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Czech town halls and Tibetan flags

March 12, 2012. Read count: 3736.

Czech town halls and Tibetan flags Tibetan flags fluttered from Czech town halls throughout the country on March 10, 2012, as the nation showed its support for Tibet and human rights on the anniversary of the brutal and bloody 1959 … Continue reading

Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk: A founding father of Czechoslovakia

March 8, 2012. Read count: 6278.

A Czechoslovak hero He founded Czechoslovak democracy and believed in individual responsibility. He asserted that small nations had a vital role to play in Europe and was convinced they could contribute to the world as a whole.  This philosopher, scholar, … Continue reading

Life During the Nazi Occupation

March 3, 2012. Read count: 21168.

March 15, 1939: a horrific day in history Adolf Hitler got his wish to conquer Czechoslovakia when German troops, fighting off a ravaging snowstorm and vehicles’ technical problems, marched into Prague on March 15, 1939, and took over Bohemia and … Continue reading

Life during the Communist era in Czechoslovakia

February 22, 2012. Read count: 42544.

The years of totalitarian rule in Czechoslovakia, from 1948 to 1989, were dark and dismal days, indeed.  After the 1948 coup, Communist ideology permeated citizens’ lives and dominated all aspects of society. Czechoslovakia’s political decisions were dictated by the Soviet … Continue reading

The Communist Coup in Czechoslovakia

February 18, 2012. Read count: 11704.

On February 25, 1948, Czechoslovakia, until then the last democracy in Eastern Europe, became a Communist country, triggering more than 40 long years of totalitarian rule. In effect, the Czechoslovak Communists did not take control. They were given control. How … Continue reading

Czech Beer, Breweries and Beerhalls

February 7, 2012. Read count: 7203.

The History of Czech Beer Dating back to the 10th century, Czech beer maybe even more popular and more well-known than the Charles Bridge or Prague Castle.  It comes as no surprise that the Czech Republic has the highest beer … Continue reading

Bohumil Hrabal – the Sad King of Czech Literature

January 31, 2012. Read count: 7613.

February 3, 1997: The Death of the Sad King of Czech Literature, Bohumil Hrabal Suicide or accident? When Bohumil Hrabal either jumped or fell from a fifth floor window of Prague’s Bulovka Hospital while feeding pigeons at 2:30 p. m. … Continue reading

Jan Palach

January 22, 2012. Read count: 7252.

The winter of 1968-69 in Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia’s winter of 1968-1969 was cold and harsh. Soviet tanks had crushed the 1968 Prague Spring with its liberal reforms on August 21 of that year, and the rigid Communist policy of normalization had … Continue reading

The Velvet Divorce – January 1, 1993

January 4, 2012. Read count: 10723.

High hopes after 1989 Many had high hopes for the democratic Czechoslovakia that was reestablished after the 1989 Velvet Revolution. After all, the country had been democratic for 20 years during the First Republic (1918-1938). Plus Czech and Slovak were … Continue reading

Not the Usual Czech Winter Sports

December 27, 2011. Read count: 3301.

Most people know that the Czechs perform a mean game of ice hockey. Winter sports, in general, are wildly popular in this country; it is commonplace, in the cold months, to see fellow commuters lugging skis and travel bags on … Continue reading

Václav Havel

December 19, 2011. Read count: 5410.

To say that Václav Havel’s death on Sunday, December 18 at age 75 marks the end of an era is a great understatement. The last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic shaped his nation into … Continue reading

New Year’s Eve in the Czech Republic

December 14, 2011. Read count: 7095.

