Message about the Czech Republic. Is the Czech Republic hospitable for the life of Russian migrants? Foreigners in the Czech Republic: average standard of living, reviews

Several years ago, Prague earned the right to be called the center of European shopping. Local shops They offer clothes and shoes at very reasonable prices, even in the city center. On Wenceslas Square in the Czech capital, tourists will find several dozen shops with a varied assortment at affordable prices. Fans of designer clothes and luxury brands will be able to dress up on Parizhskaya Street. It is very profitable to be in the Czech Republic during seasonal sales; prices are reduced by 2-3 times.

A wide variety of goods are brought from the Czech Republic, primarily, of course, beer and the famous liqueurs “Becherovka” and “Slivovitz”, absinthe. Indispensable souvenirs are beer mugs of all shapes and sizes. Unique Bohemian crystal is in constant demand. Those with a sweet tooth stock up on delicious Czech waffles with fillings. Jewelry lovers will find beautiful silver and garnet items here. When buying a magnificent Czech garnet, be sure to have a certificate confirming its authenticity.

Tourists are happy to buy ceramics, porcelain, and lace. Fashionistas and fashionistas will not ignore the hats from the Tonak factory, which have been sewn here since the end of the 16th century. Many people buy here exact copies of the hats of famous personalities, for example, Winston Churchill.

Ladies will not be able to pass by the amazing costume jewelry of the Preciosa factory, which is considered elite.

Children will be delighted with a variety of toys - puppets, porcelain dolls in national clothes, and they will be especially delighted with the plush mole, a famous cartoon character.

Women who want to get pregnant buy a figurine of the baby Jesus, called Ezulatko, it will help the woman fulfill her dream and will protect her child.

Medicinal salts are brought from Karlovy Vary, and romantics get an unusual and original souvenir - a salt rose, soaked in salts of mineral waters and frozen forever. At the resorts you can purchase medicinal cosmetics and original drinking utensils mineral water from sources.

When purchasing expensive items, do not forget to save receipts until customs control- they will prove that you are not exporting antiques.

A nice bonus - if you purchased goods worth more than €100 in stores with a Tax-free system, you will be refunded up to 25% of the purchase price, do not forget to fill out the necessary documents.

Kitchen

Beer is the calling card of the Czech Republic. Sophisticated connoisseurs of the foamy drink enjoy it in drinking establishments near breweries, for example, in Pilsen, Prague and Budujevice, and in the villages of Velkopopovice and Krušovice. In addition to breweries, many restaurants can boast of brewing beer.

From May 16 to June 1, Prague becomes a Mecca for beer lovers, who come here for the beer festival. At this time, you can get acquainted with the taste and hop qualities of more than 70 types of beer. The Czechs claim that their beer is as medicinal as their legendary mineral springs, and drink large mugs of it at any time of the day.

Each type of beer has its own characteristic taste, so it is very difficult to single out one as the best.

In ancient times, brewers settled at least a mile apart so as not to compete with each other. And if the public passed a verdict that a brewer’s beer was bad, then he was subjected to physical punishment and a serious fine. Thanks to such harsh measures, Czech beer has always been of excellent quality.

Beer in the Czech Republic is always served chilled to 6-10 degrees; it is believed that it is at this temperature that the intoxicating drink is tastier and more aromatic. The most common and famous varieties of Czech beer are Urgent Pilsner, Gambrinus, Staropramen, Krusovuce, Ferdinand. But in every establishment they will consider it an honor to let the guest try a unique variety, prepared only here: nettle, cherry, wheat and even coffee beer.

Beer in the Czech Republic is not just a drink. It is used in the preparation of many dishes, soups, dough is kneaded on it and sauces are made from it.

The popularity of Becherovka liqueur, infused with 42 herbs, has long gone beyond the borders of the Czech Republic. The liqueur is named after the pharmacist Joseph Becher, who created this drink in 1805 for medicinal purposes for use in stomach diseases. But the unique mild taste of the liqueur was appreciated not only by patients, and soon the drink became very popular. Only Karlovy Vary water is used in its production.

The most popular spirits are plum vodka and 72-proof absinthe with wormwood flavor.

Czech cuisine is quite diverse and has incorporated both elements of pan-European cuisine and national features. Tourists' favorite national dishes are goulash, fried sausages, onion or garlic stew, roast goose, meat rolls, sweet palachinka pancakes stuffed with chocolate mousse or jam. We also recommend trying stewed cabbage soup, soup baked in a loaf of bread, beef goulash with dumplings and the famous apple strudel. And with beer, take the famous bacon!

