Basic information about the Czech Republic

Basic information about the Czech Republic
Official name: Czech Republic
Capital city: Prague
Population: 10 505 445
Area: 78 866 km2
Borders: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Poland
Government: Parliamentary republic
President: Miloš Zeman (2013-17)
Highest mountain: Sněžka (1602 m)
Important rivers: Vltava, Labe
Official language: Czech
Anthem: Kde domov můj? (Where is my
home?)
Religion: 80 % not religious, 20 % with religion
Currency: Czech crown (česká koruna, CZK)
Time zone: UTC (+1), summer time UTC (+2)
Flag
Coat of arms
Brief history of Czech Republic
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October 28th 1918 - foundation of the independent state called Czechoslovakia
March 15th 1939 - May 9th 1945 - German occupation
February 1948 - Communist takeover
August 1968 - Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact countries brings
an end to the "Prague Spring" and the Communist's attempt to build "Socialism with a
human face"
● November 1989 - fall of the Communist regime
● 1993 Czech Republic founded after the split of Czechoslovakia
Map of all regions and bigger cities in the Czech Republic
More info
http://www.czech.cz/en/Home-en
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czech_Republic
http://www.czechtourism.com/home/
Liberec
This city Liberec is situated in the north part of the Czech Republic. The suburbs of Liberec
have a population of 150.000 inhabitants which makes it the fifth largest city. The Ještěd
tower, a 94 m tall tower used to transmit television signal and built on the top of the Ještěd
mountain, gives a nice view to the countryside around, for example the Jizerské mountains.
The city is home of the football team FC Slovan Liberec and the ice-hockey team HC Bílí
Tygři Liberec.
We have created a map for your better orientation in the city, it includes signs of important
places. You can find it here.
Important phone numbers in the Czech Republic:
● Police CZ: 158
● Police city of Liberec: 156
● Ambulance: 155
● Firemen: 150
● Emergency calls for every occasion: 112
How to get to Liberec
First of all you have to get out from airport in Prague to the center of the city. It is very
easy. You will leave the airport, you will cross the first zebra crossing and turn right till you
will find a bus station (it´s close). You will catch the bus number 100 but you need to buy a
ticket. You can buy a ticket if you will ask the driver (you need a ticket for 60minutes, it
cost around 20CZK). Keep this ticket, you will need it for the subway. With this bus you will
go to the last bus stop called Zličín. Right in front of the bus stop there is an entrance to
the subway where you will go and catch the underground line B (yellow), direction to
Černý Most where you will get out of the subway (it is also the last stop).
Secondly, the bus “Student Agency” (http://www.studentagency.cz, also in English) is the
best solution because it is cheaper and faster than a train. Futhermore, if you look at this
webpage, you can see that these buses are going to almost all capital cities in Europe (so it
is another posibility to travel from your country) and you can also use this company for
travelling around the Czech Republic. There is no weight limit and you will recieve a coffee,
tea or a hot chocolate and you can watch some movie and use free wifi.
You will find a bus office of this bus if, after getting of the subway at Černý Most you turn
right just behind the exit door and go downstairs. Then just continue straight and you will
see the Student Agency office, there you can buy a ticket. The price is 95 CZK. But be
careful, these buses are almost always full, so it is better to buy the ticket online via this
page (switch to english on the right top corner with flag of EU). The bus leaves from the
station number 6.
The last bus from Prague to Liberec is leaving at 9 pm / sometimes at 11 pm, after this
there is no connection till the next day!
If you cannot catch the last bus, try student’s dormitory Strahov, it is possible to
accommodate there.
More information: http://www.prague-hotel.ws/prague-hostel-apartments-strahov-b8.asp.
Public transport in Liberec
The main public transport station is in Fügnerova square. You can reach it on foot. Liberec
city transportation consists of trams (no. 2 and 3), buses and a inter-city tram line to
Jablonec nad Nisou (no. 11, 5). The central terminal is Fügnerova bus stop. Single ticket
costs 20 CZK (24 CZK if you buy it from the driver). It is possible to buy a long-term ticket,
for example for 3 months, for slightly better price! Ask your buddy how to do that.
