history of czech republic. quick overview before wwii, czechoslovakia became hitler's target....
TRANSCRIPT
History Of Czech Republic
Quick Overview • Before WWII, Czechoslovakia became Hitler's target. After the Munich Agreement of
1938, Hitler's troops occupied the ethnic-German border regions of Bohemia and Moravia. Hungary then received territory in southern Slovakia, and the Slovak and Ruthene regions received an independent status for a short time.
• Czechoslovakia ceased to exist in March 1939, when Hitler occupied the remainder of the Bohemian lands and (the remaining) Slovakia was basically forced to declare independence.
• The newly independent Slovak state became an ally of Nazi Germany. Slovakia's troops fought on the Russian front until the summer of 1944, when the Slovak armed forces staged an uprising against their government. (German forces crushed this uprising after several months of fighting.)
• After World War II, pre-war Czechoslovakia was reestablished, all Germans were expelled from the country and Ruthenia was occupied by (and ultimately surrendered to) the Soviet Union.
• Three years later the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia seized power (1948–1989) following a parliamentary election in which the Communists emerged as the winner and the country came under the influence of the Soviet Union.
• In 1969, Czechoslovakia was turned into a federation of the Czech Socialist Republic and Slovak Socialist Republic. Under the federation, social and economic inequities between the Czech and Slovak halves of the state were largely eliminated.
• In 1989, the country became a democratic country again through the Velvet revolution. In 1992, the federal parliament decided to split the country. On January 1st, 1993, the Czech Republic and Slovakia were split.
Golden Lane Golden Lane is known from the 15th century. This was a time when goldsmiths, servants and craftsmen had opportunity to live and work there. Later, during 20th century, Franz Kafka lived in one of houses (shown in the picture) and wrote various works.
The question many people have is: why are these houses so small? Were the people somewhat small before? Maybe it is because of the servants (lower class) living there (lower class – lower life conditions)? And…maybe houses are small to create an inspiring feeling for artistic people (eg. for Kafka)?
What do you think?
St. Vitus Cathedral St. Vitus Cathedral has a long history that extends from its founding in the 10th century to its final completion in the 20th century. The original church was founded by "good king" St. Wenceslas in 925. This was replaced with a Romanesque basilica in the late 11th century.
Work on the present building began in 1344. Most of it was designed by the 22-year-old German architect Peter Parler, who also designed the Charles Bridge and other Prague landmarks.
St. Vitus Cathedral The Hussite Wars and the Thirty Years' War halted constructed on the cathedral for several centuries. It was not until the 20th century that the western side of the cathedral and its two towers were completed. Although modern, they were constructed according to Parler's original plans.
St. Vitus Cathedral is the largest and considered the most important church in Prague.
Apart from divine services the coronations of Czech kings and queens also took place in it.
Visitors enter the cathedral through the portal in the western facade, opposite the passage-way between the Second and Third Courtyards of Prague Castle. Its bronze door is decorated with scenes from the history of the cathedral and from the legends about St. Wenceslas and St. Adalbert.
Jewish Quarter Jewish Cemetery Jewish Museum
Spanish Synagogue
Jewish Cemetery In the Old Jewish Cemetery in Josefov, there are around 12,000 tombstones, crowded closely together.
This cemetery was used from 1439 to 1787 and it is the oldest existing Jewish cemetery in Europe. The Nazis made it a policy to destroy Jewish cemeteries. However, Hitler ordered that this cemetery be left intact. (He was planning to build a Jewish museum in Prague after all the Jews in Europe had been exterminated according to his plan.)
Jewish MuseumAfter the Nazis started liquidating the Jewish communities in what is now the Czech Republic, it was proposed to the Germans that they should set up a museum to hold all the objects that the Nazis were confiscating from the synagogues in Bohemia and Moravia. The Nazis approved the project and in 1942, the Central Jewish Museum was created. As a result, memorial objects from the synagogues in the Czech Republic were saved and they are now on display at four of the old synagogues: the Pinkus Synagogue, the Klausen Synagogue, the Maisel Synagogue and the Spanish Synagogue.