Czech cuisine is famous for its flour products, especially dumplings. Dumplings can serve both as a side dish and as a separate dish filled with minced meat or jam. A popular dish among Czechs is pork with stewed cabbage and dumplings.

• There is a funny landmark in Prague - a sculpture of two men pissing. Computer-controlled water jets display phrases from famous Prague residents.
• The famous polka dance is not of Polish, but of Czech origin. The name is derived from the Czech word for “half”, since the musical time signature of the dance is 2/4.
• In Prague you can walk along the Royal Route - here the Czech kings walked “to work” and back.
• Czech grammar is considered the most difficult in the world.
• The most high point Czech Republic - Mount Snezka with a height of 1602 meters.
• The Czech Republic has the highest level of beer consumption per capita - 160 liters per person per year.
• Prague Castle is the largest castle in the world.
• Every year in June, from the 19th to the 21st, small town Cesky Krumlov hosts a real carnival in honor of the Five Petal Rose Festival, at which time the city plunges into the real Middle Ages. Historical costumes are brought here from all over the country, in which all the townspeople, young and old, dress up. Tourists can also take part in costumed events, torchlight processions, and buy unique souvenirs at the fair.

Tourist information

To visit the Czech Republic you need a Schengen visa.

The country's currency is the Czech crown.

Grocery stores are open from 6 am, universal stores - from 9 am. Banks are open only on weekdays, and exchange offices are open daily.

Historical sites and museums are closed on Mondays and days following holidays.

Czech time is 2 hours behind Moscow time.

Important - smoking is prohibited in the country at bus stops and in in public places. The fine for violating the ban is 42 €.

When visiting cafes, bars and restaurants, it is customary to leave the same tip as everywhere else in Europe - no more than 10%.

You can import into the country no more than 200 cigarettes, a liter of strong alcohol and 2 liters of wine, no more than 50 ml of perfume or 250 ml of eau de toilette, and medicines for personal consumption.

The Czech Republic is a completely safe country, where law and order is ensured by numerous police officers. But, as in any major tourist centers, no one is immune from theft of a wallet or valuables, so be vigilant.

Most streets in historic centers are paved with cobblestones, so it's wise to stock up comfortable shoes in low heels.

When exploring cities on your own, be sure to purchase a map - not all buildings have numbers, but a map will allow you not to get lost and find the necessary attractions.

Transport

The country has developed intercity bus service. Bus passengers are required to wear seat belts.

The country also has an extensive network of railways, all big cities You can get there by train or train. 50% discount on children's tickets.

Drivers with an international license and over 21 years of age can rent a car. You need to pay a deposit for the car. Remember to wear your seat belts and turn on your headlights during daytime.

You can get around cities by public transport, which runs exactly on schedule. There is a metro in Prague. When traveling by taxi, it is advisable to agree on the price with the driver in advance, in order to avoid mutual misunderstanding at the end of the route.

Hotels

Czech hotel service meets European standards, its level directly correlates with the category of the hotel. Hotel rooms with one or two stars do not have bathrooms; they are shared by several rooms. Regardless of the category and size of the hotel, for breakfast you will always have muesli, coffee, tea, bagels with butter, cheese and several types of sausage.

Each hotel must confirm its rank every 4 years, so hotel owners take care of the appropriate quality.

In the Czech Republic there are fashionable hotels of global hotel chains, youth hotels, hostels, and private boarding houses; shelter can be found for any income, the main thing is to take care of accommodation in advance at the height of the tourist season.

Lovers of antiquity can stay in romantic castle hotels with their own ponds, gardens, and royal rooms for newlyweds. But this pleasure is not cheap - from 300 €.

In Prague, the cost of hotels is directly proportional to their proximity or distance from the center of the Czech capital.

Travelers by car are offered more than 200 campsites, modern and well-equipped, with running water, electricity, and laundry facilities on their territory.

Holidays

The most “important” holiday in the Czech Republic is Christmas, and the most fun and noisy holiday is Maslenitsa (in the rural outback it is celebrated jointly by all village residents). The celebration of the end of the harvest is called Dozhinok. In southern Moravia, the beginning of autumn fishing is celebrated in numerous ponds, many of which are over 400 years old.

