INVESTICE DO ROZVOJE VZDĚLÁVÁNÍ Podpora rozvoje cizích jazyků pro Evropu 21. stol. Tento projekt je spolufinancován Evropským sociálním fondem a státním rozpočtem České republiky.

The Czech Republic Prague, Brno

The Czech Republic Lies in the heart of Europe Borders with Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Austria Population: over 10 mil. Capital: Prague Major cities: Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň, Olomouc Historic regions: Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia.

Geographical facts Highest mountain: Sněžka 1602 m. n. m. National parks: Šumava, Krkonošský národní park, Českosaské švýcarsko, Podyjí Longest river: Vltava (433 km) Deepest lake: Černé jezero (39,8 m) Biggest lake: Černé jezero (18,4 ha) Climate: a four-seasoned country with a continental climate, hot summers and cold, cloudy and snowy winters

Other facts The national currency is the Czech crown Most people are Czechs and speak Czech language. People tend to be polite, not incline to argue or fight. They are intelligent, creative, well educated and can be quite conservative. If you are invited to their home, you will find them friendly and very hospitable. The largest Church is Roman Catholic, but Czechs are mostly atheists because of the oppression of religion during Communism.

Parliamentary country, president: Václav Klaus The Czech Republic was established in 1993 by treaty signed at Vila Tugendhat, before that confederation of Czechoslovakia Bohemia and Moravia rich in mineral springs and spas: Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne, Luhacovice etc.

Economy Czech industries: power engineering metallurgy, car manufacture, glass, leather, plastics, chemicals, ceramics and beer The country fully implemented the Schengen Agreement - abolished border controls, completely opened its borders to all neighbours

National Czech meals Czech cuisine consists of meat dishes - pork beef and chicken. Goose, duck, rabbit and wild game are served. Fish is rare – carp is served at Christmas. Traditional Czech meal: Dumpling, pork and cabbage. Alcoholic beverages: Slivovitz, Czech beer, wine, Fernet Stock and Becherovka. Kofola is a non-alcoholic domestic cola soft drink which competes with Coca Cola and Pepsi in popularity.

Prague the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic Nicknames: "the mother of cities ", "city of a hundred spires" and "the golden city" Situated on the River Vltava in central Bohemia Population: over a million

Main sights popular tourist destination, the sixth most- visited European city Old Town with its Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock – is where the settlement in Prague started, the city was expanded in the 14th century by Charles IV with the founding of the New Town. The Astronomical Clock hourly shows figures of the Apostles and other moving sculptures

The Charles Bridge is a famous historical bridge that crosses the Vltava river. Its construction started under the rule of King Charles IV. It is protected by three bridge towers, the bridge is decorated by 30 statues, most of them baroque-style. During the day it is a very busy place, with painters, owners of kiosks and tourists crossing the bridge. bridgeVltavabaroque

The New Town with famous Wenceslas Square, which is a traditional setting for demonstrations, celebrations, and other public gatherings. The square is named after Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia. Prague Castle is where the presidents of the Czech Republic have their offices. The Czech Crown Jewels are kept here. It is one of the biggest castles in the world. St. Vitus Cathedral is found there, too. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Prague and contains the tombs of many Bohemian kings.

Vyšehrad is a castle located on a hill over the Vltava River. It contains the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul, and Vyšehrad cemetery where the remains of many famous people from Czech history can be found (Antonín Dvořák, Bedřich Smetana, Karel Čapek). Petřín Lookout Tower is a 60 metre high steel framework tower in Prague which resembles the Eiffel Tower

Brno the second largest city in the Czech Republic the capital of the Moravian Region The population in Brno is 404,887 In Brno there flows two rivers: Svratka and Svitava. On the River Svratka there is Kníničky Dam Lake – a popular recreation area In Brno there is Špilberk Castle (which used to be infamous prison) and St. Petra and Pavla Church. Brno is famous for its trade fairs

Brno in Myths The Dragon The dragon used to live in a cave by the River Svratka. He would eat anything that came his way. The people of Brno did not know what to do about it. A reward had been offered to kill the dragon, but no one wanted to try it. Finally, the dragon was overcome by a brave manwho fillen a dead sheepwith unslaked lime.

The Brno Wheel was a result of a betmade by a master wheelmaker Birka of Lednicewho bet that he could fell a tree, fashion a wheel and roll it to Brno (45km) all before sundown – and he won Legend about deformed phial One version of the legend says that Master Antonin Pilgrim who was building a portal to Old Town Hall didn't get paid for his work so he created one phial deformed.

The Ringing of Midday at 11 o’clock The legend reminds us of the Swedish Siege in Legend has it that General Torstenson decided he would order his troops to retreat if Brno did not fall by midday. However, he was overheard and the cunning Brno citizens used it to their advantage. The Swedes had already got through the fortress walls when the bell on Petrov began to ring midday even though there was still one hour to go. It was in this way that Brno was saved.

INVESTICE DO ROZVOJE VZDĚLÁVÁNÍ Tento projekt je spolufinancován Evropským sociálním fondem a státním rozpočtem České republiky. Tato výuková prezentace byla pořízena z finančních prostředků hrazených Evropským sociálním fondem a rozpočtem České republiky.