Czech Republic

South Bohemia is one of the most beautiful places in the Czech Republic. With its innumerable ponds and small lakes, enchanting naturals locations and rich forests, the region attracts tourists as much as for its virtually untouched countryside as for its cultural historical monuments. With ancient towns full of life, castles, renaissance palaces and examples of folk architecture, the region represents a jewel that has been handed down to us by previous generations. In the film you will visit the largest South Bohemian city of Ceske Budejovic as well as the ancient towns Tabor, Pisek, Prachatice, Jindrichuv Hradec, Bechyne, Slavonice, Holasovice, Trebon, Vyssi Brod, and Cesky Krumlov. You will see not only the castles of Zikov, Orlik, and Rozmberk but also the palaces Cervena Lhota, Kratochvile and Hluboka, as well as many others.

DVD. Naxos Scenic Musical Journeys. 60 Minutes. The Places The Places The visit to the Czech Republic starts with Hluboká Castle, a massive building that for over three hundred years belonged to the Schwarzenberg family. The present building is modelled in part on England's Windsor Castle. Other sites visited include KonopišteCastle, the picturesque town of Telc, and Vranov Castle. The Music Music for the visit is by Mozart and consists of his four Horn Concertos, written during the last decade of his life, when he was in Vienna. They were intended for his old Salzburg friend Ignaz Leutgeb, who had also settled in Vienna, prudently married there, and, in tandem with his musical activities, had become the owner of a small cheese-shop. The concertos, one of them unfinished at the time of Mozart's death, represent his work at its height.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Today Cesky Krumlov is a lively town and one of the most beautiful in the Czech Republic. Although the history of settlement in this area dates back to the Bronze Age the high season of Bohemian Krummau can be traced back to the Middle Ages. At that time the Germans as well as the Czechs influenced the cultural and social life of the charming old town. The magnificence of the local architecture is all around and brings to life the glorious ambience of bygone times. The mighty cylindrical tower of Lower Castle has surveyed the town since the end of the 16th century and is typical of Bohemian Krummau architecture. In those days the lords of the castle kept bears within the castle’s large moat and even now they continue to be a special and somewhat unusual attraction. The interior of the town’s Renaissance castle highlights the wealth of its former noble inhabitants and contains the famous Golden Eggenbergische Carriage. Each evening the town’s centuries old buildings gleam romantically in the evening light while large quantities of world famous Bohemian beer are enjoyed in the local hostelries. Cesky Krumlov, an historic and living work of art!

This film introduces you to the most important Jewish heritage sites in Prague, Bohemia and Moravia. These include the main Prague synagogues- Staronova, Vysoka, Maisl, Klaus, Spanish, Pinkas and the Jubilee. You'll also be able to view the Jewish Town Hall and the Old Jewish Cemetery containing the grave of Franz Kafka. You'll get to know some of the hidden corners of the Jewish Town in Prague. Then we'll take you to the most important Jewish settlements in Bohemia and Moravia. You'll visit the Little Fortress and the former ghetto with crematorium in Terezin. You'll see the Jewish quarters, synagogues and cemeteries with the tombs of famous rabbis from Miklulov, Holesov, Trebic, Boskovice, Kolin and Decin. In Pilsen we'll show you the third largest synagogue in the world and in Liberec the most modern synagogue - the Building of Reconciliation.

This film takes you to the forests of West Bohemia and the world-renowned spas that can be found there. You will visit Karlsbad, which was founded in the 14th century by the emperor and king of Bohemia Charles IV. You will learn about the colonnades and the curative attributes of the local springs and will also see the much-loved Becherovka and the world famous Moser glass. You will visit the local sights, sports complexes, the town's surroundings and the theatre and International Film Festival that is held there. Marienbad is one of the youngest Bohemian spas. The town's fame began to grow at the beginning of the 19th century. You will see the places visited by kings, emperors, sultans, famous writers, composers, scientists and philosophers, all of whom came here to enjoy local cures.From Marienbad you will move to Frantiskovy, the SOOS National Nature Reserve with the Earth History Museum and butterfly farm. We shall invite you on a trip to the Krusny Hills, which boast the highest peak in the Czech lands. Our journey ends in the first radioactive spa in the world in Jachymov. "We, Charles, with God's grace Roman Emperor, Augmentor of the Empire and King of Bohemia, hereby proclaim and let it be known to these people that we acknowledge the everlasting allegiance paid to our reign and Bohemian crown by our faithful and devoted subjects of Karlsbad and daily evidenced by their esteemed services. Therefore, by the law of this charter, they are granted the privilege to hold and to exert into the future with all the freedoms, rights and good practices enjoyed by our royal cities."