Getting Ready Fireworks go on sale early in December for a Czech New Year. This holiday is one of the country’s best reasons to set off massive, elaborate fireworks displays – and with the short days and long nights, everyone … Continue reading

Mikulaš and Santa Claus

December 14, 2011. Read count: 4411.Saint Nicholas, Angel and Devil

Mikulaš and Santa Claus The real Saint Nicholas was quite different from modern depictions of him. Rather than a jolly, rotund elderly man with a herd of reindeer, Saint Nicholas was a Greek from the Mediterranean port of Patara. His … Continue reading

Anniversaries

Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk: A founding father of Czechoslovakia
The Velvet Revolution
September 30, 1938: The Munich Agreement
Saint Wenceslas (Václav): The Czech nation's patron saint
Jan Palach

Architecture

Zelená hora and Žďár nad Sázavou
The Rothmayer Villa: A gem of modern architecture
The Müller Villa and the innovative design of architect Adolf Loos
The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna
The Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew in Pilsen (Plzeň)
Telč: A Renaissance masterpiece
Salzburg, Austria
Prague Architecture - Guide to Architecture, part 2
Prague Architecture - Guide to Architecture, part 1
Nelahozeves Chateau
Museum Island: Five dazzling museums in Berlin
Loket Castle: A Gothic experience
Krakow, Poland
Kladruby Monastery: A jewel of west Bohemia
Josef Gočár: a prominent Czech architect
Hluboká nad Vltavou Chateau
Berlin Wall Memorial: The Divided City during the Cold War
Berlin: A city for every tourist

Art

The Rothmayer Villa: A gem of modern architecture
The Müller Villa and the innovative design of architect Adolf Loos
The Gemäldegalerie in Berlin: Seventy-two rooms of outstanding art
Telč: A Renaissance masterpiece
Salzburg, Austria
Petr Brandl: A leading Baroque painter in Bohemia
Museum Island: Five dazzling museums in Berlin
Kladruby Monastery: A jewel of west Bohemia
Ivan Lendl: Alfons Mucha Exhibition in Prague
Gustav Klimt: A pioneer of artistic vision in Vienna
Egon Schiele: an Austrian painter in Cesky Krumlov
Czech Coronation Jewels
Bohemia Crystal
Berlin Wall Memorial: The Divided City during the Cold War
Behind the Door (Za dvermi) Festival in Prague
Alfons Mucha: Czech king of the Art Nouveau

Composers and Prague

Mozart and Prague
Beethoven's Prague Connection
Bedřich Smetana and his opera "The Bartered Bride"

Culture

Vyšehrad Cemetery
The Karlovy Vary Film Festival
The Five-Petalled Rose Celebrations in Cesky Krumlov
David Černý: The defiant and controversial Czech artist
Summer Shakespeare Festival
Strings of Autumn
Salzburg, Austria
Prague Spring International Music Festival
Prague Baroque Music Festival
Lobkowicz Palace at Prague Castle
Litomysl International Opera Festival
Fresh Film Fest
Cesky Krumlov Music Festival
Bohemia Crystal - The Art of Czech Crystal
Behind the Door (Za dvermi) Festival in Prague
A Famous Czech Song

Czech Chateaux

Melnik Chateau
Lednice Chateau: A Neo-Gothic Wonder
Kuks: A variety of sights at the Baroque complex
Konopiště Chateau and Archduke Franz Ferdinand d’Este
Jemniste Chateau
Hluboká nad Vltavou Chateau

Czech Cuisine

The romantic spa town of Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad)
Czech Beer, Breweries and Beerhalls

Czech Film & Theatre

The Grandhotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary
Prague Dance Festival - TANEC PRAHA festival
Miloš Forman
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
Jan Werich: A pioneer in Czech theatre and film
Behind the Door (Za dvermi) Festival in Prague

Czech Holidays

The Velvet Divorce - January 1, 1993
September 28th – The day of Czech Statehood
October 28: Foundation of Czechoslovakia
November 17 - The Velvet Revolution
New Year's Eve in the Czech Republic
May 1st - Labor Day
May 1945 - Prague Uprising and Liberation
Reformer Jan Hus
Czech Easter
Cyril and Methodius
A Czech Christmas

