History of the famous Czech people

Where to go for places where history of the Czech people comes alive?

Let´s immerse in deep history, into the sphere of mythology, which includes the legend about arrival of the Czechs in Bohemia. You will experience it directly in place of its birth - on the Říp Hill. A basalt dome 456m in elevation, Říp Hill is one of the central locations in Czech history 5km from Roudnice nad Labem and visible for miles around. At its peak there is situated the Romanesque St. George Rotunda, which became a popular pilgrimage site in the 17th and 18th century. The Memorial of Bohemia is now situated there. Already in the early 12th century the chronicler Kosmas specified Říp Hill as a place where the first Slavs settled on arrival in new country leading by forefather Čech. The country was named after the forefather - Čechy.

The heritage of Czech nation's patron Saint Wenceslas we can remind in the Rotunda of St. Peter and Paul in Budeč, where he got an education as a young prince. The rotunda was founded by Prince Spytihnev in the late 9th century and thus it is the oldest still functional building in the Czech Republic. Budec is located 17 km northwest from Prague near the village Zákolany in the district of Kladno.
Of course, Stara Boleslav, a pilgrimage site associated with the martyrdom of St. Wenceslas in 935, is more famous. It is the oldest pilgrimage site in the Czech Republic. There is situated the Romanesque basilica of St. Wenceslas, which was established along with the Collegiate Chapter and the crypt of St. Cosmas and Damian by Prince Břetislav I in 1039. The basilica was founded in a place where St. Wenceslas was reportedly murdered and originally buried. The Wenceslaus National Fair runs here every year on St. Wenceslas name-day.
Finally you can visit a tomb of this popular saint. St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle ranks among the leading spiritual symbols of the state. This impressive building includes the St. Wenceslas Chapel with the tomb of St. Wenceslas. There are also preserved Czech crown jewels. The foundation stone of the cathedral was laid by Charles IV in 1344. The main architect was Matthias of Arras and later after his death Peter Parler.

Father of the Country, Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor - Charles IV had merit in Prague development. For example he founded the New Town and the Charles Bridge, which is nearly 10 meters wide and 516 m long, resting on 16 arches. On both sides it is fortified by towers - the Old Town Tower and Lesser Town Tower. The bridge is decorated with 30 baroque statues from the early 18th century, depicting saints, historical and biblical figures. Charles Bridge is a popular place for street artists.
Karlstejn Castle, located about 30 km from Prague, is another significant monument from Charles IV reign. He founded it in 1348 to save the imperial crown jewels.

And where to go for the modern history of the Czech people? A multimedia exhibition at the National Monument at Vítkov in Prague, topped with a well known statue of Jan Žižka, was re-opened to public after reconstruction last year. The monument was built between 1929 and 1938 to honour of those who fought for Czechoslovak independence (hence the Monument of National Liberation).

Personality of the founder of the Czechoslovak Republic, TG Masaryk, you can recall in a museum in Lany. Here you will learn about Masaryk - statesman, philosopher, but also the father of the family. You can also visit a museum exhibition in Hodonin, where Masaryk was born. The nature trail of TGM you can go round in Hustopece.

Period of communism can be remembered at the Museum of Communism in Prague, in the former communist-era prison camp Vojna Memorial near Pribram, or in the original national monument of monitoring near Lipnice nad Sazavou. A group of stonemasons carved a relief representing a giant ear, mouth and eyes, in memory of spying of the former regime.