Hirschi second Sergio Higuita third on final stage into Šternberk who had taken over the leader’s jersey on stage 2 claimed the overall victory with a 28-second lead over his closest competitor and teammate Diego Ulissi Once the early breakaway was caught on the 129.2km stage a group of 12 riders with Alaphilippe and Hirschi escaped on the penultimate ascent of Sternberk (1km at 8.1%) which featured some tricky cobblestone sections Alaphilippe made his decisive attack on the steepest part of the ascent and only Hirschi was able to respond to his charge but the chasers were able to bridge across with 800 meters to go Hirschi opened up his sprint first but Alaphilippe came around on a right-hand bend to take his 44th pro victory Sergio Higuita (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) took third on the stage "We set the pace throughout the second half of the stage which we managed to fulfil completely," Alaphilippe said.  The two-time world champion used the Czech Tour as a final test before the upcoming Olympic road race as did Hirschi who will line up at Saturday's road race for Switzerland alongside Stefan Küng "Especially the beginning was very nervous and stressful I was worried about the yellow jersey for a while," Hirschi said ”I really liked the final circuit But I was glad that it didn't rain because it would have been very dangerous to finish on the cobbles "I didn't have the speed I needed until the last corner But I'm still happy because the overall victory in the Czech Tour is a great result.” Results powered by FirstCycling Lyne LamoureuxLyne has been involved in professional cycling for more than 15 years in both news reporting and sports marketing quickly becoming a trusted source for news of the North American professional cycling world She was the first to successfully use social media to consistently provide timely and live race updates for all fans She is proud to have covered men's and women's news equally during her tenure at the helm of the site Her writing has appeared on Cyclingnews and other news sites.  where the desolation of the desert serves as both a backdrop and metaphor for the moral ambiguity and existential crises faced by the characters Inspired by the music of the band Still Corners whose work is often described as “desert noir,” this section promises a haunting yet beautiful exploration of crime Audiences can expect to see the psychological tension of traditional noir played out against vast open landscapes that feel as suffocating as the dimly lit back alleys of urban noir In keeping with tradition, the Noir Film Festival also pays tribute to two iconic actors whose performances left a lasting mark on film noir This year’s honorees are Kim Novak and Edward G Kim Novak, an actress of Czech heritage whose career was brief yet impactful is perhaps best known for her role in Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo she will be celebrated through a special screening of Pushover where she plays a seductive femme fatale who leads a police detective astray was a defining figure in both the gangster genre and film noir His role as a ruthless criminal in Little Caesar paved the way for many more iconic performances in noir classics like Double Indemnity and Scarlet Street The festival will honor Robinson with a screening of House of Strangers where he plays a complex patriarch struggling with the dysfunctional relationships in his family The Murder, She Wrote section at the Noir Film Festival challenges the common misconception that noir is an exclusively male domain Highlighting the work of female authors like Vera Caspary this section delves into adaptations of their novels such as Caspary’s Laura and White’s The Spiral Staircase These films emphasize that the noir genre owes much of its complexity and richness to the contributions of women The 2024 Noir Film Festival shines a spotlight on Czechoslovak and Polish noir films offering a glimpse into the region’s distinct noir traditions The Czechoslovak Noir section features The Plain Old Maid (Ztracená tvář) by Miroslav Hubáček a rare psychological drama that blends suspense and moral ambiguity The festival will also celebrate the film through its debut DVD release The Noir Film Festival will also present English-subtitled screenings of under-seen Czech films like 105% Alibi a crime film centered around a pair of investigators solving a murder mystery a dark tale of revenge set against the backdrop of pre-World War I Prague A Polish Noir section brings a mix of classic and underrepresented films to the festival including Roman Polanski’s psychological thriller Knife in the Water and Jerzy Kawalerowicz’s suspenseful Night Train a crime drama set during a time of political transformation in Poland and the rarely-seen The Criminal Who Stole a Crime The above films are each screening with both Czech and English subtitles at this year’s festival This year’s Noir Film Festival will also feature a retrospective of the work of Phil Karlson a towering figure in the world of 1950s film noir uncompromising style and his focus on the individual’s fight against corrupt institutions Karlson’s films—such