All News FIDE News Chess News Top Top Federations Main Page / Search Tournaments Titles Transfers Calculators Download FIDE Circuit Women's Events '24-'25 Open Cycle 2025-2026 Women’s Cycle 2025-2026 Women’s Cycle 2023-2025 All Tournaments Main Events About FIDE Handbook Documents Financial Reports Officials Commissions & Committees Federations Affiliated Organizations Affiliated Members Honourable Dignitaries Chart David Navara and Julia Movsesian are the new chess champions of the Czech Republic The Open and Women’s Czech championships organized by the Světlá nad Sázavou Chess Club and Šachový svaz České republiky (Czech Chess Federation) took place from May 9-17 in the conference hall of the Skalský Dvůr hotel in Lísk The events were held concurrently but in different formats The open competition was a 10-player round-robin while the women’s championship was a knock-out tournament with a single preliminary round followed by the quarterfinals GM David Navara turned in a dominant performance in the open event and claimed his twelfth national title with a round to spare The current Czech number one scored an impressive 7.5/9 and became the only unbeaten player in the competition coming into the final round tied for the second position Kraus pulled out a crucial victory over the 2021 champion Vojtěch Plát and secured second place as Babula managed only a draw against Navara with the black pieces and had to settle for bronze WGMs Julia Movsesian (pictured below) and Karolína Pilsová which the former convincingly won by a score of 2-0 The last-year champion WIM Nataša Richterová prevailed over WGM Olga Sikorová in the match for bronze The complete results of the open and women’s championships can be found here Official website: chess.cz/ © 2025 FIDE International Chess Federation stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way or by any means (including photocopying recording or storing it in any medium by electronic means) without the written permission of FIDE International Chess Federation This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker A strange cloud formation has stumped experts at the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute and they are asking people who witnessed it to send them any photos or videos they have An ominous whirling vortex reminiscent of something in an apocalyptic sci-fi film was seen over the Sázava river some of you alerted us to an extraordinary meteorological phenomenon in the form of a pronounced cloud vortex It probably originated in the early morning hours southeast of Prague and then proceeded approximately along the Sázava river toward Zruč nad Sázavou to Ledeč nad Sázavou it disappeared there sometime after 2 pm,” the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) said on Facebook the phenomenon was not a tornado or supercell as it might have seemed at first glance from the earth “It was limited to the lowest levels of the atmosphere up to about 2.5 km above the earth's surface They now “welcome any other relevant observations of this phenomenon” such as photos or video they promise to publish more detailed information is a type of rotating thunderstorm with a large updraft They are always accompanied by rain and are usually isolated from other storms The phenomenon in question was not accompanied by rain and the clouds had the wrong overall structure There are several types but none exactly match what is seen in the video While a vortex does descend from the cloud bank above it doesn’t have the tight cone-shaped mass needed for a funnel cloud it did not touch the ground or cause any damage There have been destructive storms in the Czech Republic. A tornado hit several villages in Moravia on June 24 resulting in six deaths and an estimated CZK 15 billion in damages Your morning coffee deserves a great companion. Why not enjoy it with our daily newsletter? News from Czechia, curated insights, and inspiring stories in English. 25 designs were submitted to the architectural competition for the new swimming complex in H This is an updated version of a 2015 article The area surrounding the 13th-century castle Křivoklát is located close to the Berounka River and boasts a number of places for organizing a rafting excursion. From Kemp Visnova opt to be driven upriver and raft back to the camp or start at the camp and arrange a pick-up The camp is a nice overnight option with bathrooms Getting there: Hlavní Nádraží-Beroun-Roztoky u Krivoklatu (Camp is 5km from station.)Rental fees: 440 CZK/day for a canoe and an inflatable boat.Tip: U Jelena a rustic pension and restaurant just below the Křivoklát Castle that specializes in game dishes Located around 175 km south of Prague, many say the city looks like a miniature version of the capital. There are several places to rent boats including Rafting Krumlov but exercise caution while rafting through the city center because there are dangerous waterfalls Getting there: Student Agency bus from Florenc (3 hrs) or direct train (3hrs) about 200 CZKRental fees: Approx 350-950 CZK/day (depending on the number of people and chosen route).Tips: The night-rafting option offers a stunning view of the city’s famed landmarks; check out the newly-opened Depo C.Krumlov for dinner or a beer Šternberk is famed for its mid-13th century Bohemian castle. It is a