Showing posts with label Czech Republic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Czech Republic. Show all posts

Friday, May 10, 2013

Czech Republic - Kutná Hora: Historical Town Centre with the Church of St Barbara and the Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlec



Kutná Hora - UNESCO
Vlašský dvůr * Chrám svaté Barbory * Chrám Nanebevzetí Panny Marie v Sedici * Morový sloup * Klášter voršilek * Kostel svJakuba

Sent by Leticia, a Brazilian postcrosser who visited Kutná Hora in Czech Republic.

Kutná Hora was one of the most important political and economic centres of Bohemia in the 14th and 15th centuries. Its medieval centre and the churches are outstanding examples of architectural development and testify to the cultural vivacity of the area.
The town is built above the steep descent of the Vrchlice Creek, in the Kutna Hora plateau, 254 m above sea level and some 60 km east of Prague, developed as a result of the exploitation of the silver mines. The prosperity of Kutná Hora silver mines reached its climax in the 14th and 15th centuries when the city became one of the richest places in Europe. In July 1300, based on the rich silver strikes in the area, King Václav II implemented a currency reform with the participation of Italian financiers. All existing mints in the Czech nation went out of operation, and in the central mint at Vlašský dvur the first Prague groschen were struck. Kutná Hora thus became the country's most important economic centre, and at the same time it was being transformed into a royal town, with all the rights and privileges to be confirmed later by King Jan Lucemburský and King Charles IV.
The town became the cultural, political and economic centre of Bohemia, competing for importance, even with Prague. In the 14th century it became a royal city endowed with monuments that symbolized its prosperity. The end of the 15th century brought this burgeoning town an unusual construction development. Work was begun on a new town hall, a Stone House and some majestic patrician houses. At the beginning of the 16th century, the mines in the city centre were gradually exhausted and abandoned, with mining continuing primarily at Kanek.
The historical centre is an architectural jewel of European significance: Vlašský dvur, St Barbara's Cathedral, the Church of St James, the Stone House and the Gothic fountain are some of the most precious landmarks in Bohemia. Other man-made landmarks are located in nearby Sedlec and Malin.
The interior of the Church of St Barbara, a jewel of the late Gothic period, is decorated with medieval frescoes depicting the secular life of the medieval mining town of Kutná Hora. The Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Barbara was built in the late 14th century and during the 15th to the first half of the 16th centuries. It originated in spite of the until then most influential authority controlling the development of the town - the Sedlec Cistercian monastery. It was an expression of the importance and power of the upper town, formed from the Seventies of the 13th century by mining communities.
The cathedral symbolizes the self-esteem and exceptional ambitions and possibilities of the Kutna Hora patricians, who in view of their wealth enjoyed the favour of the Czech rulers. With royal aid they gained royal privileges and the possibility of contact with the most developed manifestations of European art at the time for their town. The first designer of the cathedral was John Parler, who designed the building with a gallery round the presbytery. Originally the cathedral was to have been triple-aisled and longer; however, it was soon changed into a five-aisled building. Other outstanding architects were Matyas Rejsek, who worked at Kutná Hora from 1489 until his death in 1506, and Benedikt Rejt, who died in 1534. In 1558 the cathedral was completed with the construction of the facade and three tent roofs. By that time the silver mines were virtually exhausted and means for the further furnishing and maintenance of the cathedral were lacking.
In 1626 the Jesuits arrived in the town and placed the cathedral under their administration. They began to carry out building modifications. They also changed the environs of the cathedral and, from the 1660s, began to build their college in its close vicinity. In 1905 the cathedral was newly consecrated. The Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlec, which was restored in line with the Baroque taste of the early 18th century, was to influence the architecture of central Europe. (Source)



Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Czech Republic - Ostrava (2)

 
Ostrava
Masarykovo náměstí
Katedrála Božského Spasitele 
Nová radnice
Divadlo Antonína Dvořáka
Sykoruv most, knihovna, divadlo Aréna
Slezskoostravský hrad

Sent by Míša, a postcrosser from Ostrava in Czech Republic.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Czech Republic - Františkovy Lázně


Františkovy Lázně

Sent by Martin, a postcrosser from Czech Republic.

