Czech Wonders: Discover the Oldest, Deepest, and Highest Gems
1. The Largest Pond.
Not just the biggest pond in the Czech Republic, but the largest pond in the entire world: it’s Rožmberk. Located just outside of Třeboň, this impressive pond was constructed between 1584 and 1590 under the guidance of the renowned fisherman Jakub Krčín from Jelčany and Sedlčany. The dam stretches an impressive 2430 metres. Taking a stroll there and back will help you reach your recommended daily step goal.
2. The Narrowest Street.
The slim Katova alley connects the historical center of Kadaň to the suburb of Špitálský and is rumored to have been used by a master executioner making his way to the town hall to collect prisoners. At its narrowest point, it measures just 66.1 cm, earning a spot in the Dobrý den agency’s records as the narrowest street in the Czech Republic. If you’re curious about an even tighter squeeze, check out the alley in Prague that links U Lužického Seminary Street with the Čertovka restaurant; it’s so tight that there’s a traffic light for pedestrians, but it doesn’t hold the official record because it’s not classified as a separate street.
3. The Tallest Church Tower.
St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, the centerpiece of Republic Square in Pilsen, boasts a tower that stands almost 103 metres tall. This structure is recognized as the tallest church tower in the country. To reach the viewing gallery, you’ll need to climb 299 steps, and on clear days, you may even catch a glimpse of the Šumava Mountains located 70 km away.
4. The Oldest Escalators.
In the heart of Zlín, the Trade House stands as a stunning example from the renowned Bata company era. Designed by Bata’s architect František Lydia Gahura in 1931, it introduced the very first escalators in Czechoslovakia just three years later.
5. The Largest Wooden Horse: Beneath Bouzov Castle.
Did you know that April 24, 1184 BC is the date given by Homer when the Trojan horse entered into Troy, leading to the city’s total destruction by the Greeks? To get a feel for how a massive war machine might have looked, visit the Historical Entertainment Area beneath Bouzov Castle: here you’ll find the largest wooden horse structure in existence, measuring 15 meters tall, 16 meters long, and weighing roughly 40 tons. The interior is open for public exploration.
6. The Highest Royal Castle: Kašperk.
Located in Šumava, not far from Kašperské Hory, Kašperk Castle was commissioned by Czech King and Roman Emperor Charles IV and constructed between 1356 and 1361. At an elevation of 886 metres above sea level, it is indeed the highest royal castle in Bohemia.
7. The Highest Castle in the Czech Republic: Vitkov Kamen Castle.
Once again in Šumava, you can discover another eyrie with a breathtaking view: this destination is the ruins of Vitkov Kamen. While it’s true that the Vitkov Stone rises to 1,053 metres in altitude, making it higher than Kašperk, it wasn’t erected by a king. Constructed in the 13th century, it served as a border fortress and is one of the few places where you can often spot the Alps!
8. The Largest Castle in the World: Prague Castle.
The most frequented monument in the Czech Republic is none other than Prague Castle. According to the Guinness Book of Records, it measures around 570 metres in length and 128 metres in width, qualifying it as the largest ancient castle globally. The sheer size and historical significance of the site are truly impressive, especially considering the additional features like the castle walls, its gardens, and the Deer Ditch—a deep natural ravine located on the northern side of the castle area.
9. The Largest Collection of Stuffed Dogs: Bítov Castle.
Did you know that the Guinness Book of World Records features the largest collection of stuffed dogs in Europe at Bítov Castle? This collection was created by Baron Jiří Haas, the last private owner of the castle. In the early decades of the 20th century, he had his beloved deceased dogs of various breeds, sizes, and colors preserved.
10. The Steepest Railway: The Zubachka from Tanvald to Harrachov.
No railway line in the country is steeper than the cog railway that operates from Tanvald through Desná and Kořenov to Harrachov, extending across the border into Szklarska Poręba. Since 1902, this route has become famous, with the steepest section spanning seven kilometers between Tanvald (466 metres above sea level) and Kořenov (701 metres), where trains manage to conquer an impressive elevation gain of 235 metres, with a maximum incline of up to 58 per mille.
11. The Most Massive Sandstone Canyon in Europe: The Elbe Canyon.
Between Děčín and Hřensko, the Elbe flows through enchanting landscapes filled with sandstone cliffs. The most massive sandstone canyon in Europe is wrapped in rock walls that can reach up to 300 metres in height. You can explore this stunning area from various hiking trails on both sides of the valley, from the windows of passing trains along the international rail line, by boat, while cycling along the Elbe cycle path, or if you’re a climber, directly from the cliffs, such as from the via ferrata on Shepherd’s Wall in Děčín.
