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Current AffairsLucan portrait of Leonardo da Vinci to be shown at Zbiroh Chateau
With its rich history and impressive neo-Renaissance architecture Zbiroh
Chateau is a big attraction in its own right. In the course of the next two
months it will moreover boast a rare exhibit – the Lucan portrait of
Leonardo da Vinci, an alleged self-portrait by Leonardo da Vinci, which has
never before been shown outside Italy. More
SpotlightWelcome to Landek Park – the largest museum of mining in the Czech Republic
Two weeks ago in Spotlight we travelled to the centre of Ostrava, the
capital of the Moravian-Silesian region, where a new industrial heritage
site is going to open next year. Today we will stay in the area to visit
Landek Park, the largest museum of mining in the Czech Republic. More
SpotlightThe Fort above the Black Forests - Kostelec nad Černými Lesy
This week’s spotlight focuses on one of the main centres of forestry in
the Czech Republic and an oft overlooked pearl of Bohemian cultural
heritage. Christian Falvey gives us his impressions of the town of Kostelec
nad Černými lesy. More
SpotlightNepomuk and environs - some facts and lots of fiction
If there were a capital city of legendry in the Czech Republic, the town of
Nepomuk would be a hot contestant for the honour. There are said to be
graves that glow when someone’s about to die, a landscape littered with
the petrified cattle of a greedy pagan and the ghost of an evil musketeer
who walks the earth with the still-ferocious spectre of his dog. The
official population of Nepomuk may be 3,700, but that’s only if you count
the living. More
SpotlightRomantic Kokořín
Anyone longing to escape the Czech capital in the stifling summer months
would do well to visit the nearby Kokořín region - only around 40
kilometres or so northeast of Prague. Kokořín - with deep forests,
valleys, as well as characteristic sandstone cliffs and unique
architecture, is remarkable. You'll feel you've travelled more than one
short train or bus ride away. It's an escape back to nature, with numerous
spots for swimming and excellent trails for hiking, all in quiet and peace. More
SpotlightKozel Chateau
One of the best kept secrets among Czech castles and historic sites is the
gorgeous Kozel Chateau founded in the late 18th century in western Bohemia.
Founded by nobleman Jan Vojtěch Černín, a member of Emperor Joseph
II’s court, the stone residence served an as exquisite hunting chateau
and today is one of the best examples of Classicist architecture in
Bohemia. The site is surrounded by fine lawns, a beautiful park and forests
perfect for visits in the spring and summer. What’s more, Kozel is only
an hour or so away from Prague and just minutes from nearby Pilsen. More
PanoramaNational Heritage Institute: many of the country’s gems still undiscovered by foreign tourists
The National Heritage Institute which is responsible for the protection and
preservation of the country’s historical monuments has over 100 palaces,
castles and manor houses in its care. Over the past 20 years it has worked
hard to restore many of those long-neglected buildings to their former
glory and today they represent the best part of the country’s national
heritage. Regrettably, many of those outside Prague remain undiscovered by
foreign tourists. Tomáš Brabec of the National Heritage Institute says
this is something that the institute is trying hard to change. More
SpotlightBlatná Castle
The summer months are here and with it tourists visiting many of the
country’s most notable castles and chateaux. But one site you might want
to consider visiting, somewhat off the beaten path, is Blatná Castle in
southern Bohemia, some 95 kilometres south of the capital. It’s not an
understatement to say Blatná Castle is something out of a fairly tale,
overlooking a surrounding moat and deer park. Blatná is the location we
visit in Spotlight today. More
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