Czech Literature

Karel Hynek Mácha: A leading poet of Czech Romanticism
Jan Amos Komensky: an educational reformer

Czech Music and Singers

Karel Gott - An international singing sensation
Behind the Door (Za dvermi) Festival in Prague

Czech Spa Towns

The romantic spa town of Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad)

Czech UNESCO Sites

Zelená hora and Žďár nad Sázavou
The Villa Tugendhat: An architectural gem in Brno
The ossuary or Bone Church in Kutna Hora
The Italian Court (Vlašský dvůr): The royal mint in Kutná Hora
Telč: A Renaissance masterpiece
Saint Barbara’s Cathedral in Kutná Hora
Olomouc - UNESCO Site
Lobkowicz Palace at Prague Castle
Litomyšl - UNESCO Site
Kutná Hora and the Bone Church - UNESCO Site
Kromeriz Chateau and gardens
Hrádek (The Little Castle) and the Silver Museum in Kutná Hora
Cesky Krumlov Attractions: Cesky Krumlov Castle, Baroque Theatre and the Revolving Auditorium
Český Krumlov - UNESCO Site
Brno: A Moravian marvel

Eastern Europe Destinations

Vienna's Sisi: Empress Elisabeth of Austria
Munich, Germany
Budapest
Bratislava: Slovakia’s captivating capital
Berlin Wall Memorial: The Divided City during the Cold War

Exhibitions

Vienna’s Sisi Museum in the Hofburg Palace
Nicholas Winton Exhibition
Museum Island: Five dazzling museums in Berlin

Famous Czechs

Václav Havel
Tomáš Baťa - founder of the Baťa Shoe Company
The Velvet Revolution
The artistic genius of Karel and Josef Čapek
Jaroslav Hašek and his novel "The Good Soldier Svejk"
Franz Kafka, Prague Jewish Author
Famous Czechs
Emil Škoda: Czech entrepreneur during Habsburg rule
Edvard Beneš - Czechoslovak Statesman
Bohumil Hrabal - the Sad King of Czech Literature
Alexander Dubček: The leader of the 1968 Prague Spring

History

Wenceslas III (Václav III): The end of a dynasty
The Velvet Revolution
The Three Kings: Heroes of the Czechoslovak resistance
Defenestration of Prague in 1618
The Mašín Gang: Heroes or villains
The Communist Coup in Czechoslovakia
The Beneš Decrees
Slavkov – Battle of Austerlitz
Saint Agnes (Anezka)
Rudolph II
Rudolf Slansky and the Slansky Trial
Premyslid Dynasty
Přemysl Otakar II: The Iron and Golden King
Prague Spring, 1968
Petr Vok of Rožmberk: The Renaissance Cavalier of Český Krumlov
Museum Island: Five dazzling museums in Berlin
Milada Horáková, Executed by the Communists
May 1945 - Prague Uprising and Liberation
Loket Castle: A Gothic experience
Life During the Nazi Occupation
Life during the Communist era in Czechoslovakia
King Charles IV and the Luxembourg Dynasty
John of Nepomuk
Jan Žižka
Jan Opletal: Dying for democracy during the Occupation
Jan Jesenský
Hussite Wars
Franz Joseph: The most beloved emperor of the Habsburg Monarchy
Elizabeth Jane Weston
Edward Kelley
Communism in Czechoslovakia
Berlin Wall Memorial: The Divided City during the Cold War
Battle of White Mountain
Auschwitz Concentration Camp
The Assassination of Reinhard Heydrich
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
27 Noblemen Executed

Jewish sights

The Great Synagogue in Pilsen
The Spanish Synagogue in Prague’s Jewish Town
The Pinkas Synagogue in Prague’s Jewish Town
The Old-New Synagogue in Prague’s Jewish Town
The Maisel Synagogue in Prague’s Jewish Town
The Klausen Synagogue in Prague’s Jewish Town
Prague's Jewish Town
The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague’s Jewish Town