This is from Wikipedia : Františkovy Lázně (Czech pronunciation: [ˈfrancɪʃkovɪ ˈlaːzɲɛ]; German: Franzensbad) is a town in Cheb District of Karlovy Vary Region in the western Bohemia (Czech Republic), near the town of Cheb with about 5,200 inhabitants.


Františkovy Lázně is world renowned as a spa. The salutary effects of the springs were known from the 15th century on. First, the water was used locally for salutary purposes, later sold all over Germany. In 1700, it reportedly sold more water than all other German spas combined. In the year 1793, the town was officially founded under the name Kaiser Franzensdorf (Emperor Francis II's village) and later renamed to Franzensbad, under which name it became a famous spa.

Until their expulsion in 1945 the majority of the population of the city was German (see Sudetenland).

It was the first peat pulp bath in the world and operated 24 mineral springs, 12 of which are still in operation.

The local natural mineral water has a relatively high content of dissolved carbon dioxide. The effects of the carbonic baths are shown in the better performance of the cardiovascular system, in the mild decrease of blood pressure in the pulse, in the lower occurrence of chronic inflammatory processes in the body, and also in terms of rheumatics, and in the improved blood circulation in tissues and the vegetative stabilisation.

The local mud treatments represent a traditional curative method which has thermal, chemical and mechanical effects. The mud treatment consists of a thick mushy combination of mud and mineral water which is heated up to a temperature which is significantly higher than body temperature. The treatment has a positive effect on mobility of muscles and the pain in treated tissues.

Thanks to its wide range of services and large accommodation capacities, the local Spa corporation is the biggest spa corporation in the Czech Republic.




Monday, March 26, 2012

Czech Republic - Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc (2)


Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc, a UNESCO WHS.

Sent by Radana, a postcrosser from Czech Republic.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Friday, January 20, 2012

Cezch Republic - Moravian Karst


Moravský Kras or Moravian Karst.
1. Kateřinská Cave
2. Sloupsko-šošůvské Cave
3. Výpustek Caves
4. Punkva Caves
5. Balcarka Cave

Sent by Petr, a postcrosser from Czech Republic.

This is from Wikipedia : The Moravian Karst (Czech: Moravský kras) is a karst landscape and protected nature reserve to the north of Brno in the eastern part of the Czech Republic, located near the town of Blansko. It encompasses a number of notable geological features, including roughly 1100 caverns and gorges and covers an area of roughly 92 km². Currently, four of the cave systems (Punkva Caves, Balcarka Cave, Kateřinská Cave, and Sloupsko-šošůvské Cave) are open for public tours and exploration.

This region is also home to one of the most important single geological features in the Czech Republic, the Macocha Abyss, a gorge 138 m deep, which was formed when the ceiling of an underground cave chamber collapsed. Macocha Abyss is also the place where the Punkva River begins to run underground through the Punkvení cave system, and two small pools of water are visible at the surface.

The Moravian Karst is a popular tourist attraction in the local area, and large numbers of tourists visit in the summer months. In addition to caverns, the nature preserve also contains well-marked bicycle trails and hiking paths to explore.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Czech Republic - Dobříš


Multiviews of Dobříš.

Sent by Jana, a postcrosser from Prague, Czech Republic.

This is from Wikipedia : Dobříš (Czech pronunciation: [ˈdobr̝iːʃ]; German: Doberschisch) is a town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic with about 8,600 inhabitants the second largest town in Příbram District, located 40 km (25 mi) south of Prague. It is part of the Prague metropolitan area.

The settlement on the Golden Path trade route was first mentioned when in 1252 King Wenceslaus I of Bohemia signed a treaty with the Cistercian abbey of Plasy. Temporarily held by the noble House of Rosenberg, King John the Blind had a hunting lodge erected at Dobříš, which received town privileges by his grandson King Wenceslaus IV. It was devastated during the Hussite Wars in 1421.

After the Kingdom of Bohemia had passed to the Habsburg Monarchy, Dobříš was given further city rights by King Ferdinand I in 1543, confirmed by his son and successor Emperor Maximilian II in 1569. Dobříš Castle was acquired by the German House of Mansfeld in 1630, who had it rebuilt in a Rococo style from 1745 onwards. It was inherited by the Austrian Colloredo-Mansfeld dynasty in 1780.