great spot to start a rafting trip along the scenic Sázava River. Samba rentals offer nine stops along the river including Šternberk In the glorious Sázava valley raft to or from: Týnec nad Sázavou Samba lists a variety of accommodations that vary in price Getting there: Hlavní Nádraží-Čerčany-Český Šternberk (2 hrs)Rental fees: 450 CZK-900 CZK/dayTip: Pub crawl along the cluster of pubs in the village of Pikovice This charming little town is located 60 km south of Pilsen. It offers an amazing rafting route on the Otava River. (See the Samba Rentals site for a list of “water camps” if you want to do an overnight.) The best spots to stop for beer and site-seeing on the way down the Otava are: Horažďovice Getting there: Hlavní Nádraží-Horazdovice predm-Sušice (3.5 hrs)Prices: 450 CZK-900 CZK/day).Tip: From Sušice drift downriver for a breathtaking view of Rábí Castle Another South Bohemian town with a population of less than 7,000, it’s actually an ‘island’ surrounded by rivers, north of the Trebon basin, that is famous for its ponds and forests. The main river for rafting is Lužnice. It’s a great area to explore before or during a rafting trip. There are numerous places to camp overnight Getting there: Direct from Hlavní Nádraží-Veselí n Lužnicí (2 hrs)Rental fees: See above.Tip: The man-made lakes to the south of the town are a highlight of the area Olomouc is quite far from Prague – South East near the border of Slovakia and it offers amazing routes on the Morava River The best spots to stop and rent boats are: Hanušovice Getting there: Hlavní Nádraží-Olomouc (2.5-3 hrs)Price: 350 CZK/day (2 people); 420 CZK/daily (up to 4).Tip: Plan a visit to the Holba or Litovel breweries along the way Getting there: Hlavní Nádraží-Ústí nad Labem (1 hr 10 min).Price: During the main season 1.6–15.9 the price for a is 300 CZK/day (2 people); 550 CZK/2 days.Tip: Czech Switzerland and Strěkov Castle are top attractions If you’re planning a trip to the Czech Republic you’re probably excited to dive right into history and architecture in the capital city but those who tear themselves away from the city are in for a real treat The small landlocked Central European nation is said to be home to over 1600 beautiful ornate castles and châteaux – most of which aren’t in Prague Adventure awaits you at all of the best castles in the Czech Republic Tucked away in a thick forest in the Cesky Raj region is the Kost Castle Kost Castle is the best-preserved Gothic castle in the Czech Republic This charming castle is set on a low promontory overlooking fishponds that give it a moated effect It is believed that the first proposal for construction of the castle was in 1349 Kost Castle retains most of its original features Tour the main interiors and learn about Kost Castle’s current owners or take a tour of the trapezoidal White Tower that was built specially to minimize missile damage and the medieval torture chamber Kost Castle and the surrounding countryside are definitely worth a trip from Prague The majestic Orlik Castle has been home to many Bohemian kings over the centuries It was once home to Field Marshall Charles Philip the commander of the allied armies against Napoleon at the Battle of Leipzig Castle Orlik dates back to the second half of the 13th century The castle changed hands and was renovated a number of times over the centuries Castle Orlik was transformed from a wooden fort to a Gothic stone castle in the 14th century to a Renaissance-style castle two centuries later before finally being renovated in the Neo-Gothic style in the 19th century The castle contains artwork depicting historical events and personalities weaponry from the 16th to the 20th century the largest private collection of hunting rifles in the Czech Republic and personal gifts Napoleon gave to Charles Philip when they were allies Step into history as you marvel at the castle’s fantastic ceilings and wander around the perfectly preserved private rooms of the Schwarzenberg family One of the most famous and most visited castles in the Czech Republic is the Hluboka Castle Hluboka Castle is a National Cultural Monument and is regarded as one of the most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic the castle was originally established in the second half of the 13th century After royal control of the castle was relinquished the Schwarzenberg family gained possession of the structure in 1661 and began a series of reconstructions The castle’s present day Neo-Gothic appearance is based on the English castle of Windsor Castle Hluboka consists of 140 richly decorated rooms and 11 impressive towers and bastions The castle’s walls and ceilings on the first story are paneled with precious wood with unusually rich workmanship and carving decoration The bedroom and dressing room of Princess Eleonore the Hamilton’s closet and the reading room are all decorated with paintings by European masters of the 16th – 18th centuries late Renaissance window panes and Delft china The most precious pieces of furniture are situated in the Morning Drawing Room and complemented with painted Chinese vases from the 18th century You’ll be glad you decided to visit this lovely castle and movie buffs may even recognize this gem from Shanghai Knights and Underworld: Blood Wars Book a tour to Hluboka Castle from Prague here! Rabi