Czech republic

The Czech Republic covers an area of 78 865 km2. It shares a common border with four countries: Germany, Austria, Poland and Slovakia. The main European watershed that feeds the North, Baltic and Black seas passes through the Czech Republic. The main rivers are the Labe (Elbe) (370 km) and the Vltava (433 km) in Bohemia, the Morava (246 km) and the Dyje (306 km) in Moravia, and the Odra (135 km) and the Opava (131 km) in Silesia.

Physically and geographically the Czech Republic lies on the border of two mountain ranges. The west and central parts are dominated by the Czech Highlands, which are primarily uplands and mountainous country (Šumava, Český les, Krušné hory, Jizerské hory, Krkonoše, Orlické hory, Králický Sněžník, Jeseníky). The West Carpathians (Beskydy) extend into the eastern part of the country.

Most of the Czech Republic lies below 500 metres above sea level. The highest point is Sněžka, 1602 metres above sea level, although the highest man-made point is the summit of the television transmitter on Praděd, 1654 metres above sea level.

The Czech Republic has a population of 10.3 million and the capital is Prague.

The Czech Republic is a parliamentary democracy. The head of state is the President of the Republic who is elected by parliament for a 5-year term.

On 12th March 1999 the Czech Republic became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and on 1st May 2004 it became a member of the European Union. Around 6 million tourists visit the country each year.


Historic sights

Despite its relatively small area, the Czech Republic has many buildings and sites of architectural and historic interest. Proof of this can be found in the fact that the Czech Republic currently has 12 sites that are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The oldest preserved historic sites in what is now the Czech Republic date back to the period of the Bohemian state in the Early Middle Ages. The Romanesque style arrived in Bohemia from the west and the south as part of the Slavic colonisation. From this period we can still see today solidly built rotundas, stone houses, towers and simple churches. Among the most important are the stone bridge in Písek from the 13th century (the oldest bridge in the Czech Republic) and the St Catherine’s Rotunda in Znojmo.

The Gothic style had a significant influence in Bohemia over a period of three centuries from the thirteenth century. Charles IV, the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia, left his mark on this period with the many imposing structures he had built in the High Gothic style. Of the architects in this period it is worth mentioning Matyáš of Arras and Petr Parléř. You can see examples of architecture from this period on every corner. Among the most important are the dominant feature of the České středohoří (Czech low mountains), Bezděz Castle, and the vast Pernštejn Castle.
Among church buildings we should mention the Church of Saint Barbara in Kutná Hora, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Renaissance style again brought new dimensions to architecture. The 16th century was notable for the fact that the nobility moved en masse from uncomfortable Gothic castles to newly built chateaux with elegant arcade courtyards. Examples of this style can be found in the chateau at Blatná and the centre of Slavonice.

As was the case with other architectural styles, the Baroque was also marked by the influence of the church. However, the influence of wars, in particular the Thirty Years’ War, was also felt. Among the leading architects in this style were Dientzenhofer, Santini and Alliprandi. In this style we can find such jewels as the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in Olomouc, and the Svatá Hora place of pilgrimage near Příbram, Zelená Hora on the UNESCO list.

Characteristic of the Czech Lands was the Czech Baroque style which significantly influenced the look of towns, the countryside and the landscape in general. Among the most important Baroque churches are those in Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou and Vranov nad Dyjí.

The artistic endeavours of the Late Baroque in the Czech Lands gradually gave way to the slim lines of Rococo. This style was used especially in interiors until it was completely pushed aside in the middle of the 18th century and neoclassicism then became the dominant style, brought to Bohemia from France. Among the historic buildings in this style are the Rococo archbishop’s palace in Kroměříž, and the Lednice-Valtice complex, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. However, the Rococo style was not limited to chateaux; it can also be seen in the colonnades of spa towns.

In architecture the 19th century is the century of Romantic Historicism, which is not in itself a style, but more an architectural mix inspired by previous styles mostly from English and German models. However, this period has left us a large number of castles and chateaux, town halls, churches, theatres, spa buildings, etc. Two such examples are the neo-Gothic chateau at Hluboká nad Vltavou and Karlštejn Castle as rebuilt in the 19th century.

The 20th century can be characterised as a century seeking an entirely new architectural expression in keeping with the accelerated pace of life. This led to decorative Art Nouveau, in which the Czech Republic became a European leader, both in terms of volume and quality. In 1910 Czech architecture pioneered a unique style, Cubism, which is characterised by crystalline and circular derivations of geometrical shapes. The following period of modern architecture completely rid buildings of their decorative elements and monumental aspects, and tried to find its own style in simplicity. An example of this can be found in stark functionalism which dates to the period between the two world wars. This was then replaced after the Second World War by socialist realism. The current period is an era of modern buildings serving the needs of banks, hotels, commercial centres, residential districts, etc.


Climate

The Czech Republic has a moderate continental climate with relatively warm summers and cold winters. The coldest month is January, followed by February and December. During these months there is usually snow on the mountains and sometimes also in large towns. In March, April and May the temperature usually rises quickly, especially in April when the weather can change from day to day.

The hottest month of the year is July, followed by August and June. The average temperature in summer is roughly 20 degrees higher than in winter. Particularly in recent years temperatures of above 30 degrees have not been unusual. Rain and thunder storms are common in the summer.

Autumn begins in September, which is still relatively warm and dry. In October temperatures usually drop below 15 or 10 degrees. At the end of November temperatures reach freezing point.


Currency

The unit of currency is the Czech crown (1 crown = 100 hellers). Banknotes worth 5 000, 2 000, 1 000, 500, 200, 100, 50 crowns, and coins worth 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, 1 crowns are in circulation.

Safety

Prague is one of the most visited cities in the world. Statistics show that in comparison with other large European cities (Paris, Rome, Madrid) there is a lower level of crime in Prague. A walk through Prague at night is relatively safe. Of course, as in all large cities where lots of people congregate, we recommend that you make sure your personal possessions are safe.

Time zone

Central European Time (CET = GMT+1) is used in the Czech Republic. From the last Sunday in March until the end of October summer time is used.