as Kansas City Confidential and 99 River Street—will offer audiences a chance to explore a director whose impact on the genre remains significant The Noir Film Festival is an annual showcase of film noir a specific phenomenon across world cinema that originated with American crime movies that emphasized cynical attitudes and motivations not seen in mainstream films of the time The festival features a variety of classic film noir from Hollywood’s 1940s and 1950s studio era alongside modern interpretations across global cinema The setting, a medieval castle turned into a cinematic retreat, offers a special allure to cinephiles attending the Noir Film Festival. Originating in 2013 at Kokořín Castle, with subsequent editions taking place at Křivoklát Castle, the festival has since found its home at Český Šternberk Castle since 2021 With screenings held in the castle’s atmospheric interiors visitors can enjoy a diverse program ranging from American and Polish noir to rare Czechoslovak films in a unique environment Lead photo: Noir Film Festival 2022 via Facebook / Noir Film Festival and website in this browser for the next time I comment About | Contact | Terms | Privacy Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The Czech Republic’s Gothic Český Šternberk Castle, about 40 minutes southeast of Prague, will again become a most appropriate host for the 11th edition of the Noir Film Festival this weekend this year’s fest features an engaging lineup of classic film noir gems This year’s Noir Film Festival also embraces the iconic character of Batman who has been brought to life through a series of increasingly bleak neo-noir features over the past 30+ years The section delves into the character’s evolution from a comic book creation to a symbol of darkness A diverse selection of Batman films, ranging from Tim Burton’s gothic 1989 classic Batman to Christopher Nolan’s riveting The Dark Knight, the animated comedy The LEGO Batman Movie, and Matt Reeves’ recent The Batman will be presented showcasing the Dark Knight’s multifaceted presence in the world of noir “The Dark Knight of Noir Rises,” Ondřej Čížek, curator of Batman Noir section at this year’s Noir Film Festival “When cartoonist Bob Kane and screenwriter Bill Finger shaped it in the late 1930s they drew on four sources of inspiration.” “Leonardo Da Vinci’s visionary plans for a flying machine determined the shape of the Batwings; Zorro catered to a dual identity and a cave hideout it was the pulp character and cinematic trash that gave both creatives the hallmarks of noirish darkness.” This year’s Noir Film Festival also includes a special Czechs in Hollywood section which pays tribute to the impactful Czech figures who made their mark on the American film industry Despite not constituting a massive film colony like some other European communities a number of Czechs still managed to carve their place in Hollywood’s history Notable among them are Hugo Haas and Jiří Voskovec who transitioned from being leading figures in Czechoslovakia’s interwar theater and film scene to becoming character actors in the USA Presented at this year’s festival are Voskovec’s appearance in Sidney Lumet’s legendary 1957 drama Twelve Angry Men and Hugo Haas’ 1951 American debut Pickup Gustav Machatý’s 1945 existential drama Jealousy will also grace the screens at Český Šternberk Castle Although the Ecstasy director was typically uncredited for his work in Hollywood whose career brought her from Czechoslovakia to France and ultimately will be represented by 1949’s Tokyo Joe in which she starred opposite Humphrey Bogart Czech director Ivan Passer’s 1981 neo-noir classic Cutter’s Way, starring Jeff Bridges and John Heard, will also screen at this year’s Noir Film Festival “Hollywood – as the entire United States – has always been largely made up of immigrants and their descendants Italians or later Latinos have created the proverbial melting pot whose diversity has helped shape the specific character of American film culture,” says programmer Milan Hain never formed such a massive film colony in Hollywood as so they often had to rely on themselves rather than on their extensive professional and personal ties several of them managed to make a substantial impact.” The festival’s Newspaper Noir section sheds light on the significant role journalists played in film noir narratives during the late 1940s and early 1950s featuring protagonists working in the newspaper realm The works of screenwriter and producer Joan Harrison will be celebrated in a retrospective at this year’s Noir Film Festival Her influence on acclaimed films such as Rebecca shedding light on her pivotal collaborations with the Master of Suspense offering a glimpse into the socio-political landscape of the nation during the mid-20th century and 1956’s The Bitter Stems showcase the unique narrative tapestry woven during a turbulent period in the history of Argentina For more information about the Noir Film Festival’s schedule, tickets, and special screenings, visit the official festival website or follow their social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram 2024 Noir Film Festival will