Castle is the largest castle ruin in Bohemia Nestled near the Sumava Mountains and over the Otava River this unique monument to Gothic architecture was proclaimed a National Cultural Monument in 1978 Rabi Castle has witnessed many turbulent periods in history and seen many dramatic events under a slew of different noble owners the castle unfortunately began to fall into ruin from which it is possible to view the vast majority of the Southwestern Bohemia Lots of interesting surprises are waiting at Rabi Castle Karlstejn Castle started life in 1348 as a hideaway for the crown jewels of Emperor Charles IV and has since risen in the ranks to one of the best castles in the Czech Republic much needed restorative work has restored the Gothic castle to all its former glory making it an immensely popular destination The bustling tourist crowds are a stark contrast to the peaceful surrounding countryside which offers views of Karlstejn’s stunning exterior gaze in awe at duplicates of the Czech crown jewels and an ancient well nearly 100 meters deep still daubed with the coats-of-arms and names of knights with the Church of the Virgin Mary and the Chapel of St then move to the Great Tower for the castle’s star attraction: the exquisite Chapel of the Holy Cross its walls and vaulted ceiling are adorned with thousands of polished semi-precious stones set in gilt stucco Another exciting option is to take the third tour and visit the upper levels of the Great Tower so you can bask in stunning vistas over the surrounding countryside Set out for the most visited castle in the Czech Republic and discover the treasures it has hidden for centuries Book a tour to Karlstejn Castle from Prague here! Lednice Castle is a majestic castle set in the village of Lednice against the backdrop of the largest park in the Czech Republic Lednice Castle and its surrounding park are so gorgeous and dreamy you might think they’ve been ripped from the pages of your favorite fairy tale Following the country’s move toward communist nationalism at the close of World War II the Windsor-like castle suffered losses to its furniture and trimmings In this massive castle built originally as a summer cottage for aristocrats marvel at original nature-themed Chinese wallpaper larger pieces of furniture and the amazing staircase carved from a single piece of wood Registered as an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 Lednice Castle is one of the most beautiful complexes in the English Neo-Gothic style in Europe A visit to Lednice Castle means a tour of the marvelous halls and private rooms of one of the most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic The forested Krivoklatsko landscape conceals one of the best castles in the Czech Republic Originally built in the 12th century during the reign of Přemysl Otakar II various royals thereafter have made adjustments to the structure The castle has had a long and varied history: damaged by fire several times and in a departure from the castle’s original purpose for being established Krivoklat Castle became a prison for a number of years the castle serves as a museum and tourist destination Vestiges of Czech kings and the splendor of their lifestyle is still evident today at every step you’ll be dazzled by the interiors of the late Gothic chapel and the star vault of the Royal Hall Take a peek in the castle library that is home to 52,000 books and enjoy the splendid view from the Great Tower Get your spook on (and your dose of history) as you visit the torture chamber If you stop by during the first week of August be sure to enjoy the traditional craft fair and woodcarvers’ festival in the castle courtyard Watch dozens of master woodcarvers at work and marvel at their finished pieces on display Krivoklat Castle will keep the whole family interested Book a tour to Krivoklat Castle from Prague here! Bezdez Castle is a Gothic castle constructed in the 13th century by the order of Přemysl Otakar II Erected on the phonolite hill of Velky Bezdez more than 1,000 feet above sea level it became the characteristic dominant feature of the local landscape Bezdez Castle is one of the most significant Gothic monuments in the country and has historical roots in Czech folklore and literature The castle even offers a romantic panoramic view of the gently rolling hills Nicknamed the “king of all castles” for its original early Gothic appearance, this castle is certainly one of the best places to visit in the Czech Republic The premises of the original upper castle are open to visitors They comprise a valuable early Gothic chapel and the old royal palace From Bezdez’s tower you can see a quarter of the country when the weather is clear The unforgettable atmosphere of the castle is enhanced by the frequent costumed parades medieval celebrations and theater performances that take place there Konopiste Castle is located about 50 kilometers away from Prague Made famous as the last residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria the castle was initially constructed as a Gothic fortification during the 13th century and was later transformed in a Baroque style Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria bought Konopiste Castle in 1887 and rebuilt it into a luxurious residence Learn about the Archduke and his family while you visit his