There are 3 bus/tram stops around
dormitory. The closest one is
Stodolní (bus numbers: 15, 29, 57,
58). The second one is Březová alej
(bus number 19) and the last one is
Lidové sady (tram n°2 and 3). On
the next pages of this guide you will
find specific information, timetables
and maps of bus and tram stations.
How to find the timetables?
You have to find a page below where
is a name of your boarding place
written in bold (in the column
Seznam zastávek/zóna). Translation
of other columns: (Pracovní dny od
1.9. do 30.6. – Working days from *
to
*),
(Sobota=Saturday),
(Neděle=Sunday, svátky=holiday).
Alternative: You can try this page to
find the timetables. In the right
bottom corner there you can switch
the language.
Streetview of your final destination:
blocks: A, B, C
blocks: D, E, F
Stodolní
Bus numbers 15, 29, 57, 58
Bus stops of the buses from the city centre to the students’ dormitory:
● Fügnerova Streetview
● Šaldovo náměstí Streetview
Place of arrival:
● Stodolní Sreetview
Timetables searching engine
you can find any public transport connection
enter FROM: Stodolní (nearest bus station)
enter TO: Husova (main campus of university) / Fugnerova (city center, main bus station)
Timetables
● Bus No.15
● Bus No.29
● Bus No.57
● Bus No.58
Březová alej
Bus number 19
Bus stops of the bus from the city centre to the students’ dormitory:
● Fügnerova Streetview
● Šaldovo náměstí Streetview
Place of arrival:
● Březová alej Sreetview
Timetable:
● Bus No.19
Lidové sady
Tram number 2 and 3
Tram stops in the city centre in the direction to the students’ dormitory:
● Fügnerova Streetview
● Šaldovo náměstí Streetview
Place of arrival:
● Lidové sady Sreetview
Timetables
● Tram No.2
● Tram No.3
ESN Liberec
Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is a non-profit international student organization. Our
mission is to represent international students, thus provide opportunities for cultural
understanding and self-development under the principle of Students Helping Students.
In 36 countries there are more than 430 institution like that with around 12 thousands of
active people. In the Czech Republic there are 15 teams and ESN Liberec is one of them.
You can find more information about our team on our website esn-liberec.cz or on our
facebook page www.facebook.com/esnliberec. If you have some question, don't hesitate
to write to our e-mail [email protected]. If you have some concrete question to one of
our members here is a list of e-mails of the whole team:
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President: [email protected]
Vice President: [email protected]
Human Resources: [email protected]
Buddy coordinator: [email protected]
Social Erasmus coordinator: [email protected]
Party coordinator: [email protected]
Sport coordinator: [email protected]
Trips coordinator: [email protected]
Activity coordinator: [email protected]
Languages coordinator: [email protected]
Club-room / ESN-room
We have our own office in Harcov (where the dormitory is). You can find it in the block C,
6th floor, it is just in the hall. It serves to our team meetings but we also organize there
movie nights, activities, games, dark hour, language courses and more. It's possible to
borrow our room sometimes but you have to ask someone of the ESN team members to
accompany you because only they have the access to the room.
Other things you can do there is to print something or borrow some dishes or games. But
we have not such a big amount of dishes, you can buy it for good prices in Tesco in Forum
Liberec, in Globus or in Albert in Nisa centrum.
In the case of need the address of the dormitory is 17.listopadu 586/6 , 460 15 Liberec.
SocialErasmus
The aim of the SocialErasmus project is to allow international students to benefit maximum
from the local community and enrich others through the international background of the
students. International students are invited to volunteer in the framework of the
SocialErasmus project under three main areas of action: education, charity and
environment. The SocialErasmus project enables people to experience something new and to
get new perspectives as well as learn more about European cultures.
