Tourist Attractions & Monuments Czech Republic

It is a place of sad memory since it is here that the STB police (National Security, equivalent to the Russian KGB at the time of communism) had established its headquarters. It exhibits many buildings of Cubist influence, decorated with statues and reliefs evoking the trades of the earth and industry. But we barely notice it: the grayness of that sad time seems to have made the street dull forever. Even today, some Czechs still avoid borrowing it.

The Rotunda Rotunda svatého (Kříže, 12th century) is one of the jewels of Romanesque architecture in Bohemia. There are only three of these left in Prague and this is the oldest. It is representative of the time of the Přemyslides dynasty. The grid surrounding it is by Joseph Mánes (19th century). Its location, caught between colourful and more recent buildings, is a real curiosity. Offices are regularly held there.

This beautiful house, listed by the city of Prague, houses an ethnographic museum founded by its owner. VojtaNáprstek was a 19th century industrialist and traveler with a passion for the world and travel. After a trip to the United States, where he became interested in Native Americans and slaves, his collections expanded to include other cultures, notably African and Asian. We find pieces from all over the world that he spent his life collecting.

This square owes its name to the Bethlehem chapel, a true witness to the austerity of the reforms desired by Jan Hus. It surprises you with the colourful facades of one of the city's quietest and most pleasant squares. It was built in 1394 on the site of a malt house, in the heart of a district mainly inhabited by Czechs (and not Germans), who wanted to have a place of worship. It is of great importance for the history and culture of the country, because it was here in 1402 that Jan Hus, burned on July 6, 1415 in Constance for his ideas of reformation, became a preacher. The chapel, very simple at first, without even an altar and its spacious nave, could accommodate up to 3,000 people. It was redesigned in the first half of the 16th century, and it was at that time that the central nave was divided into six small naves. After the Battle of the White Mountain, it was bought by Jesuits and became a residential building in the 19th century. It was not until the 1950s of the 20th century that the chapel was rebuilt by the Czech architect Jaroslav Fragner, based on the original drawings preserved. The wall inscriptions that can be seen today were discovered during this reconstruction and bear witness to the passage of Jan Hus and his colleagues. This huge chapel has now become the site of a permanent exhibition that recalls its history. Every year, on July 5, Hus' death is commemorated there.

František Bílek is one of the most famous Czech graphic designers, sculptors and artists. His religious approach to art gradually led him to the need to create complex environments. His villa is a modern residence built in 1911, which he designed himself. It shows not only the living quarters of the Bílek family, but also their studio. It is a very good visit. The monument is managed by the Municipal Gallery of Prague.

The original fountain dates back to the 1891 World's Fair, but a new, more efficient one was built a hundred years later. With fifty pumps and three thousand nozzles, it's virtually unique in the world. The water is colored by numerous reflectors (more than 1,200) and enchants spectators, who come to watch light and music shows with the impressive fountains in operation! A unique experience.

It is one of the Art Nouveau symbols of Prague. It dominates Stromovka Park thanks to its tower with a glass and steel structure and surprises with its small spiral staircase. Towers, decorated and ornamented beams, glass dome, this central building long served as the Communist Party Congress Centre. The identical reconstruction following the 2008 fire allows us to admire once again the splendid glass roof, which alone weighs nearly 500 tonnes!

This cemetery is the largest in the city. It is a huge place, entirely "covered" by trees. In summer it is cool and families stroll around looking at the many squirrels that brighten up the cemetery. It was founded in 1680 following a plague outbreak. Today it is known to house the tomb of Jan Palach, the student who set himself on fire on 16 January 1969 in Wenceslas Square to protest against the invasion by Warsaw Pact troops in 1968.

Originally part of the Benedictine convent of Břevnov, the residence of Hvězda (Šternberský palác) is located very close to the religious building, in the area of the former hunting reserve created in 1534 in the Malejov forest. It can be reached by a long, very long, straight path that pierces the forest. The paths are very popular with the residents of the surrounding neighbourhoods: walking, mushroom picking, running: weekends are very lively! At the end of the 18th century, the forest was transformed into an English-style park. The pavilion itself, in Renaissance style, was built in the years 1555-1556. Transformed into a powder magazine under Joseph II, restored in 1949, it now exhibits the works of the writer Alois Jirasek and the painter Mikolas Aleš. It is a strange building, stocky, white, which evokes a little bit of a flower that blooms. It is embellished with white and red shutters. It also presents a gigantic historical and panoramic reconstruction of the Battle of the White Mountain, which will delight lovers of modern history. It is indeed in the extreme southwest of the reserve that the last phase of this battle took place, in the context of the Thirty Years' War, which opposed the armies of the Czech, Moravian and Silesian states, to that of Ferdinand II. A monument commemorates this event. Next to it (at the terminus of tram 22), the Baroque church of Our Lady Victory was built in the 18th century to celebrate the Habsburg triumph.

