CZECH REPUBLIC

Capital: Prague
Form of Government: Republic
Religion: 34,5% No religion, 12,6% Christianity
Area: 78,866 km2
Phone number: +420
Languages: Czech
Time difference: -1
Population: 10,436,560 (2021)
Currency: Czech koruna (CZK)

The main airport in the Czech Republic is Václav Havel Airport located 10 km near Prague. Finnair and Norwegian fly directly from Helsinki to Prague.

The train reaches Prague from several European countries: Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary.

Embassy of Finland, Prague Address: Hellichova 1, 118 00 Prague 1 – Tel: + 420-251 177 251 Email: sanomat.pra@formin.fi – Website: www.finland.cz

- Travel bulletin from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Generally safe tourist country. Comprehensive travel insurance required. Beware of pickpockets and bag thieves, especially on certain tram lines. Read more

Church of Our Lady before Týn in Old Town Square of Prague in the morning. Czech Republic

Prague (Capital)

Prague is one the most idyllic towns in central Europe. It lies in the northwestern part of the country, next to the Vltava river. The city has about 1.2 million residents.

The city is full of sights one should see. The Jewish ghetto in Josefov, the pubs of the Old Town, the Franz Kafka museum, Charles Bridge, the Prague Castle, the Spanish synagogue in the Jewish quarter and the Kampa island with its art museum are some of the marvelous sights one can witness.

Church of our lady before tyn on Old Town Square Prague Czech republic with red roof sunset sky.

Staromestske Namesti

Address: Staroměstské nám., 110 00 Josefov, Czechia

The most significant square of historical Prague, it was founded in the 12th century and has been witness to many historical events. In addition to the Old Town Hall and the Church of Our Lady before Týn, the square is dominated by the Baroque Church of St Nicholas, the Rococo Kinský Palace, the Gothic House at the Stone Bell and the monument to Jan Hus. In the pavement of the square are memorial stones marking the execution of 27 Czech lords in 1621, and the Prague meridian.

Charles Bridge

Address: Karlův most, 110 00 Praha 1, Czechia

The Charles Bridge, which is 621 m long, is claimed to be one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in the world. Moreover, it is famous for the 30 Baroque statues, depicting saints, that are situated on the balustrade. The bridge connects Prague Castle with the Old Town and is considered to be one of the most romantic places in the city, visited by thousands of tourists every day.

Dancing House

Address: Jiráskovo nám. 1981/6, 120 00 Nové Město, Czechia

The story of the Dancing house reaches back to the end of World War II, when the previous building standing on the site was destroyed during the bombing of Prague by the Allies. During the Communist era (1948 – 1989), nothing was built there, and it was only after the “Velvet revolution” when Václav Havel came with a vision. The world renowned Czech dissident, writer, philosopher, and later the last president of Czechoslovakia and first president of the Czech Republic (after the Czech Republic and the Slovakian Republic split in 1993) wished the site to be used for building up a new centre of cultural and social life. It would symbolise the arrival of democracy to Bohemia after 1989, an exciting era full of hope.

St. Vitus Cathedral

Address: III. nádvoří 48/2, 119 01 Prague 1-Hradčany, Czechia

The Cathedral of St. Vitus (Katedrála svatého Víta) isn’t far from the Prague Castle. The cathedral is the largest and most significant religious building in the Czech Republic and applies Gothic style in its design. The construction of the first church was started by the assignment of the Bohemian King St. Wenceslaus I in925. It was enlarged to a three nave Basilica in the 1060s. The construction of the modern cathedral started during the reign of Charles IV in 1344. It was designed by Matthias of Arras and Peter Parler. The work finally ended after almost six hundred years in 1929, when the glass paintings made by Alfons Mucha were completed. There are several graves of kings and clerics from several centuries in the church and in the crypt under it.

Český Krumlov Castle

Address: Zámek 59, 381 01 Český Krumlov, Czechia

The Czech Republic is castle land, you should know this already, so it is somewhat remarkable that the country’s second largest castle should be found in a town as small as Český Krumlov. First mentioned way back in 1253 as the seat of the Vítek family, the familiar Baroque and Renaissance exterior didn’t come into being until the glory days of the Rosenbergs and (magnificently named) Eggenbergs. Somehow, someway, maybe by divine intervention or sheer luck, the interior is largely intact today, making this one of the great castle visits of Europe.