ESN Liberec SocialErasmus
●
Erasmus to schools: Erasmus students will come to the high school class, tell to pupils
their experience about life in university general and the Erasmus life in Liberec
● Altamira: Erasmus student will help in historical place with the work on it
● Free Hugs: Students will be walking to the streets with the papers in hands which
says : we want to give you free hugs. And we give it to them the love, peace and we
make their day better.
Moreover, there is much more of what we organize and the best thing is that you can be a
part of it! You can see some photos below and also find some videos about those events on
our YouTube cannal ESN Liberec.
Technical University of Liberec
The Technical University of Liberec (TUL) is a dynamic university of
medium size that joins forms of technical and university education.
Within six faculties and a university institute it offers a large
spectrum of acquirements in technical, scientific, humanity as well as
artistic and interdisciplinary study branches. It have well equipped
laboratories and top quality teams of research workers for humanities. You can find more
information on the website http://www.tul.cz.
Here you can find a list of faculties and important contacts for you in case you need something. Make
sure you look on the information of your faculty.
Library of the university
The library can be found in H building in Voroněžská street (adress: Voroněžská 13 Liberec)
on the ground floor, just in front of the entrance door. The library's collection is focussed on
science, technology, architecture, arts and construction. There is a study area while the
basement is comfortably furnished.
Registration is free, you just need an ISIC card. Be careful, you will pay something if you
forget to return borrowed books on time. If you want to register, just ask at the reception
of the library.
You can find more information on the website.
Open hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 – 18:30
Phone: +420 485 352 553
E-mail: [email protected]
University canteens (Menza) and coffeehouses
There are three university canteens that provide meal for students and staff. Two buffets,
in Harcov and Husova Street, complement the service. The university café serves up great
tasting coffee and much more besides.
Coffeehouses:
● Husova (just next to the canteen)
● Husova (first floor of the Information Centre)
● Voroněžská (just next to the canteen)
Good for the snack during breaks between clases. Offering big amount of food and
drinks.on the (Husova street).
Canteens/Menza:
● Harcov (dormitory building complex, opposite of the Žito restaurant) – only one
canteen, where you can go also for dinner
● Husova (building F, Husova street)
● Voroněžská (building H, Voroněžská street)
In each canteen is available menu always one week in advance and is the same in all of
them. Every day you have possibility to choose one from cca 6 meals, but their quantity is
limited. So you have to order your lunch and dinner through webportal or on ordering
terminals in the canteens. The advantage is that you can cancel your order in case of need.
Orders are linked to the ISIC card on which you have your own cash account. You have to
deposit money at the cash desk in each canteen or in the dormitory receptions.
If you want to eat in the university canteens, firstly you need to register. The registration
you will do in one of the canteens (doesn't matter in which one) in the reception. Then you
will just put money into your ISIC card and order meals via a menza webpage or by
machines.
ISIC Card
As it is written several times in this guidebook, ISIC card is required. You need it for enter
to dormitory or party, for ordering meals, for recieving some students discounts and so on.
How to get it:
You do not have to be scared. During Welcome Days you will have posibility to get it with
our help and explanation.
Is case that you will come a bit later, you have to first go to your faculty - student
department, where you will ask about making ISIC card. They will give you a paper, which
you can not loose (you will need it later!), and you will pay for it. Then you have to go to
the office in building F in Husova street (right next computer room) with the paper and
your ID or passport. There they will take a photo of you and you will pick your ISIC card up
again in student department of your faculty around one week later.
ISIC office:
Open hours: every Monday 13:00 – 15:00 (just!)
Responsible person: Milena BÍLKOVÁ
Phone: +420 485353223
Medical care
In the case of need, when you will be ill or what ever, you don't need to go to the hospital
(if it's not that urgent). There are doctors for you quite close to the dormitory (Harcov).
You can find them in Building F on Campus (Husova street). Inside the building you will go
to the left, and on the end there are stairs, so you go up only first 4 stair and you will see
where it is. The address is Husova 1290 75, Liberec 460 01.
