If you are coming to the Czech Republic not for the first time or want to get to know the country more closely, be sure to visit places other than Prague – many Czech cities are no less interesting than the capital, and each of them has its own its own unique charm. We bring to your attention five Czech cities, by visiting which you can get a good idea of the country.
Karlovy Vary
This small resort town, located on the very border with Germany, is no less popular among tourists (and perhaps even more so among Russians),
than the Czech capital. And this is not surprising – it’s so cozy here that you don’t want to leave at all. Karlovy Vary is famous for its signature waffles, Becherovka liqueur and, most importantly, thermal mineral springs (where Peter I came for treatment).
If you do not plan to undergo wellness procedures, then it will be enough to come here for one day – drink hot mineral water from the springs, walk along the picturesque slopes, buy waffles and tincture as a souvenir. Well, treatment courses, as prescribed by a doctor, can last 2 weeks or a month.
Cesky Krumlov
Cesky Krumlov is the second most popular city in the Czech Republic, but there are many fewer tourists here than in Prague.
When you walk along its narrow streets, you get the impression that the city was specially built for filming films about the Middle Ages, and a knight in armor is about to jump out from around the corner, with a spear at the ready. Here the spirit of aristocracy is in the air and you don’t want to rush anywhere, but just join the leisurely rhythm of the city and enjoy the surroundings.
The city is located 170 kilometers south of Prague, 25 kilometers from the Austrian border.
Kutná Hora
In the Middle Ages, the city of Kutna Hora was one of the largest European centers for silver mining, but this is not what makes it famous. The popularity of this small town (only about 20 thousand inhabitants live there),
located 80 kilometers from Prague, owes one of the most unusual churches in the world – tourists come here to see the Cemetery Church of All Saints, better known as the Ossuary.
Externally, the church is unremarkable, but the interior decoration evokes mixed emotions – from admiration to horror. The fact is that almost everything here: columns, chandeliers, arches, vaults, crosses, and even the iconostasis are made of human bones.
The history of the appearance of the temple is quite interesting – there was not enough space for the burial of everyone, since the city was considered sacred, and there was no end to those hoping to find their final refuge here. Therefore, the reburial of remains became commonplace, but one day one of the monks decided not to throw away the old skeletons, but to decorate the interior with them. Since this all started. You can feel differently about this kind of “interior design,” but this place is definitely worth seeing.
Karlstein
Karlštejn Castle is located just 30 km from Prague – this is perhaps the closest attraction to the capital. The castle was built in the Gothic style, but after restoration at the end of the 19th century its appearance underwent significant changes – they say that Emperor Charles IV, who built the castle, would not have recognized it in its current form.
In the castle you can visit the imperial palace, several towers (Bolshaya, Marianskaya, Kolodeznaya),
the chapel of the Holy Cross, decorated with semi-precious stones and the Church of the Virgin Mary with medieval frescoes and the royal chapel, decorated with precious stones.
Pilsen
Many of the Czech cities are the “best” in some respect, for example, Pilsen has the largest square in Europe. Also, if the Czech Republic is the world leader in beer consumption per person, then its beer capital is the city of Pilsen.
This is where the Plzeňský Prazdroj brewery is located, which produces the popular bottom-fermented beer (lager) – Pilsner Urquell. At the brewery you can see the production process with your own eyes, and, of course, taste beer and snacks.
If you are interested in the history of beer, then it makes sense to look into the Brewing Museum, located in the very center. By the way, locals love this drink so much that in Pilsen, in addition to numerous bars, there are even beer vending machines. However, you first need to scan your ID – the machine must verify that you are over 18 years old. The device can recognize most international passports, including Russian ones.
Well, if you are lucky enough to be in the Czech Republic in October, then not going to Pilsen would be a big miss, because it is at this time that one of the oldest Czech beer festivals, Pilsner fest, takes place here.
Telch
Telch is another tiny one (with a population of about 5500 people),
but at the same time a unique and incredibly beautiful city in the Czech Republic. Telc has the status of a museum and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The historical center of the city is surrounded on two sides by reservoirs, and on the third by a canal, and for the abundance of water around Telč it is called the Moravian Venice (Moravia is the eastern region of the country).
Locals consider their main square, Zachary of Hradec, the most beautiful in the Czech Republic and in some ways they are certainly right – there are medieval buildings with impressive facades, the city hall, carved stone fountains and Marian (plague) pillar. Also in the city there is Telč Castle, a park, a church, fragments of a fortress wall – in general, the sights are quite typical for the Czech Republic, but all together they create a very pleasant impression. Still, UNESCO does not include everything in its list.
Of course, these are not all Czech cities, and if you are not limited in time, or want to take a long road trip around the Czech Republic, then also pay attention to Konopiste, Tabor, Liberec, Ceske Budejovice, Brno, Olomouc , Ardspakh. Enjoy your travels!
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