Note - Although he didn't originate the idea of the museum, Hitler became enthusiastic about the project. In 1942, he thought the Germans would emerge victorious in World War II and that all the Jews would be gone from Europe; he was planning to call the Jewish Museum in Prague the "Exotic Museum of an Extinct Race."
Spanish Synagogue
The Spanish Synagogue received its name because of the interior decor that was inspired by the Alhambra, a building in Granada, Spain that was built by the Moors. In 1492, the Moors and the Jews were expelled from Spain, and the Jews scattered to other countries in Europe.
The Moors were Muslims, who were followers of Mohammed and the Koran. One of the laws of the Koran forbids any human figures or animal forms in sculptures or paintings. That is why Moorish architecture uses only geometric figures in the interior decoration of a building.
Terezin Concentration Camp
Terezin
The foundation of the town of Terezin dates back to the late 18th century when Emperor Josef II drawing on his experience from several Prussian Austrian wars decided to build a fortress at the confluence of the Labe and Ohre Rivers. The fortress town was named after his mother Maria Theresa.
Terezin • After the German occupation Terezin was renamed Theresienstadt.
The Small Fortress became a police prison of the Prague Gestapo in June 1940 – mostly political prisoners were detained there.
• Hitler, the world was to be told, had built a city for the Jews, to protect them from the vagaries and stresses of the war. A film was made to show this mythic, idyllic city to which his men were taking the Jews from the Czech Lands. Notable musicians, writers, artists, and leaders were sent there for “safer” keeping than was to be afforded elsewhere in Hitler’s quest to stave off any uprisings or objections around the so-called civilized world. This ruse worked for a very long time, to the great detriment of the nearly two hundred thousand men, women and children who passed through its gates as a way station to the east and probable death.
Terezin
• Of the vast majority of Czech Jews who were taken to Terezin (or Theresienstadt), 97,297 died among whom were 15,000 children. Only 132 of those children were known to have survived.
Terezin • Since various artistic people were sent to Terezin, many children were
secretly given the opportunity to draw what they were seeing, remembered, or wished for. They hid their drawings underneath floorboards, behind walls, and the like so as to keep the Nazi soldiers from finding them.
• The Terezín children drawings, which have formed part of the Jewish Museum in Prague's collections since the end of the war, are therefore not only an authentic testimony to the brutal perseuction of Jews of all ages, but also a unique collection of what in many cases are the only surviving records of people whose names would otherwise have remained completely forgotten.
• The collection of children's drawings from the Terezín ghetto is quite unique and is probably the most extensive collection of children's drawings in the world. It comprises some 4,500 artworks by Jewish children who were incarcerated during the second world war in the Terezín ghetto.
Children’s Drawings Found Hidden in Terezin
Hotel Ibis Prague Mala Strana is centrally located, close to the historic district of Mala Strana. Most attractions are within walking distance, e.g. Charles Bridge (20 min. away), Prague Castle and Old Town Square, Wenceslas square is only 3 stops away by public transportation which is only 150m from the hotel. All 225 rooms have AC, TV, radio, hairdryer, free WiFi connection, sound proof windows.
Hotel Ibis Prague Mala StranaOur Hotel in Czech Republic!
http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-5211ibis-praha-mala-strana/media.shtml – videoof what the hotel looks like!
Czech Republic:
Places to See
Charles Bridge
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•Commissioned by Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV in 1357
•Many of the 30 Baroque statues placed along the bridge are now replicas. 5
Astronomical ClockIn Old Town Square
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•The Old Town Hall Tower was built in 1338, it overlooks Old Town Square.
•The 12 zodiac symbols below the Astronomical Clock are 12 were added by Josef Manes in 1865. 3
Old Jewish CemeteryIn the Jewish Quarter of Old Town Prague
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•Founded in 1478; Europe’s oldest surviving Jewish cemetery.
•Est. 12 layers and over 12,000 gravestones, but est. 100,000 people buried here.6
Prague Castle
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•Prague Castle is the largest medieval castle complex in Europe today and consists of Saint Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane and more.
•Changing of the guard takes place every hour (at noon the ceremony includes a fanfare).3
Golden Lane
•Originally Goldmakers Lane – first inhabitants most likely goldsmiths, though legends claim alchemists lived here.
•Franz Kafka lived in house no. 22 with his sister Ottla in 1916-17.6
Czech Republic
Money Money
Czech Currency
Czech Crown (Koruna)• Banknotes (Crown): 50, 100 Kč, 200
Kč, 500 Kč, 1000 Kč, 2000 Kč, 5000 Kč
Note: The 20 Kč has been discontinued.
Czech Crown (Koruna)
Czech Heller
• Coins(Heller): 1 Kč, 2 Kč, 5 Kč, 10 Kč, 20 Kč, 50 Kč
Czech Heller
Converter Cheat Sheets Kč to USD
• CZK USD CZK USD CZK USD • 10 0.48 100 4.83 1000 48.31 • 20 0.97 150 7.25 2000 96.62 • 30 1.45 200 9.66 3000 144.93 • 40 1.93 250 12.08 4000 193.25 • 50 2.42 300 14.49 5000 241.56 • 60 2.90 350 16.91 6000 289.87 • 70 3.38 400 19.32 7000 338.18 • 80 3.86 450 21.74 8000 386.49 • 90 4.35 500 24.16 9000 434.80 • 550 26.57 10000 483.12 • 600 28.99 50000 2,415.58 • 650 31.40 • 700 33.82 • 750 36.23 • 800 38.65 • 850 41.06 • 900 43.48 • 950 45.90
Converter Cheat Sheets Kč to EUR
• CZK EUR CZK EUR CZK EUR • 10 0.40 100 4.02 1000 40.22 • 20 0.80 150 6.03 2000 80.44 • 30 1.21 200 8.04 3000 120.66 • 40 1.61 250 10.05 4000 160.88 • 50 2.01 300 12.07 5000 201.09 • 60 2.41 350 14.08 6000 241.31 • 70 2.82 400 16.09 7000 281.53 • 80 3.22 450 18.10 8000 321.75 • 90 3.62 500 20.11 9000 361.97 • 550 22.12 10000 402.19 • 600 24.13 50000 2,010.94 • 650 26.14 • 700 28.15 • 750 30.16 • 800 32.18 • 850 34.19 • 900 36.20 • 950 38.21
Czech Words to Know
• Government type: Parliamentary Democracy• The president: serves a term of five years • Power of the president is limited, however,
the president holds the power to veto any bill passed by parliament
• The current president is Vaclav Klaus who is currently serving his second term.
• Parliament consists of two chambers– The Chamber of Deputies: 200 deputies elected
for a four year term– The senate: 81 senators elected for a six year
term
• Parliament works to pass bills and international treaties
• The Czech government also consists of a prime minister, Jan Fischer
Czech favorites Beer to try: Pilsner Urquell ,Kelt a dark beer, Staropramen, Branik, and Buvar (Their Budweiser) Pub prices usually will range from $0.90-$2.95
Traditional food: Soup as a starter meat ( mostly pork, beef, fish) usually smoked, horseradish, potatoes and dumplings.
*stuffed goose with potato dumplings and cabbage*pork knee in beer with mustard and horseradish
Where to eat!Café Slavia: Is Pragues most famous café, although it is a little pricy. It was opened in 1881. Great place for a coffee and dessert!
Bakeshop: is a very popular place for coffee, muffins, pastries, and much more ( is near St. Vitus Cathedral)
Malostranska Pivnice: is a restaurant/pub serving Czech food in Prague's Lesser Town near Charles Bridge.
Weather!July is the warmest month out of the year ! Although it is the
wettest. So be prepared for some rain. The past week has
been in the high 70’s and 80’s, sunny with a few days of
rain.