Practical Doctor: MUDr. Dagmar Švorcová
Phone: +420 48 535 3163
Open hours: Mo-Fr: 7:00-12:00
Dentist: MUDr. Helena Dašková
Phone: +420 48 510 7121
Open hours: Mo,We,Fr 7:00-13:00
Tu 10:00-13:30
In the case of urgency, you can go to the city hospital in Jablonecká Street14. Practical
doctor in on the ground floor in the building for hospital stuff and the dentist is in the
downstairs hall LDN - Department of chronically ill.
Emergency services for adults
Phone: +420 485 ​
105 050
Open hours: Mo-Fr: 17:00-21:00
Weekend: 8:00-18:00
Dental Emergency Service
Phone: +420 485 102 379
Open hours: Weekend: 8:00-12:00
Harcov dormitory
The halls with the highest concentration of university students (there is also dormitory in
Vesec). The area is made up of 6 blocks labelled A - F, a canteen, conference facilities,
sports centres, three student clubs and other amenities.
Address: 17.listopadu 584, 46015 Liberec 15, Czech Republic
First time in dormitory
You have to say your name in the reception that they can find you. You will need your
passport (or ID for europe students) and two passport photos. You will fill up the contract,
you will receive a dormitory card which you can not lose otherwise you will pay a fine (the
same with the key of room) and you will pay a guarantee 3000 Kč (at the end if it will be
everything ok, they will give it to you back).
Also you will receive a white paper, which you have to fill it up and give back in five days.
You will write there all damages in your flat. Be careful! If you will not write some
damage, it can happened that at the end you will have to pay for it.
The price of accommodation is 90 kč per day. It is paid monthly.
Room is usually for 2 or 3 person. All students have bed, lamp, table with drawer, shelves
and closet. In the bathroom is sink and shower. In the kitchen are drawer and shelves too.
There is 2 hotplate and small fridge. In every room is broom and dustpan. Damages in flats
are panalized by paying!
Moving / Moving out hour:
Mo - Fr: 7:00 -11:30, 12:00 – 14:00 (Other days or hour: price for it 300 Kč)
Accommodation service hour:
Mo – Th: 9:00 - 12:00, 13:00 - 15:00
Fr: 9:00 - 12:00 , 13:00 - 14:00
What you can borrow at the reception:
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Vacuum cleaner : 16 kč / hour
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Iron: 8 kč / 30 min
Washing machine: 12 kč / 30 min (every other hour 31Kč)
Clothes drier: for free
When you lose something:
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Key of the table drawer or door: 50 kč
Replacement of locks table/door: 100 kč / 200 kč
Dormitory identity card “Kolejka”: 200 kč
Calmness at night
During the night you should respect other citizens. Between 10pm and 6am nobody is
allowed to disturb the peace. That means you have to be silent, it is prohibited to sing
loudly when you´re drunk etc. The police and the accommodation service would make the
intervention.
Internet
After the registration to our school system (made by the school), you will receive nickname
and password, which you need to connect to internet in school and in dormitory. It takes
time, so till you will be able to connect, you can go to the S-club restaurant or Žito
restaurant, where is a wifi but it's not possible to sit there without ordering anything, of
course. How to connect and instal the school internet you will find on this website
http://liane.tul.cz/en/Liane_at_Residence .
Printing
1. In the school and in the dormitories
You can print your documents in library in building H and in vestibule of each dormitory.
But you need to have some money on your ISIC card. You can put the money into your
ISIC card in receptions in all dormitories in Harcov and Vesec, in school buildings F (in
services for students) and H (library). You can find more information about printing via
Satikos system on the internet also in English.
2. In ESN clubroom
You need to have ESN card and ask someone of team members of ESN Liberec if it is
possible to print something.
Sport in Harcov
There is a gym under the Dormitory, near to bus stop “Stodolní“. Program of every
semester is little bit different but usually you can go to the joga, pilates, dancing, spinning,
fotball or voleyball.
Also there is a possibility to participate sports contests - Harcov league (voleyball or fotball).
For this you need your (usually Erasmus) team and you can fight with others student for a
price.
