Czech Republic
Area - 78 864 km²
Population - 10 230 060
Official language - Czech
Political system - parliamentary republic
Capital city - Prague
Currency - 1 Czech crown - CZK
Administrative division - 14 regions
Religion - Roman-Catholic faith prevails
High percentage of population is without denomination
The Czech Republic is an inland country located in the middle of the temperate climate of the northern hemisphere in the central part of Europe. The state borders are formed by the neighbourship with Poland, Germany, Austria and Slovakia. It lies on the boundary between two systems, particularly the Bohemian massif and the Western Carpathian Mountains. Due to its location in the heart of Europe, Bohemia has been confronted with different cultural influences and architectural styles in the course of centuries. Since our country suffered only a little during the last world war as well as during the Modernism sanitation, rich cultural heritage has been preserved.
In the Czech Republic there are 12 world heritage sites recognized by the international organization UNESCO:
Prague - historical center
Český Krumlov - historical center
Telč - historical center
Žďár nad Sázavou - pilgrim church of St. John Nepomuk on Zelená Hora
Kutná Hora - historical center
Lednice - Lednicko-Valtický campus
Holašovice - village landmark reservation
Kroměříž - gardens and chateau
Litomyšl - chateau and chateau premises
Olomouc - Trinity Column
Brno - Villa Tugendhat
Třebíč - Jewish quarter and St. Prokop basilica
NATURAL RESOURCES
Nature wealth in the Czech Republic is protected in many protected landscape areas and nature reserves. On the territory of the Czech Republic there are four national parks (the Giant Mountains, the Šumava Mountains, Podyjí and Bohemian Switzerland) with the most strict protection policy.
On the territory of the Czech Republic there are numerous cold and warm mineral springs which are used for treatment and convalescence procedures in spa regions and many springs are produced as drinking mineral and table waters.
INDUSTRY
The Czech Republic has industry with a long tradition. The composition of industrial production has been developing towards the structure typical of small developed market economies. Recently, the share of food industry has increased, whereas the share of machine industry, still the most significant industrial branch of the Czech Republic, has decreased.
The most developed branches of consumer industry are textile, clothing, shoe, porcelain, ceramics and bijouterie industries.
AGRICULTURE
Production of flour, sugar, meat and beer are the most significant branches of food processing industry. In the Czech Republic there is a long tradition of freshwater fishery and, consequently, developed pond management. Hops is an important export growth.
CZECH AND MORAVIAN SPAS
There are 38 spa towns and spa resorts on the territory of the Czech Republic that are wide–spread in almost all Czech and Moravian regions. These spa places can be found in picturesque countryside and are attractive for visitors by their specificarchitecture and urbanistic conception.
The balneology as a complex of high-quality spa medicine, and together with prevention and relaxation, composes the complete service provided by the Czech Republic to all inhabitants of European Community.
During the transformation of the Czech economy, the Czech and Moravian spas have managed to defend their importance and market position. Many destroyed and old-fashioned facilities passed massive recontructions and modernization of their medicine, accommodation and F&B utilities.
At present the individual spas work out their development programmes that focus especially on improvement of the infrastructure of spa environment, support of science and research, corporate marketing activities and HR development. Our balneology is ready to solve these problems with the European institutions on professional basis.
In particular regions with lower economical potential, the spa industry is the driving engine of their further economical development and increasing of the employment rate. In long term the balneology is a efficaciousenvironmentforthe regeneration of manpower and increasing the life quality of aging European population. Along with the progressing retirement age the balneology brings savings on social and health costs which are an important discussion topic for the 21st century.
The Czech and Moravian spas form a good sign of the united Europe – high quality medicine, comfortable accommodation, language-skilled personnel and attractive leisure capacities – golf and tennis courts, theatres, concerts and last but not least the friendly prices.
MAP OF THE CZECH AND MORAVIAN SPA TOWNS
FRANTIŠKOVY LÁZNĚ
Františkovy Lázně is part of the so-called Spa triangle together with Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně. It was founded at the instigation of Cheb municipal doctor Dr. Bernhard Adler in the 18th century.
Already in the Middle Ages, the most famous spring was today´s František´s spring The oldest preserved record of the kyselka (acidulous water) dates back to 1406. We can find 21 mineral springs, the moor of Františkovy Lázně and carbon dioxide there. All these things are applied in carbonic procedures, carbonic baths, gas injections or moor procedures, such as baths, compressions and others.
The most often treated diseases are heart and blood circulation diseases, locomotor apparatus and gynecological diseases, including infertility.
MARIÁNSKÉ LÁZNĚ
The most recent one of the famous triangle of West Bohemian spa towns is spread out on the hills of the Slavkovský Forest. About 100 mineral springs containing carbon dioxide and mineral salts spring out there and in its surroundings. 53 of them are used. A great advantage for spa medical specialists is the fact that they can choose among many drinking cures and various baths when treating the diseases of kidneys and urinary tract, respiratory system and locomotor apparatus, metabolic disorders, diseases of digestive tract, nervous system or gynecological diseases.
In Mariánské Lázně we can see many architectural styles, the most important of which is Neo-Classicism. A great number of hotels, boarding houses, spa and social facilities was built in this style. The most treasured jewel of the town is the cast iron colonnade from 1889.
BEČOV NAD TEPLOU
The historical center of Bečov is highlighted by a one of the best preserved Czech late Gothic castles. The high rock cliff complex is dominated by two tower constructions – a smaller one with a castle chapel of Virgin Mary´s Visitation with unique mural paintings from 1400 and a digger residential tower (donjon) built around 1500.Later there was a new Renaissance palace, called Sluhovský and preserved in the Classicist modification, added. During the Thirty-Year War, the castle was conquered and looted by the Swedish troops.
The dominant of the chateau that was built during the Thirty-Year War is an octagonal corner tower with a library and a chateau chapel. In the safe room of the Lower chateau there is one of the most precious treasures of the Czech Republic territory on display, particularly St. Maurus's reliquary. It was made in the first quarter of the 13th century in Belgium to preserve the relics of St. Maurus. It is richly decorated with gilded silver, complemented with enamel, jewel stones and antique gems.
THE CHATEAU KYNŽVART
The chateau Kynžvart was founded as a Renaissance fort in the 16th century. In the 17th century under Count Philips Emmerich?s rule the fort was rebuilt into a chateau-type of residence in the Baroque style. The chateau was later reconstructed by architect of Italian origin in the style of Viennese Classicism. The chateau is surrounded by an English nature park of the area of 300 hectares. In the park there are 10 ponds and numerous smaller style buildings and landmarks.
LOKET
The early years of the stone castle used to be associated with the reign of Přemysl Otakar I. From the original Romanesque buildings there has been an exceptionally valuable rotunda preserved. There are also foundations of the northern palace. The contemporary castle is given, roughly speaking, by a far-reaching reconstruction during the reign of Václav IV (Wenceslas IV) from which the so-called margrave house comes. In 1992 the castle was returned to the ownership of the town.
Do you want to get back in time and take part in a contemporary festive banquet? We offer you a medieval banquet where beyond a feasting table you will be given a possibility to partake in a knights´ riding. You will see jugglers´ and dancing performances. Ladies of the court will invite you for a dance and they will teach you to dance contemporary dances. The evening highlight will be the fire-works.
