Czech Republic Attractions For Holidays and VacationsTravel

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When people travel to Czech Republic attractions they are a little unsure as to the history of this proud nation.

It emerged from Czechoslovakia state, which was created in 1918 from territory that had previously been part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

It was a functioning parliamentary democracy until the Munich crisis of 1938.

Then it was over run by Hitler and the Germans and then after the second world war was part ot the USSR.

In the early 1980’s, a push for democracy culminated in the so-called Velvet Revolution.

In June 1990 Václav Havel in the first free election after more than 40 years, was voted in as president.

Then on 1st January 1993, the Czechoslovak Federal Republic was divided, by mutual agreement, into two independent separate states, the Czech and Slovak Republics.

The Czech Republic became a NATO member in 1999 and joined the European Union in 2004.

Now it is a modern democratic country with a rich cultural and historical heritage popular with tourists.

Covering a total area of almost 79000 square kilometres it is roughly the size of Austria or Ireland.

The Republic is made up of three major areas, which are Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia.

These areas hold 14 regions.

One of those regions is the capital city of Cz Prague, which is set in the largest region of Central Bohemia that surrounds Prague from all sides.

The capital’s historical center is more than ten centuries old but continues to be a living and vital place full of theatres, galleries, museums, concert halls, cafes, shops and restaurants.

The city of a hundred spires meanders along the banks of the river Vltava and up the surrounding seven hills.

The many architectural styles such as Romanesque rotundas, Gothic towers, and Renaissance burghers’ houses are a pleasure for it’s many visitors.

A Visit to the old town square Pragueis a delight.

Other major cities are Plzen, Brno, Liberec and Ostrava.

The UNESCO listed Cesky Krumlov is a major visitor attraction. Set by the river Vltava it shows a unique 16th century town along with an extensive castle and chateau complex.

The highest mountain range in the Czech Republic is the Krkonose, this range creates a natural border with neighbouring Poland.

This area is popular for winter sports.

Here you can also find the Kralický Snìžník mountain which is 1,423 meters high and the water run off runs into three different seas according to which slope receives rain.

The North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea all receive supply from this mountain.

The highest mountain is called Snezka (derived from the Czech word for snow), which is 1,602 m high.

Some unique traditions that can be seen in the on your Czech Republic holidays are The Ride of the Kings, The Burning of the Witches and others.

The annual Ride of the Kings remains in its original form in the Moravian Slovak village of Vlcnov. Village boys ride on horses and call out old poetry verses in celebration King George of Podebrady. The king is played by a boy dressed in an ancient female folk costume and is guarded by two aide-de-camps with unsheathed swords.

The Burning of the Witches is a middle age tradition that takes place in Bohemia on the night of April 30th. At midnight before the feast of St. Phillip and Saint James on May 1youths set fire to brooms and throw them as high into the sky as they can. The idea is that they could see how witches flew on their broomsticks. They protect themselves against the actions of the wicked witches by having the flower of a fern on their person.

Also on May the first a girl should be kissed under a cherry blossom so that she will always be beautiful.

In the autumn, in celebration of the harvest, a cake – or a “zvac” are baked. These are round in shape and are about 20-25 centimetres in size. They are colourfully decorated and full of poppy seeds, plum jam, cottage cheese, raisins and other ingredients. Delicious!

On November 1 and 2 since 998 A.D special bread called “dusicky” was baked for the poor.

On December 4 there is the cutting of cherry sprigs or Barborky.

According to popular tradition, a sprig was cut at first light December 4 from a cherry tree that was at least 10 years old, and taken to a house where an unmarried girl lived. If the sprig bloomed on Christmas Eve, it meant that the girl would find a husband in the coming year. If the sprig bloomed earlier, the date of the wedding was brought forward by one month for every day in which it bloomed ahead of time. Today, Barborky are cut primarily as Christmas decorations for the home.

Czech Republic travel at any time of year for a great visit.

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