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Magazine
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Welcome to the Czech Republic's RegionsThe Region of South BohemiaSouth Bohemia is the second largest of the Czech Republic's regions and is primarily known for the beauty of its natural environment (ponds, rivers and forests), its traditional folklore, a unique collection of historical monuments and delicious beer. The best known nature spots are the Šumava Protected Landscape Region, the Šumava National Park and the Třeboň and Blanský Forest Protected Landscape Regions as well as many others. The relationship of South Bohemia's people to nature is perfectly illustrated in the work of Jakub Krčín of Jelčany, who was interested in fish farming and during the sixteenth century skillfully transformed the character of the southern Bohemian countryside with the construction of dozens of large ponds. The farming of fish remains today one of the synonyms for life in southern Bohemia. The region also has a number of other unique features that significantly influenced the development of local industries. These include the first horse-drawn railway on the European continent (between 1832 and 1873 – it first carried goods and later passengers between České Budějovice and Linz in Austria), the Schwarzenberg Canal (built between 1789 and 1882) and the first sugar cube in the world (manufactured in Dačice in 1843). One of the earliest documented human settlements in southern Bohemia was discovered in a cave near the village of Nové Dobrkovice just outside of Český Krumlov. Artifacts found there are the remains of a temporary camp of Stone Age hunters from 40,000 years ago. During the late Iron Age the region was settled by Celts who were subsequently replaced by Germanic tribes. Beginning in the sixth century A.D. groups of Slavs began to move into southern Bohemia from the north and they settled here permanently. The economic prosperity and general development of the region was heavily dependent on two historic trade routes that cross the region: the Salt and Gold routes. An important era that impacted an area well beyond the borders of South Bohemia was the Hussite Period during the Middle Ages. The Hussites marked one of the first attempts to reform Christianity. A number of noble families contributed to the development of this region over the centuries, including the Vítkovec family (twelfth century), the Lords of Hradec and of Rožmberk (fifteenth to seventeenth centuries), the Eggenbergs (seventeenth century) and the Schwarzenbergs (from the nineteenth century on). Today, historical town and city centers, urban preservation reservations and districts, religious buildings, partially and completely preserved castles and chateaus all serve as reminders of these times past. The interiors of these buildings exude the secretive atmosphere of ancient times and could explain much about the history of southern Bohemia. The unique natures of the town of Český Krumlov (with its castle, chateau and historic town center) and the village of Holašovice (traditional folk architecture in the Folk Baroque style) led to both being placed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Among the most visited sites in the region of South Bohemia are the chateau in Hluboká nad Vltavou, the Šumava Mountains, the spa towns of Třeboň and Bechyně and the area around the Lipno Reservoir. An important investment project on the latter is the Lipno Marina, the creation of a European-standard recreational park. Among the important figures whose impact on cultural events in South Bohemia can still be felt are without a doubt the soprano Ema Destinn (1878–1930), the painter and illustrator Mikoláš Aleš (1852–1913), the puppeteer, director and playwright Josef Skup (1892–1957). The work of famous contemporary artists has also made the name of South Bohemia known throughout the world. Among the many worth noting are the artist Radmoír Postl (posters, handbills, book designs – his works are also in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art in Toyama, Japan) and Jan Solper (who works with typefaces, book and applied graphics – he has also participated in the Toyama Triennale). The success of the southern Bohemian photographer Roman Sejkot (in 1994 he won third prize in the World Press Photo competition) is also worthy of mention. Many people will tell you about southern Bohemian folklore – the holding of folk festivals and celebrations has a long tradition and in smaller towns and villages the maintenance of these traditions is a priority. On any trip across South Bohemia, your journey will certainly be made more pleasant by a stop in a pub, restaurant or café. Among the local specialties on the menu are "kočíčák" (mashed potatoes with sauerkraut and pork cracklings), potato pancakes seasoned with marjoram and "zelňáky" (pancakes made from flour, lard and sauerkraut). We also recommend that you try the fish, game and poultry – for example, roast duck with dumplings and red cabbage. The region of South Bohemia with its many ponds, extensive forests and unique collection of cultural-historical monuments is a place perfect for an active holiday or relaxation – a place that you will want to return to. 1. Name of Region: The Region of South Bohemia South Bohemia Regional Government Office Pilsen RegionThe world famous specialty of the Plzeň Region is the beer from the Pilsner Urquell Brewery (Plzeňský Prazdroj, a. s.). For more than 160 years, this brewery in the city of Plzeň has produced is unique bottom-fermented lightcolored lager beer known as Pilsner Urquell. Thanks to their high quality raw materials, the local water, their own special culture of brewer's yeast, several generations of know how that has been passed on by Plzeň's brewers and their unique brewing process, this beer has an unmistakable taste and quality – it even has curative powers! Pilsner Urquell is not the only product typical for this region; others include Bohemia sekt sparkling wine, the liqueur Fernet Stock, the engineering products of the Škoda Works and ceramic goods manufactured by Lasselsberger. The Plzeň Region is also remarkable for its large number of architectural monuments, castles and chateaus. The Great Synagogue in Plzeň is the second largest in Europe and the third largest in the world. A unique natural area in the Plzeň Region is the Šumava Mountains (Bohemian Forest), which is the largest forested area in Central Europe (forests cover 80% of the area). The Šumava National Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Šumava are sometimes referred to as "Europe's green roof" because of their position in densely populated Central Europe, the fact that much of the natural environment is still intact and for a large numbers