An article about 10 Interesting Facts about the Czech Republic. Are you ready to be shocked?
The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, is one of the most misunderstood countries in Europe.
Each day, visitors to Prague (the one and only city everybody knows about) make a lot of mistakes while talking about this Central European country, especially because some of them still use “Czechoslovakia” to refer to the whole country.
Here are 10 interesting Facts about the Czech Republic that you didn’t know! Enjoy!
10 Interesting Facts About the Czech Republic
Czechoslovakia Ceased to Exist Ages Ago
Ever since 1991, the political union called Czechoslovakia peacefully ceased to exist and two new countries were born: The Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic. And no, Communism hasn’t been present ever since 1989 when the Velvet Revolution took place.
Slovakia is a completely separate country and its capital is Bratislava. You can check out some of the best things to Do and See in Bratislava here my friends!
Today, Czechs feel insulted if you label them as Eastern Europeans instead of Central Europeans.
The Film Hostel was Filmed Here
Eli Roth’s Hostel is a very unique movie in the sense that allegedly takes place in Slovakia, has Russian actors playing the bad guys and was actually filmed in the Czech Republic.
Eli Roth used the town of Český Krumlov as the backdrop for his slash film mainly because the costs of filming in the Czech Republic are fairly low. Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible was also filmed here for the same reasons.
The Czech Invented the Art of Defenestration
Defenestration consists of throwing someone out of a window and the Czechs were the first ones to coin the term back in 1618 when two Imperial Governors and their secretary were thrown out of a window of Prague Castle and started the 30 years war.
Ever since, defenestration has been a part of Czech culture with the last one taking place in 1948 where the Czechoslovakian minister of foreign affairs was thrown from a window.
One of their Former Presidents Stole a Pen
Perhaps the most famous incident by a Czech Politician was the fact that Czech Republic’s second president, Václav Klaus infamously stole a pen during a state visit to Chile. The worst part? He was totally caught on camera and the incident soon became an international affair.
His justification? “Official pens are normally free to be taken by official visitors and this one was not an exception”. Incredible, uh?
The Czechs Have a Very Dark Sense of Humor
When taking a look around the Souvenir Shops of Prague, you’ll be surprised to find things that would probably cause an immense outrage in neighboring countries. Including, but not limited to, Nazi memorabilia and funny Hitler masks.
This is is because the Czech have a very dark sense of humor and they understand that the best way to deal with a tragedy is to just laugh about it.
Franz Kafka was Czech, not German
One of the most common misconceptions is that people believe that Franz Kafka was actually German or Austrian, mainly because his most famous works were written in the German language. The truth is, however, that he was Czech raised and born.
The reason why he wrote in German was simply that it was one of the most popular languages at the time in Czech lands, similar to how France was very popular in Russia during the 19th Century.
Simpson’s Duff Beer is Made Here
When I saw it for the first time, I simply couldn’t believe it but yes, the Duff beer IS real and you can buy it in Czech Republic for less than 1 euro. The taste is awful but hey, if it’s good enough for Homer it’s good enough for me.
Of course, you should also try Pilsen, Czech’s number 1 and most popular beer.
Czech Contemporary Art is Weird. Very Weird
David Czerny is the Czech Republic’s favorite son. His contemporary art sculptures can be found mainly on the streets of Prague, including crawling creepy babies, staircases that lead to statue’s buttocks, inverse horses, suicidal poets, pixelated huge human heads and yes, two guys peeing on each other.
You don’t have to understand it to appreciate it. In fact, you probably will never understand it at all!
Czech Guards are Europe’s Most Fashionable Ones
The Czech Guard’s uniforms were first introduced in 1990 when the communist regime ended and the first Czech President wanted to differentiate his guards’s uniforms from the generic ones found in neighboring countries.
To do so, he hired a Czech fashion designer called Theodor Pistek and well, the result was a truly amazing one. Are those uniforms pimping or what?
There’s More to the Czech Republic than Prague
Prague is a very popular stop on everybody’s Eurotrip (check out some of Prague’s Best Hostels here) but did you know that the Czech Republic is way bigger than that?
From the amazing landscapes of the Moravia region to the disturbing church of bones found in Kuta Hora, the Czech Republic is a place filled with contrasts.
Have you ever been to the Czech Republic? Got more interesting facts to include? Share your thoughts and let me know what you think!
Until next time, my friends!
