🇨🇿

Czech Republic

✨ The land of castles and crystal

The Czech Republic, officially Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It borders Germany to the west, Poland to the north, Slovakia to the east and Austria to the south. Covering about 78,900 square kilometres, the country has a varied landscape of hills, plateaus, forests and river valleys. The highest point is Sněžka, at 1,603 metres, in the Krkonoše Mountains along the Polish border.

Prague, the capital and largest city, lies on the Vltava River and is one of Central Europe’s major cultural centres. Czech is the official language. The country is sometimes called the Czech lands because its territory consists of the historic regions of Bohemia, Moravia and part of Silesia. Czechia is a parliamentary republic and has been a member of the European Union since 2004.

Its modern statehood developed from the lands of the historic Kingdom of Bohemia and Moravia, while Czechoslovakia was established in 1918. The Czech Republic became an independent state in 1993 after the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia, an event often called the Velvet Divorce. Today, its economy is highly industrialized and relies on manufacturing, services, technology and trade.

The country is known for its historic towns, castles and cultural traditions, while its forests and protected natural areas offer opportunities for outdoor activities. Czechia uses the Czech koruna as its currency. Its central location has long connected it with neighbouring countries and wider European trade routes.

💡 Did you know?

Did you know that Prague Castle is so immense that it holds a world record? According to the Guinness World Records, it is the largest ancient castle in the world! It doesn't look like a single building, but rather a large fortified district with a cathedral, palaces, gardens, and even a small street full of colorful mini-houses called the 'Golden Lane.' It's like a small town within the city.

The Prague Astronomical Clock, in the Old Town Square, is a mechanical marvel over 600 years old. Every hour, crowds gather below to watch a magic show: small windows open, and the twelve apostles parade in a circle. There are also figurines like a skeleton or a rooster that crows. It doesn't only tell the time, but also the position of the sun and the moon!

Charles Bridge is the most famous bridge in Prague. What makes it special is that it is reserved for pedestrians and is decorated with 30 giant statues of saints! Legend has it that eggs were added to the mortar (the cement of the time) to make the bridge stronger against the floods of the Vltava River. Today, you can find musicians, painters, and thousands of tourists enjoying the view.