The main tourist destination is naturally the capital city of Prague, the political, economic and cultural center of the state. Prague is situated in the very center of Europe and is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities on the continent. There are vast number of theatres, museums, art galleries and exhibition facilities. Prague can boast of huge number of architectural marvels of various historic periods. The whole historic town center is an item of UNESCO World Cultural and Scientific Heritage list and is under protection.

The area that surrounds the capital (sometimes it is called Prague Environs) has considerable recreational significance due its beautiful vistas and landscapes. A lot of Czech inhabitants and foreign tourists visit it during short excursion trips. Two marvelous and quite old castles - Karlstejn and Krivoklat - are situated there. Prague Environs can offer a lot of private cottages for renting. Besides, the area is good for camping purposes and there are a number of campsites to be found there.

Czechia is famous for its spas, the most well-known are situated in West Bohemia in Karlovy Vary. According to the legend, the town was built by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, who was very impressed by healing power of local thermal springs. There are 13 main mineral springs and about 300 smaller ones. In the 19th century Karlovy Vary became a very popular tourists destination and one of the main European spa-resort.

One more Czech icon is situated in western Bohemia – namely Pilsen. This town is famous around the globe for its local beer – so-called pilsener type - that has been brewed there since the town’s foundation. The most well-known local beer factories today are the Pilsner Urquell founded in 1842 and Gambrinus established in 1869. But Pilsen can be also proud of its rich historic heritage and number of architectural treasures. The old town is declared a historical landmark and is under government protection.

And Olomouc located in Moravia is a very strong Prague’s competitor concerning architectural treasures. It is one of the oldest Czech cities. Besides, Olomouc is the ecclesiastical metropolis of Moravia since the olden times. Its inner city is the second-largest historical monuments preserve in the country along with Prague. The main square of Olomouc is decorated by Holy Trinity Column which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Saint Wenceslas cathedral is the most noticeable church in Olomouc. Other fine examples of city’s architecture are the Saint Moritz Church and the Saint Michael’s Church as well as a neo-baroque chapel of Saint John Sarkander located on the place of former town prison.

Begin with Prague, Brno, Karlovy Vary and Cesky Krumlov for the main city overview.