feature tributes to Kim Novak and Edward G Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information A T-72 main battle tank at the Excalibur Army factory in Sternberk Michal Strnad’s father started refurbishing combat vehicles in the 1990s Now the son is making a fortune because of the war in Ukraine XLinkedInEmailLinkGiftFacebookXLinkedInEmailLinkGiftBy and April 15 2024 at 12:00 AM EDTBookmarkSaveThe run-down factory on the edge of the Czech medieval town of Sternberk used to fix up military vehicles abandoned by the Nazis after World War II Now it’s part of a compound churning out hardware for Europe’s latest conflict and has made a billionaire out of its owner Excalibur Army takes rusting Soviet-era tanks — often with mud and grass on them — and refits them for action. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the business run by Michal Strnad has benefited from the biggest demand for weapons since the end of the Cold War Media Centre Russia's aggression in Ukraine has significantly worsened the security situation in the world The Czech Republic and our defence industry were able to react quickly to the change in circumstances increase production capacity and engage in security cooperation between NATO countries and Ukraine Thanks to the immediate involvement of private companies the Czech Republic was one of the first countries to deliver military aid "And it is military aid on a commercial basis that today makes the vast majority of supplies to Ukraine which is involved in international project of modernising T-72 tanks for Ukraine The rapid response and the increase in production and commercial capacities of Czech companies have clearly demonstrated that an agile defence industry is a key element for national security Involvement of industry benefits the Czech economy as production continues to increase and skilled jobs are created,“ added the Prime Minister Excalibur Army together with Tatra Defence Vehicles is a key producer of military equipment in the Czech Republic Last year the company supplied the Ukrainian army with 150 heavy arm vehicles The company services and modernises ground equipment of eastern origin (tanks T-55 It also modernises older proven types of weapons of Czechoslovak origin: self-propelled howitzers DANA on Tatra chassis and the RM-70 multiple rocket launchers on which Excalibur Army is working in this field is modernisation of T-72 tanks for Ukraine which is jointly financed by USA and Netherlands The Prime Minister also wrote a short message on one of the tanks that will be sent to Ukraine: TO THE BRAVE DEFENDERS OF UKRAINE coordinated by the Czech Ministry of Defence is an exemplary example of international defence cooperation and is This cooperation has concrete benefits for all involved - NATO strengthens the brave defenders of Ukraine and the Czech Republic strengthens the capabilities of the defence industry on our territory,“ added the Prime Minister who also christened a new recovery vehicle during the visit TREVA 30 This could also help in Ukraine in the future Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1365, jpg, 1994.20 kB) Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1366, jpg, 1930.87 kB) Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1365, jpg, 1897.04 kB) Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1366, jpg, 2372.83 kB) Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1366, jpg, 2073.46 kB) Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1365, jpg, 1769.50 kB) Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1365, jpg, 2120.69 kB) Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1365, jpg, 1742.99 kB) Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1365, jpg, 2106.48 kB) Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1365, jpg, 2457.11 kB) Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1365, jpg, 1887.02 kB) Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1365, jpg, 2301.71 kB) Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1365, jpg, 1862.33 kB) Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1365, jpg, 1677.54 kB) Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1365, jpg, 1586.51 kB) Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1365, jpg, 1586.17 kB) Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1366, jpg, 1891.36 kB) Stáhnout obrázek v tiskové kvalitě (2048x1365, jpg, 2082.09 kB) Police are investigating the deaths of two members of a cult associated with a self-proclaimed healer from Kutná Hora, located in Central Bohemia. The news server iROZHLAS.cz reported today that the men died last August as a result of a forest ritual near Český Šternberk castle in the Benešov region The ritual reportedly involved psychological strain and physical violence spokeswoman for the Central Bohemian Police confirmed that authorities were looking into the deaths of the two men but did not confirm any link to the case of the self-proclaimed healer the ritual spanned several days and included instances of physical violence prompting female members of the cult to transport him to the Kutná Hora swimming pool and call emergency services "The case of the sudden death