Public holidays include:

• January 1 - New Year.
• Good Friday.
• Easter Monday.
• May 1 - Labor Day (in the Czech Republic this day is called the “holiday of love”).
• May 8 is the Day of the Czech Republic's liberation from fascism.
• July 5 is the Day of the Slavic Apostles Cyril and Methodius.
• July 6 is Jan Hus Memorial Day.
• October 28 - Independence Day. On this day in 1918, the Czechoslovak Republic was proclaimed in Prague.
• December 25 and 26 - Christmas; on these days the shops are closed (and on December 24, Christmas Eve, they are open only until 14.00).

How to get there

Several Aeroflot and Czech Airlines planes fly from Russia to the Czech Republic every day from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod. Ekaterinburg and other large cities. The most popular cities of arrival are Prague, Brno, Karlovy Vary. A train departs daily from the Belorussky Station in Moscow to the Czech Republic, the journey time is 32 hours.

Where it all began
The second name of the Czech Republic is Bohemia. It originated from the ancient Celtic tribe of Boii, who inhabited the territory of modern Northern Bohemia in prehistoric times. Then the Celts were replaced by the Germanic tribes of the Marcomanni, and in the 5th century they were replaced by the Slavs, from whom the modern Czechs descended.
The Slavic state, which reached its peak at the beginning of the 11th century and was called Great Moravia, has a very strange fate. Firstly, none of the historians can say exactly where the capital of this state was located. Secondly, despite the fact that Great Moravia had a fairly impressive territory (it included Slovakia, Bohemia, as well as part of what is now Austria and Hungary), this state had already collapsed by the beginning of the 10th century. Great Moravia was a Christian country; its baptizers, just like in Rus', were the apostles Cyril and Methodius.

“I see a golden hail!”
Thanks to the efforts of the first Czech princely dynasty, the Přemyslids, a new unification of the country took place between the 10th and 14th centuries. One of the most significant figures of this dynasty was Prince Wenceslas I, who was later canonized and considered the heavenly patron of the Czech Republic. The emergence of the capital of the Czech state, the city of Prague, is associated with the same period. According to an ancient legend, this event was predicted by Princess Libuše, the mythological founder of the Přemyslid family. Looking from the steep bank of the Vltava River at the place where Prague is now located, she prophetically exclaimed: “I see a golden city, its glory will rise to the stars!” Of course, a legend is a legend and historians, as always, have their own opinion on this issue: they believe that Prague became the capital after Prince Přemyslovich-Borževoy moved his residence here.
Despite the fact that Bohemia (which is what the Czech Republic was called in the old days) had its own princely dynasty, it was part of the German Empire. The situation changed in the second half of the 12th century, during the reign of Prince Přemysl Ottakar II. He managed not only to escape the subordination of the German Empire and establish autocracy in Bohemia, but also to expand the borders of his possessions, annexing Austria, Styria, Carinthia and Carniola to the Czech lands. True, Přemysl’s triumph did not last long: the prince died in the war for the German crown that followed these events.

Luxembourg
Following Přemysl Ottakar II, another representative of the Přemyslid family, Prince Vaclav III, was killed in the Czech city of Olomouc. The dynasty ceased to exist. The question of who should rule next was soon resolved: in 1310, the wedding of 14-year-old John of Luxembourg to Wenceslaus III's 18-year-old daughter Eliska (Elizabeth) took place. Despite his young age, which, however, was in the order of things, John annexed Cheb and a significant part of Silesia to Bohemia. All together, the new regions began to be called lands of the Czech crown.
John of Luxembourg was a good king, but he had one fatal weakness: he loved to fight. When there were no wars or clashes in his own state, he went to other countries to get them. Naturally, this passion did not lead to anything good: in 1346, John died in the Battle of Crecy, speaking against the British on the side of the French.
The throne passed to John's son Charles IV, who was crowned Holy Roman Emperor. The personality of this ruler is so interesting that it deserves a separate discussion. Charles was a more practical and less ambitious ruler than his father, and took a keen interest in all the political affairs of his country. The biography of Charles IV is full of interesting facts. For example, few people know that the Czech king had a completely different name: at birth he was named Wenceslas IV, but since he was brought up at the French court, they began to call him Charles there. Incidentally, this fact is the reason that Charles IV is sometimes confused with his son, who also bore the name Wenceslas IV.
Charles IV came to the throne when he was almost a child. He did not know the Czech language at all, and he was immediately surrounded by many evil advisers who wanted to usurp power, formally leaving the young king to rule. However, despite his age, Karl turned out to be a very subtle and intelligent politician. Having unraveled the plans of his insidious minions, he learned the Czech language in a very short time and took the reins of power into his own hands.
Charles IV is called the father of the Czech people. Indeed, this wise and enlightened ruler did a lot for his country, and the times of his reign became the zenith of the power and prosperity of the Czech Republic. It was under him that the first Charles University in Central Europe was created, the Charles Bridge and the magnificent St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague were built, as well as many churches and monasteries throughout the Czech Republic. In those days, Prague was considered the third city of the Christian West after Rome and Constantinople. A gilded plaque on the Old City Hall reads: “Prague head of the empire.” The Emperor came up with a plan for the Prague New Town and personally supervised the construction; Karlštejn Castle and the Karlovy Vary spa were also named after Charles IV. Karl's achievements include the beginning of winemaking in the Czech Republic.