residential rooms and view his collection of antlers a shooting hall with moving targets and stroll around the garden dotted with Italian Renaissance statues and greenhouses Book a tour to Konopiste Castle from Prague here! Visit the romantic castle gem of Central Moravia and be transported back to the days when it was the seat of the Teutonic Knights one of the most visited castles in the Czech Republic is located just 35 kilometers from Olomouc The castle was initially constructed as a Gothic stronghold in the early 14th century fortifications were enlarged and strengthened and in the 16th and 17th centuries the castle was gradually converted into a residential site It was rebuilt in the Romantic style by the Habsburg Archduke Eugene and turned into a summer seat of the Teutonic Knights at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries the castle’s romantic interiors are swathed with rich paintings and carvings Ascend the watchtower and visit the courtroom and observatory Learn about the castle’s Neo-Gothic chapel and its altar decorated with tombstones Kids (and big kids at heart) will delight in the cellar exhibition devoted to life-size fairytale dragons and the knights who fought them People of all ages loves visiting Bouzov Castle Sovinec Castle rises proudly up on a cone-shaped rocky promontory in the mountainous Rešov region the castle was once captured by the Swedish army of General Torstenson During World War II the castle was used as a prison and base for the Schutzstaffel (SS) – a Nazi paramilitary group during the Period of Normalisation Sovinec Castle became a place for banned Czech artists to present their work Admire the robust medieval edifices and castle fortifications which are the most extensive preserved fortifications in the country dating back to the Thirty Years War medieval markets and fencing tournaments held on this historical site Learn about the castle’s part in centuries of history as you take in the breathtaking view of the Czech countryside The name of the castle is a reflection of the landscape The mighty complex of Cesky Krumlov Castle rests on rocks sculpted by the Vltava River and the Polečnice Stream overlooking the refined Renaissance and Baroque architecture of the whimsical labyrinth-like town below The castle complex is one of the largest in central Europe and the second largest castle complex in the Czech Republic It consists of forty buildings and palaces situated around five castle courts and a castle park spanning an area of 7 hectares The main tower of the castle features a beautiful and colorful facade sure to capture your eye and your imagination The castle’s beautiful Baroque garden dates back to the 17th century and is situated on a slope adjacent to the castle In the Castle Garden you will find a large cascading fountain featuring stone allegories of the four seasons and water deities a pleasant forest and a large pond at the edge of the garden which now houses the original statues from the Cloak Bridge and the Castle Garden In 1989 the castle was named a National Monument for its historic importance in Central Europe and the Czech Republic Truly one of the best castles in the Czech Republic you’ll get lost in awe and wonder in the chambers and courtyards of this UNESCO-protected gem Book a day tour to Cesky Krumlov from Prague here! Decin is the largest town and administrative seat of the Decin District From 1938 to 1945 it was one of the municipalities in Sudetenland Perched atop its cliff and nestled where the Ploucnice meets the Elbe This castle is one of the oldest and largest landmarks in the Bohemian region It is one of the biggest and historically most important buildings of its kind in the Czech Republic In the past several hundred years it has served as a point of control for the Bohemian princes Between 1628 and 1932 Decin Castle welcomed a parade of famous guests and bask in the magic of the Rose Garden while spending a fantastic afternoon at Decin Castle About 10 kilometers away from Hradec nad Moravicí and Kravare Radun Castle is a Renaissance palace surrounded by a pleasant park in English style The castle has a number of ponds and the Radunka stream flows down through the park or if you want to get the most out of your time then you can also take a more interesting route around the grounds to see the stream An ideal place for a lovely walk around the grounds the atmosphere of Radun Castle is wonderfully contagious Jindrichuv Hradec Castle is the third largest historical castle complex in the country after those in Prague and Cesky Krumlov At the beginning of the 13th century it was built as a Gothic castle but gradually it was re-imagined and rebuilt into a Renaissance château in the 16th century It covers 3.5 hectares of land and has an astonishing 320 rooms More than 10,000 works of art and books may be found there but the absolute must-see is the Knight Hall home to murals of The Legend of Saint George from 1338 it wasn’t until the 20th century that Jindrichuv Hradec Castle was returned to its stunning beauty the courtyards play regular host to all types of festivals The impressive château and its palaces surrounded by picturesque ponds and forests secure Jindrichuv Hradec as one of the most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic One of the most beautiful of the