Archive: Travel | Castles Castles
Kozel Chateau
For today's Spotlight we have come to the countryside of west Bohemia to
visit Kozel Chateau. Kozel was originally a hunting lodge, and when it was
built in the late 18th century bore the German name Waldschloss or
Jadgschloss, meaning Forest or Hunting Chateau. Why is it now called Kozel
(Goat in Czech)? Apparently, the ancient Slavs used to sacrifice a goat on
this site at the spring equinox. Their aim: to win the favour of their
pagan gods and, hopefully, a good harvest. More
Welcome 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
The 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
Nepomuk 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
Romantic 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
Kozel 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
National 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
Blatná 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
Průhonice
In today's edition of Spotlight we visit the famous Průhonice Park - a
gorgeous destination for tourists that is not at all out of reach, a mere
fifteen minute bus ride from Prague. If you love long romantic walks, soft
landscapes full of leafy forests, quiet streams, and virgin meadows,
Průhonice is a must. More
Prague’s Golden Lane to reopen to visitors
It’s one of the most Romantic places in the Czech capital. With its
charming row of tiny houses built in the Mannerist style Prague’s Golden
Lane attracts visitors from near and far. Painters strive to capture its
old-world charm and tour-guides elaborate about the colourful personalities
that once inhabited them – alchemists who tried to turn stone into gold
or make youth elixirs, Franz Kafka who reportedly resided there for a time,
or fortune-teller and astrologer Magdalena Prusova also known as Madame de
Thebes who was killed by the Gestapo because she foretold the end of
Nazism. More
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