Legend has it that Princess Libussa had a vision in which she saw the Hradcany, the heart of the city of Prague, on the site where the country’s capital was later to be founded. Emperor Rudolph ll lived there in the 16th century and it was through his influence that the principles of modern chemistry were discovered, thus laying the foundations of present day science. The secret of alchemy, however, has remained elusive to the present day.

Old Town Square - Staromestske Namesti Franz Kafka - Franz Kafka Royal Way - Kralovska Cesta Holy Infant of Prague - Prazske Jezulatko Vysehrad - Vysehrad Mala Strana - Mala Strana Charles Bridge - Karluv Most Prague Castle - Hradcany Jewish Quarter - Zidovske Mesto New Town - Nove Mesto Petrin Hill - Petrin Hill Prague by Night - Praha V Noci

Experience two of Europe's most exciting and historic cities - Prague and Paris. Each has its own identity and charm. Prague is laid-back Bohemian and a city of classical symphonies and concerts at the same time. Paris, The city of Light, is bright and bustling with history and tradition at every turn. The Cruise, on the Main, Rhine, and Moselle Rivers traces a history of Europe's heartland, with the color and excitement of castles, small towns, and Europe’s finest wine area.

Prague is a golden city of a hundred towers, a gem on the Moldau and a young city with a long history. The most famous of all bridges across the Moldau is the Charles Bridge that connects the old town of Stare Mesto with the city district of Mala Strane below Castle Mountain. Old Town Square is the name of a picturesque square in the centre of the old town surrounded by houses and churches whose facades form a colourful blend of numerous architectural styles. Prague Castle originated from a Slavic settlement in the 9th century A.D. and it is the largest castle complex in the world. The front of the main building measures more than half a kilometre. The Royal Palace is the present living quarters of the country’s president. Nearly one third of its inner courtyard belongs to St. Veits Dom a wonderful Gothic cathedral whose construction took several centuries. A boat trip on the Moldau is an absolute must on any visit to Prague. Most of the excursion boats leave from Charles Bridge close to the Kampa Peninsula. The journey travels beneath a few of the city’s sixteen bridges and the view from the boat adds a totally different perspective to the sights experienced on the city’s streets. Everyone who visits this city falls in love with it and cannot help but be totally fascinated by its special ambience. Prague is a thing of beauty in the very heart of Europe!

The capital of the Czech Republic is also called ‘the golden city’, the ‘mother of cities’, but its most fitting name is the ‘city of 100 spires’. In the old town there are the towers of the City Hall, the Tyn temple and the Magazine. The puppet play of its famous Astronomical clock is marvelled at by thousands every hour. The Jewish district is famous for its old cemetery and the synagogue. The Charles Bridge with its 30 statues leads to the other side of the Vltava. The other part has plenty of very good restaurants. The green dome of the Saint Nicholas Church can be seen above the citizens' houses. The Prague Castle is one of Europe’s most beautiful castle districts with gothic, renessaince and baroque palaces, with a royal palace, parks, temples. Whoever visits Prague won’t forget the Wenceslas Square and the famous pubs the ‘U Kalycha’ and the ‘U Fleku’. While wandering on the medieval streets we understand why this place became the setting for the legends of Dalibor, Faust, Rabbi L?w and the Golem.

