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