eMates eMAtes - 2nd issue | Page 39

Although our country is not very well-known in Europe( at least not for everyone), we still have some very interesting places to visit. But, in comparison with the biggest and most famous cities in Europe, it ´ s not that great. To start with, I ´ m going to tell you about some main cities of the Czech Republic. I ´ ll be mentioning culturally important cities, as well as industrial cities. I believe we all know with what city we should start:
The largest city of the Czech Republic and the 14 th largest city of the European Union, with its history reaching about the start of the 9 th century by Přemyslid dynasty on the Vltava river. Sometimes called“ the Heart of Europe” it ´ s a cultural centre of Europe. Its population is reaching almost 1.3 million people, and about 6 million more people visit Prague every year.
Its most famous period was during the era of Charles IV., king of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor of the Luxembourg dynasty. He stood behind the construction of such marvels as Charles University, the oldest university in Central Europe, Charles Bridge, Saint Vitus Cathedral, etc. He also made Prague political, cultural and economic centre of Europe. He also made Czech Crown jewels( 4 th oldest in Europe) dedicated to saint king Wenceslaus and reconstructed the Prague Castle. However, with his death in 1378 worse times came for Prague. And it didn ´ t get any better until 1918, when the first Czechoslovak Republic was created.
Today, Prague still remains the cultural centre of Europe, while having many interesting places: Those built by Charles IV., the National Theatre and the Estates Theatre, the National Museum, Alfons Mucha Museum, Rudolfinum, and many more. Or events: iInternational music festivals, Prague Writers festival, etc.
This is a photo showing Charles Bridge and
The Saint Vitus Cathedral( left corner of the photo) Full coat of arms of Prague
Karlovy Vary
A city situated in the west of the Czech Republic. It is a well-known spa city, where many people travel to relax. It is also the centre of International Film Festival, which is one of the oldest major film events in Europe. It ´ s not a big city. The city has got around 50,000 inhabitants. The interesting fact is that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, visited Karlovy Vary in 1918 for spa treatments.
Brno
The second largest city of the Czech Republic, it has around 390,000 inhabitants. Brno is situated in Moravia, in the east of the Czech Republic. The city has got many museums, theatres and more cultural things, it has preserved its own folklore culture, the Moravian culture. It includes Moravian traditional costumes and dancing: https:// www. youtube. com / watch? v = hy2zk2-BKiQ. Their culture is not typical for people in the western and middle part of the CR. view of Brno from Špilberk