The Czech Republic is a small country in Central Europe with 10 million people living in three main regions. The capital and largest city is Prague, known as the "heart of Europe". Some key landmarks in Prague include Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square with its astronomical clock, and Petřín Hill observatory tower. The city also has many historical buildings and monuments. Outside Prague, the document describes several castles, spa towns like Karlovy Vary, and cities such as Olomouc, along with surrounding villages and natural areas in the Jeseníky Mountains.

1. THE CZECH REPUBLIC
The Czech Republic is a small country in the Central Europe. 10 million people live
here. There are three regions – Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. The capital and largest
city is Prague. Sometime it’s called “the heart of Europe”. The Czech Republic is a
member of NATO since 1999 and of the European Union since 2004.
Prague
The name Prague comes from and old Slavic
root. Prague is the capital city of the Czech
Republic. Prague has got more than one
million inhabitants. Prague is the residence of
archbishop. Prague has got many historical
monuments.
Charles bridge is very famous historical bridge. It crosses the Vltava river in Prague.
In Prague we can also find a famous view-tower. It is called Petřín. Petřín is a hill
in the center of Prague. Prague has got an Old Town and a New Town. In the center
of the Old Town there is an Old Town Square. We can find there a town hall. There
is also the Prague astronomical clock.
(Alena L. and David K. 8.A)
Prague castle
It is a castle in Prague where the Czech kings, Holy Roman
Emperors and presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech
Republic had their offices.
Prague castle is very big. The Prague castle is the seat of the
president.
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2. There are crown jewels. Prague castle is under UNESCO. In front of the Prague
castle we can see a castle guard. It is very popular place for tourists. There is a castle
library. When there is a flag, president is at home. When there isn’t a flag, president
isn’t at home. The Prague castle has got Basilica of St. Vitus, Vladislav hall and
Spanish hall. Most of the castle areas are open to tourists. The Prague Castle includes
a monastery and several palaces, gardens and defense towers.
(Rosťa B. and Tomáš K. 8.B)
St. Vit us’s Cathedral
St.Vitus’s Cathedral is the dominant building in the Prague
Castle. In 1344 Charles IV opened building of gothic
cathedral. The main architect of the cathedral was Matthias
of Arras and later Petr Parler. The cathedral wasn't ended for
a long time. In year 1929 was the cathedral opened with a glory. It is a very popular
place to visit for tourists. People can also visit a crypt of Czech kings there and we
can find there a Tower Daliborka. The crown jewels are in Cathedral St.Vitus. Royal
apple is made of eight carat gold. The apple has got 6 spinels and 31 pearls.
(Klára Š. And Zuzka O. 8.B)
Wenceslas square
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3. It is a very popular square. It is a traditional place for demonstrations, celebrations,
and other public gatherings. There are many
shops, discos and clubs. In the picture we
can see The national museum. The square is
named after Saint Wenceslas, the patron
saint of Bohemia. Saint Wencelsas was
murdered by his brother Boleslav.
(Michal D. and Honza Š. 8.A)
Old Town Square
It is the square in Prague. It is in the center of
Old Town. There is a town-hall with
Astronomical clock. It is a historical Town-hall.
There are cathedral, St. Nicolas Church and Týn
Cathedral.
(Marie V. 8. B and Monika R. 8. A)
Astronomical clock
Astronomical clock is from the 15th century. Nikolas of Kadeň
started them and in the late 15thcentury John Táborský of Klots
Mountain finished them. Myth says that Nikolas of Kadeň
became blind and couldn’t finish the Astronomical clock. But this
myth isn’t true.
(Marie V. 8.B and Monika R. 8.A)
Charles Bridge
It is a very old bridge in Prague. It is over the Vltava
river in Prague. It is the second oldest bridge. The
construction of that bridge started in year 1402. The
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4. bridge was built during the reign of Charles IV. The bridge has got thirty sculptures.
From the beginning its name was “Stone bridge” or “Prague bridge”. Name “Charles
bridge” was used in year 1840. Charles
bridge is a very nice bridge. It is a very old
landmark for our republic. The bridge is 516
meters long and nearly 10 meters wide. It is
a very busy place with painters, musicians
and kiosks.
(Tomáš V. and Michal D. 8.A)
Petřín
Petřín observatory tower is 60 metres
high. The tower has two observation
platforms. In the tower is a lift. Petřín
tower has 299 steps. It is situated at an
altitude of 324 m above sea. It was
closed in September 1979, because of a
bad technical state of the construction. It was opened in May 1991. In this
place we can also find a beautiful garden with many flowers and a mirror
maze.