Medieval Castles

Reliquary of Saint Maurus at Becov nad Teplou Castle
Pernštejn Castle: A medieval jewel in south Moravia
Loket Castle: A Gothic experience
Křivoklát Castle
Kost and Trosky Castles
Karlštejn Castle
Hluboká nad Vltavou Chateau
Bouzov Castle: A fairy tale come true

Monasteries

Zlatá Koruna
Zelená hora and Žďár nad Sázavou
Vyšší Brod Monastery
The Strahov Monastery
Teplá Monastery
Plasy Monastery
Kladruby Monastery: A jewel of west Bohemia
Broumov Monastery

Museums

Vienna’s Sisi Museum in the Hofburg Palace
The Munich Residence and the Treasury
The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna
The Historical Underground in Pilsen
Museum of the Cold War at Prague’s Hotel Jalta
Museum of Communism in Prague
Museum Island: Five dazzling museums in Berlin
Loket Castle: A Gothic experience
Lobkowicz Palace at Prague Castle

Nature Reserves

Prague’s Botanical Gardens: A tranquil escape from the busy center
Koněprusy Caves

Other

Nicholas Winton, Hero
Czech town halls and Tibetan flags

Prague Parks

Stromovka Park
Divoká Šárka Park
Riegerovy Sady Park
Průhonice Park
Prague’s Botanical Gardens: A tranquil escape from the busy center
Letná Park

Prague Sights

Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí)
Vyšehrad
Trója Chateau
St. Vitus Cathedral
Prague’s Botanical Gardens: A tranquil escape from the busy center
Prague´s New Town (Nové Město)
Prague Zoo
Prague´s Old Town (Staré město)
Prague´s Lesser Town
Prague Castle
John Lennon Wall
Charles Bridge (Karlův most)
Astronomical Clock (Orloj)

Sights outside of Prague

Třeboň: an architectural gem in southern Bohemia
The Hot Spring underground tour in Karlovy Vary
The Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew in Pilsen (Plzeň)
Terezin Concentration Camp - Theresienstadt
Pilsen (Plzeň) – a city of architecture and tasty beer
Passau, Germany: A city rich in history, art and culture
Not the Usual Czech Winter Sports
Nelahozeves Chateau
Loket Castle: A Gothic experience
Lidice and Ležáky
The springs of Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad/Carlsbad)
The Colonnades of Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad/Carlsbad)

Traditions

Walpurgis Night (Čarodejnice)
November 2: All Souls’ Day
Mikulaš and Santa Claus
Halloween in the Czech Republic

UNESCO Sites

Vienna: The City of the Habsburgs and Art Nouveau
Valtice Chateau: Baroque Beauty in south Moravia
The Secession House in Vienna
The Albertina in Vienna, Austria
Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna
Salzburg, Austria
Saint Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna
Regensburg, Germany with its medieval charm
Lednice Chateau: A Neo-Gothic Wonder

World War II

The Small Fortress at Terezín concentration camp
The Ghetto Museum in Terezín
Terezin to honor victims of World War II
Terezin: The Prayer Room in the former Jewish Ghetto
Terezin Concentration Camp - Theresienstadt
World War II Memorial in Prague: Operation Anthropoid
Pilsen (Plzeň) – a city of architecture and tasty beer
Nuremberg, Germany
Lidice and Ležáky
Football in Terezin during the Nazi Occupation
Berlin: A city for every tourist


Gustav Klimt: A pioneer of artistic vision in Vienna

January 31, 2013. Read count: 88346.

A pioneer of artistic individuality, Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt promoted the Viennese Secession movement, in which he took part for more than 10 years. His unique style is in part rendered by golden ornamentation and a sensual portrayal of … Continue reading

Life during the Communist era in Czechoslovakia

February 22, 2012. Read count: 42544.