Period of the Hussite Wars
After the death of Charles IV, his eldest son Wenceslas IV became the owner of the Czech crown. The period of his reign was marked by economic, national and religious conflicts. The preconditions for these conflicts arose under Charles IV. The fact is that, being a very pious man and, moreover, having influential friends in Vatican circles, Charles actively supported the clergy. At the end of his reign, it had such wealth and privileges that it could not help but cause discontent among the population of the country.
In order for these public sentiments to develop into something more, an ideological leader was needed. And such a person soon appeared. He became a theology teacher at the University of Prague, Jan Hus. In his sermons, which took place in the Bethlehem chapel, Hus condemned the corruption of the clergy, called for depriving the church of property and subordinating it to secular power, demanded church reform, and spoke out against German dominance in the Czech Republic. The further fate of Jan Hus is known to everyone. At first he was excommunicated from the church, but despite this, he continued to preach secretly in Czech towns. Then, by decision of the church council, which was held in German city Constance, Hus was sentenced to death. Hus's execution took place on July 6 (now this day is a public holiday in the Czech Republic). Every Czech first-grader knows the last words of the great reformer, which he said after he was asked for the last time to abandon his ideas: “I will not renounce!” The execution of Jan Hus was the spark that ignited the flames of the 20-year Hussite Wars. This revolution left a deep mark on the history of the country, but did not lead to any significant results. By compromising with the supporters of the Reformation, the church fulfilled only social, not religious demands.

Habsburgs
In 1526, the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand I of Habsburg became king of Bohemia. This dynasty was destined to rule the country until 1918. The emperor who left the most noticeable and striking mark in the history of the Czech Republic was Rudolf II. Of course, he was a man with an extraordinary and interesting character. He kept a lion as a pet and was a passionate art enthusiast and mystic. Rudolf amassed a very large collection of paintings, including works by the geniuses of the Italian Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael. Rudolf's passion for everything related to supernatural forces led to Prague becoming the world capital of alchemy for almost thirty years. Magicians and alchemists from all over Europe flocked here in the hope of receiving the patronage of the emperor.
Rudolf II was the only representative of the Habsburg dynasty who wished to move to Prague (the rest of the Habsburgs ruled the country from Vienna). As once under Charles IV, so during the reign of Rudolf, the capital of the Czech state became the cultural center of the Holy Roman Empire. Many Baroque buildings were built here, including the Church of Loreta and the Cathedral of St. Nicholas. In 1611, under pressure from his relatives, Rudolf II was forced to abdicate the throne in favor of his brother Matthias. The fact is that the emperor suffered from a severe form of syphilis, accompanied by dementia.
Subsequent representatives of the Habsburg family began to pursue a policy of tightening the screws: one after another, all the liberties that the loyal and democratic Rudolf II had been so generous with were canceled. In 1618, the political situation in the country became so tense that it resulted in an event called the “Second Prague Window Throwing”: a group of 27 Bohemian nobles threw two imperial governors and their secretaries from the windows of the royal palace. This uprising was one of the reasons for the start of the Thirty Years' War - Protestant Bohemia rebelled against Catholic Austria. The decisive battle in this war was the Battle of White Mountain, which the Protestants lost. More than 30,000 Protestant families were forced to leave the country, and Prague became a provincial city for many years. A “dark era” of economic and cultural stagnation began in the history of the Czech Republic. During this period, German became the official language of the state, all key positions in the state were transferred to the Germans, and they also occupied leading positions in the economy. Many Czech nobles and intellectuals are leaving the country.