More information
. If you will stay in part “Akademické sportovní centrum” and you click to “Ceníky”, you will
see prices of all sports and if you click to “Rozvrhy”, you will see schedules/open hours. As it
is written above, you can see more information about Harcov leagues, if you click to
“Harcovské ligy”.
ESN Liberec organize for you lesson of climbing, joga and table tennis.
Clubs & bars
Harcov´s pubs
S club is situated in front of building C. You can have some food there, you can play
bowling. There is also disco and ESN parties are in this club. You can play bowling for 50% of
price if you own ESN card (see ESN card).
Vácha & Zanzibar is pub and disco behind S club. There is a possibility of opening door so
there is more space for dancing in Zanzi.
Had club is club for those who likes Drum´n´base or similar music. There is dancing space
but also sofas. You can play tablefootball there and there are sometimes tournaments in
tablefootball. It is situated down the building D.
Žito pub is situated under canteen between building C and D. You can have pizza or other
meals there.
Dandy pub is caffé, tearoom and pub in one. There are 4 kinds of bear, 25 kinds and 8
kinds of coffe. It is situated down the building E.
Hroch pub is bar situated down the building F. You can play pool, darts or tablefootball
there. There are 3 different kinds of beer and each week you can taste special ones from
small breweries in Czech Republic.
City center
Ďábelská Huť
This club is one of the oldest but also one of the
best in Liberec region.
webpage: http://dabelskahut.cz
address: Masarykova 1325/34a, Liberec
pub a potrefená husa
Music bar Prasečinky
webpage: http://www.barprasecinky.cz
address: Sokolská 168/2, Liberec
Mamitas bar
Especially for coctailes.
address: Felberova 123, Liberec
Rock pub Liberec
webpage: http://www.rock-pub.net
address: Husova 480/4, Liberec
Little Czech dictionary
Yes = Ano (ano)
No = Ne (ne)
Please = Prosím (proseem)
Thank you = Děkuji vám (dyekooyi vam)
Thanks = Díky (deeki)
Excuse me = S dovolením (s dovolenyeem)
Sorry = promiň (promin)
Hello = Ahoj, čau (ahoy, chau)
Good morning = Dobré ráno (dobrye rano)
Good afternoon = Dobré odpoledne (dobrye
odpoledne)
Good night = Dobrou noc (dobroh nots)
Good-bye = Na shledanou (nas-khledanow)
‘Good day’ = dobrý den (it is possible to say
‘Dobrý den’ during all day, just in the
evening not)
What is your name? = Jak se jmenuješ? (yak se menooyesh)
My name is ...= Jmenuji se... (menooyi se)
How are you? = Jak se máš? (yak se mush)
Fine thanks, and you? = Děkuji, dobře, a ty? (dyekooyi dobrzhe, a ti)
I (don´t) understand = (Ne)rozumím ((ne)rozoomeem)
Do you speak english? = Mluvíš anglicky ? (mlooveesh anglitskee)
I don´t speak czech = Nemluvím česky (nemlooveem chehskee)
Nice to meet you = Těší mě (tyeh-sheee mnyeh)
One more beer, please! = Ještě jedno pivo, prosím! (yestye yedno pivo, proseem!)
