The country with humongous history still has a lot of its pieces left behind
The land of castles, gardens, and vast heritage, the Czech Republic is also the land of some well-preserved heritage sites. The country has lush green surrounding its land and nestled in between are the historic architectures adorning its cities. With so much history, tradition, and culture attached to it, the Czech Republic has some UNESCO-rated heritage sites that are worth a visit. Here are some of the sites.
The Historic Centre of Prague
The city of Prague is a center for the traditional and cultural activities of Europe. The city situated on the banks of the Vltava River has monuments built during the time of Charles IV in the Gothic style such as Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Charles Bridge. The city is also home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, the University of Prague, founded in 1348. The UNESCO list also includes Průhonice Park, which lies outside of Prague, as a masterpiece of garden landscape architecture of worldwide importance.
Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk
Situated at near the historical border between Moravia and Bohemia, the Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk was built between 1719 and 1727. The church was designed by Jan SantiniAichel and is his final work. The architectural style comprises Gothic and Baroque traditions, in both construction and decoration. Interestingly, the church is built on a star-shaped plan and features the number 5 in layout, symbolising the five virtues of the saint.
Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape
One of the largest artificial landscapes in Europe it is spread across 200 square kilometers. The Lednice–Valtice estate was owned by The Dukes of Liechtenstein, who convert it into a cultural landscape between the 17th and 20th centuries. The estate comprises various country houses, manors, and churches in Baroque and Neoclassical architecture. Not only that, but the estate also has scenic trails, forest paths, gardens, and parks that add charm.
Gardens and Castle at Kroměříž
This castle was constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries donning an early Baroque style architecture. The castle served as the residence of the archbishop of Olomouc. The garden inside called the Pleasure Garden, built between 1665–1675, is a rare and finest example of a Baroque garden that still remains on the list.
Other UNESCO protected heritage sites of the Czech Republic are the Historic Centre of ČeskýKrumlov, KutnáHora, Historic Centre of Telč, Holašovice Historical Village Reservation, Litomyšl Castle, Holy Trinity Column, Tugendhat Villa, Jewish Quarter and St Procopius' Basilica, Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region, Landscape for Breeding and Training of Ceremonial Carriage Horses, and The Great Spa Towns of Europe to name a few.