Prague, the Golden City, does full justice to its name. The beauty of this historically rich metropolis on the banks of the Vlatava has been well known for several centuries. One of the city’s many architectural focal points is the Charles Bridge which since the 14th century has connected the old town district with part of the Hradschin, Prague Castle. Prague’s Astronomical Clock is world famous and not only does it display the time, it also shows the date and the corresponding sign of the Zodiac. South of the famous Hradschin Castle is the most ostentatious residence in the city, the Palais Waldstein that is of Late Italian Renaissance design. Beautiful and spacious gardens round off the elegant appearance of the palace that was built between 1624 and 1630. Petrin Hill and its sixty metre tall iron tower that dates back to 1891 is yet another attraction offered by the capital of the Czech Republic. A number of the buildings in the historic Jewish district of Josefov, such as the Old-New Synagogue, have been well preserved and the historic, romantic and enchanting atmosphere of Prague’s Jewish Cemetery has been the subject of several novels. Considering the abundance of its historic monuments it is not surprising that Prague continues to shine out in all the splendour of its glorious and colourful past.

Prague, world famous city on the Moldau, captivates with its remarkable monuments and unique ambience. There is hardly another Middle European metropolis that possesses so many wonderful architectural and historic treasuries thus Prague’s combination of Gothic and Baroque buildings have created a unique harmony that is truly magnificent. The Charles Bridge is without a doubt one of the most famous sights in Prague due to Emperor Karl The Fourth who ordered the construction of this marvellous Gothic stone bridge on the Vlatava. The Old Town Ring with its lavish and elegant houses has often been the setting for numerous colourful events including coronations, knights’ tournaments, political and religious meetings, and even executions and massacres. The proud Teyn Church was donated by tradesmen in 1365. The south tower was completed at the beginning of the 16th century and the wonderful design of the sacred Gothic building also applies to its interior. Karl Alley is one of the most beautiful old town lanes in the world, largely due to its beautiful Renaissance houses with their slight hint of Baroque. A mighty, high cupola towers above Kreuzherren Square and the legendary church is an ideal vantage point for many glorious views across the old town. Prague is a city of history with an amazing abundance of old world charm.

For centuries the city of Prague on the River Vlatava has possessed a special kind of magic. The impressive quantity of historic buildings has made the city one of the most popular destinations in Europe for tourists from all over the world. Dating from the time of Charles The Fourth, the Charles Bridge is one of the city’s most famous landmarks and was created by one of Prague’s most celebrated architects, Peter Parler. The ascent of the legendary Castle Hill with its world famous Hradschin also features several beautifully decorated historic buildings. The one thousand year history of Prague’s Castle Hill began in 925 A.D. when the region was ruled by Wenzel who built a modest-looking rotunda for Saint Vitus. For pilgrims, both the Hradcany, and most notably the Loreta Sanctuary, are among the most popular religious destinations in the Czech Republic. In addition to the impressive facade created by Christoph Dientzenhofer, the richly sculptured decorations reflect the architectural styles of the 17th and 18th centuries. Saint Vitus Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and the largest in the Czech Republic. With the official ordination of the cathedral on September 28th 1929 its six century period of construction finally reached its glorious conclusion. Despite its mixture of various historical epochs and their various styles the overall effect of the building can be described as nothing less than magnificent. A special tourist attraction is a tiny yet historic gem, Golden Lane, once renowned for its infamous alchemists. However, despite its rather disastrous history of alchemy and due also to the existence of the Hradcany, Prague is quite rightly still known as, The Golden City.

The medieval streets of Prague are explored day and night by a group of backpackers from the U.S.and Australia.A road trip to the `Bone Church` caps their adventure. Experience the rush of traveling the world for the first time with a crew of international back-packers, ages 16 - 22 on their quest for adventure, romance and the perfect moment.A variety of hosts from around the globe and the young people they hook up with on location are relentless in their pursuit of fun (and don’t forget that culture, mate!American girls explore Rome, Brits take on Thailand and things get wild when the Aussie’s arrive in Copenhagen.Five continents, Unlimited Adventure.Take the alternate route, dude.

DVD. Naxos Scenic Musical Journeys. 60 Minutes. The Places Our tour of the Czech Republic takes us through the countryside, following the River Vltava to Prague, the capital city, visiting some of the great buildings that lie on its course. The Music The music chosen for our tour starts with the first great Czech nationalist composer, Bedrich Smetana, who left a monument to his country in his cycle of orchestral pieces, Ma Vlast (My Country). The younger composer, Antonín Dvorak, established a still greater reputation in music that reflected his native Bohemia in all its variety.