Awakening of the Nation
The period of the reign of the Austrian Archduchess Maria Theresa was marked by the awakening of national consciousness, and peasant uprisings swept the entire country. Under Emperors Joseph II and Leopold II, a revival of Czech culture took place: theaters staged plays in the Czech language, and the works of the historian Frantisek Palacky were published. Well aware of the threat created for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Emperor Franz Joseph tries to stop the revolutionary sentiments in the country, but he fails to do this.

First World War and the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Already during the First World War, such prominent Czech political figures as T. Masaryk, E. Beneš and M. Stefanik found refuge first in Switzerland and then in Paris. They manage to convince the allies of the need to create an independent Slavic state between Germany and Austria.
At the end of the war, on October 28, 1918, a significant event took place: the Czechoslovak Republic was proclaimed in Prague. On November 14 of the same year, its first president, Tomas Masaryk, was elected. In 1935, he was replaced in this post by Eduard Benes.

The Second World War
However, the newly formed state did not last long. After the conclusion of the so-called Munich Treaty of 1938, Nazi Germany captured the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia, populated mainly by Germans. On March 14, 1939, Slovakia declared its independence, and the very next day fascist troops invaded the territory of the Czech Republic. More than 300,000 Czechs and Slovaks died in the camps of the Third Reich, and 200,000 Czechoslovak Jews were killed by the invaders.

The period of communism and the Prague Spring
On May 5, 1945, Red Army troops liberated the Czech Republic from German invaders. Shortly after World War II, the Czechoslovak Republic fell into the Soviet sphere of influence. The democratic parties failed to resist the communists, who received 40% of the votes in the 1946 elections.
Among the many attempts to reform or improve the communist system was the famous “Prague Spring” (1969): in response to the attempt of the Czech communists led by Alexander Dubcek to build “socialism with a human face,” the Warsaw Pact countries sent their troops into Czechoslovakia.

Regime change and collapse of Czechoslovakia
Mass protests and demonstrations that swept the country in the late 80s of the twentieth century were called the “Velvet Revolution”. It was followed by a general strike, leading to regime change. Playwright and former dissident Vaclav Havel became the new president of Czechoslovakia.
On January 1, 1993, due to “insurmountable contradictions,” the Czechoslovak state was peacefully divided into two independent Republics: the Czech Republic and Slovakia. These states have always followed different political courses: while Slovakia was guided by the policies of Moscow, the Czech Republic was aligned with European countries. In 1999, the Czech Republic joined NATO, and in 2004 became a member of the EU. On December 21, 2007, the Czech Republic joined the countries participating in the Schengen Agreement. This means that with Czech visa you will be able to freely travel to cities and towns of other European countries that are part of the above-mentioned agreement. By train or by renting a car. The latter option, of course, is better, since it allows you to independently develop an interesting route option for you, change the scenario during the trip and generally feel freedom from any schedules and whims of strangers during your own vacation. It is best to travel around Germany and Austria, combining visits to large cities with small provincial ones in order to fully experience the flavor of local life.

The history of the Czech Republic begins in the 4th century BC, when the first historical inhabitants appeared on its territory - the Boian Celts, from whose name the country received its name - Bohemia. Around the middle of the 1st century BC. Bohemia began to be populated by the Marcomanni - ancient Germanic tribes who ousted the Celtic tribes from these lands. Marobod, who stood at the head of the Germanic tribes and eventually united all the East German lands that inhabited a large area from the middle Danube to the lower Vistula, founded the first state. This state did not last long - internecine wars between tribes and the rivalry of their leaders had an impact.

The Germanic tribes were replaced by the Huns, and then the Slavs. In the center of the country lived one of the most powerful tribes - the Czechs, under whose rule other tribes were united. This is how a union of Czech Slavs was created, which was able to defend their lands. Over time, neighboring Slavic peoples joined the union.

Uniting peoples and creating a state

During the period from 830 to 907 AD, there was a gradual unification of the Czech Slavs and neighboring Slavic peoples. As a result of this unification, the Great Moravian Empire was created, which included Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, parts of modern Slovakia, Poland and Germany.

During this period (863), Christianity became widespread, the preachers of which were two monks who arrived from Byzantium and were subsequently canonized - Methodius and Cyril.

