Top 10 popular UNESCO sites in Czech Republic

The Czech Republic’s rich cultural heritage has made it one of the most popular destinations in Europe for history seekers from around the world. The country is full of history, architecture, culture, impressive castles, natural beauty, and some popular UNESCO sites. The country has several UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are worth visiting and are ideal for everyone’s tastes and preferences. Apart from these UNESCO world heritage sites, Czechia is also famous for architectural wonders like Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, and Charles Bridge. CNN also ranked the Charles Bridge on the Vltava river in Prague among the world’s top 10 most beautiful bridges. 

The Czech Republic has a rich cultural heritage with many UNESCO sites, which attract millions of visitors every year. If you are curious about the famous monuments to visit in Czech Republic and are planning a trip there, then this article will provide an overview of some of the most popular UNESCO sites in the Czech Republic. But make sure to check the most recent COVID regulations before planning your European trip. Here, we will also tell you the location, historical significance, and other important notes about these popular sites in Czechia.

1. Historic Centre of Prague

The Historic Centre of Prague has been a designated UNESCO World Heritage Centre since 1992. This place was built between the 11th and 18th centuries during the reign of Charles IV, and since then it is considered a leading center of learning for everyone in Europe. Prague has long served as the intellectual and cultural hub of its area, with internationally renowned figures such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Kafka. 

Location: Old Town Square, Staroměstské nám., Prague, Czechia

Listed in: 1992

2. Holy Trinity Column

The Holy Trinity Column is a famous monument in Czech Republic, located in the historic center of Olomouc, in Central Moravia. The Moravian Baroque style architecture of this building was the best in the 18th century in all of Central Europe. The monument is also exemplified best by this structure. 

The Holy Trinity Column has a significant symbolic meaning since it embodies the residents of this city’s sense of pride and religious fervor. The popular Holy Trinity Column was added to the UNESCO List in 2000.

Location: Horní nám., 771 00 Olomouc, Czechia

Listed in: 2000

3. Litomyšl Castle

Litomysl Castle is the largest Renaissance castle in the Czech Republic and is located in the Pardubice Region. This beautiful castle was built in the second half of the 16th century using Renaissance architecture and holds a special place in the history of Czechia. The castle was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

The arched Litomysl Castle underwent many changes as a result of the impact of fresh artistic movements. The castle has High-Baroque and Renaissance architectural styles and is equipped with a brewery within the castle complex. Litomyšl Castle is the birthplace of Bedrich Smetana, the famous composer from the Czech Republic.

Address: Jiráskova 93, 570 01 Litomyšl, Czechia

Listed in: 1999

4. Karlovy Vary, The Great Spa Towns of Europe

Spa therapy, the ancient way to treat the body and mind, became quite popular in European countries in the 19th century. Even a few towns in Europe are designated as spa towns where people use mineral water for therapeutic and healing purposes. Before the 19th century, when industrial medicine was not invented, there were 11 spa towns located in different countries across Europe, including Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázn, and Franti Kovy Lázn. 

Karlovy Vary town is the latest addition to the UNESCO world heritage site and, presently, this spa region is popular for its mineral springs and thermal baths. Visitors can take advantage of various treatments at the numerous spas in the Karlovy Vary region.

Address: Jiráskova 93, 570 01 Litomyšl, Czechia

Listed in: 2021

5. Český Krumlov

Český Krumlov is one of the popular gothic-style cities in Czech republic located in the South Bohemian Region. It lies at the confluence of the Elbe and Vltava rivers and was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1992. The name of the town means “Czech Krumlov” in English, and it is one of the most preserved medieval towns in Europe. The town has never experienced any type of conflict, fire incident, or any other town-devastating occurrences in the past. 

The historic center and Gothic architecture of Český Krumlov are among the most famous places in Europe. Český Krumlov is a stunning example of a medieval small town in Central Europe that underwent Renaissance and Baroque transformations but kept much of its original architectural legacy.

Located in: South Bohemian Region, Czech Republic. 

Listed in: 1992

6. Gardens and Castle at Kroměříž

The Gardens and Castle at Kroměříž were constructed between the 17th and 18th centuries and are best known for their Baroque-style architecture. This beautiful castle is located in Moravia town, and it was listed as Czechia’s UNESCO heritage site in 1998. 

These two locations are regarded as the best representations of a Baroque-style home and the surrounding landscape from the 17th and 18th centuries, which feature buildings in Neoclassical and French Empire styles.

Address: Sněmovní nám. 1, 767 01 Kroměříž, Czechia

Listed in:  1998

7. Kutná Hora

The richness and prosperity of the Kutná Hora town are based on mining. Although Kutná Hora has numerous fine structures, still the Church of Our Lady at Sedlec and the Church of St. Barbara’s had significance in the history of the town. Both churches are designed in Central European architecture. In fact, the Church of St. Barbara is considered a gem from the Gothic era. The town along with the church of Our Lady in Sedlec underwent many changes in the early 18th century and was given a new baroque-style architecture. These UNESCO sites in Czech Republic are all worth your attention if you really want to explore some baroque-style buildings in the town.

Located in: Prague, Czech Republic

Listed in: 1995

8. Villa Tugendhat

The Tugendhat Villa, created in the 1920s by the architect Mies van der Rohe, was crucial to the spread and acceptance of the Modern Movement at the time. Villa Tugendhat is situated in the second-largest city in the Czech Republic, Brno, and is one of the best places to visit in Prague. This villa is the best example of modern architecture in Europe and has been on the UNESCO list since 2001. The Tugendhat Villa was designed with the most aesthetic interior to meet the contemporary lifestyle demands of royal people visiting the villa. 

Address: Černopolní 45, 613 00 Brno, Czechia

Listed in: 2001

9. St. Procopius’ Basilica and Jewish Quarter in Třebíč

An important illustration of the coexistence and exchange of values between Jewish and Christian cultures throughout history is the combination of the Jewish Quarter and the Basilica of St. Procopius in Třebíč. A remarkable testament to the cultural Jewish traditions in central Europe is the Jewish Quarter and the adjoining Jewish cemetery. On the other hand, the Basilica of St. Procopius is an illustration of Western architectural influence in Central Europe. Since 2003, Teb’s cultural heritage has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Address: Zámek 1, Podklášteří, 674 01 Třebíč, Czechia

Listed in: 2003

10. Church of St. John of Nepomuk at Zelená hora

The Church of St. John of Nepomuk is a star-shaped building in Zelená hora built in the early 18th century. The monument is the most peculiar creation of renowned architect Jan Blazej Santini, whose incredibly unique style straddles the lines of neo-Gothic and Baroque. The church was inscribed as a UNESCO site in 1994.

Address: Sychrova, Žďár nad Sázavou 2, Sázavou, Czechia

Listed in: 1994

So far we have discussed the best UNESCO sites in the Czech Republic with proper information regarding this location and listing date. Presently, the Czech Republic has 16 certified UNESCO sites and a further 14 sites on the tentative list. Visiting these UNESCO sites in Czech Republic is among the best things to do in Czech Republic to witness the beautiful history and culture of the country. 

I hope you might have loved reading this article and if you love to know more about the Czech Republic like popular summer festivals, best restaurants, and major cities then kindly head to our other articles. 

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