Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
6
The Czech Republic
by Hana Mastrini
H ere, the last 1,000 years of triumphs in art
and architecture have collided, often violently,
with power politics and religious conflicts.
1 Getting to Know the Czech Republic
THE LAY OF THE LAND
The Czech Republic borders Germany to the north and west and Austria to the south.
Slovakia to the east (which only joined with the Czechs 1918) split with its Slavic neigh-
bor in 1993 to form the independent Czech and Slovak republics in the “Velvet Divorce.”
About 10.3 million people inhabit the Czech lands of Bohemia and Moravia, with
about 1.2 million living in the districts comprising Prague's metropolitan area.
THE REGIONS IN BRIEF
Of the two regions which make up the Czech Republic, the most well known is
Bohemia. This land gave Europe its favorite moniker for a free spirit: “Bohemian.”
Despite being beaten into submission by successive Austrian, German, and Soviet
hegemony, that spirit has lived on. In the 14th century, Prague was the seat of the
Holy Roman Empire. So Bohemians maintain their collective historical memory that
they too, at least briefly, ruled the world. Even under the domination of the Austri-
ans, Bohemia's industrial base was world-class, and in the peace between the big wars,
independent Bohemia, especially Prague, created some of the greatest wealth on earth.
While Bohemia is the traditional home of a beer-favoring populace and the seat of
Czech industrial muscle, in Moravia, to the south and east, winemaking is taken as
seriously as it is in most other European grape-growing regions. Many wine bars
throughout Moravia serve the village's best straight from the cask, usually alongside
traditional smoked meats.
SUGGESTED CZECH ITINERARIES
THE BEST OF PRAGUE IN 1 DAY
In order to digest enough of Prague's wonders, do what visiting kings and potentates
do on a 1-day visit: Walk the Royal Route (or at least part of it). From the top of the
castle hill in Hrad c any, tour Prague Castle in the morning. After lunch begin your
slow descent through the odd hill-bound architecture of Lesser Town (Malá Strana).
Then stroll across Charles Bridge, on the way to the winding alleys of Old Town
(Staré M ê sto). You can happily get lost finding Old Town Square (Starom ê stské nám.),
stopping at private galleries and cafes along the way. From Old Town Square take
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