They conducted services in the Slavic language, and also taught the Slavic population to read and write.

The Great Moravian kingdom did not last long; it collapsed at the beginning of the 10th century, unable to withstand the onslaught of the Hungarians. And only at the beginning of the 14th century the country again became united thanks to the efforts of the Přemyslid princes.

Přemyslid Dynasty

The history of the Czech Republic from 872 to 1306 is marked by the period of rule of the first Czech princely dynasty - the Přemyslids.

Prince Wenceslas, who was one of the founders of the dynasty and sought to improve relations with Germany, was killed in 935 by his brother Boleslav I. For 14 years, Boleslav I fought with the Germans, but, in the end, he was forced to admit dependence on the German state in 950

During the reign of Boleslav I, Moravia and part of the Polish lands located in the upper reaches of the Elbe and Oder rivers were annexed to the Czech Republic.

Under Boleslav II, a bishopric was founded in Prague in 973, and Vratislav II became the first crowned king of the Czech Republic in 1086. This royal title was bestowed upon him in 1085 by Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor.

During the beginning of the reign of Přemysl Otakar I, different lines of the Přemyslid dynasty waged internecine wars among themselves for power, of which Otakar I emerged victorious. He established peace, strengthened central power and weakened the political independence of the major nobility.

For his support of Frederick II of Hohenstaufen in the struggle for the crown of the Holy Roman Empire, Otakar I received from him in 1212 the Golden Sicilian Bull, a document that confirmed the hereditary right to the Czech royal throne without any conditions or tribute, as well as the integrity of the state and its borders . Czech kings also received the right to participate in the election of the Holy Roman Emperor.

Under Otakar I, cities actively developed, the Czech kingdom received international recognition, and bishops and clergy received significant privileges and rights.

In the 13th century, the Czech Republic became one of the most powerful states within the Holy Roman Empire; Germans began to actively populate its territory.

In the second half of the 13th century, during the reign of Přemysl Otakar II, Austria and the duchies of Styria and Carinthia were annexed to the Czech lands. However, his claims to the German crown and throne led to the death of Otakar II in 1278 during the Battle of the Moravian Field.

After the death of Otakar II, his son Vaclav II ascended the throne, who was able to strengthen power through a number of active measures and pursued an active foreign policy. After his premature death, his son Wenceslas III ascended the throne, but was soon killed under mysterious circumstances. With his death, the Přemyslid dynasty ceased to exist in 1306.

Luxembourg board

The history of the Czech Republic from 1306 to 1310 is marked by a period of four years of struggle for the Czech throne, which ended with the ascension to the throne of John of Luxembourg, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Wenceslas II. During the reign of John of Luxembourg, the power and borders of the Czech kingdom increased significantly, due to the annexation of Cheb and a large part of Silesia. During the reign of John in 1338, the Old Town Hall was erected.

In 1346, John's son, Charles IV, ascended the Czech throne. The reign of Charles IV (1346 - 1378) is rightly called the “Golden Age” of the Czech Republic. Under him, the first university in Prague was created, construction of the Cathedral of St. Vita, numerous churches and monasteries were erected, as well as the Karlštejn Castle and the bridge in Prague (Charles Bridge). founded by Charles IV New town Prague and famous resort Karlovy Vary.

Charles IV was the first Czech king to be crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 1355, with Prague as its capital.

During the reign of Charles IV, winemaking, textile and agricultural production developed, the borders of the Czech kingdom were expanded by annexing part of the lands of Germany and Poland.

Charles IV actively supported the clergy, who, during his reign, accumulated enormous wealth and received privileges. This circumstance caused discontent among the population.

At the same time, German colonists actively populated the free lands, creating their own cities and villages and living according to their own established laws.

After the death of Charles IV in 1378, the throne was inherited by his son, Wenceslas IV, who was constantly in conflict with the clergy and representatives of the Czech aristocracy. Conflicts that arose on national and religious grounds led to the emergence of a reformist religious movement in the country.

Hussite movement

The leader of the reform religious movement was the priest Jan Hus. In his sermons, he demanded reform of the church, calling for the deprivation of its property, denounced the morals and corruption of the clergy, and also spoke out against German dominance in the country.

Jan Hus was excommunicated from the church, and on July 6, 1415, accused of heresy, he was sentenced to be burned by the decision of the Council of Constance.