It is divided into two sites. The outdoor gardens are laid out on a hill overlooking Troja Castle. You can stroll through a Japanese garden or among Mediterranean plants. The other attraction is the giant greenhouse, Fata Morgana. A long, curved tunnel, where exotic species mingle with waterfalls and colorful flowers. From the Mexican desert to the African or Indonesian jungle, from the cold Tasmanian jungle to the Amazon rainforest.

This former royal hunting reserve has become a huge park organized around a few watering holes and very popular with Pragians on sunny days. Coming from the exhibition park, you quickly come across the Planetarium. It was built after the Second World War and has become one of the largest in the world with its 23 m diameter dome. Very popular with families, it allows you to immerse yourself in the cosmos during breathtaking panoramic projections.

This tall black tower dominates the district dates from the 15th century. It was successively watchtower, then bell tower of the church of Saint-Henri. Today it houses a luxury restaurant and an exhibition on the different towers of Prague. Architectural enthusiasts will be able to browse through the cross-sectional plans and perspective views, while fans of old postcards will take a look at Prague's old face before and during the communist period.

This superb gallery, on the first floor of the cloister, gathers Czech works from different periods: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, but it is especially for this first part that it is world famous. During his reign, Rudolph II effectively collected most of what is now one of the largest collections of Gothic works in the world. The masterpiece of this sumptuous collection is Strahov's Madonna (14th century).

Memorial (Národní památník na Vítkově) commemorating the Hussite wars, and in particular the Battle of Vikov in 1420. 9 m high equestrian statue of the Hussite war commander Jan Žižka has dominated the site since 1950. Considered the highest equestrian statue in the world, it is visible from almost every other part of the city.

Behind it, a huge granite building, built in 1930, housed the Communist Party mausoleum. Inside were preserved the "sarcophagus" of Clement Gottwald and the tombs of other great names of communism. But all the vaults are empty now. After 1989, the bodies were burned and the funeral urns handed over to the families. The greatest mystery surrounds Gottwald's mystery that the family did not want to accept. It must be said that Gottwald had been exposed, mummified in his stone sarcophagus as it was customary to do in the East (Lenin's mausoleum in Moscow, Dimitroff's in Sofia). To carry out this mummification, and to maintain it, cold rooms were built in the basement of the mausoleum where the thanatopractors worked tirelessly... The Gottwald case was particularly difficult because, because of its alcoholism, mummification turned into a disaster. In desperation, the party called on the Barrandov film studios, which rebuilt Gottwald out of plastic using the mummified remains of his remains, which were cremated in 1962... All this was a bit morbid.

Kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie a Karla Velikého is located at the end of the street, where old ramparts are visible and where a panoramic view of the Nusle district and the bridge is offered. Its colour makes it particularly visible. It was founded by Charles IV in 1358 as a tribute to Charlemagne. Its 24 m wide vault is impressive. Next to the church, housed in a former convent, the Police Museum (Muzeum Policie ČR) tells the story of the police, official or secret.

The museum (Muzeum Antonína Dvořáka) dedicated to the famous Czech composer (1841-1904) is housed in Villa America, a baroque residence built in 1720 by Dientzenhofer. The interior is filled with works of art and decorated with frescoes, the garden embellished with sculptures. The museum tells the story of the composer's life and we will find objects that sat on his desk, furniture from his various apartments. The first floor is dedicated to his work, through scores.

This little garden, located just a stone's throw from the Emmaus monastery, offers a short stroll where you can combine business with pleasure. Enthusiasts will not be disappointed by this little green corner, which has been well tended since the ^19th century. You'll see both common and rare species, all of which have been dated. As well as enjoying the calm of the place, you can visit the heated greenhouses where cacti and palms await you. The garden is part of Charles University.

The monastery (klášter Emauzy) was completed in 1372 and was partially destroyed by the 1945 bombings. It was under the communist regime that it was equipped with its two modern arrows. The cloister is rich in superb frescos. The Church of St. John (kostel Svatého Jana Nepomuckého) on the other side of Vyšehradská Street is a pure masterpiece. Due to K. I. Dientzenhofer, it was built between 1729 and 1739, to the glory of Saint John Nepomuk to celebrate his canonization.

