13. The Czech Republic, travel experiences - P

Prague

the capital andlargest city of the Czech Republic historical city generally beautiful city with beautiful location (locatedalong the Vitava River) Prague Castle- the official seat of the p. of the CR TheCharles Bridge The Cathedral of Saints Vitus Prague orloj TheNational museum

Natural monuments

national parks – mountain treks – rock formations – a cave – a protected area – a reservation is worth seeing – is a must – belongs to the top 10 sights/natural wonders

Recommendations for tourists

level of services – majority of Czechs – level of English – a warning – a good tip transport – accommodation – food – specialities – typical features should visit – shouldn´t miss – shouldn´t take the risk – make sure that – it´s better (not) to in the whole world – one of the best/nicest/most important… - be of Czech origin

We can name/mention Jaromír Jágr, a hockey player, Václav Havel, a dramatist and our former president, Miloš Forman, an Oscar film director, and last but not least professor Wichterle who invented contact lenses. Generally, we can be proud of great sportsmen, artists and clever brains. Some of which invented also the infamous semtex and brought a new meaning to the word “tunnel” – a metaphor for a way of stealing money from banks and companies.

Relief

the Giant Mountains – the highest mountain is Snow Mountain (1 603); partly Czech, partly Polish • the Eagle Mountains, the Ore Mountains, the Bohemian Forest, the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, the Jeseník Mountains, the Moravian-Silesian Besides, Šumava • the longest rivers are the rivers Vltava, Elbe, Morava

Parts of the country – regions

Bohemia (Prague), Moravia (Brno), Silesia (Opava, Ostrava)

places of interest

Prague – Prague Castle, St.Vitus Cathedral, Old Town square with the astronomical clock, Wenceslas Square, Charles Bridge, Charles university, etc. centre of politics, finance, trade, art and culture, Prague Spring Music Festival, a tourist centre – one of the most beautiful historical cities in the world.

Master John Hus preached not far from here in Bethlehem Chapel. If you want to see the Old-New Synagogue you have to visit another district of Prague, this one is called The Jewish Town. The most famous bridge in Prague is called Charles Bridge built in the 14th century. It´s about 500 meter long. St. Nicolas Church, built in Baroque style is found in other district of Prague called The Lesser Town. The heart of the New Town is the horologe. If you want to see a very interesting mirror maze you must go to Mirror maize on the hill called Petrin. Petrin is a copy of the Eiffel tower. The most famous theatre in Prague is The National Theatre, and the most famous museum is The National museum. The Vyšehrad was once the seat of Czech princes. Prague is the seat of one of the oldest universities -The Charles university- still in use, initiated by Charles IV in the 14th century. On the outskirts of Prague you can find The Prague Zoo in Troja and the Zbraslav Monastery. New architecture is The Dancing House.