Nestled in the heart of Europe, the Czech Republic is a country often celebrated for its picturesque capital, Prague. But beyond the well-trodden tourist paths lies a nation of profound depth, innovation, and historical significance. From world-altering inventions to architectural wonders that have stood for centuries, the Czech story is one of resilience, creativity, and unique identity. Prepare to see this Central European gem in a whole new light as we explore ten fascinating facts that define the Czech Republic.
1. It’s the undisputed castle capital of Europe.
The Czech Republic is a land of history and architecture, and its castles are a big part of that. This small landlocked European nation is home to more than 2000 castles, giving it one of the highest densities of castles in the world. Usually associated with urban rather than noble culture, Czechia was for a very long time part of the Austrian Habsburg Empire, one of the biggest and most powerful countries of its time. Its central location and magnificent landscapes made it a suitable place for both military-style fortified castles and maisons de plaisance, or palaces meticulously inserted into the surrounding landscapes. In the wine region of Morava, you can also encounter dozens of chateaus. These beautiful, fairytale-like structures, replete with history, are a treat for the eyes and the mind.
2. It’s home to the largest ancient castle complex on the planet.
At the heart of the capital lies Prague Castle, the largest coherent castle complex in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records, with an area of almost 70,000 m². This UNESCO World Heritage site was most likely founded around 880 by Prince Bořivoj of the Premyslid Dynasty. It is a large-scale composition of palaces and ecclesiastical buildings of various architectural styles, from Romanesque-style buildings from the 10th century through Gothic modifications of the 14th century. The famous Slovenian architect Josip Plečnik was responsible for extensive renovations during the First Republic (1918-1938). Spread over 18 acres, the castle has been expanded and rebuilt over time, featuring Gothic cathedrals, sprawling halls, lush gardens, and a unique combination of Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance, and Mannerism architectural styles. In 1993, it became the seat of the president of the new Czech Republic.
3. The Czechs created the word “robot.”
One of the most famous Czech words in the world is “robot.” It was born from the mind of Czech writer Karel Čapek while he was writing his play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) in the early 1920s. Karel first came up with the word “Labors,” but was not entirely satisfied. His brother, the respected painter and writer Josef Čapek, suggested a word of Slavic root: “robot,” with a meaning that stressed serfdom or hard labor. The world premiere of R.U.R. took place at a regional theater in Hradec Králové on January 2, 1921. The play became an immediate international hit, exploring the destructive influence of technological civilization. In 1938, it became the first television production of science fiction when presented by the BBC. The concept was later redefined by author Isaac Asimov in New York, transforming the robot from a threat into a partner and servant, creating one of the most significant modern myths in the world.
4. It is one of the least religious countries in the world.
The Czech Republic is recognized as one of the least religious countries in Europe and potentially the world. In a recent Pew Research Center survey, 72% of Czechs said they do not identify with any particular religion. While Communism, which suppressed organized religion, played a role, the reasons are historically deeper. One definable moment was in 1415 when Jan Hus, a Catholic priest with a large following known as the Hussites, was burned at the stake for heresy by the Catholic Church. Later, after the Thirty Years' War, the Catholic Austro-Hungarian Empire forced the people of Bohemia to adopt Catholicism. This created centuries of anti-Catholic sentiment, which was compounded by 19th-century Czech nationalism that saw Catholicism as an Austrian import. Today, Czech people primarily identify as atheist, agnostic, or personally spiritual, with a majority believing in concepts like fate or miracles, but not organized religion.