of a man in Kutná Hora is being investigated by regional detectives on suspicion of bodily harm resulting in death The second man was scheduled to accompany sect members in a van for the forest ritual but failed to appear at the agreed meeting spot Crime investigators later discovered his body between the villages of Kozojedy and Truba Some members of the sect claimed he had taken his own life possibly due to apprehension about participating in the forest ritual "Kolín detectives are investigating the death of a 56-year-old man they have commissioned a number of expert reports no conclusion has yet been reached in the matter and the investigation is still ongoing," added the police spokeswoman The self-proclaimed healer also died in early October of the previous year a dentist in Kutná Hora and a former gym teacher The prosecutor alleged that the man voluntarily ingested a drug provided by the dentist The dentist proceeded to make incisions on his groin and wrist with a scalpel and injected him with a general anesthetic The man's cause of death was acute poisoning by the substance 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. A self-propelled howitzer at the Czechoslovak Group plant in Sternberk The producer of artillery shells and combat vehicles a US owner of small-caliber ammunition brands such as Remington and Federal With Kinetic’s primary customers being hunters and sport shooters the $2.2 billion acquisition has helped diversify CSG’s business according to its billionaire owner and Chairman Michal Strnad A number of Czech castles and chateaus remain open to visitors during the winter season But the first weeks of spring see a new wave of landmarks open their gates and ramparts to visitors The majority of castles officially open on Good Friday an ideal long weekend for exploring some of the country’s 2,000 castles many of which offer Easter markets and accompanying programs the National Heritage institute has announced the opening of several important castles this spring – a couple of them a bit earlier than planned (The institute recommends bundling up before visiting an unheated castle during the colder month.) In addition the previously inaccessible spaces of Prague Castle and Lány chateau will open to the public for the first time in March This majestic 13th-century Gothic stone castle is located near Benešov and overlooks the meanders of the Sázava river The castle grounds have recently undergone a sensitive reconstruction and the interiors are beautifully preserved and full of items to please history enthusiasts the gates of Šternberk Castle will open again and the 2023 visitor season will begin The first tours will commence on Saturdays throughout March 2023 (March 11 Jindřichův Hradec Castle, a vast Renaissance chateau in the country’s South Bohemia region is the third largest historical castle complex after Prague Castle and Český Krumlov While it usually opens its doors to visitors at the beginning of April this year the castle is opening over the last two weekends of March (March 18 and 19 and March 25 and 26) An 18th-century fire destroyed a significant part of its interiors and the castle languished for years until its importance was recognized in the 20th century and finally restored it to its original glory See the castle’s beautifully preserved Renaissance rooms and the Mannerist Rondel music pavilion Not far from Jindřichův Hradec, Landštejn is a Romanesque fortress embedded in the surrounding wilderness of Czech Canada opens it is possible to see Landštejn Castle again without scaffolding as part of a new castle and chapel circuit The castle opens April 15-16 and exceptionally on Tuesday The first written record of the castle is from 1231, at which time it was the largest Romanesque castle in the Czech lands. It is one of the oldest and best-preserved structures of its kind in Europe. You can also see a wonderful 3D tour here. will be available to foreign visitors.  The Baroque chateau in the village of Lány in the Křivoklát woods is the official summer residence of the presidents of the Czech Republic Prague Castle has long been Czechia’s top tourist attraction but for those who think they've explored every opulent corner of the world's largest castle complex several guided tours of previously inaccessible areas will start on March 1 Newly accessible areas include parts of the St Vitus cathedral that have special heritage protection More recent history can be glimpsed along a new route that allows visitors into the south wing of Prague Castle’s New Royal Palace. Tours of the Royal Garden and several of its buildings give the history of the Stag Moat and show the view from the terrace of the Riding School Classic detective stories will light up the halls of the historic Český Šternberk Castle this weekend during the Noir Film Festival which brings classic and contemporary film noir to a new location for 2021 Previous editions of the festival have taken place at Křivoklát Castle; both locations are about an hour outside Prague This year’s festival officially kicks off on Wednesday, August 18 with a screening of the 1947 classic Crossfire, directed by Edward