Moravian castles has stood deep in the forests of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands for almost eight centuries now Pernstejn Castle is a castle on a rock above the village of Nedvedice and the rivers Svratka and Nedvedicka Pernstejn Castle’s doors and windows are framed with marble-like stone This well-preserved masterpiece has never been captured because of the ingenuity of its defense system The castle’s strategic location high on a rock drawbridges and tall ramparts and towers all conspired to keep the castle secure from enemy forces Should enemy forces have breached the castle walls the five-storey “Barborka” tower with its narrow corridors and armed guards only connected to the surrounding buildings by two wooden bridges Walk the castle halls and learn about castle folklore Legends say the White Lady is the ghost of a chambermaid who was rude to a monk and was cursed for all eternity as a result it is believed that her ghost haunts Pernstejn Castle The White Lady often preened in the mirror instead of doing her duties and now women who visit the castle and look in any of its mirrors are in danger of losing their beauty within a year gazing up at vaulted ceilings and visiting the Baroque chapel will take you on an unforgettable journey to periods past The Kokorin Castle is located in the middle of a nature reserve on a steep rocky outcrop above the Kokorin Valley Built in the first half of the 14th century and heavily damaged during the Hussite Wars the Austrian Emperor Ferdinand included this desolate medieval residence in “the cursed castles” which were forbidden to be repaired after the Thirty Years War The castle became a refuge for marauding knights who threatened the wider surroundings but later served as inspiration for many 19th writers and painters After being purchased by a Prague businessman the castle was reconstructed between 1911 and 1918 and opened to the public The castle was nationalized in the 1950s during the period of nationalization Kokorin Castle has been a designated national cultural landmark since 2001 Housed in a landscape full of forgotten villages you’re in for a lovely surprise at Kokorin Castle Trosky Castle is situated 10 kilometers south of Semily overlooking the gorgeous rocky and lush green landscape of Cesky raj It is one of the most famous Czech castles and rests on the summits of two basalt volcanic plugs On the lower peak is the two-storey structure called Baba (Old Woman) and on the higher outcrop is Panna (Virgin) The castle is a landmark in the Cesky raj countryside known for its unique appearance and origin the castle’s administration also offers night tours of this National Monument and weekend activities focused on families with children The towers of the ruins of this Gothic castle are definitely worth viewing The picturesque ruins are still loved by poets Cesky Sternberk Castle is a mid-13th century Gothic castle located on the west side of the River Sazava overlooking a village with the same name The castle has belonged to the same family for 800 years Tour the castle and visit 15 lavish rooms furnished in the style of various historical periods learn about the Sternberg family (the oldest still-existing Czech family) and view the unique Sternberk collection of copper engravings from the Thirty Years’ War which is one of the largest monothematic collections of engravings in Europe Be sure to visit the former monastery in Sazava the monastery’s greatest treasure is the Sazava Madonna the only one in the world in which she appears to be disciplining the young Jesus Ledec nad Sazavou is the third largest town in the Havlickuv Brod region Established in the first half of 13th century Ledec nad Sazavou Castle was renovated over the course of its life in the Renaissance and Baroque styles making it one of the most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic Its most recent renovation took place after a fire in 1879 many structural architectural elements have survived The castle’s museum is located on the ground floor of the Maly palac (Small Palace) in the castle’s upper courtyard The exposition features a one-of-a-kind installation that depicts how museums presented their exhibits in the 1930s Items on display showcase the city’s history with the products and tools of the local craftsmen Ledec nad Sazavou Castle also has a weapons collection on display in addition to occasional painting and photography exhibits put on in the museum the castle complex plays host to occasional fencing Conquer 111 stairs to be rewarded with an impressive view of the surrounding landscape from one of the best Czech castles After reading about the most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic we hope this article has shown you that there really is so much more to this country than just Prague Go see for yourself – travel throughout the country and witness some of the beautiful castles Planning (Covid and Brexit permitting) to take my campervan to the Czech Republic next year There are still some castles I have not been to The Czechs are very good at preserving their history and the guides are wonderful Be nice if there was a map showing all the castles and their general locations… Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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