The Journey to Bohemia

Hi to everyone, who is reading this right now! Let's continue. :)

Today, I'm going to tell something about historical richness of my country. So...

Generally, there are three historical lands - Bohemia, Moravia and a part of Silesia. It is written from the biggest to the smallest.

Historical lands with their coats of arms

Bohemia

The biggest part of Czech Republic is situated to the west of this state. The origin of it's coat of arms is explained by The Legend of Bruncvík.

Bruncvík and Bohemia's lion

Bruncvík's father, the Bohemian prince, has gained an eagle to Bohemians coat of arms. After father's death Bruncvík was rulling wisely and fairly. But he wanted to change the arms, so he has decided to set out to the world. Once on this journey, he saw some lion fighting with the dragon. Bruncvík didn't hesitate and he immediately helped the lion to kill the dragon. The lion was gratefull for Bruncvík's help and he has followed the prince of Bohemia to his land. Therefore Bruncvík has finally gained the new animal for land's coat of arms.

Big towns

From the biggest to the smallest (according to numbers of inhabitants):

• Prague (the capital of Czech Republic) - in the middle of Bohemia

Prague Castle and Charles Bridge

• Plzeň (Pilsen) - to the west; 2015 European Capital of Culture

Cathedral of Saint Barotloměj

• Liberec - to the north

The town hall of Liberec

• Ústí nad Labem (Aussig in German) - to the north-west

This city is situated over the river Elbe

• Hradec Králové - to the east

Big square (Velké náměstí)

• České Budějovice - to the south

The Black Tower in the backround

• Pardubice - to the east

Pernštýnské square
with The Green Gate on the left

• Kladno - to the south-west of Prague

Floriánské square

• Karlovy Vary - to the west; Karlovy Vary International Film Festval

Wonderful spa town

• Jihlava - to the south-east

One of the biggest square in Czech Republic

So that's listing of county towns. There are also other big towns without this title, such as Most, Děčín etc. And Kladno is not the county town, but it is the biggest town in Středočeský district - it's official county town is Prague, but Prague is county town to onself, so it's complicated...

Origin of the name - the Legend about forefather Čech

As you can see, all towns have the historical centre, because Bohemia has the old roots of settlement. The first settlers were Celts (since 3rd century) and Germans (tribe Marcomanni; since 1st century). And than Slavs (since 5th century) - since than it has begun! There is the Legend about forefather Čech (Czech version). (He and his tribe were Slavs.)

Forefther Čech

Once upon a time, Čech and his brother Lech decided to find new better country than their Charvat land above the river Visla with many battles there. They set of to the south-west with their tribes. One day, after a lots of days of journey, Čech led his people on the round hill (now called Říp) and let them to have a rest. While they were relaxing, he looked around the nature. There were wonderful forest, rivers and meadows. He said: "This is the land for us, we will settle down here!" And the people started to shouted with pleasure: "This land will be named after you! It is Čechy!"
His brother Lech wasn't happy with this land. He decided to make his own castle and village and after hertbreaking goodbyes Lech and his tribe left Čechy. But forefather Čech and his people stay here so far.

Some drawing of Čech and his people

Říp

From the other view

I wish you enjoyed this post. I'm looking forward for the next one!

Your Esi Cedarwood