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SpotlightPernstejn Castle: still standing despite a disastrous fire
Pernstejn Castle is some 35km north-west of the south Moravian city of
Brno. Standing on a rocky hill above the villages of Pernstejn and
Nedvedice, it overlooks the highlands of Bohemia and Moravia. It was built
in the second half of the 13th century and is one of the best-preserved
castles in the country today, attracting some 75,000 visitors a year.
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One on OneMartin Krise - Prague architect on planning, development and preservation
A former town planner, Martin Krise is now an architect and a leading
member of the preservationists group, the Club for Ancient Prague. When we
met recently the conversation ranged from the Club's activities to planning
and development in the Czech Republic over the last 15 years.
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SpotlightOlomouc - a treasure trove of historical architecture
With its sloping cobbled streets, beautiful baroque churches and an
abundance of historical architecture, Olomouc is easily one of the most
appealing cities in the Czech Republic outside of Prague. Typically, this
bustling university town in North Moravia owes much of its architectural
splendour to its long and somewhat chequered past. Some claim that this
ancient city dates back as far as Roman times, when it was reputed to have
been founded by Julius Caesar himself. More
Current AffairsPrague conservationists launch new web pages
In terms of its architecture Prague has long ranked as one of the most
beautiful capitals in the world, but fifteen years ago it was also a site
of devastation: a city full of crumbling facades and long-neglected,
run-down buildings. Today it is unrecognisable. Every year since 1989 the
city has seen millions of crowns of private investment pour into the
restoration of the fabric of the old city, under the cautious supervision
of conservation officers. Now the work of Prague's conservation office, as
well as some of its successes, and some of the city's conservation
disasters can even be viewed on a new internet site.
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Letter from PraguePrague's dilapidated cultural heritage
In the fourteen years since the fall of communism Prague has undoubtedly
undergone remarkable transformation in the city's infrastructure. Its
beautifully restored architecture and rich cultural heritage attracts
millions each year and every time I meet a group of tourists I'm always
sure to tell them about my golden rule - when you walk along the city's
sidewalks don't forget to look up!
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ArtsLooking back: The floods and their impact on the Czech cultural heritage
What you're hearing is the sound of water from the Vltava River, as it
flooded through the rooms of the old castle in Roztoky near Prague exactly
two years ago. Roztoky was one of many Bohemian towns with a precious
architectural heritage that suffered in the floods. More
Current AffairsTwice under enemy fire, Czech Radio building named a cultural landmark
It's official: one year shy of six decades since the Czech national radio
headquarters in Prague came under fire from occupying Nazi forces, - and
three and a half decades since the Soviets trained their guns on
Ceskoslovensky Rozhlas - the rather uninspiring, functionalist-style
building on Vinohradska Street has been named a cultural landmark.
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Current AffairsCzech commission to UNESCO urges city planners to respect character of historic centre
Just a few days ago the Czech commission to UNESCO chaired by Senator
Jaroslava Moserova issued an appeal to the Culture Ministry and Prague's
Town Hall to do their utmost to preserve the character of Prague's
historic city centre. The appeal came on the heels of several experts'
assessments that if certain controversial projects were realised, it might
lead to Prague's being struck off UNESCO's list of world heritage sites.
The Czech capital has been included on the list since 1992 - is there any
real weight to the threat it might be struck off in the future?
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Current AffairsLost angel found in waters beneath Charles Bridge
Czech scuba divers pulled what Czechs would call a "husarsky
kousek" or neat trick -last week when - during reconstruction - they
discovered an object beneath Prague's historic Charles Bridge that no one
expected to find: the torso of a lost angel, part of a Baroque statue
which collapsed into the Vltava River more than 200 years ago, when the
bridge was damaged by floods. The angel belonged to a grouping of statues,
including Saint Wenceslas, which was removed to a depository, where it
remains to this day.
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