The years of totalitarian rule in Czechoslovakia, from 1948 to 1989, were dark and dismal days, indeed.  After the 1948 coup, Communist ideology permeated citizens’ lives and dominated all aspects of society. Czechoslovakia’s political decisions were dictated by the Soviet … Continue reading

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria

June 25, 2012. Read count: 41605.

Becoming heir to the Habsburg throne Born in Graz, Austria on December 18, 1863, Franz Ferdinand was the eldest son of Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria, the brother of Franz Joseph. In 1889 his cousin, the Emperor’s son, Crown Prince … Continue reading

Alfons Mucha: Czech king of the Art Nouveau

July 22, 2012. Read count: 41396.

The prolific Mucha The imaginative and passionate creations by legendary Art Nouveau painter and decorative artist Alphonse Mucha are well-known throughout the world, especially the idealized images of Sarah Bernhardt with her poignant, exhilarating gaze. An avid supporter of democratic … Continue reading

The Assassination of Reinhard Heydrich

May 23, 2011. Read count: 36910.

June 4, 1942 When the head of Nazi security police and governor of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, Reinhard Heydrich, died 70 years ago, on June 4, 1942, due to wounds inflicted by Czech parachutists during an assassination attempt, … Continue reading

David Černý: The defiant and controversial Czech artist

September 10, 2012. Read count: 23808.david-cerny-trabant

David Černý the rebel A rebel motivated by anger, sculptor David Černý never fails to spark controversy with his shocking and provocative creations placed in public areas. He has painted a Soviet tank pink and designed male figures that urinate … Continue reading

Franz Joseph: The most beloved emperor of the Habsburg Monarchy

January 28, 2013. Read count: 22016.

Born on August 18, 1830, in Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, Franz Joseph was the oldest son of Archduke Franz Karl and Princess Sophie of Bavaria. He would become the most respected and most beloved member of the Habsburg dynasty, ruling the … Continue reading

Vienna’s Sisi: Empress Elisabeth of Austria

February 6, 2013. Read count: 21524.empress-sisi-vienna3

Detesting the strict regimen and ceremony of royal life, Empress Elisabeth, nicknamed Sisi, danced to the beat of her drum, defying Habsburg protocol. The longest reigning Austrian empress – a post she held for 44 years – championed individual identity … Continue reading

Life During the Nazi Occupation

March 3, 2012. Read count: 21168.

March 15, 1939: a horrific day in history Adolf Hitler got his wish to conquer Czechoslovakia when German troops, fighting off a ravaging snowstorm and vehicles’ technical problems, marched into Prague on March 15, 1939, and took over Bohemia and … Continue reading

Terezin Concentration Camp – Theresienstadt

May 23, 2011. Read count: 18159.terezin-concentration-camp-day-trips-from-prague

History of Terezin – Theresienstadt Terezín existed long before it became a Nazi work camp with a Gestapo prison during World War II. Because it was easily accessible and easy to guard, the Austrians used it to strengthen their defense … Continue reading

Bohemia Crystal

February 18, 2013. Read count: 15429.bohemia-crystal-moser3

World-renowned Bohemia crystal One of the Czech Republic’s most sought-after products is Bohemia crystal. Given the long history of crystal production in the country, it is hardly surprising that Bohemia crystal now ranks among the world’s best. The history of … Continue reading

Astronomical Clock (Orloj)

June 25, 2011. Read count: 15162.

Old Town Hall Tower Prague’s astronomical clock is one of the most popular draws in the city. Enthusiastic, clapping tourists crowd in front of the Old Town Hall tower to watch the clock strike the time every hour. As the … Continue reading

Egon Schiele: an Austrian painter in Cesky Krumlov

October 12, 2012. Read count: 14159.

Known for his figures with distorted forms and provocative nudes, Austrian painter Egon Schiele became one of the leading artists in Vienna during the early 20th century, greatly influenced by Secessionism and Austrian painter Gustav Klimt’s creations. He even lived … Continue reading


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