In the nineteenth century the town became associated with the manufacturing of gloves. This industry was first developed by Salamon Abeles. After the World War II, a glove factory (Rukavičkářské závody) was still operating here. In the city centre and near the main road to Prague, there are Bobcat-factories.

Near Dobříš, in Stará Huť, there is a pond where Muskrat were first released in continental Europe.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Czech Republic - Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc (1)


Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc.

Sent by Radim, a postcrosser from Olomouc, Czech Republic.

This is from UNESCO : The Olomouc Holy Trinity Column is one of the most exceptional examples of the apogee of central European Baroque artistic expression. Columns of this type constituted a unique material demonstration of religious faith in central Europe during the Baroque period, and the Olomouc example represents its most outstanding expression.

In the reconstruction following the Thirty Years' War (1648-50) the city of Olomouc took on a new appearance. Many impressive public and private buildings were constructed in a local variant of the prevailing style, which became known as 'Olomouc Baroque'. The most characteristic expression of this style was a group of monuments (columns and fountains), of which the Holy Trinity Column is the crowning glory. Václav Render submitted the project to the City Council and work started in the spring of 1717. In this first stage, in the 1720s, the first part of the sculptural decoration was carried out by the Olomouc sculptor Filip Sattler. The remaining sculptural work was carried out in 1745-52 by the distinguished Moravian sculptor Ondrej Zahner (1709-52). The Column was ceremonially consecrated on 9 September 1754, in the presence of the Empress Maria Theresa.

In essence, the basic ground plan of the Holy Trinity Column is derived from a circle 17m in diameter. From the circular base, which has eighteen peripheral guard stones linked by a forged chain, a staircase of seven steps rises to the column's first level, the ground plan of which is hexagonal. The first level comprises a small chapel, again with a circular ground plan. At the points of the hexagon there are six conical balustrades. At the points of the hexagon, supported by six massive pedestals richly decorated on three sides with motifs such as scrolls and acanthus, are to be found the first six larger than life-size statues of saints (c. 220-240 cm) adjoining the body of the chapel on the first level. The first level is richly decorated with fluted pilasters, ribbon motifs, conches, relief cartouches with relief figures of apostles and other masonry details. The same pattern is consistently repeated in both the second and third levels. The second level retains the ground plan of the first, and is crowned by the second group of six statues of saints, placed on isolated pedestals. The third level tops the base of the column. It recedes slightly towards the centre, its periphery furnished again with six massive pedestals carrying the third row of six saints, another row of six relief figures of apostles and rich masonry decoration. This base of the third level supports a monolithic pillar 10 m high and richly decorated with fluting and acanthus motifs. The sculptural group of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is mounted on the first third of the monolith, the figure of the Virgin Mary supported by a pair of angels. Again, the group is executed on a larger-than-life-size scale, in gilded copper. On the top of the pillar-monolith itself, crowned by a capital featuring scroll and acanthus motifs, there is a group of God the Father giving a blessing and Christ with the cross, both placed on a globe, with the figure of the Archangel Michael below. The entire structure is completed by a radial target-star with a dove in the centre, to symbolize the Holy Spirit. Once more, the entire group is on a larger-than-life-size scale in wrought and gilded copper. The overall height of the column is 35 m.

The concept of the Holy Trinity involved the two principal elements of the essential hierarchy of values in the Baroque period. Faith and religious tradition are intermingled with the idea of the city - its traditions, protection and civil administration. The ideas of Christianity and of citizenship (allegiance to the city in the best meaning of the word) combine here as a triumphal statement in the form of a stone monument.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Czech Republic - Rudolfinum


Rudolfinum, a music music auditorium in Prague, Czech Republic.

Sent by Jana, a postcrosser from Czech Republic.

This is from Wikipedia : The Rudolfinum is a music auditorium in Prague, Czech Republic. It is one of the most important neo-renaissance buildings in the city and is situated at Jan Palach Square on the bank of the river Vltava.

Since 1946 the Rudolfinum has been the home-stage of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and one of the main venues performed in the Dvořák Hall for the Prague Spring International Music Festival held each year in May and June. The building was designed by architect Josef Zítek and his student Josef Schulz, and was opened February 8, 1885. It is named in honour of Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria, who presided over the opening.