Dmytryk and starring Robert Ryan and Robert Mitchum, at 16:00. Later in the evening, a screening of the Nicholas Ray classic On Dangerous Ground, starring Ryan and Ida Lupino, will take place in the Český Šternberk Castle courtyard This year’s Noir Film Festival will run through Sunday Films screened include a variety of classic Hollywood pictures and a special section dedicated to Bollywood film noir “Indian popular cinema has never been as ideologically subversive as American noir Bollywood films of the classic period cover a multitude of genre positions and among the titles from the 1950s and 60s that will be the focus of our selection gothic or horror themes can be found,” Noir Film Festival programmer Milan Hain says about the Bollywood Noir section perfectly underlines the intense ghostly atmosphere of The Fog (Kohraa) which is an adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s novel The Dead and the Living whose more famous film version by Alfred Hitchcock we screened two years ago.” In addition to previously announced sections another is dedicated to the work of filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen who have memorably referenced film noir tropes in some of their most acclaimed films The Coen Brothers’ debut feature Blood Simple and the black & white The Man Who Wasn’t There Another special section at this year’s Noir Film Festival will feature classic Hollywood films that tackle social issues which are still relevant today “This year’s edition will be marked by socially engaged films starting with five Hollywood films from the late 1940s and early 1950s from the main program section Noir Without Prejudice reflecting the pressing issues of racism and xenophobia that plague American society,” says programmer Jana Bébarová “The plight of war veterans will be viewed from several angles in the program section Amnesiac Noir the plight of unwed single mothers or the empty lives of frustrated housewives in a seemingly idyllic American suburb the dramas made at the same time by the actress Ida Lupino whose directorial work will be the subject of a retrospective section More information about this year’s Noir Film Festival, including the full program and how to purchase tickets, can be found at the festival’s new website Bummed to have missed this — hope they come back next year The Castle is so historic and the movies match The annual Noir Film Festival returns to the medieval halls of Český Šternberk Castle next week, and features special retrospectives dedicated to actress Rita Hayworth and director David Fincher alongside other sections that include classic film noir from the 1940s and 50s The festival celebrates its 10th year of existence this year, with each edition taking place in a centuries-old Bohemian castle. This year’s Noir Film Festival returns to the historic Český Šternberk Castle for the second year after moving from Kokořín Castle to Křivoklát Castle during past editions Among the special guests at this year’s Noir Film Festival will be filmmaker Samantha Fuller daughter of legendary director Samuel Fuller Samatha Fuller will present her father’s film Underworld U.S.A. as well as Jean-Luc Godard’s Pierrot le fou in which Samuel Fuller appeared in a memorable cameo Other films screening at this year’s Noir Film Festival include special sections dedicated to Spanish film noir (which includes Juan Antonio Bardem’s classic Death of a Cyclist) which will feature a special open-air screening of Bořivoj Zeman’s A Dead Man Among the Living (Mrtvý mezi živými) in the Castle courtyard “In a kind of sadistic pleasure inherent in the nature of many of his characters purposefully making them uncomfortable with dark visions of a world wracked by malevolence He refers to his generation as the generation of skeptics and cynics and acknowledges that his entire career has been about perverse books and screenplays.” The tribute to actress Rita Hayworth at this year’s festival will include a screening of 1946’s Gilda “There was a great contradiction between the actress’s star image and her personal life,” says Bébarová “Her image had a negative impact on her relationships with men but they wake up with me,’ she declared.” Another tribute at this year’s festival will be paid to actor Robert Taylor and include a screening of the offbeat thriller Rogue Cop “Taylor’s career takes on even further significance in the context of this year’s program: together with his first wife he was a conservative Republican in the late 1940s and early 1950s and became vocal opponent of all the filmmakers we are covering in the main program section many of whom ended up on the blacklist,“ remarks Noir Film Fest programmer Milan Hain Additional tributes will feature screenings dedicated to Czech actress Hana Maciuchová Slovak actress Emilia Vášáryová and director Hynek Bočan Český Šternberk Castle is one of the oldest stone castles in the Czech Republic It was originally constructed by the Sternberg dynasty and is still owned by their descendants to this day The castle is about 40 minutes southeast of Prague and easily accessible by car from the D1 highway and other Czech cultural institutions