| To get a good idea of what Czech Republic is, | | | | Those who are assured that the only thing you |
| there is a thing you have to do besides visiting its | | | | can find in Czech Republic is beer should visit |
| capital, Prague: you should take a tour around the | | | | Melnik town and its castle, famous wine-making |
| country, visit its towns and old castles. | | | | sites. In XIV century king Charles IV brought vine |
| To do this, you don't have to go far from Prague. | | | | from Burgundy, and since then, wine was |
| The most beautiful of all the Czech castles, | | | | produced in Melnik. Nowadays visitors to the |
| Karlstejn, is located only 33 km south-west of the | | | | castle wine cellars can try excellent wine and hear |
| city. As seen from its name, the history of this | | | | its story. The castle is situated 35 km north of |
| castle is connected with the name of Charles IV - | | | | Prague. |
| it is for him that this unassailable fortress was | | | | Castles not far from Prague are often visited by |
| erected in the XIV century. Karlstejn (or Karlstein) | | | | tourists, but only those who value real beauty |
| stands on a high rock above the Berounka river. | | | | venture for a trip to remote castles. Lets move |
| A wonderful view observed from here makes | | | | to the south of Czechia, as it is here that you can |
| tourists grab their cameras and forget about | | | | feel national diversity. There are many beautiful |
| what the guide says. Meanwhile, Karlstejn was not | | | | cities in this region which you are advised to visit |
| only the king's residence, but also the place for | | | | whenever you have a chance to: Tabor, Ceske |
| safekeeping royal treasures. Royal regalia were | | | | Budejovice, Cesky Krumlov and many others. |
| kept in the Chapel of the Holy Cross, walls | | | | For instance, Ceske Budejovice is often called "the |
| decorated with precious jewellery and Gothic | | | | Bohemian Florence" for the fact that its historic |
| panel paintings by Master Theodoric. | | | | centre looks very much like Italian squares. The |
| While Karlstejn belonged to the king himself, other | | | | city is also famous for its "Budvar", produced here |
| castles were the property of local aristocracy. | | | | since the XVI century. 10 km from Ceske |
| After the so-called Velvet Revolution some | | | | Budejovice you will find one of the most visited |
| castles were returned to their former owners. | | | | Czech castles - Hluboka nad Vltavou - a huge |
| One of them is Cesky Sternberg, built in the 13th | | | | castle with numerous towers and a rich |
| century, whereas in XVIII it was rebuilt in | | | | decoration. The museum's collection contains |
| Baroque style. The castle boasts of its antique | | | | Baroque furniture, antique tapestries, Italian |
| interiors, walls adorned with huge paintings and | | | | faience, pictures and sculptures. Another reason |
| hunting trophies. At the same time, while walking | | | | why ladies are advised to visit this castle is that |
| around the castle, you feel ill at ease - this is a | | | | here they will find a mirror one look into which will |
| private property and you feel like you're having | | | | make you young and beautiful. |
| an excursion around someone else's flat. The | | | | A real gift for the most curious ones is a visit to |
| excursion is guided by some relative of the | | | | another southern city, Cesky Krumlov, with an |
| castle's owner, who lives in its other part. Still, you | | | | undamaged architecture ensemble and |
| get the feeling that the old duke will appear soon, | | | | monuments included in UNESCO list. The main |
| and its even hard to believe that you live in the | | | | city's attraction is its castle, famous for its |
| XXI century! | | | | Baroque theatre (completed 1766), complete with |
| Each castle has its story, its zest. For instance, | | | | original stage machinery, scenery and props and a |
| Konopiste castle, built in the XIV century keeps | | | | unique three-story bridge, 40 meters high. |
| the largest European collection of armory and | | | | A trip around Czech castles will be an |
| medieval weapons. For a period of time, the | | | | unforgettable experience into the past, where |
| castle belonged to Franz Ferdinand of Austria, | | | | every stone and every article has its own history. |
| who was assassinated in Sarajevo - this triggered | | | | Choose the castle you are most interested in but |
| World War I. The historical castle is located about | | | | don't forget that some of them are opened May |
| 45 km from Prague and is surrounded with an | | | | to September only. |
| English rose garden. | | | | |