The Church of St Ignatius (Kostel svatého Ignáce) is the Jesuit church par excellence. It was built by C. Lurago in 1670 and its interior is dominated by a particularly rich Baroque and Rococo decoration. Destroyed during a bombing of Prague in 1945, it has since been rebuilt in its original style. Diametrically opposite the town hall, the Faust house (Faustův dům), at number 40 of the square, was inhabited by the famous doctor who sold his soul to the devil.

Marked paths for bicycles, maps…

Once again, the Tourist Office publishes well-done specialized brochures that identify the many associations, equipment rental, across the country.

This is accomplished by taking a wide path lined with trees. He suddenly appears, all white, crewed, pretentious. It is a great neo-Gothic castle that the Schwarzenberk built in 1841-1871 to make it their residence and to allow the permanent installation of a large collection of works of art. The fragments of all the pre-existing buildings (the first date of the thirteenth century) - strong castle, Renaissance construction or baroque - were incorporated into this monumental «Windsor Gothic» overloaded. The current aspect is therefore the nineteenth century. It is more an aristocratic residence (the most beautiful in the country we say) than a castle. The visit is justified for the rooms (there are 140!) entirely covered with marked woodworks.

They harbor beautiful collections: weapons, furniture, tapestries and goblin in Brussels, paintings (portraits above all). The largest hall in the castle is the library, a vast reserve of knowledge of 12,000 volumes in several languages. His centerpiece is a copy of the first edition of the Diderot Encyclopedia. With a beautiful winter garden in glass and metal, you reach the old armory (jízdárna - horse riding room), stables, the deposit of calèche. This package hosts temporary or permanent expos. Finally, a visit by Hluboká would only be complete after traveling through the alleys of the English park open all year round: long wooded roads, ponds, small baroque buildings, flower beds… And the Vltava is nearby.

Near the castle, in the old stables of the Schwarzenberg, you will also have the opportunity to visit the Aleš Gallery (Alšova jihočeská gallery), which offers a very wide spectrum of works of art from the Middle Ages to the present day. Above all, the collection of Flemish and Czech art works of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries (open from 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. from April to September, until 4 p. m. October to March). Closed from December 24-31. Tariff 80 Kč, reduced 20 Kč for the entire gallery. Free on Sunday. News: 387 967 041/120 - www.ajg.cz - [email protected]).

Well organized and friendly welcome. Informations about accommodation, tourist attractions…

Information about the city and the park of Šumava.

Blatná is a charming town in the Czech Republic. For tourist information, visitors can go to the Infocentrum Blatná, located at tř. J. P. Koubka 4. Visitors can get information on local attractions, upcoming events and things to do in the area. Whether exploring the town's history, enjoying the surrounding nature or sampling the local cuisine, Infocentrum Blatná is an ideal starting point for tourists wishing to explore this beautiful part of the Czech Republic.

Strakonice offers a historic atmosphere with its picturesque town center and traditional architecture. The Strakonice Tourist Office is an ideal starting point for visitors wishing to discover the town and its surroundings. Here you'll find all the information you need on tourist attractions, local events, accommodation and available activities. The friendly staff will be delighted to help you plan your stay in Strakonice. Don't hesitate to visit the Tourist Office for brochures, maps and advice on the best places to visit in the area.

This hiking-friendly area stretches between Holašovice in the north and Český Krumlov in the south. The protected area covers 212 km² and is dominated by Mount Kleť (1,084 m). Many marked trails lead to the panoramic tower of the mountain. The less courageous and those in a hurry can take the small chairlift from the parking lot in Krasetín, 5 km from Holubov. Thrill seekers can also take a canoe trip on the Vltava River - an exciting and unforgettable experience.

Around Třeboň, a beautiful region of quiet ponds and deep forests spreads out. This exceptional environment has earned Třeboň the nickname "city of ponds". But more importantly, part (700 km2) of this wonderful mirror landscape has been listed as a Unesco biosphere reserve since 1977. These lands are very fertile and partly exploited for centuries. But when the first inhabitants arrived, it was very difficult to grow anything. When it was decided to build Třeboň, the area was deserted, because inhospitable. So the newcomers irrigated, drained, transformed the surrounding land. Thus, these artificial ponds (rybník) allowed for intense fish farming and export of fish throughout Central Europe, including the famous "Třeboň carp" (carp is the favorite fish of the Czechs, they cook it in many ways, throughout the year, and at Christmas in particular). You can walk through these beautiful landscapes along marked paths, starting from Masarykovo náměstí square in Třeboň and passing through Rožmberk, Hodějov, Smítka, Klec ponds and many others (campground addresses, information and maps at the tourist office in Třeboň). These tours are not difficult and can be done on foot, by bike, and some ponds, in the summer season, can be crossed by canoe. Enough to vary the pleasures of discovery of this beautiful region!

