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