I live on Harcov dormitory. = Bydlím na koleji Harcov (Bidleem na koleyi Harsov)
One ticket to Liberec, please. = Jednu jízdenku do Liberce, prosím (yednu yeezdenku do
Liberse, proseem)
Help me! = Pomoz mi! (pomoz mi)
Currency exchange = Směnárna (smnyenahrna)
Pub = Hospoda (hospoda)
Men = Muži, páni, kluci (muzhi, pahnyi, clucy)
Women = Ženy, Dámy, Holky (zheny, dahmy, holki)
School = škola (shcola)
Pračka = washing machine
Sušák = clothes horse
Žehlička = iron
Vysavač = vacuum cleaner
Bathroom = Toaleta, záchod
Čísla - Numbers
One – jedna
Two – dva
Three – tři
Four – čtyři
Five – pět
Six – šest
Seven – sedm
Eight – osm
Nine – devět
Ten – deset
Eleven – jedenáct
Twelve – dvanáct
Thirteen – třináct
Fourteen – čtrnáct
Fifteen – patnáct
Sixteen – šestnáct
Seventeen–sedmnáct
Eighteen – osmnáct
Nineteen –
devatenáct
Twenty – dvacet
Thirty – třicet
Forty – čtyřicet
Fifty – padesát
Sixty – šedesát
Seventy – sedmdesát
Eighty – osmdesát
Ninety – devadesát
Hundred – sto
Thousand - tisíc
Jídlo – Food
Polévka = soup
Hlavní jídlo = main dish
Dezert = dessert
Kuchař = cook
Vařič/sporák = cooker
Hrnec = pot
Pánev = pan
Chleba = bread
Rohlík = roll
Máslo = butter
Kafe/káva = coffee
Čaj = tea
Mléko = milk
Džus = juice
Voda = water
Neperlivá voda = still water
Perlivá voda = sparkling
water
Pivo = beer
Cukr = sugar
Sůl = salt
Zelenina = vegetable
Mrkev = carrot
Rajče = tomato
Paprika= pepper
Okurka = cucumber
Cibule = onion
Česnek = garlic
Zelí = cabbage
Kyselé zelí = sauerkraut
Hrách = peas
Ovoce = fruit
Banán = banana
Jablko = apple
Pomeranč = orange
Vejce = egg
Rajčatový protlak = tomato
puree
Kečup = ketchup
Smetana = cream
Rýže = rice
Těstoviny = pasta
Hovězí maso = beef meat
Vepřové maso = pork meat
Mleté maso = minced meat
Řízek = schnitzel
Ryba = fish
Losos = salmon
Kuře/kuřecí maso/drůbeží =
chicken/chicken meat
Šunka = ham
Sýr = cheese
Hranolky = French
fries/chips
Brambory = potatoes
Bramborová kaše = mashed
potatoe
Bramborák = potatoe
pancake
Knedlíky = dumplings
Houskový knedlík = dumpling
made of bread
Bramborový
knedlík
=
Koření = spice
dumpling made of potatoes
Prices of basic foodstuffs
CZK
CZK
Milk (1 liter)
20
Apples (1kg)
25
Loaf of bread
25
Watter (1,5l bottle)
13
Eggs (10 pcs)
30
Czech beer (0.5 liter bottle)
15
Cheese (100g) - Eidam
17
Butter
30
Whole chicken
90
Ham (100g)
20
Tips for trips
Pravčická brána (Pravčická gate)
Pravčická gate in National park Bohemian
Switzerland (České Švýcarsko). It's the
largest natural stone bridge on our
continent.
Soutěsky (Gorges)
One of the ways how to get to Pravčická gate.
It's really good experience, because you float
on water between rocks. There are to gorges.
Edmund's (quiet) and divoká (wild). Firts part
is Edmund's gorge and then you can continue
on foot or try the wild gorge.
ZOO Plzeň
The second oldest zoo in Czech Republic. In this zoo you can see the second biggest bear
enclosure in Europe. This zoo has over 1300 animals. Most enclosures are free, no glass
boxes, so you can see animals in their nature enviroment. It's very big and beautiful zoo.
SPA Triangle
Karlovy Vary, Františkovy lázně, Mariánské lázně
In western Bohemia are spa cities with
amazing architecture, medicinal springs
and great atmosphere. Karlovy Vary is
big city, in summer there is Film
festival. Františkovy and Mariánské
lázně are smaller cities, but still pretty.
Lázně Libverda
If you want to visit Spa and you don't
want to travel so far, you can go to
Libverda. It's near Liberec, you can go
there by train and the travel takes
about 40 minutes. You can buy yummy
wafers.
Český Krumlov
Is a beautiful town of 13,300 inhabitants located in Southern Bohemia in the Czech Republic.