The vault of this family is located on the other side of the Svět Pond, in a beautiful park. The vault-chapel is a rather pretentious pseudo-Gothic ensemble, which is due to the architects Schmidt and Deworetzky who built it in 1877. The members of the Schwarzenberg dynasty who died after 1785 are buried here. The surrounding park is an ideal place for a picnic. You can walk around the Svět Pond (12 km). This walk is a popular romantic activity for the locals.

This protected natural area is the most important in the region. Very sparsely populated, it covers a large triangle of 610 km² whose peaks would be Karlovy Vary, Cheb and Mariánské Lázně. The altitude is modest: between 374 m and 983 m. But the overall landscape is exceptional: forests, meadows, Prameny rock formations, mineral and gas eruptions and especially the set of peat bogs around Kladská. Beautiful hiking trails crisscross the area.

This land with peat bogs, called Von Šovsko (or Soos), is an exceptional phenomenon in Europe. These landes of volcanic origin cover a 10 mile stretch over 2 mile wide. Peat, transpierced by mineral springs, creates very spectacular gas geysers.

This beautiful and wild reserve covers an area of 83 km2, between Mikulov and the Novomlýnska reservoir. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a biosphere reserve of interest (rare flora and fauna). The tourist office in Mikulov provides hiking maps of the area. Don't hesitate to climb its austere mountains: you will be rewarded with the discovery of an arid land that looks more like the Russian steppe than a Central European landscape.

This national park, which covers an area of 63 km², extends along the river near Vranov. The river here has formed a kind of canyon 40 km long. The surrounding area is covered by a beautiful forest and wild moors. The park can be reached very easily by bus or train and is a very nice nature trip to do for a day. The website is particularly well presented and will help you to organize your stay in the park.

A very good idea of excursions from Brno. This castle is remarkable for its inner courtyard, a space surrounded by arcades (on three levels) very Italian, dating back to the 1570 s. Despite the numerous developments that followed, the castle retains its original Renaissance aspect. Inside, go to the large, so-called imperial room. Its decor of stucco and mural paintings is unique.

It crosses the river Oslava, which flows below the castle. It is one of the most beautiful stone bridges in the country (1737). Completely white, he is decorated with 20 statues of saints and saints.

This 92 km² nature reserve is known for its caves and remains a very important area for scientists and archaeologists looking for information about the roots of human beings. The rocky terrain allows many species of bats to live in harmony. For the connoisseurs of the flora, the most interested ones will be able to see the cortuse of Matthioli, plant that grows in the zones of glaciers, that continues to bloom here on the side of the rocks. It is recognizable by its beautiful purple flowers.

This is the part of the Jeseník mountains where the relief is the steepest. Remains quite soft, taking up, you can admire the forest that weaves as far as the eye can see.

Between Šumperk and Jeseník, you can stop in Červenehorské Sedlo. From here, a marked path takes you to the highest point of the massif, mount Praděd (1 491 m). At the top of the latter, why not eat in the telephone tower 160 m high? While lunch, you can admire the landscape around even more, because if the weather is nice, you can see, it seems, the Slovak mountains or Krkonoše. But much walks can be considered (from the cities, Ramzova, Šerák, Keprník, etc.). It is enough to trust the good menu provided by the Tourist Offices. Each season has their charm. In summer and autumn, the massif is a paradise for gatherers of fruit and wood mushrooms.

It is the largest site of its kind in Moravia. A path is set along one of the lakes more or less covered by vegetation.

This lake called mousse is the main one of this peat bog, an area dating back 7,000 years. Paintings explain the rare plants and animals found here, in this particular environment. As in all the peat bogs in Europe, the place is ideal for legends.

At 1,491 m, Mount Praded is the fifth highest peak in the Czech Republic. It can be reached from Karlova Studánka. Follow the signs to the Barborka hostel, from there a 4 km marked trail (easy level) leads up to the summit, passing some waterfalls and other natural wonders. At the top, the 145 m high TV tower houses a good restaurant, but a good picnic will prove to be just as pleasant and less touristy. The summit can also be reached by a 12 km trail from Červenohorské sedlo (on Route 44).