Karlstein, Czech Republic - May 26, 2016: Karlstein Castle is a large Gothic castle founded in 1348 by King Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia.

Karlštejn Castle

Address: 267 18 Karlštejn, Czechia

This enormous Gothic castle was built in 1348 and it served as a home for the Imperial Regalia as well as the Bohemian/Czech crown jewels. It is one of the most beautiful historical sights in Bohemia. Nowadays it is a popular wedding place and part of the Castle Road. Guided tours are available.

Classic view of the historic city of Graz with main square and famous Grazer clock tower in the background sitting on top of Schlossberg hill, Styria, Austria

Prague Zoo

Address: U Trojského zámku 120/3, 171 00 Praha 7, Czechia

Prague Zoological Garden is situated near the center of the Czech capital, in a unique rugged landscape on the bank of the Vltava River. It opened in 1931 and during its existence of more than 80 years it has risen to become one of the most prestigious zoos in the world. Today, it is the second most visited tourist destination in the Czech Republic, just after Prague Castle. 5,049 animals and 676 species live in Prague Zoo. You can explore 13 pavilions and 150 exhibits over 58 hectares. The kids will love the Bororo Reserve, chairlift, mini-train, observation tower, paddling pool and Children’s Zoo.

Špilberk Castle

Address: Špilberk 210/1, 662 24 Brno, Czechia

Brno’s spooky hilltop castle is considered the city’s most important landmark. Its history stretches back to the 13th century, when it was home to Moravian margraves and later a fortress. Under the Habsburgs in the 18th and 19th centuries, it served as a prison. Today it’s home to the Brno City Museum, with several temporary and permanent exhibitions.

Prague, Czech Republic - Sept 04, 2019: Arranged Human Skulls and Bones in Kostnice Church in Kutna Hora, Czech Republic.
Ossuary decoration of human bones and skulls

Sedlec Ossuary (UNESCO1995)

Address: Zámecká, 284 03 Kutná Hora, Czechia

This Catholic ossuary is one of the twelve World Heritage Sites in Czech Republic. It is estimated to contain the remains of between 40,000 – 70,000 people. Human bones have been arranged to form decorations and furnishings for the chapel.

Allegedly containing a small amount of earth from Golgata on its lot, the chapel became a popular burial place between 10th and 13th centuries. During the Black Death in the 14th century and after the religious Hussite Wars in the 15th century, many thousands were buried in the abbey cemetery, so it had to be enlarged. Around the 1400, the church was built on the site in order of being an ossuary for human remains buried in the cemetery lack of space. The main sight of an ossuary is an enormous chandelier made of bones, which contains at least one of every bone in the human body, hanging from the center of the nave with garlands of skulls draping the vault. Also the Schwarzenberg coat-of-arms made of bones is a remarkable must-see. This peculiar place is for a soul, who loves the extraordinary.

More information about Czech Republic

Prague Mala Strana canal and houses. Prague, Czech Republic

Malá Strana

Located on the west bank of the Vltava river, this historic Baroque district is a splendid sight for strolls or for sipping coffee in cozy cafés. Notable sights include the Wallenstein Palace, the Petřín lookout tower and the Charles Bridge.

Punkevni cave in Moravian Kras, Czech Republic

Moravian Karst

This karst landscape is one of the most important of its kind in Central Europe. It is approx. 92 km² wide and there are more than 1100 caverns and gorges in the area. It is a protected nature reserve and only 4 of the caves are open to the public. There are the Punkvevní jeskyně (Punkva Caves), with an underground river where cruises are being held for visitors and where they can see the bottom of the famous Macocha Abyss. Another cave is theKateřinská jeskyně, with its unique limestone columns. The Balcarka Cave is full of colorful stalactites. The caves are a great attraction for those interested in nature and all that is in it.

Františkovy Lázně

This idyllic town in Western Bohemia is well-known for its spa complex, which is one of the most famous in the world. The establishment has 20 cold mineral springs, natural mud treatments, outdoor pools and saunas to welcome stressed visitors. Františkovy Lázně is one part of the famous Bohemian spa triangle, the other two being Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně.