Karlovy Vary, Mill Colonnade (2021) by The Great Spa Towns of EuropeUNESCO World Heritage
Welcome to Czechia!
The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe filled with cultural wonders. But how many of these surprising facts did you know?
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1. Czechia has the largest castle in the world
Currently the official office of the President of the Czech Republic, Prague Castle used to seat kings of Bohemia and Holy Roman emperors. It's the largest coherent castle complex in the world, with an area of almost 70,000m².
historical Cesky Krumlov (2009-11-18) by Dennis FlahertyGetty Images
2. It also has the biggest number of castles in Europe
On the topic of castles, Czechia is home to well over 2,000 castles and chateaux. The most famous ones are Orlík Castle, Hluboká Castle, and Karlštejn Castle.
Prague reflections (2020/2020) by Arturo TejeroAsociación Española de Pintores y Escultores
3. It has a 'City of a Hundred Spires'
Do you know which city is it? It's a nickname for Prague! When you take a look at the city from the gates of Prague Castle, you can see many rooftops and spires. In the 19th century, philosopher Bernard Bolzano supposedly counted them and came up with the nickname.
Evil Conscience (1926/1926) by Josef ČapekMoravian Gallery in Brno
4. The word 'robot' was coined in Czechia
It was first used by Karel Čapek in his science-fiction play "R.U.R". It was his brother Josef Čapek (the painter) who is credited with creating the word.
Color Contact Lenses, Medicine, Eye Glasses by Albert FennLIFE Photo Collection
5. Contact lenses came from Czechia
Otto Wichterle, a Moravian inventor, created the material for the contact lenses on the basis of a hydrophilic gel. Later it was patented and this came to be our currently used contact lenses. Thanks to Czechs we're able to see better!