To the east of Josefov, the district around the convent of St. Agnes offers a calm and serene atmosphere and almost village street scenes. We are far from the proud high buildings of the western part of the district. Here, the houses are low and the narrow cobbled streets are sometimes narrow. The cloister is one of the oldest Gothic buildings to have survived previous centuries. It was Anežka Přemyslovna, the sister of King Wenceslas I who became a member of the Order of St Francis of Assisi, who asked for the foundation of this convent of the Poor Clares. Its construction began in 1234, but was not completed until decades later. In 1782, the convent suffered the same fate as many others in Bohemia: it had to close following a decree by Joseph II. The premises of the convents were then converted into warehouses. Since the creation of Czechoslovakia, the convent has housed the collection The Medieval Art of Bohemia and Central Europe (1200-1550). The sobriety of the church and the 14th century Gothic vaults highlight their beauty. It includes works by the master theorist who decorated Karlštejn Castle with his paintings on wood, as well as Slovak, German and Austrian works. Allow at least an hour to fully enjoy not only the collection, but also this architecture that no longer has many competitors in Europe. The concerts are given in the hall next to the church in a purely magnificent Gothic setting.

After a thorough renovation, the museum returned to its collections in 2022, offering a magnificent tour of Bohemia's artistic and craft treasures. Tableware, carpentry and marquetry, jewelry, clocks... A fascinating journey through glass, crystal, porcelain, wood, precious stones and metals, as well as tapestries, lace, clocks and superb furniture from different periods. The quality of the temporary exhibitions is also noteworthy.

Don't hesitate to take a walk through the Šipka National Park and Memorial with its many monuments and statues dedicated to Czech personalities, and a magnificent view of the city. At the foot of the hill you will see the entrance to the famous Šipka Cave (Jeskyně Šipka), where the jawbone of a Neanderthal child and other Paleolithic artifacts were discovered in 1880. A nice walk to take and a great chlorophyll bath in perspective.

You will find out about the activities of the city and its surroundings and the accommodation options.

Luhačovice hosts the headquarters of this beautiful reserve, which covers almost 715 km². It is a hilly area (between 240 m and 970 m) covered with forests and moors, where countless species of flowers grow. At the city's information center, you will find maps of the hiking trails that crisscross the area. There are trails for all levels and lengths of time. On the way, you can discover the fauna and flora of the region, but also the local human activities.

Between Turnov and Semily (by route No. 283), go to the Chata na Kozákově, on the heights of Kozákov, at an altitude of 743 m (Hora Kozákov). This chalet-restaurant located on the top of the hill offers a superb view of the giant Krkonoše Mountains and the Bohemian Paradise. A paragliding trail next to the restaurant, advice to amateurs. You can still climb the guet tower. It is also the ideal place for those who want to escape from tourism in Prague. Everything is authentic here, including the warm welcome of the people of the region. Kozákov and its surroundings have been known for centuries as an area where precious stones are "sprung": agates, amethysts, jaspes…

This vast reserve extends from Děčín to the north to Louny to the south, passing between Litoměřice and Ústí Nad Labem. It covers 1,063 km ², making it the second largest reserve, behind that of Beskydy. The altitude is modest despite its name, between 122 m and 837 m. The particular landscapes of the region are thus preserved: basaltic hills, flora and fauna of steppe.

News: hiking or cycling cards in all tourist offices around the city.

The information centre on the reserve of the Elbe sandstone rocks.

This large baroque building designed by the architect Dienzenhofer, author of many works in Prague, is part of the urban reserve, classified as a historical monument, of Kutná Hora by UNESCO. Planned after Kutná Hora's glory days, the construction was interrupted in 1743 due to a lack of money. Inside, a very beautiful spiral staircase decorated with frescos. An interesting exhibition of the collections of the castles of Central Bohemia is offered by the convent.

One of the city's most beautiful houses, from Kutná Hora's glory days in the ^15th century. Its appearance meets the criteria of late-Gothic architecture and owes its nickname to its very mineral appearance. A reconstruction at the end of the ^19th century, however, considerably altered the building's lines. Inside, there's a small exhibition dedicated to silver mining, of which there are many around the town, and to regional craftsmanship.

A fine example of Gothic architecture, this fountain features a twelve-sided reservoir on a pedestal. Note that this is not a well or spring, but a reservoir. Indeed, Kutna Hora's water system was severely disrupted by the digging of the mining tunnels, and the town had no water by the Middle Ages. After construction, drinking water was transported to the town center and stored in the reservoir.