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CESKE BUDEJOVICE (pop.
100,000) is the centre of South Bohemia, a very attractive tourist
region characterized by numerous fishponds, rich in artistic
and historical monuments. The town, founded in 1265, is famous
for Budweiser beer, which is produced by the Budvar Brewery,
established in 1894. In 1832, the first railway in Europe began
operations between eské Budęjovice and Linz in Austria. Some
of the old railway stations are still preserved. The main square
with arcades is the biggest square in the Czech Republic. It
is lined with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque houses. A tower,
designed in Gothic and Renaissance styles, dominates the town.
The typical ale-house Masné krámy is also worth visiting. The
town also offers an annual music festival, as well as agricultural
exhibitions.
HLUBOKA NAD VLTAVOU (pop. 4,300) is a town north of t
Budéjovice with a chateau that belongs to the most picturesque
and most visited Czech landmarks. It is located on the site
of a former royal castle reconstructed on several occasions,
and overlooks the river Vltava. Between 1841 and 1871, it was
remodelled in the nec-Gothic style, inspired by Windsor Castle.
Its 140 rooms house rich collections of Flemish tapestries dating
back to the 17th century, as well as weapons, portraits, period
furniture, glass and china. The former riding school has been
adapted as the Al South Bohemian Gallery, containing valuable
collections of Gothic and modern art. The chateau is surrounded
by a romantic park with many rare trees.
CESKY KRUMLOV (pop. 14,600) is one of the most magnificent
historic towns in the country. The centre of esk9 Krumlov has
preserved its authentic medieval character and has been given
the status of an urban reserve protected by UNESCO. The dominant
feature is the castle, founded in the 13th century, and later
rebuilt in Renaissance and Baroque styles. It is a vast compound
of buildings, including the l8tl summer pavilion Bellaria and
a riding school. The rooms are beautifully furnished and contain
some valuable paintings. Later, an open-air theatre with a unique
revolving auditorium was added. Surrounding the castle, the
town is beautifully situated on a headland formed by meanders
of the river Vltava (the Moldau). The great majority of the
town houses are fine examples of Gothic architecture, later
rebuilt in Renaissance and Baroque styles. The town has an unbelievable
250 protected structures, including the Renaissance Town Hall,
a convent, a monastery and several churches. A walk through
the picturesque streets and squares is an experience to be treasured.
TREBON (pop. 6,000) is another jewel of a town of South Bohemia.
Tfebofi was settled in the 13th century by the Wittkowitzes
(later called Rosenbergs), once Bohemia's noblest family. Thanks
to them, this unlikely landlocked town has become the centre
of the Czech Republic's fishing industry. In the 15th and 16th
centuries, the Rosenbergs peppered the countryside with 6,000
enormous ponds, partly to drain the land and partly to breed
fish (mostly carp). Pond Svét is the closest one to the town.
The sgraffito Renaissance exterior of the castle is highly impressive.
The intact town walls, built in the 16th century, are some of
the best in the Czech Republic. An 18th-century brewery, still
producing outstanding beer, remembers that beer has been brewed
since 1379 here. The main square is famous with its collection
of well-preserved Renaissance and Baroque houses. Next to the
square is the Ti Castle and nearby the Augustine monastery the
famous Altar of the Masters of Wittingau, dating from the late-l4th
century.
JINDRICHIUV HRADEC (population
21,800) was in the Middle Ages one of Bohemia s most important
towns. Its old town and castle, situated between the Ne river
and Vajgar Lake, with the Renaissance castle with rich interior
collections on the lakeside, are attractive and unique. The
town, prospering from its position on a trade route from Austria,
and from nearby silver mines, suffered three great fires in
1435, 1773 and 1801, the result was broad spectrum of architecture
from the I 5 to the 9 centuries.
SMAVA, or the Smava Mountains, is the largest mountain range
in the Czech Republic and the largest woodland area in Central
Europe. It is situated in Southwest Bohemia, along the border
with Germany and Austria. It is very popular due to its beautiful
natural scenery and cultural landmarks. The umava National Park
is connected with the Bavarian National Park in Germany. It
forms an enclave in Central Europe which has been hardly touched
by man. The longest Czech river, the Vltava (the Moldau), has
its source here. The highest peak of the umava Mountains on
Czech territory is P1ech (I ,378 m), situated near the border,
not far from the Lipno Lake. The Boubin mountain (1,362) is
famous for its primeval forest. There are five lakes in the
area. They were all created by glacial activity. The largest
among them is the I 8-hectare erné jezero (Black Lake) which
is 39 metres deep. The mountains offer excellent conditions
for cross country and downhill skiing, as well as for relaxing
walks in the forest.
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Affy
Travel Agency
V lesicku 4/623 ,150 00, Praha 5 Prague / Czech
Republic
Tel: + 420 - 251 511 836 or 251 511 859 / 60 / 61
Fax: +420 - 257 327 662
24 Hours Hotline : +420 603 279
358 or
+420 - 604 - 112 746
E-mail : info@affytravel.com
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