Like Prague, the town is situated on the Vltava River and is full of Baroque buildings housing
cafes and bars, features a spectacular castle (the second largest in the Czech Republic), and
an old-town square. The town's appearance is little changed since the 18th century and the
buildings have been well maintained and restored. In 1992 Český Krumlov was added to the
UNESCO World Heritage List. The town is very popular among tourists, who outnumber the
local population in the summer.
Karlštejn
Karlštejn Castle is located approximately
20km west of Prague. It is the most visited
and one of the most beautiful castles in the
Czech Republic. Construction of the castle
was completed in 1365 under the reign of
Holy Roman Emporer Charles IV. There is a
national forest around the castle with some
very nice hiking. Nearby in the village of
Svatý Jan Pod Skalou you can visit a
beautiful monastery including the 'holy cave'
that it was built upon.
The castle itself is really impressive. Once
you arrive at the castle you can enter
within the walls for free but access to the inside of the castle requires paying for a guided
tour (220 Kč). There are several tours in different languages during the day. Call in advance
to determine the exact times. There is also a 70-minute tour option that visits other
rooms, including the Chapel of the Holy Cross, but remember to make a reservation. You
can buy tickets online.
Telč
It is a town of around 6,000 inhabitants in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands of the Czech
Republic. Telc is a charming, rather sleepy town. It is certainly worth a stop if you are
passing nearby, but there is not enough there to warrant more than a short stay unless you
are particularly interested in history or architecture - it is the best preserved of all the
Bohemian
and
Moravian
Renaissance towns and the
historical heart of the town was
registered in 1992 on the
UNESCO's List of World Cultural
Heritage sites. It is astonishingly
beautiful
thanks
to
the
surrounding
fish-ponds that
prevented the town spreading,
thus preserving the perfect
town square, built in the
sixteenth century. There is also
an interesting chateau from the
same period.
Moravian Wine Region
Wine in the Czech Republic is produced mainly in southern Moravia, although a few
vineyards are located in Bohemia. However, Moravia accounts for around 96%[1] of the
country's vineyards, which is why Czech wine is more often referred to as Moravian wine .
Production centers on local grape varieties, but there has been an increase in the production
of established international strains such as Cabernet Sauvignon.
There are two main wine regions in the Czech Republic – Bohemia and Moravia. They are
further divided into sub-regions. There are four main wine sub-regions in Moravia – Znojmo,
Velké Pavlovice, Mikulov and Slovácko. The Moravia wine region is typical with little villages
comprising of wine cellars – just wine cellars without a permanent residential population.
The top quality of Moravian white wines is known worldwide, which is reflected by numerous
international awards. Moravian wines win over such winery giants as France or Germany.
Wine producers in the Czech Republic are very successful in wine cultivation, too.
Kutná Hora
Kutná Hora was a silver mining town in
medieval times: once the second Czech city
to Prague in terms of population. Today it is
home to about 21000 people.
Although Kutná Hora has some comparatively
drab modern architecture, it was enscribed
on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995
for the Historical Town Centre, including the
Church of St Barbara and the Cathedral of
Our Lady at Sedlec. At both ends of the town
there are some beautiful buildings, and the
higher points of the town are home to restored older architecture, with Medieval, Gothic,
Renaissance and Baroque buildings.
Another place you can visit in Kutna Hora is Kostnice
(Ossuary). This impressive bone church, is better
known as the Sedlec Ossuary. The beginning of its story
date back to 1278, when Henry, the abbot of Sedlec
was sent to the Holy Land. On returning, he brought
soil from Golgotha and sprinkled it on the ground here.
As a consequence, the burial ground was considered
holy and became extremely popular. In 1511 a chapel
was constructed to house the bones from abolished
graves. The chapel is open to the public, and contains
the bones of about 40000 people, arranged by František Rint in 1870. Rint's work includes
an enormous chandelier including every bone in the body, and a crucifix style arrangement
near the main altar. Admission is 60 Kč adults and 40 Kč students.