Where the Vltava meets the Maltsch, a city was built in the 13th century under the reign of King Premysl Ottokar II in southern Bohemia, which today is one of the most beautiful in the Czech Republic: Budweis. Travelers find it more relaxed here than in Prague, but culturally no less interesting. And it’s not just the traditional breweries that have made Ceske Budejovice an interesting tourist destination. Rather, it is the old walls and trenches as well as the Gothic basic line of this historic metropolis.
A town hall with three towers
According to topschoolsintheusa, the historic city center is the first port of call for a tour. A monument has been set for the city’s founder by naming the central city square. The main square is one of the largest in Central Europe and is framed by exactly 48 medieval buildings and the baroque town hall from the early 18th century. Three towers tower over the façades, which are worth seeing. The tallest of them was given a carillon in 1995. Four sculptures adorn the attic of the town hall as symbols of the civil virtues: wisdom, bravery, justice and caution. The optical focal point of the town square is the so-called “Samson Fountain” with Samson as the biblical tamer of the lions.
The first railway line in Europe
Budweis was a strategically important point in the region even in the early Middle Ages. The trade in silver and salt took place under the protection of huge fortifications. The memory of the historic horse-drawn railway that connected Budweis with Linz at that time testifies that the relations went beyond the Bohemian borders. It is considered the first public railway line in Europe. The interesting and pleasant old town is now a top tourist center.
Brewing beer has a long tradition
The view from the “Black Tower” in Ceske Budejovice is overwhelming. It is 71 meters high and has a large bell. Legend has it that the death knell always rang here when the tower master said that the bell ringer had drunk too much of the beer from Budweis. Because barley juice also has a great tradition here, and the opening of the first brewery probably goes back to the time the city was founded. Today the two largest breweries in the city produce around 400,000 hectoliters of beer per year. A visit to the brewery is part of a visit to Ceske Budejovice, as well as the historical sights from Gothic, Baroque or Renaissance periods, trying the hearty Bohemian cuisine and sitting a little longer with a beer in one of the bars.
Panska scale
Place and location
The world-famous Panská skála, also known as the Manor House Rock or the Manor House Rock, is one of the most famous Czech natural monuments and an outstanding geological feature. It is located in Steinschönau / Kamenický Šenov) in the local part of Parchen (Prácheň) about 90 kilometers from Dresden.
Special features
The manor rock is a natural basalt elevation. Its pillars run slightly obliquely and vertically, but in a very regular arrangement. The columns themselves are up to 12 meters long and have a diameter of 20 – 40 cm, the manor house rock reaches a height of approx. 30 meters and rises to 597 meters above sea level. The real beauty of the rock formations was only revealed by a quarry. The pillars were created by volcanic activity. Below the Panská Skálaa small natural lake has formed, which is filled by rainwater. When there is no wind, visitors can admire Panská Skála twice when it is reflected in the water. For many geologists and those interested in geology, the manor rock is a worthwhile and spectacular excursion destination and visiting it is part of an educational study trip in the Czech Republic.
Stories about naming
On the summit of the Herrnhausfelsen there are three crosses erected by humans, which earned him the nickname Kreuzberg. In the vernacular it is also known as horns or horned house, because in earlier times it was still covered by earth and plants, from which only the longest pillars protruded like horns. According to a traditional legend, a small castle is said to have stood on the hill, the evil lord of the castle murdered his wife and sold his soul to the devil. As a result, the castle caught fire during the night and was swallowed up by the ground, only the black pillars remained.
Ownership
As early as 1914, the Bohemian-Kamnitz district bought the manor rock and placed it under nature protection. The quarrying of the extraordinary formation is not permitted. The mining ban was renewed by the Czech government in 1948 after the Second World War. In 1953 the manor rock was declared a state-protected natural monument.
Old town ring
If you are on vacation in Prague, you cannot miss the Old Town Square. The 9,000 square meter market square in the Czech capital, considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, is an absolute must for all visitors to Prague. The highlight of the Old Town Square is the large town hall with the world-famous astronomical clock in the southeast of the square. The cultural monument, which was built at the end of the 15th century, is one of the most popular destinations and photo opportunities in the city. There are numerous small cafes, restaurants and shops around the Old Town Square. Countless street artists provide plenty of variety across the entire square.
Numerous Renaissance and Baroque buildings create a special flair
The magnificent St. Nicholas Church on the edge of the Old Town Square, which is considered one of the most beautiful Baroque buildings in Europe, should not be missed when visiting Prague. In addition, the Roman Catholic Tyn Church from the 14th century, which is mainly characterized by an impressive west facade and the two 80 meter high towers, is one of the most important landmarks of the city. In the middle of the huge square, which is lined with many colorful Renaissance and Baroque buildings, is the monument to the well-known reformer Jan Hus. Millions of visitors come here every year to enjoy the very special flair of the square.