(Michala Š. 8.B and Jana H. 8.A)
The National Theatre
We can find the National Theatre
near the Wenceslas square. It has
got a blue and gold roof. It is a very
big and old building. Nowdays it
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5. has got an opera, ballet and drama scenes. There play many famous Czech
actors.
(Lukáš M. 8.B)
Castles and chateaus
Karlštejn Castle
This royal castle holds a special position among
other Czech castles thanks to its history,
monumentality and architecture. This grand
castle was founded in 1348 by the Czech and
Roman king Charles IV not only as a place of
rest but also as the location for storing the
crown jewels and state documents. In 1365, the construction was finished by the
consecration of the chapel of the Holy Cross in which holy relics and royal insignia
were stored. This chapel, the walls of which are richly inlaid with semi-precious
stones and gold, is also famous for its unique gallery of panel paintings of Master
Theodoric also from the time of Charles IV. In 1587-1596, renaissance adaptations
were carried out by the master builder Ulrico Aoatali. The well tower, chapel of the
Holy Cross, portrait gallery of Czech kings and a replica of the Saint Wencesles
crown can be seen here.
(Lenka D. 6.A)
Hluboká nad Vltavou
Hluboká nad Vltavou is one of the most famous chateau. It is
considered the most beautiful place in Bohemia. There was a royal
castle before chateau. The castle was built in the first half of the
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6. 13th century. A guard tower was preserved until the present. There is a pond
Bezdrev. At the end 16th century, the castle was rebuilt Baltazar Maggi a
renaissance chateau.
(Kristýna S. 7.A)
The Kost Castle
Kost is one of the few remaining medieval castles in the
Czech Republic and it is considered the second most
important. A popular legend says that the castle was
named the Kost (Eng. Bone) because it was not
captured more than once, as it was as hard as bone.
An origin of the castle dates back to the 13th century. A
building was probably started Beneš of Vartenberg who
built a long hall and tower as a defensive fortress.
(Laďka R. and Lenka S. 7.A)
The Lednice chateau
The first written report of the Lednice chateau is from
1222. In 1249 Czech king Václav I. donated it Sigfrid
Sirotek. Half a century later, Lichlštejn became the
owner. The chateau was nationalized in 1945. There is
a rich coffered ceiling, massive
furniture, a jewel box, beautiful
stairs, a library (is carved from a
single tree), marble baths ... There is a large garden and the
most beautiful park in the Czech Republic. There is a
complex system of ponds (24 hectares) and a historic
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7. greenhouse. We can see tropical plants there. There is Encephalartos altensteinii. It is
500 years old. In May 1997, the chateau was entered on UNESCO.
(Jana P. and Leona V. 7.A)
Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary is situated in the western part of the
Czech Republic. It is the largest and the most famous
spa city in the CR. The city was found in the 14th
century by Charles IV. Karlovy Vary spa therapy has
many therapy procedures. They are use thermal baths,
drinking cures, cryotherapy, floating, laser therapy, etc.
There are many cultural and sporting events during the
whole year. One of the most popular is the International
Film Festival Karlovy Vary. Due to the unique environment and architecture many
famous movies have been filmed in Karlovy Vary, such as James Bond: Casino Royal.
Many famous people visited spa such as: Beethoven, Franz Joseph I, Dobrovský,
Paganini, Chopin, Mozart, Gogol,
Tulle, Barrande, Purkyně, Freud and
other.Grandhotel Pupp enchant you
with the atmosphere and comfort. The
hotel offers 111 luxurious rooms. Many
famous people visited spa,such as:
Whoopi Goldberg, Gregory Peck, Alan
Alda, Michael Douglas, Ornella Muti.
(Petra S. and Pavel G. 8.B)
Olomouc and its surroundings
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8. Olomouc
Olomouc is a very beautiful town with many historical monuments. It is about 70
kilometers far from Ruda nad Moravou (Šumperk).
First mention about Olomouc is from 1017. In the middle of 13 century the town was
pronounced officially based. It has got 641 791people and 5267km2. In Olomouc
there is the University of Palacký. Doctors, teachers and lawyers are educated here.
(Kika U. and Kristýna Š. 8.A)
Monastery Hradisko
It is beautiful, original Benedictine monastery. It is one hectare large. It is near
Olomouc. It was build in 1708. There is a picture of master Antonio Tassi. Today it’s
in a baroque style. It has got a few towers. Now the monastery is used like an army
hospital. There is a zoo near the monastery.