12. The Largest Menhir: The Stone Shepherd.
In Central Bohemia, near the village of Klobuky, stands the tallest Czech menhir. This unshaped column-like boulder made of dark iron chalk sandstone reaches a height of 3.5 meters and its widest point is approximately one meter, weighing an estimated five tonnes. It’s believed that this stone was once surrounded by a circle of six to twelve smaller rocks, leading to its name, the Stone Shepherd, and his flock.
13. The Oldest Zoo: Zoo Liberec.
Zoo Liberec holds the title of the oldest zoo in the Czech Republic, established in 1904. Initially, the zoo housed six deer; gradually, it added waterfowl, birds of prey, snakes, lizards, fish, porcupines, monkeys, and even wild buffalo. Today, the zoo is home to around 170 species of animals, with a total exceeding 1,000 animals.
14. The Hottest Mineral Spring: The Karlovy Vary Hot Spring.
At the heart of the Karlovy Vary spa lies the Vřídlo spring: known as the hottest spring in the Czech Republic, it boasts an impressive temperature of 73.4°C and can spout up to twelve meters high. You can even discover it from beneath the surface: the Vřídlo underground tour navigates through the technical areas of the original 19th-century colonnade, offering glimpses of mineral deposits on the corridor walls, remnants of old piping, and the unique process that forms the Karlovy Vary stone roses.
15. The Oldest Neon: The White Swan in Prague.
Established in 1939, the Bílá Labut’ department store, designed by architects Josef Kitrich and Josef Hrubý, is located in Prague’s Poříčí district. The store is famous for its illuminated logo featuring an eight-meter white swan made of neon tubes, which is the oldest operational neon sign in the country. The enormous swan was likely designed by the graphic artist Bozidar Leiser and used to rotate on its axis.
16. The Tallest City Hall Tower: Ostrava.
Ostrava boasts the largest city hall in the Czech Republic, and it also features the tallest city hall observation tower standing at 85.6 metres. From the terrace, which is 72 meters high, you can enjoy stunning views of the Beskydy and Jeseníky mountain ranges on clear days.
17. The Highest Standing Statue: The Elephant on Králický Sněžník.
On a low pylon, just beneath the summit of the mountain at an altitude of 1,363 metres, stands a stone statue of an elephant symbolizing Králský Sněžník. Situated near the now-nonexistent Lichtenstein Chalets and close to the source of the Morava River, it was erected by the Jescher art association prior to World War II.
18. The Largest Tower Clock.
Rising 75 metres high, the City Tower at St. Martin’s Church is a standout feature in Trebic. The clock tower is recognized as the largest in the Czech Republic. Each of its four dials has a diameter of 5.5 metres, with the numbers measuring over half a meter long. The minute hand itself is three metres long, and the combined weight of the two hands reaches 145 kg. This entire system, the largest in both the Czech Republic and Europe, is driven by five mechanical clock movements.
19. The Deepest Flooded Cave in the World: The Hranice Abyss.
The Hranice Abyss is known as the deepest flooded cave in the world. During a Czech-Polish expedition in 2016, a probe was sent to a depth of 404 metres, surpassing the previous record of 392 metres set by Italy’s Pozzo del Merro. Although this remarkable world record has been verified, divers and explorers have yet to locate the cave’s bottom. Based on geophysical assessments, experts believe that this exceptional cave system could be around one kilometre deep.
20. The Largest Sandstone Rock Gate in Europe: Pravčická brána.
The Pravčická Gate is a prominent feature of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, featuring a rock formation that spans nearly 27 metres, with a vault height of 16 metres and a width ranging from seven to eight metres. In earlier times, visitors could walk across the impressive rock arch like a stone bridge, but those days are long gone: the last opportunity to reach the arch from the Falcon’s Nest was in 1982.
21. The Largest Dog Sculpture: The Chodský Dog.
Pet lovers and fans of animal statues may know that the largest dog statue is located close to Domažlice, on Hrádek Hill near Újezda, the birthplace of Jan Sladký Kozina. This remarkable sculpture of the Chod dog measures 3.8 x 8.1 metres and is one of sculptor Michal Olšiak’s largest creations. The statue is hollow, allowing curious visitors to enter and look out through the dog’s mouth.
