From Majestic Castles to Picturesque Towns: The Allure of the Czech Republic
From Majestic Castles to Picturesque Towns: The Allure of the Czech Republic
My first blog post was about the dark history of my homeland. Remember how I mentioned there's more to the Czech Republic than just chills? Now, let's shift gears and explore some incredible (and dare I say, delightful) destinations that deserve your attention. One thing all these places have in common is the fact that they aren’t in Prague. These places are purely chosen by me based on my opinions and preferences as a lifelong Czech citizen.
The State Chateau of Hluboká
This fairytale looking chateau is one of the most beautiful buildings in the Czech Republic. Its foundations were laid in the 13th century, with significant renovations in the 19th century, resulting in a unique architectural blend that reflects centuries of evolution. Accessible by car, bike, or even on foot, daily guided tours offer a chance for everyone to delve into the chateau's rich past. If you don’t want to go inside you can walk through its colourful gardens that are well taken care of. Fun fact: This chateau has served as a filming location for some Czech fairytales, adding to its enchanting atmosphere.
State Castle Bezděz
Unlike many others that underwent reconstruction, this castle has remained remarkably faithful to its original design earning the prestigious title of "King of Castles". It was never rebuilt into a romantic castle, but that also means that it was struck by time and now it’s a ruin. Unlike The State Chateau of Hluboká this ruin wasn’t used as a filming location. Or at least not that much, but that does not make it less worth visiting. Even though it’s a ruin now it still kept most of its actual appearance and tourists are still able to imagine how it used to look many years ago.
Czech Krumlov
A town located south of the Czech Republic, its historic part is a UNESCO heritage site. This information alone is enough to know how beautiful this place must be, but even if it wasn’t a UNESCO heritage site it would be worth visiting the same amount. This charming town offers a delightful double feature. Wander its picturesque streets, soaking up the local atmosphere, or head to the castle for breathtaking panoramic views of the town and all the nature surrounding this town. Not only that, explore a world of flavours in its many restaurants, or delve into history at its fascinating museums. This town was enrolled on UNESCO heritage site, because throughout the years it still has its original and historic appearance.
Sky Bridge 721
A suspended bridge 95 metres above a deep mountain valley. This bridge is known to be the longest suspended bridge in all of Europe with 721 metres in length. It’s located in a part of The Czech Republic called Dolní Morava. The breathtaking panoramas stole my heart! This place, with its unforgettable vistas, promised an experience I knew I couldn't miss. And you shouldn’t miss it too. You can add to your trip a Sky Walk; the ticket can be bought as a package with the ones to the Sky Bridge 721. This breathtaking spot is a must-visit for everyone, except those with a fear of heights! There are cable cars available that will take you at the top of the mountain and return you back down too.
Grandma’s Valley
Grandma’s Valley is a nature trail that was given the name because of one of Czech's female writers named Božena Němcová, who set her most famous novel “The Grandmother” here. All the places that are located in Grandma’s Valley are connected to this novel. Like Staré Bělidlo, The Mill or Viktorka’s Weir. This beautiful nature trail offers a unique opportunity to learn about the novel's story while surrounded by the breathtaking scenery that brought it to life. Don’t forget to visit the Ratibořice Chateau and Božena Němcová museum.
I hope you will at least think about visiting these places, because I definitely enjoyed visiting every one of them. Prague is certainly a breathtaking city, but don’t just stay there and miss out on the other places that the Czech Republic offers. These places are packages full of history, culture and scenery and you really won’t regret it.
