The Czech Republic is a small country (less than 79 thousand sq. kms) with an incredible amount of attractions tucked within its borders. Romanesque monuments, Gothic churches and 1,000-year-old breweries beckon visitors to walk through ancient streetscapes and discover history come alive.
Since the beginning of time, Czech lands have stood at the crossroads of Europe, both geographically and culturally, which makes Czech history a fascinating read. Though human presence in this area has been traced back to the Stone Age, travelers are most fascinated with the reign of the Czech monarch Charles IV, King of Bohemia and named Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 1355. Under Charles’ rule, Prague grew into one of the largest and most important cities and famous landmarks such as the Charles Bridge, St. Vitus Cathedral and Karstejn Castle were started.
But it would be wrong to position the Czech Republic as simply a historical destination. This pocket of Europe is also widely recognized as a spa superpower around the world. Travelers have rested their weary bones and soaked in the healing mineral springs of the Czech Republic since the 14th Century. Today no less than 35 spa towns exploit the country’s unique thermal water and peat for medical purposes.
The Czech Republic was born on January 1st, 1993, when the Czechoslovak Federal Republic split into two states, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In May, 2004 the Czech Republic became a member of the European Union, though it still uses the Czech Crown as its currency. |
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