Page 687 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

CZECH REPUBLIC  685

Czech Beers
The best-known Czech beer is Pilsner, which is made
by the lager method: top fermented and matured at
low temperatures. The word “Pilsner” (now used as a
generic name for similar lagers brewed all over the
world) derives from Plzeň, a town 88 km (55 miles)
southwest of Prague, where this type of
Czech beer was first brewed in 1842.
beer-bottle cap The brewery that
developed the beer
still makes Plzeňský prazdroj (original
source), better known by its name
Pilsner Urquell, as well as the very
popular Gambrinus. Guided tours of
the brewery include a tasting. České
The spa town of Karlsbad with its Budějovice is Bohemia’s other
19th-century Mill Colonnade famous brewing town – home to
the Czech Republic’s biggest selling
a hot spring. By the end of the export beer, Budweiser Budvar.
16th century, more than 200 spa
buildings had been built in the Selection of Czech beers
town. Today, there are 13 hot
mineral springs. The best-known
is the Vřídlo (Sprudel), which, at very little in the last few hundred complex, the splendidly
72˚C (162˚F), is also the hottest. years, although some buildings restored castle tower can be
Among the town’s historic suffered severe flood damage in climbed for superb views of the
monuments are the 18th- 2002. A maze of narrow cobbled whole town. Other highlights
century Baroque parish church streets radiates out from the of the castle include a Rococo
of Mary Magdalene. The elegant main square (Náměstí Svornosti), chapel, a lavishly decorated
19th-century Mill Colonnade which is lined with elegant ballroom – the Maškarní sál –
(Mlýnská kolonáda) is by Josef arcaded Renaissance buildings and the ornate 18th-century
Zítek, architect of the National including the former town hall. Rococo theater. The castle
Theater (see p683) in Prague. On one of these streets – Horní – gardens provide a tranquil
Karlsbad is also known for its is the magnificent 16th-century spot to sit and relax, while
Karlovy Vary china and Moser sgraffitoed Jesuit College (now a performances of opera and
glass, and for summer concerts hotel) and, opposite, a museum ballet take place in the
and cultural events. explaining the town’s history. gardens’ open-air theater
Schiele Centrum is housed in a in July and August.
Environs 15th-century former brewery. In summer, renting a canoe
Around 60 km (38 miles) The museum has an excellent from one of a number of outlets
southwest of Karlsbad is collection of works by the in the town is a good way to
another of Bohemia’s spa towns, Austrian painter Egon Schiele. enjoy the fine views of Český
Marienbad (Mariánské Lázně). Český Krumlov’s most famous Krumlov from the river.
Here, the cast-iron colonnade, sight is its 13th-century castle –
with frescoes by Josef Vyleťal, is the Krumlovský zámek – in the + Krumlovský zámek
an impressive sight. There are Latrán quarter. In the older, Latrán. Open Apr–Oct: Tue–Sun.
also many pleasant walks in the lower part of the castle & 8
local countryside, especially in
the protected Slavkov Forest.
5 Český Krumlov
180 km (112 miles) south of Prague.
* 14,000 £ @ n náměstí
Svornosti 2 (380 70 46 22).
∑ ckrumlov.info
Of all the Czech Republic’s
medieval towns, Český Krumlov
must rank as the finest. Almost
entirely enclosed by a bend in
the River Vltava, the beautifully
preserved Inner Town (Vnitřni
Město) appears to have changed Český Krumlov’s castle tower rising above the medieval Inner Town

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