And be prepared for the crowds, the months of July and August are the most popular for tourists!
Shopping and souvenir ideasNovy Smichov Shopping
Centreeverything from clothes, electronics and music stores to glass shops and antiques. There are many shops selling souvenirs, t-shirts with Franz Kafka on them, Russian dolls, flaunting puppets, and Czech porcelain and glass.
Pařížská Street ( runs off of old town sqaure, near the Jewish quarter
• Pivovarsky Dum which means beer house. Czechs are known for their beer and this place makes their own. They also have great traditional Czech food at a really good price
• Bohemia Bagel while it isn't a traditional Czech restaurant, it is a popular ex-pat hang out. They have good, fresh food, American style breakfast and free refills on drinks (very unusual in CZ!).
• Cesky Raj off of Wencaslas Square. It has good, traditional Czech meals at reasonable prices.
there is a Bohemia Bagel off of Old Town Square. And the other 2 restaurants aren't really that far from there, either. It's about a 15 minute walk.
Works Cited "About Shopping Center - Shopping Center Nový Smà chov." ObchodnÃCentrumNovýSmÃchov. Web. 26 June
2010. <http://www.novysmichov.eu/en/about-novy-smichov>."Bakeshop." Bakeshop-Home. Web. 26 June 2010. <http://www.bakeshop.cz/our-story-en.html>. CafeSlavia,KavárnaSlavia
-TradièníKavárnavCentruPrahy. Web. 26 June 2010. <http://www.cafeslavia.cz/?akce=aktualne&jidla=&napoje=&lang=en>."Czech Beer in Prague - Pilsner Urquell, Budvar and Staropramen." PragueTouristInformationandTravelGuide. Web. 26
June 2010.<http://www.pragueexperience.com/bars_pubs/czech_beer.asp>."Czech Summer Weather." MyCzechRepublic-CzechTravel,Culture,Community. Web. 26 June 2010. <http://www.myczechrepublic.com/weather/czech-summer-weather.html>."Czech Travel Guide: Eating & Drinking." CzechTravelGuide:PragueHotelApartments,CulturalEvents,Restaurants,Tourist
Info... Web. 26 June 2010. <http://www.czech-travel-guide.com/food.htm>.MyCzechRepublic-CzechTravel,Culture,Community. Web. 14 June 2010. <http://www.myczechrepublic.com>.“Embassy of the Czech Republic.” Political System of the Czech Republic. 2009. http://www.mzv.cz/sofia/en/about_the_czech_republic/political_system_of_the_czech_r epublic/index.html.Czechoslovakia - History." Spiritus-Temporis.com-HistoricalEvents,LatestNews,NewsArchives. Web. 23 June 2010."Golden Lane (Zlatá UliÄka) Sight in Prague, Czech Republic - Golden Lane (Zlatá UliÄka) Travel Guide - Tripwolf." � � TravelGuide-
YourWorldwideTravelGuide-Tripwolf. Web. 07 June 2010. "Photographs of Places in Josefov, the Old Jewish Quarter in Prague." Scrapbookpages.com-aWebSiteforTourists and
ArmchairTravelers. Web. 07 June 2010. "Prague Cathedral - Prague, Czech Republic." SacredSitesatSacredDestinations-ExploreSacredSites,Religious Sites,Sacred
Places. Web. 24 June 2010"St. Vitus Cathedral Pictures from Eastern Europe Photos on Webshots." TravelPhotosandPicturesonWebshots. Web. 07
June 2010. "Terezin's Childern Drawings Collection." ŽidovskéMuzeumvPraze. Web. 10 June 2010."Terezin (Teresienstadt) Concentration Camp." JewishVirtualLibrary-Homepage. Web. 07 June 2010. "Terezin –Theresienstadt.“HolocaustResearchProject.org." HolocaustEducation&ArchiveResearchTeam. Web. 10 June
2010.