after a lengthy period of lockdown With the weekend ahead we’ve put together some tips for slowly and safely navigating your return to the domestic travel scene at one of these majestic historic sites not far from the Czech capital All of these castles can also be reached via train given the current situation it’s important to check routes and timetables before setting out Keep in mind there new rules for visiting Czech castles many of which can be found in the “opening hours” links given here; masks social distancing and cashless payment methods are also required for entry to most castles Journey time from Prague: 60 minutes by car, trainParking: Dedicated parking lot, 15 min. walkLocation: Křivoklát, Central BohemiaOpening times Křivoklát is a large and historically significant castle located in the Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area representing one of the key royal castles inhabited by the Přemyslids It also served as a prison and held the likes of mystical alchemist Magister Kelly It houses a large collection of medieval art and a large library to perouse The castle is also well known for its Křivoklání festival you can also book a private visit the local motorcycle museum (Muzeum motocyklů Křivoklát – needs to be booked in advance between November and February) Link to castle website Journey time from Prague: 50 minutes by car, by trainParking: Dedicated parking lot, 15 min. walkLocation: Karlštejn, Central BohemiaOpening times  the poster boy of Czech tourism promotion and among the nicest majestic castles Czech Republic has to offer This castle dates back to 1348 and was founded by no other than Karel IV the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia It served as a safe keep where Bohemian crown jewels holy relics and other important objects were stored and protected A 15 minute uphill walk from the parking will take you to the castle and open up a wonderful elevated view of the surrounding areas take a longer walk (2 hours one way) to Svatý Jan Pod Skalou Link to castle website Journey time from Prague: 45 minutes by carParking: Dedicated parking lot, 5 min. walkLocation: Český Šternberk, Central BohemiaOpening times Český Šternberk is a beautiful castle dating back to 1241 overlooking the meanders of the Sázava river It has been owned and inhabited by the Sternberg family to this day with Zdeněk Sternberg being the current owner he was allowed to remain and became the castle keeper (while being stripped of his ownership) The castle grounds have recently been undergoing a sensitive reconstruction and the interiors are beautifully preserved and full of items to please the curious eye you may even meet Count Sternberk himself during your visit take a short walk downhill to the town it overlooks or uphill to a watchtower for extended views Link to castle website Házmburk is a stunning ruin on top of a hill overlooking the České středohoří mountains was founded in the second half of the 13th century by the Lichtenburgs Its current name relates to the Zajíc (Hasen) family to which the castle was sold in 1335 The castle was abandoned in the 16th century and is now a state castle offering stunning views and a recently opened vineyard with a place to rest and taste some local wine you can also visit the Libochovice chateau and its gardens which is just around the corner Link to castle website Journey time from Prague: 40 minutes by carParking: Dedicated parking lot, 2 min. walkLocation: Mníšek pod Brdy, Central Bohemia (Google Maps)Opening times  The Mníšek pod Brdy chateau is located a very short distance from the city’s center The first mentions of the then castle date back to 1348 It was ransacked by the Swedes in the 17th century later rebuilt getting its unique look characterized by three towers The entire chateau was fully reconstructed and refurnished in 2000 offering a rare opportunity to get an insight into what noble family life was like in the 20s If you wish to see the city and its surroundings from up high you can take a 45 minute walk to the Barokní areál Skalka which is nested in a quiet natural setting on top of a hill towering above the city Link to chateau website Do you have any tips for trips include in an upcoming article? Let us know here The 12th edition of Castle and Chateau Night will take place on Saturday, July 31, with over 70 monuments from all over the Czech Republic participating. The monuments will offer night tours, theater, music, and dance performances or tours of normally inaccessible areas. The main program will take place at Pernštejn Castle special events will be at the gardens under Prague Castle The Central Bohemia region has 10 sites including Český Šternberk Castle Pernštejn Castle will commemorate the time of the enlightenment of nobility Part of the program will take place in the newly restored garden where there will be video mapping and a fire show In the gardens under Prague Castle visitors can see forms of combat performed by the performed European Martial Arts Association People can also try archery and axe throwing under supervision Invalidovna has tours by a historian who will talk about historical figures