Dvořák Hall in the Rudolfinum, one of the oldest concert halls in Europe, is famous for its acoustics. On 4 January 1896 the Czech Philharmonic’s very first concert took place here conducted by the famous Czech composer Antonín Dvořák.

The building also contains the Galerie Rudolfinum, an important Art Gallery that focuses mainly on contemporary art. Major exhibitions have included: František Drtikol - Photographer, Painter, Mystic, (1998), Cindy Sherman: Retrospective, (1998), Jürgen Klauke: Side Effect, (1998), Czech Photography 1840-1950, (2004), Annelies Štrba, (2005), Neo Rauch: Neue Rollen, (2007), Uncertain States of America, (2007-2008), Gottfried Helnwein: Angels Sleeping, (2008).

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Czech Republic - Mapcard of Krkonoše


The postcard shows map of Krkonoše Range.

Sent by Ota, a postcrosser from Czech Republic.

This is from Wikipedia : Krkonoše [ˈkr̩konoʃɛ](in Czech; also Karkonosze [karkɔˈnɔʂɛ] in Polish, Riesengebirge in German, or the Giant Mountains in English) is a mountain range located in the north of the Czech Republic and the south-west of Poland, part of the Sudetes mountain system (part of the Bohemian Massif). The Czech-Polish border, which divides the historic regions of Bohemia and Silesia, runs along the main ridge. The highest peak, Sněžka (Polish: Śnieżka), is the Czech Republic's highest point with an elevation of 1,602 metres (5,256 ft).

On both sides of the border, large areas of the mountains are designated national parks (the Krkonoše National Park in the Czech Republic and the Karkonosze National Park in Poland), and these together constitute a cross-border biosphere reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. The River Elbe rises within the Krkonoše. The range has a number of major ski resorts, and is a popular destination for tourists engaging in downhill and cross-country skiing, hiking, cycling and other activities.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Czech Republic - Bystřice pod Hostýnem



Sent by Helena from Czech Republic.

Bystřice pod Hostýnem (Czech pronunciation: [ˈbɪstr̝̊ɪtsɛ ˈpod ɦostiːnɛm]; German: Bistritz am Hostein) is a town in the Zlín Region, Czech Republic.


Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Czech Republic - Kingdom of Wallachia


Greetings from Wallachian Kingdom. Only in the Wallachian Kingdom everything is possible :)

Sent by Martina, a postcrosser from Czech Republic.

This is from Wikipedia : "Kingdom of Wallachia" (Czech: Valašské Kralovství), named after the region of Moravian Wallachia, is a tongue-in-cheek micronation that was founded in 1997 by the photographer Tomáš Harabiš as an "elaborate practical joke". The location is in the northeast corner of the Czech Republic, 230 miles from Prague. It has since become one of the Czech Republic's biggest tourist attractions. Since foundation a reported 80,000 Czech citizens have acquired "Wallachian Passports".

After the official proclamation of the Wallachian kingdom in 1997, Bolek Polívka was enthroned as King Boleslav I the Gracious with his coronation occurring at a lavish ceremony in 2000. The "Government" led by Tomáš Harabiš established state institutions and issued passports to around 80,000 officially Czech Citizens. A new currency, the Jurovalsar, was launched which was pegged to the euro at a rate of 1:1. Enthusiastic attempts to forge official ties with other countries have so far proved disappointing and the Kingdom of Wallachia enjoys no formal diplomatic recognition.



Thursday, June 16, 2011

Czech Republic - Jablonec nad Jizerou


Jablonec nad Jizerou (German: Jablonetz) is a town in the Czech Republic.

Sent by Ota, a postcrosser from Czech Republic.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Friday, March 18, 2011

Czech Republic - Moravský Kras


A 3D mapcard of Moravský kras or Moravian Krast.

Sent by Petr, a postcrosser from Czech Republic.

This is from Wikipedia : The Moravian Karst (Czech: Moravský kras) is a karst landscape and protected nature reserve to the north of Brno in the eastern part of the Czech Republic, located near the town of Blansko. It encompasses a number of notable geological features, including roughly 1100 caverns and gorges and covers an area of roughly 92 km². Currently, four of the cave systems (Punkva Caves, Balcarka Cave, Kateřinská Cave, and Sloupsko-šošůvské Cave) are open for public tours and exploration.

