Last Updated on May 7th, 2025
The Czech Republic, located in the heart of Europe, is renowned for its deep history and cultural heritage. From grand Gothic cathedrals to intricately carved sculptures, every corner of this land tells a story. During your travels through Prague and other cities, you’ll encounter numerous statues, museums, and historical landmarks that offer glimpses into the nation’s past. This article provides a concise overview of key historical events and figures from the 10th century to the present, giving you a foundational understanding of the names and stories that have shaped the Czech Republic's journey through history.
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| Jan Hus Monument at Old Town Square |
BRIEF HISTORY
- Medieval Beginnings: St. Wenceslas, Charles IV, St. John of Nepomuk (10th–15th Century)
- From the Hussites to the Habsburgs: Hussites Wars, Thirty Years' War (15th–18th Century)
- Modern Czechia: From Revolution to Independence (19th–20th Century)
- Contemporary Czechia: From Division to Integration (1993–Present)
- Interesting note: Prague Airport is named after former Czech president Václav Havel. The name Václav in English is Wenceslas, the same as the Good King St. Wenceslas and King Wenceslas IV, the son of Charles IV.
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| Czechia's history: Medieval – Modern |
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| Czechia's history: Modern – Contemporary |
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| St. Wenceslas statue at Wenceslas Square |
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| Charles IV statue beside Old Town Bridge |
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| St. John of Nepomuk statue on Charles Bridge |
CZECHIA'S NOTABLE FIGURES
Literature
- Franz Kafka
- Franz Kafka hailed from Prague's German-speaking Jewish community, spending much of his life in the Old Town. Renowned for his existential and absurdist style, his notable works include The Metamorphosis and The Trial. Prague honors him with sites like the Kafka Museum and tributes in the Jewish Quarter.
- Franz Kafka Museum, Prague 🔗[Map]
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| Franz Kafka Memorial |
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| Franz Kafka Museum |
- Milan Kundera
- Milan Kundera, born in Brno, is one of the country's most renowned authors, best known for his novel The Unbearable Lightness of Being. His works are rich in philosophical reflections, exploring themes of individual freedom and the tension between personal and historical forces. He moved to France in 1975 due to political reasons, and became a French citizen in 1981, identifying himself as a French writer. However, his connection to his Czech roots endured. In 2019, he regained Czech citizenship, symbolizing a reconciliation with his homeland's history and legacy.
- Milan Kundera Library, Brno 🔗[Map]
- Jaroslav Hašek
- Jaroslav Hašek is best known for The Good Soldier Švejk, which humorously and satirically portrays the life of a common man during WWI. Švejk has become a symbol of Czech humor, with many Prague restaurants and pubs bearing his name as a tribute to Hašek's legacy.
- His birthplace in Prague's Old Town features a memorial plaque above the door 🔗[Map].
- Bohumil Hrabal
- Bohumil Hrabal is celebrated for his unique prose style and depictions of everyday Czech life, with notable works like Too Loud a Solitude and I Served the King of England. In Prague, the "Golden Tiger Pub" (U Zlatého tygra) was his favorite haunt, still drawing literary enthusiasts today.
- Jan Neruda
- Jan Neruda, a 19th-century poet and novelist, is renowned for his short story collection Tales of the Lesser Quarter, set in Prague's Malá Strana district. Nerudova Street, named after him, is a notable landmark for visitors. He is buried at Vyšehrad Cemetery in Prague, the final resting place of many prominent Czech figures.
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| Jan Neruda statue near Újezd—Petřín Funicular stop |
Art
- Alfons Mucha
- Alfons Mucha, a celebrated Czech Art Nouveau painter, is best known for his intricate decorative style. His masterpiece, The Slav Epic, comprises 20 monumental canvases depicting the history and legends of the Slavic people. Mucha's work strongly reflects Czech nationalism and love for his homeland. Though he spent much of his career in Paris, he returned to Czechia and was laid to rest at the Vyšehrad Cemetery in Prague.
- Alfons Mucha Museum, Prague 🔗[Map]
- P.S. I'm not sure why, but Gustav Klimt-related souvenirs are often seen in Prague.
Music
- Antonín Dvořák
- Antonín Dvořák, a 19th-century Czech composer, is known for blending folk music with classical traditions. His Symphony No. 9, From the New World reflects influences from African American and Native American music while retaining a distinctly Czech character. Dvořák was active in Prague, serving as the director of the Prague Conservatory and significantly shaping Czech musical heritage.
- Antonín Dvořák Museum, Prague 🔗[Map]
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| Antonín Dvořák statue in front of Rudolfinum |
- Bedřich Smetana
- Bedřich Smetana, a key Czech Romantic composer, is hailed as the "Father of Czech Music." His iconic work, Má vlast (My Homeland), celebrates Czech landscapes and cultural identity, with Vltava (The Moldau) being its most famous piece. The Prague Spring International Music Festival opens annually on May 12, the anniversary of Smetana’s death, traditionally featuring a complete performance of Má vlast to honor his legacy. Smetana was laid to rest at Vyšehrad Cemetery in Prague, where his contributions to music and Czech nationalism are remembered.
- Smetana Museum, Prague 🔗[Map]
Biology
- Gregor Mendel
- Gregor Mendel, the father of genetics, conducted groundbreaking plant experiments in a Moravian monastery, uncovering the principles of heredity. His pea plant studies laid the foundation for modern genetics. Mendel spent most of his life in Brno, making the city a landmark in the history of genetic research.
- Mendel Museum, Brno 🔗[Map]
CZECHIA'S CULTURAL SYMBOLS
- Cubism—an art movement emerged in the early 20th century
- Cubism extended beyond painting to architecture and design, particularly in Czechia. Prague is one of the few cities where Cubist architecture flourished, blending geometric abstraction into building design.
- House of the Black Madonna, Prague 🔗[Map]
- Cubist houses in Jewish Quarter, Prague 🔗[Map]
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| Cubist houses in Jewish Quarter |
- Crystal
- Czechia is renowned for its crystal craftsmanship, with Moser recognized as the top-tier brand, known for its craftsmanship and design. Czech crystal serves not only as luxury décor but is also used in creating props for Hollywood films and crafting commemorative crystal glasses for the 2025 Japan World Expo, showcasing a blend of culture and creativity.
- Sugar Cube
- The sugar cube was invented in the Czech lands. In 1843, Jakub Kryštof Rad, the manager of a sugar refinery in Dačice, Czechia, created the world's first sugar cube. His wife reportedly disliked cutting sugar loaves and asked for a more convenient solution. This led to the creation of compact, uniform sugar cubes. Today, the sugar cube is not just a practical item but a symbol of Czech innovation.
- Robot
- The word "robot" originates from the Czech word "robota," meaning "forced labor" or "work." It was first introduced in 1920 by Czech playwright Karel Čapek in his science fiction play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots). The play features humanoid machines designed to serve as factory workers who ultimately rebel against their creators. The term "robot" has since entered the global lexicon, symbolizing technology and artificial intelligence.
- Golem
- Golem is a legendary figure in Czech culture, particularly in Prague. The story originates from the 16th century, when Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel (also known as the Maharal), the chief rabbi of Prague's Jewish Quarter, is said to have created the Golem to protect the Jewish community from anti-Semitic violence.
- You can find souvenirs related to the Golem in various places around Prague.
- Krtek
- In Prague, you’ll often find souvenirs featuring characters from the cartoon The Little Mole (Krtek).
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| Unexpectedly discovered the Fryderyk Chopin memorial plaque near Powder Gate Tower. |
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