and daily life at the former military hospital Chvalský zámek will have a fairytale program for families with children the Český Šternberk Castle will have costumed tours taking visitors back to 1601 The noblewoman Maria Eusebia Bořita ze Šternberka will describe what the situation was on the eve of her wedding This year marks the 1100th anniversary of the death of Princess Ludmila who established the first vineyard in Mělník There will be costumed tours by candle light ending with a tasting of the popular wine that is named after Ludmilla the Konopiště Chateau will open some of is normally inaccessible spaces There will be food and drink in the courtyard and events aimed at young participants One of the most beautiful historical sites in the Czech Republic the Hluboká nad Vltavou Chateau in South Bohemia will focus on more recent history with an exhibition of vintage automobiles similar to ones owned by the Schwarzenbergs in the First Republic Costumed tours will have the mood of the 1930s At Lysice chateau in the Vysočina region people will be able to see some normally inaccessible sections Guides will explain about the restoration work and the interior décor in great detail Litice Castle in the Pardubice Region will have tours by flashlight so people should be able to see the night sky without light pollution Castle and Chateau Night (Hradozámecká noc) is organized by the NPÚ in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic The NPÚ not only manages and preserves over 100 cultural monuments it also is active in education and research Railway services in Prague and Central Bohemia will cater especially to hikers and bikers this season Both bicycle and steam trains will operate along traditional as well as new routes and Prague Integrated Transport (PID) said at a press briefing held earlier this week The tourist season commences on the weekend of March 23-24 and continues until Oct Cyclists can utilize two bike-friendly buses one for trips around Brdy and the other for Bohemian Paradise cycle buses will run through Kokořínsko on three lines The fee for transporting one bike on cycle buses will be CZK 20 The Cyklohráček excursion train for families with children and cyclists will depart from Prague to Slaný for the 11th time this year A colorful locomotive will pull four specially modified cars with room for bikes The cycle train will visit 14 places in Central Bohemia this year with some dates featuring a route to Zlonice there will also be rides on Tuesdays and Thursdays with Cyklohráček traveling to destinations like Dobříš The Central Bohemian Region currently boasts 501 kilometers (311 miles) of cycle paths with another 120 kilometers (75 miles) in preparation The region is constructing a 10-kilometer cycle path from Kutná Hora to Kolín in addition to the traditional nostalgic trips to Posázaví steam trains will once again head to Dobříš and Rožmitál pod Třemšínem steam trains will traditionally depart from Praha-Vršovice station Over 6,000 people utilized steam trains in Prague and the Central Bohemia region last year the railways are investing in improving the technical condition of steam locomotives they repaired three historic cars that will carry passengers this year drought conditions can complicate historic trains' operation in the summer Steam trains often cannot run due to the risk of fires along the railway railways can substitute them with locomotives from the 1950s Courtesy Francis Watson-ArmstrongBamburgh Castle is in Northumberland Média centrum Ruská agrese na Ukrajině výrazně zhoršila bezpečnostní situaci ve světě Česká republika a náš obranný průmysl dokázaly na nastalou změnu poměrů rychle reagovat navýšit výrobní kapacity a zapojit se do bezpečnostní spolupráce zemí NATO a Ukrajiny Česko i díky okamžitému zapojení soukromých firem patří k zemím které dodaly vojenskou pomoc jako vůbec první „A právě vojenská pomoc na komerční bázi dnes tvoří velkou většinu dodávek na Ukrajinu Proto jsem se rozhodl navštívit české firmy jako první pak zdejší společnost Excalibur Army která je zapojena do mezinárodního projektu modernizace tanků T-72 pro Ukrajinu Rychlá reakce a navýšení výrobních i obchodních kapacit českých firem jednoznačně ukázala že agilní obranný průmysl je stěžejním prvkem pro bezpečnost státu Zapojení průmyslu prospívá české ekonomice protože se stále zvyšuje produkce a vznikají kvalifikovaná pracovní místa,“ uvedl premiér Excalibur Army je spolu s výrobcem Tatra Defence Vehicles klíčovým výrobcem pozemní vojenské techniky v ČR Loni firma dodala ukrajinské armádě cca 150 ks těžkých vozidel Společnost servisuje a modernizuje pozemní techniku východního původu (tanky T-55 Rovněž modernizuje starší osvědčené typy zbraní československého původu: samohybné houfnice DANA na podvozku Tatra a raketomety RM-70 na tatrováckém podvozku na které v tomto směru Excalibur Army pracuje je dodávka modernizovaných tanků T-72 pro Ukrajinu kterou společně financují USA a Nizozemsko premiér napsal i krátký vzkaz: STATEČNÝM OBRÁNCŮM UKRAJINY 9. ledna 2023: Premiér Fiala navštíví závod společnosti Excalibur Army v Šternberku 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.