5. Prague boasts the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world.
Prague’s Old Town is home to a magnificent medieval timepiece: the Astronomical Clock, made in 1410. It is the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest working clock of its kind. The clock is far more than a timekeeper; it shows Babylonian time, old and new European time, the position of the moon and sun, the time of sunrise and sunset, and the holy days of the Christian religion, adorned with symbols of the 12 zodiac signs. Legends abound about its creation. One claims its creator, Master Hanuš, was blinded by the king to prevent him from making another. Another legend calls it "The Eye of the Devil," claiming it stops when the Czech nation faces disaster. The clock features four sculptures representing human vices (vanity, greed, death, and pleasure) and four below representing virtues (science, justice, philosophy, and astronomy). Every hour, a skeleton rings a bell, windows open, and figures of the 12 Apostles appear in order.
6. The world-famous Škoda Auto was born here.
Škoda Auto a.s., often shortened to Škoda, is a Czech automobile manufacturer headquartered in Mladá Boleslav. It boasts one of the oldest unbroken histories among car manufacturers still operating today, being the fifth-oldest company in the world still producing cars. The Škoda story began not on four wheels, but two: with a bicycle called the ‘Slavia’ in 1895. Founders Václav Laurin and Václav Klement started as a bicycle repair shop, moving to motorcycles in 1899 and finally automobiles in 1905. The company’s roots in engineering stretch back even further to 1859 in Pilsen, related to Emil Ritter von Škoda. After becoming state-owned in 1948, it was gradually privatized to the German Volkswagen Group, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary in 2000.
7. Soft contact lenses are a Czech invention.
The daily lives of over 140 million people worldwide are made easier thanks to the invention of soft contact lenses by Czech chemist Otto Wichterle. Wichterle, a professor at the Institute of Chemical Technology, created the very first soft lenses under bizarre circumstances on Christmas Eve in 1961. He assembled a lens machine using metal blocks from a Merkur toy kit, a dynamo from his sons' bicycle, and worked in his family living room. That afternoon, he made the first four soft lenses, testing them on Boxing Day. This was a massive breakthrough, as only hard lenses that could be worn for two hours at a time existed before. Although the Czechoslovak government later sold the license for a fraction of its value, Wichterle’s invention became world-renowned, and he was later nominated for a Nobel Prize after the Velvet Revolution.
8. Prague is nicknamed “the city of a hundred spires.”
Prague’s romantic skyline earned it the famous nickname “the city of a hundred spires.” It was most likely the obscure Austrian historian Josef Hormayr who first penned the phrase in the early 19th century. Around that same time, mathematician and philosopher Bernard Bolzano counted Prague’s towers and solidified the nickname. The name stuck, and although Prague is also described locally as matka měst (‘mother of all cities’) or zlatá Praha (‘golden Prague’), ‘100-spired’ is the most commonly used. In the early 19th century, the medieval gates, Baroque belfries, and Gothic church spires rose prominently over the city, creating the same essential skyline admired today.
9. It’s a paradise of preserved architecture.
For architecture lovers, there is so much to see in Czechia. Thanks to its position in the heart of Europe, the country has been confronted with various cultural influences and architectural styles throughout history. Since it suffered little damage during World War II and avoided destructive redevelopment projects, a rich cultural heritage has been preserved. You can find thousand-year-old buildings, Gothic cathedrals, Baroque palaces, Renaissance courtyards, Art Nouveau, and 1930s International and Functionalist public buildings throughout the country. The Czech Republic has a total of 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the historic centres of Prague, Český Krumlov, Telč, and Kutná Hora; the pilgrimage church at Zelená Hora; the Lednice-Valtice area; the village of Holašovice; the gardens and palace in Kroměříž; the palace in Litomyšl; the Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc; Villa Tugendhat in Brno; and the Jewish Quarter in Třebíč.
10. It’s home to the oldest university in Central Europe.
Charles University in Prague, founded in 1348 by the well-educated Emperor Charles IV, is the oldest university in central and south-eastern Europe. No institution of higher education existed in that part of the European continent north of the Alps and east of France before its founding. Charles, influenced by his time in Paris and Italy, endowed the university from the start with the same privileges as enjoyed by the universities of Paris and Bologna, expressing his wish that it enjoy the same success as those in Paris and Oxford.
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