Czech Republic

Discover Czech Republic

Fun Foods

Svíčková, Smažený sýr, Klobása, Řízek, Trdelník

The word "robot" was invented here. Czech writer Karel Čapek made it up in 1920 for a play about machines that turn on their creators. A hundred years later, we're all still a little nervous about that.

But the story starts much earlier. Celtic tribes named the Boii lived here over 2,000 years ago and gave the region its name, Bohemia. Slavic peoples arrived in the 6th century and never left.

Prague became the capital of the Holy Roman Empire under Charles IV in the 1300s. He built so much that the city still looks like his personal project. Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and a famous university all bear his name.

Czechs have never been quiet about disagreements. In 1415, reformer Jan Hus was burned at the stake. His angry followers threw officials out of windows in 1419 and started the Hussite Wars. Another defenestration in 1618 sparked the Thirty Years' War.

World War I ended Habsburg rule. Czechoslovakia was born in 1918. Nazi Germany invaded in 1939. Communists seized power in 1948. Soviet tanks crushed the Prague Spring uprising in 1968.

Then November 1989 changed everything.

Crowds gathered every night, growing from thousands to hundreds of thousands. They jingled their keys as if to say "time's up." The communist government collapsed within weeks. Four years later, Czechs and Slovaks peacefully split into two nations.

Today the Czech Republic draws visitors to one of Europe's best-preserved capitals.

The Astronomical Clock has performed hourly since 1410. Twelve apostles parade past windows while a skeleton rings a bell. 

Prague Castle covers 18 acres and holds a cathedral, palace, and gardens. Sedlec Ossuary near Kutná Hora displays bones of 40,000 people arranged into chandeliers and pyramids. It's creepy. Kids love it.

Trdelník is spiral pastry grilled on a spit and rolled in cinnamon sugar. It's actually Slovak, but Prague made it famous. Grab one hot. 

Svíčková is beef with cream sauce and dumplings that soak up every drop. Smažený sýr is fried cheese with fries. Kids don't need convincing.

St. Nicholas Day on December 5th brings an angel, a devil, and St. Nicholas to Czech homes. Good kids get candy. Bad kids get coal, or worse, a visit from the devil.