Four years after the execution of Jan Hus, anti-German riots that began in Prague served as the beginning of the Hussite Wars, which engulfed the Czech Republic and lasted for 15 long years (1419 - 1434). The Hussite wars left a deep mark on the history of the Czech Republic - the country, preoccupied with its religious problems, was cut off from pan-European cultural development for a long time.

Habsburg rule

In 1526, Ferdinand I of Habsburg ascended the Czech throne, the first representative of the Habsburg dynasty, which ruled the country for 400 years, until 1918.

One of the most prominent rulers of the Habsburg dynasty is Rudolf II, who left a noticeable mark on the history of the country. He was a very extraordinary person: he patronized science and art, and was fond of astrology and astronomy. Famous artists, poets, musicians, astronomers and alchemists gathered at the royal court at that time. Prague, which he made his royal residence, was at that time the center of alchemical science.

In 1611, under pressure from his relatives, Rudolf II, who at that time was sick and exhausted, was forced to abdicate the throne in favor of his brother Matthias, who pursued a tough policy towards the population of the country. He abolished all the “liberties” that Rudolf II was generous with. Political situation in the country by 1618, it had become so aggravated that it resulted in an event that was called “The Second Prague Throwing from Windows: Czech nobles threw two imperial governors and their secretary from the window of the royal palace.” This event marked the beginning of the Thirty Years' War between Catholics and Protestants.

In 1620, the Protestant army suffered a crushing defeat at the White Mountain near Prague. Participants in the uprising were subjected to repression: many of them were either executed or sentenced to exile from the country. Bohemia lost its autonomy and became part of Austria. All churches were transferred to the disposal of the Catholic clergy, and non-Catholics were deprived of all civil rights. This period in the history of the Czech Republic is marked by the period of German colonization, oppression of the Czech population and forced Catholicization.

During the reign of Empress Maria Theresa, national consciousness awakened and peasant uprisings swept the entire country. The reign of Emperors Joseph II and Leopold II was marked by a revival of Czech culture: museums and theaters were built, and theater productions were staged exclusively in the Czech language. The works of composers Smetana and Dvorak, writer Alois Jirasek, and artist Miklos Ales were very popular among the population.

Emperor Franz Joseph tried to stop revolutionary sentiments in the country, realizing that they posed a great threat to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but his plans were disrupted by the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.

XX century

The defeat of the German bloc in World War I led to the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the end of the reign of the Habsburg dynasty in the Czech Republic.

The year 1918 was marked by the creation of an independent republic - Czechoslovakia, which included the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Tomas Masaryk was proclaimed the first president of the new state, and Prague became the capital of the republic.

However, the young state did not last long. After the Munich Treaty of 1938, Nazi Germany was given the Sudetenland to Czechoslovakia, populated mainly by ethnic Germans who were happy to reunite with Germany.

In 1939, Slovakia declared its independence and became an ally of Germany. In the same year, the remaining part of the Czech territory was occupied by German troops (Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia).

During the German occupation, the main victims were Czech politicians and intellectuals, as well as Jews who were killed or sent to concentration camps.

Czechoslovakia, liberated by the Red Army in May 1945, came under the influence of the USSR, as a result of which a communist regime was established in the country. The development of the economy along Soviet lines contributed to the nationalization of industry and the collectivization of agriculture.

An attempt to reform the communist system in 1968 (Prague Spring) ended with the introduction of troops and tanks of the Warsaw Pact countries into Czechoslovakia and, thus, the suppression of the Prague Spring occurred.

The history of the Czech Republic at the end of the 80s was marked by a period of democratic change. Mass protests and demonstrations that swept the entire country marked the beginning of the Velvet Revolution (1989), which resulted in the overthrow of the communist regime in the country.

On January 1, 1993, Czechoslovakia was divided into two independent states - the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Vaclav Havel was proclaimed President of the Czech Republic, and Prague became the Czech capital.

In 1995, the Czech Republic was admitted to the OECD, and in 1999 joined NATO.

XXI Century

In 2000, the capital of the Czech Republic - Prague was declared cultural capital Europe.

In 2004, the Czech Republic joined the European Union, and in 2006, civil partnerships between people of the same sex were legalized in the country.

Since 2007, the Czech Republic has been part of the Schengen zone.

Good neighborly and friendly relations have been established between the Czech Republic and Russia, which are based on mutually beneficial cooperation.

Currently, the Czech Republic is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.