This region is also home to one of the most important single geological features in the Czech Republic, the Macocha Abyss, a gorge 138 m deep, which was formed when the ceiling of an underground cave chamber collapsed. Macocha Abyss is also the place where the Punkva River begins to run underground through the Punkvení cave system, and two small pools of water are visible at the surface.

The Moravian Karst is a popular tourist attraction in the local area, and large numbers of tourists visit in the summer months. In addition to caverns, the nature preserve also contains well-marked bicycle trails and hiking paths to explore.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Czech Republic - Zámek Konopiště


Zámek Konopiště or Konopiště Castle.

Sent by Lucie, a postcrosser from Benešov in the Czech Republic

This is from Wikipedia : Konopiště (Czech pronunciation: [ˈkonopɪʃcɛ]; German: Konopischt) is a four-winged three storey château located in the Czech Republic, about 50 km (30 mi) southeast of Prague, outside the city of Benešov. It has become famous as the last residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir of the Austro-Hungarian throne, whose assassination in Sarajevo triggered World War I. The bullet that killed him, fired by Gavrilo Princip, is now an exhibit at the castle's museum.

The castle was apparently established in the 1280s by Prague Bishop Tobiaš as a Gothic fortification in the style of a French castle with a rectangular plan and round towers protruding from the corners, making the most effective defence possible. Accounts show that the Benešévic family from nearby Benešov were the owners in 1318, and that in 1327 the castle passed into the hands of the Šternberks. In 1468 it was conquered by the troops of George of Poděbrady after a siege that lasted almost two years. In 1603 the estate was purchased by Dorota Hodějovská of Hodějov, who made Renaissance alterations to the old gothic fortification. The Hodějovský family fortified their property because of their active participation in the anti-Habsburg rebellion in 1620. Albrecht von Waldstein acquired the castle and after him it was passed to Adam Michna of Vacínov. Michna gained notoriety through his repression of the serfs, who revolted against him and conquered Konopiště in 1627. The Swedes occupied and plundered Konopiště in 1648, and the Vrtba family then purchased the dilapidated structure.

After 1725 they had it transformed in a Baroque style château. The drawbridge was replaced by a stone bridge, and near the east tower a new entrance was inserted in the wall. The gate which embellished it was designed by František Maxmilián Kaňka and featured statues from the workshop of Matthias Bernard Braun. In 1746 the upper levels of four of the towers were destroyed and one tower was completely demolished. During repair of the interiors mythological and allegorical frescoes were painted on the ceilings of the great hall and marble fireplaces with carved decorations by Lazar Wildmann were created. Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria bought Konopiště in 1887, with his inheritance from the last reigning Duke of Modena and had it repaired between 1889 and 1894 by the architect Josef Mocker into a luxurious residence, suitable to the future Emperor; which he preferred to his official residence in Vienna. The extensive 225 ha English-style park, with terraces, a rose garden and statues, was established at the same time.

He invited William II, German Emperor to see his roses early in June, 1914; insofar as they discussed politics, they discussed Romania, but conspiracy theories about their planning an attack on Serbia or a division of the Austro-Hungarian Empire arose at the time and since. After the Archduke's assassination, later in the month, the memory of this visit may have moved the Emperor to give Austria more rein in dealing with Serbia than he had in the Bosnian crisis of 1909. Since 1921, the castle has been property of the Czechoslovak and later Czech state, one of 90 such in state ownership. The Ministry of Culture is said to spend more than US$ 800,000 per year to maintain the castle, and recovers about as much from entrance ticket sales and rental for occasional functions.

Currently, HSH Princess Sophie von Hohenberg, a descendant of Franz Ferdinand, is claiming for the restitution of the castle to her family, which was never recognized as part of the House of Habsburg, on the ground that the provisions of Article 208 of the Treaty of Saint Germain, and the Article 3 of Law no. 354 of 1921 in Czechoslovakia, do not apply to them. She filed a law suit in December 2000 in Benešov, the nearest city, for the Castle and its dependencies comprising 6,070 hectares (15,000 acres) of woodland and including a brewery.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Czech Republic


Sent by Jaroslav, a postcrosser from Havlíčkův Brod in Czech Republic.