of springs, lakes and rivers. The Black Lake (Černé jezero) in the Šumava is the largest natural lake in the Czech Republic. Among the important historical events to have taken place in the region are the birth of St. John Nepomuk in 1340, the printing of the first book in the Czech lands using moveable type printing (The Trojan Chronicles in 1468) and the liberation of Plzeň and western Bohemia by the United States Army on May 6, 1945. The Plzeň Region is characterized by a forested, rolling terrain that is dissected by a network of rivers and ponds in a virtually untouched natural setting with colorful villages; its many castles and chateaus help create a stately setting. These natural conditions, rivers and lakes, forests and architectural monuments offer many possibilities for tourism and an active free time, whether that might be spent skiing, fishing, canoeing, bicycle riding or wandering along on the many interesting tourist paths. There are many historical monuments, some industrial in nature, in this region. These include the Rotunda of St. Peter in Starý Plzenec – the oldest entirely preserved architectural complex in the Czech lands, Rabi Castle, the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew in Plzeň, the Brewery Museum in Plzeň, Plzeň's many cellars, the catacombs in Klatovy, the Romanesque Přimda Castle, the Švihov water castle, the Church of St. Wenceslas in Dobřany, the monasteries in Plasy and Kladruby, the chateaus in Kozel and Nebílovy, the small town of Manětín, which is rightly known as the "pearl of the Baroque" and the water hammer the Dobřiv. This region is also home to the Chodsko ethnographic region, where folk traditions have remained very much alive. The main features of Chodsko are festival and family ceremonies, its dialect, music and dance, its arts and crafts, folk costumes and local foods, such as the "Chodské koláč," which is made from leavened flour, plum jam, poppy seeds and flavored cottage cheese and is topped with almonds and raisins. The Chodsko region works with Japanese folklore groups (Mr. Suzuki Katsuaki, Seta-gun and Gumma-ken). Mrs. Mitsu Aoyama, the Japanese wife of the Czech diplomat Jindřich Coudenhove-Kalergi, lived at the chateau in Poběžovice. The Plzeň Region is well known for its many cultural events and also for its many important collections of artwork in the region's many galleries and museums. Currently the most important project in the region is the construction of the Plzeň-Borská Pole Industrial Park. This project was initiated in 1996 on a 120-hectare site. Japanese firms are the park's major tenants, the most important of which is the firm Matsushita. The University of Western Bohemia has established contacts with the Tokyo Association of Japanese Gardens, with the university in Kumamoto on Kyushu and with the university in Gifu. A branch of the Czech-Japanese Association is active in Plzeň and the city of Plzeň has as one of its sister cities the Japanese city of Takasaki. 1. Name of Region: Pilsen Region Regional Authority of the Pilsen Region The Karlovy Vary RegionThe Karlovy Vary Region is known throughout the world as an outstanding center for spas and for its rich cultural heritage. This region boasts some of the richest natural curative mineral springs, thermal waters and wetlands in the world. Together with the more than two centuries of tradition and experience at the disposal of the spas' doctors, a return to health and top physical condition using these gifts of nature is guaranteed. The region's famed spa towns – Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně, Františkovy Lázně and Jáchymov – also have historic preservation districts where many examples of outstanding architecture and other government-listed buildings can be seen. The smaller but important spa town of Lázně Kynžvart is focused primarily on the treatment of children. Important historical monuments can of course also be found outside of these spa towns. Among these are the chateau in Kynžvart with its unique art collections, the castles of Cheb and Loket and the castle and chateau in Bečov. The latter is home to an exceptional National Cultural Monument: the reliquary of St. Maur, which next to the Czech crown jewels, is the most valuable cultural artifact in the Czech Republic. Half-timbered village architecture and the 130-hectare archaeological site of Vladař with its Hallstatt settlement are also worthy of note. The Karlovy Vary Region is also associated with many important historical events, one of which without a doubt is the assassination of the Imperial General Albrecht von Wallenstein in Cheb in 1634. The Pupp family, whose legacy is today a synonym for the good name of Karlovy Vary, is certainly among the great families of this region. The Pupps established the Hotel Pupp and the Becherovka Distillery, where a unique herbal liqueur was first made: Karlovy Vary Becherovka. In addition to the tried-and-true spas and important historical monuments, many unique natural sites can be found here. Many are suitable for day trips by car or train or even by bicycle or on foot. The most visited are the Ore Mountains whose highest peak is Klínovec at 1,244 meters. There are a number of unique Protected Landscape Regions here. These include the Slavkov Forest, the SOOS Nature Reserve with its mud volcanoes and gas springs, the Kladské Bog, Great Crane Lake, the Boží Dar Bog and the Svatosšká Rocks. The possibilities offered by the spa towns – led by Karlovy Vary, the beautiful natural sights and important historical monuments are further supplemented by a large number of cultural events and activities that range from festivals, exhibitions, and theater performances to social and sporting events. These include the world-famous Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the Loket Cultural Summer with its operatic performances, the Chopin Festival, the Dvořák Autumn in Karlovy Vary, the Tourfilm film festival, an annual gathering of European nobility and a famed white-water canoe race, the Mattoni Canoe. You can even fly to Karlovy Vary, taking advantage of the Karlovy Vary International Airport that lies in the heart of the spa region and which has direct flights to Moscow and Tel Aviv, amongst other places. Typical products of the Karlovy Vary Region are mineral waters, glass, porcelain, Karlovy Vary Becherovka and spa wafers, which are a local gastronomic specialty. Karlovy Vary's sister city in Japan is Kusatsu. The location of this region in the center of Europe, its own potential, its natural and cultural circumstances and the historical traditions of this area are good foundations for the future development of the entire region. 1. Name of Region: The Karlovy Vary Region Karlovy Vary Regional Government Office The editors |