(Honza R. and Jarek K. 8.A)
ZOO in Olomouc
Olomouc zoo is situated on the hill 11kilometres far from the town. Zoo was found
in 1956. It has 42.5 ha. There live 200 kinds of animal. Animals are in glass
extensive fences or pens. There is an aquarium for sharks with a capacity of 42 litres
of water.
(Tomáš S. and Michal N. 8.A)
Visitation of the Virgin Mary-Basilica Minor
Chapel was build in 1629. Founder is Jan
Andrýsek. It is valuable Baroque landmark .
It was consecrated in 1633. Empress Maria
Theresa IXX visited basilica (1748). Temple
nearly burnt down in 1949. It was elevated by pope John Paul II in the Basilica
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9. Minor. Basilica has got rich sculptural decoration -2 saints, 12 apostles, Virgin Mary
with Jesus and others. Basilica is accompanied by many legends. Basilica has got a
lot of paintings by Czech and foreign artists. The basilica is near the Zoo.
(Soňa B. and Honza K. 8.A)
Theatre in Olomouc
Moravian Theater Olomouc is a permanent Czech theater scene since 1920. There are
ballets, operas, operettas, musicals, drama and fairy tales on stage every day. Every
year in May there is also one of the largest international theater festivals in the CR -
Flora Theater. The auditorium has a capacity of 455 seats.
(Dan K. 8.B)
Pestilential post
It was build by Václav Render as token of gratitude Olomouc
people under end plague in 1715 -1723. Post was harmed during
Prussia siege in 1985 – 1992. It was supplied with a copy. It is
a UNESCO landmark.
(Martina K. and Alena M. 8.A)
PROUD Olomouc rope center
It was built in 2000 as the first
climbing center in Central and
Eastern Europe. You will find 9 low
rope obstacles, 15 individual high
rope obstacles, 5 team barriers and 2
jumps. There is no need for special
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10. skills, just the basic physical fitness and the desire to discover new things. Protection,
which is used here is based on
mutual protection of program participants
using climbing ropes and belay set.
(Michal N. and Tomáš S.. 8.A)
Komenský Museum
Museum came into being by merging of the surrounding museums.
Komenský museum is oldest. It resides in castle by the year 1906.
There is an exhibition about the history of education.
(Lucka O. and Standa H. 8.A)
Šumperk and its surrounding
Šumperk town
The most beautiful building in Šumperk is the Town-hall.It was built between
1909-1911. The Town-hall stands in the middle of historical square from 15th.
century, next to a pylon from year 1714. In Šumperk
was founded the first manchester manufacture in the
middle of Europe. The town was famous producer of
textile. In a park is a town museum. In the museum
are very stuff animals, plants and things from the
middle ages. In front of the house is a fountain. The
town theater founded in 1902 was burned out in 1994.
On 7 October 2000 the first theatre program started
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11. again. For relaxation is in Šumperk a swimming-pool. There are outdoor and internal
swimming-pools. Šumperk has got ice-hockey stadium.
(Nikola, Markéta, Magda and Kristýna, 7.B)
Jeseníky mountains
Jeseníky are the highest mountains of Moravia. The
highest mountain is Praděd with 1492 meters. On the top
is the transmitter. The transmitter is the highest point in
the Czech Republic.
In Jeseníky mountains is one of the seven wonders of the CR, pumped factory. It was
put into operation 20th of June 1996. Power generators are one of the largest of its
kind in Europe. The entire operation is on environmental grounds, located
underground.
(Monika, Vlasta, Jirka and Petr,7.B)
Velké (Great) Losiny village
One of the best-known view point of the village is a
Renaissance castle. It was built in years 1581-1589.
This castle which is situated in the place where a
Gothic fortress had been placed before was built by
Jan from Žerotin. In 17th century the castle was a
scene of the known magic processes. Great Losiny has got the oldest hand-operated
paper mills in Europe. It was established on 25th of March 1596. Handmade paper is
still produced by traditional process of cotton and linen. Its products are exported to
all over the world.
(Verča, Petra, Ondra and Zdeněk, 7.B)
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12. Ruda nad Moravou village
Ruda is belonging to region Olomouc, district Šumperk. It is situated 325 meters
above sea level. Average year temperature is 7,3 ˚C. First documentary mention about
village arise is from 14th century. In the village is school for 400 students, library,
health centre with pharmacy, outdoor swimming-
pool, football pitch, tennis courts, restaurant, shop
with food, clothes and shoes, railway station, petrol
station,but the oldest are probably church and
vicarage. Chateau in the Ruda is from year 1610.
(Tomáš J. and Tomáš B., 7.B)
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