Welcome to the land of fairy tale castles, delicious beer, and rich history – the Czech Republic! Nestled in the heart of Europe, this country has something for everyone, whether you’re a lover of art, architecture, or music, or simply seeking a new adventure. From the stunning Gothic spires of Prague to the picturesque countryside dotted with charming villages and rolling hills, the Czech Republic is a hidden gem just waiting to be explored. So grab a pint of Pilsner and get ready to discover the magic of this enchanting destination.
1-10 Interesting Facts About Czechoslovakia
1. The split of Czechoslovakia was not favored by the majority of the people, as only 36-37% of Czechs and Slovaks supported the dissolution.
2. When Czechoslovakia split, each country, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, were given one verse of the national anthem to use. It was the only (mostly) non-violent split of an ex-Eastern Bloc nation. In fact, it was so peaceful it was called the “Velvet Divorce”
3. Despite an agreement between the Czech Republic and Slovakia that forbids either successor state from using the flag of Czechoslovakia. However, Czechia (formerly known as the Czech Republic) has been illegally using the flag of the former country.
4. According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the United States, Czech ranks as the second most challenging language to learn.
5. Before WWII, German Chief of the General Staff Ludwig Beck, along with other top generals, had planned to arrest Hitler if he declared war on Czechoslovakia.
6. During World War II, the former Czechoslovakian president, Emil Hácha, suffered a heart attack when informed by Hitler about the imminent invasion of Czechoslovakia and the bombing of Prague.
7. The Nazis, during their occupation, had plans to preserve the Jewish quarter of Prague, intending to establish an “exotic museum of an extinct race.”
8. Czechoslovakian car maker Tatra sued Volkswagen before WWII because the original Beetle was so similar to the Tatra T97. However, when Germany invaded Czechoslovakia in 1938, the lawsuit was canceled by the Nazis, leaving Tatra no recourse.
9. In the D-Day scene in the movie Saving Private Ryan, the two characters surrendering and subsequently killed by American soldiers were speaking Czech, not German. They pleaded, “Please don’t shoot me! I’m not German, I’m Czech, I didn’t kill anyone!” The soldiers jokingly translated it as “Look, I washed for supper!”
10. Even after Germany had invaded Czechoslovakia, the New York Times Magazine published articles praising Hitler’s taste and design of his Bergh.
11-20 Fun Facts About Czech Republic
11. As the largest city and cultural hub of the Czech Republic, Prague boasts a population of 1.3 million, with approximately 12% of Czechs residing in the capital.
12. Not one, but two wars kicked off because someone got yeeted out of a window in Prague.
13. A whopping 11,000 Czechs identified themselves as “Knights of the Jedi” in the 2011 census. Apparently, they thought that being a Jedi was a religion. Either that or they just really wanted to be able to use force to levitate their beer mugs.
14. From 2005 to 2010, Prague was home to a unique broth#l where men paid a one-time fee of $23, while women and couples were granted free entry. The catch? All the steamy action was filmed and streamed online for a paying audience.
15. Ever wondered about Superman’s roots? The superhero’s creators drew inspiration from the golem, a Jewish legend about a clay protector defending Prague’s Jews. Forget Krypton – Prague’s where the real superhero saga began!
16. In the Czech Republic, beer is cheaper than water in pubs, leading its health minister to call on restaurants and bars to offer at least one nonalcoholic drink at a price less than that of beer. However, the Czech Hotel and Restaurant Association stated that it is ready to fight against “excessive regulation.”
17. In Prague, the unique combination of beer and spa is a reality. Visitors can immerse themselves in beer baths while enjoying unlimited beer from a separate keg. The high hop oil content in beer is believed to open pores, ease stress, stimulate metabolism, and boost immunity.
18. And speaking of beer, did you know Budweiser, the name synonymous with American beer isn’t American?
Yep, Budweiser is a stolen name from a Czech brewery in the city of Budvar (Budweiss), and they’ve been fighting over it since 1907.
19. The country dial code of the Czech Republic is 420, and the rate of cannabis use in Czech is one of the highest in the world.
20. Mushroom hunting is a beloved pastime of the Czech people, with more than 70% of the population venturing out to gather wild mushrooms at least once a year.
21-30 Cool Facts About Czech Republic
21. In the Czech Republic, a unique Easter tradition involves young men going from house to house, spanking unmarried women with a homemade whip. As a thank-you gesture, the girls’ fathers offer the young men a shot of vodka.
22. In a cinematic showdown, North Korea once demanded the Czech Republic ban “Team America: World Police” from theaters. However, the Czech Foreign Minister dismissed the demand, stating, “Obviously, it’s absurd to demand that in a democratic country.”
23. The Czech Republic is considered one of the least religious countries in the world, with around 39.8% of the population identifying as atheists.
24. Škoda, an automobile manufacturer that sells its cars in over 100 countries is a Czech brand.
25. The word Robot comes from 1920s Czechoslovakia, and the original meaning was “forced laborer.”
26. On December 21, 2007, the Czech Republic completely abolished its border controls, opening them to all neighboring countries.
27. The Czech Republic is ranked as the seventh safest country in the world to live in.
28. Prague Castle holds the title of the largest ancient castle globally, with a complex dating back to the 9th century. Serving as the residence for Bohemian kings, Roman emperors, and Czech presidents, the castle spans over 70,000 square meters, encompassing palaces, churches, and gardens. With over 1.8 million annual visitors, it remains a prominent tourist attraction.
29. If Czech Republic were a film, it’d be a blockbuster. Renowned as a popular filming location, Prague has featured prominently in films like Mission Impossible (1996), Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Casino Royale, Amadeus, Spider-Man – Far from Home, Jojo Rabbit, Anthropoid, and The Gray Man.
30. The narrowest street in Prague is only 20 inches (50 cm) wide. Due to its small size, it has traffic lights on both sides. They aid in preventing people from meeting in the middle and attempting to pass each other. Vinárna ertovka is the name of the street.
31-40 Shocking Facts About Czech
31. In 1999, Phillip Morris, the tobacco giant, advised the Czech government to encourage smoking! Why? Well, according to them, it would save the government big bucks on healthcare, pensions, and housing for the elderly.
32. The Czech Republic is the beer-drinking capital of the world. Czechs consume more beer per capita than anyone else in the world, with an annual consumption of 160 liters (43 gallons) per person.
33. Czechia is also the land of libraries and literature, where every citizen reads an average of 13 books a year.
34. Czech etiquette dictates that a man should enter a restaurant before his female companion. When entering other buildings, he is expected to let her go in first.
35. In 1927, Czech citizens Frantĭsek Burian and Arnold Jirásek established the first plastic surgery in the country.
36. Ice hockey is the most popular sport in the Czech Republic.
37. Prague boasts the world’s oldest moving clock, located in the Old Town Square tower. Built-in 1490, this intricate timepiece not only displays the hour but also showcases the month, season, and star constellations. Legend has it that to safeguard its uniqueness, town councilors blinded the clock’s creator, ensuring he couldn’t replicate it elsewhere.
38. The Czech Republic holds the title of the castle capital of the world. Situated at the heart of Europe, the country has over 2,000 castles. This density of castles is the highest in the world.
39. Johan Gregor Mendel, who laid the foundation for the principles of genetics and inheritance, was born in Czech Republic.
40. The Czech Republic is among the top 7 countries globally in terms of the fastest average internet speed.
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading 40 Interesting Czech Republic Facts.
