School attendance in the Czech republic is compulsory from 6 to 15 years. Majority of schools are state, but there are also private or church schools. Children in our school don´t have to wear uniforms. The school year starts on the 1st September and ens on the 30th June. Classes begin usually at 8 o´clock, one class has 45 minutes. Students are evaluated by marks from 5 to 1, 1 is the best, 5 the worst. Education in Czech republic start in nursery school, there are children from 3 to 6. From 6 to 15 children go to primary school. After secondary majority children visit secondary school. You can choose from free types: secondary school, it is our school, specail schools, which include technical college specialized in building, chemismy, business academies ect. Or vocation schools, which train students to be worker for practical jobs. Secondary school usually lasts fou years and is finished with school- leasing examation. Some students go to universities and colleges, which last 3-6 years. At the end of studium, you can get Bachelor´s, Master´s or Doctoral Degree.
We are science grammar school. At our school we have compulsory subjects, and from second year we are selecting optional subject which are usually seminairy from ours profile´s subjects. We don´t have to go into school in uniforms, we have got usually about 33 classes per week. Usually we haven ´t got lunch break, we are eating after last class.
Great Britain – geography and interesting places
Great Britain is situated to the Northwest of the European continent between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea. The most famous English river is The Thames. The longest river is The Severn. Lakes are situated in the north of England for example Like District or in Scotland. The most famous lake is Loch Ness. British mountains are low, the highest is Ben Nevis. The Great Britain is consists of four countries. The first is England, national symbols are Red rose and lion. The capital city is London with lots of monuments. The second part is Scotland, mountainouns country. There lived famous people like W.Scott, A.C.Doyle or Sean Conery. The nationals symbols are Thistle and tartan. This theme is worn on the skirt which wears also man. Interesting places are montainouns and city Edinburg with the dominante of the city Edinburg castle. The third part is Northern Ireland with national symbol clover. The capital city is Belfast, originally ship-building centre, for example titanic was built there. The last part is Wales. The patron of this country is St. Davis and symbols are daffodil and dragon. The capital city is Cardiff with the second largest Stadium in the World and with Cardiff castle which is often visited.
Places to visit in GB are:
• Oxford, Cambridge – There are the most known universities.
• Stonehenge - is the most prehistoric monument in Great Britain, is about
4 000 years old. Since 1984 Stonehenge is under UNESCO protection. Some people believe that Stonehenge is a calendar of others that are hours. The origin of the stones is a mystery.
• Lake District - English glacier lake, national park
• Bath - This city is know for big bath, who are made from three hot wells. Water from wells is using for cure. First mention is from Romans age. From Elisabeth age till Georgey age Bath was place for rich people. And effect of this is city with inetresting architectural buildings.
Places to visit in GB are:
• Oxford, Cambridge – There are the most known universities.
• Stonehenge - is the most prehistoric monument in Great Britain, is about
4 000 years old. Since 1984 Stonehenge is under UNESCO protection. Some people believe that Stonehenge is a calendar of others that are hours. The origin of the stones is a mystery.
• Lake District - English glacier lake, national park
• Bath - This city is know for big bath, who are made from three hot wells. Water from wells is using for cure. First mention is from Romans age. From Elisabeth age till Georgey age Bath was place for rich people. And effect of this is city with inetresting architectural buildings.
Gret Britain history
The first inhabitans in british isles were the celtic people 800 BC. They built a lot of monuments and some of them have been preserved (zachovat se), for example stonehenge. Two centuries later They were followed by the brythons or ancient (starověkký) britons after whom the country was called britain.
In 55 BC was the first roman invasion by julius caesar. But the british people stood up (odolat) to invasion for 90 years, but they were conquered (zdolat) by emperor claudius in 43 nl. Although the roman occupation lasted (trvat) for 400 years, the british people didnt adopt the latin language and didnt displace (vytlačit) the celtic.
In 5th century came three germanic tribes (kmen) – the Angles, saxons and jutes. From scandinavia came the vikings and this invasion continued till the 11th century. This period can be characterised as a period from tribe to feudal organisation of society. The period of feudalism lasted to the 15th century. In this time the english nation and language came into being. It was period of faiting between kings and nobles (šlechta), frequent were wars and suffering (utrpení). But it was also time of trade (obchod) and the end of feudalism prepared england for a rise (růst) as a Word power.
Other period was known as tudor period. The two famous rulers were henry VIII and elizabeth I., and in the elizabethan age england became one of the leading powers. Henry had six wifes and and five mistresses and he prefered absolutism. Elizabeth first didnt have any children and for that she was called virgin queen. For her all life she cared about country.
In the 17th century grew the conflict between king and parliament and that was reason for the civil war in the in 1640, which resulted in the abolition of the monarchy and the head of this revolution was john cromwell and this was also end for english bourgeoise revolution. In 1603 – 1707 was created the personal union of sckottland and england, because to 1660 it was a republic. In 1707 was created the great britain from england and scottland.
In the 17th and 18th century england was the best at european commerce and this was the preparing for the industrial revolution. During the industrial revolution britain became the first industrial power in the world.
The anglo – french rivalry for world domination culminated in the napoleonic wars – 19th c. the victorian era, called after queen victoria, was a period in which britain became the strongest world power, the greatest financial and commercial power, the greatest sea power and the greatest colonial power, it was era of colonial expansion.
In 1801 was created the united kingdoom from great britain and ireland, but in 1921 the ireland was the free state and united kingdom was from great britain and the north ireland. Now the queen is Elizabeth second from Windsors dynasty.
Great Britain
Official name is United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The United Kingdom consists of four historical and geographic parts - Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The capital city of Wales is Cardiff, in Scotland it is Edinburgh, in England it is London and the capital city of Northern Ireland is Belfast.
The population of Great Britain is nearly 60 million. There live the English, the Scottish, the Irish, the Wales and the Ulster – it is Indian, Pakistan, Jews, Italian, Chinese and so on. The majority of people speak English.
History
The first inhabitants who came to this land were settlers from Europe. The name Britannia came from Romans who occupied the country. Then the country was occupied both by Vikings from Scandinavia and Normans.
London
The capital city of whole Britain is London. It has a population of around 10 million people. It lies on the river Thames. There are many important monuments. For example places of interest in London are Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, the London is home of the Queen, Hyde Park, the residence of the prime minister, etc. There is a centre of political and administrative life in London, which is the city of Westminster. There are Houses of Parliament rebuilt in gothic style, there is also the famous Big Ben.
Besides these capitals there are many big cities such as Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow etc.
Nature
Apart from the land border with the Irish republic, the United Kingdom is surrounded by sea. From continental Europe it is separated by the English Channel. The North Sea lies to the east. The Irish Sea separated Great Britain from Ireland, while south-western England, the north-western coast of Northern Ireland, and western Scotland face the atlantic Ocean.
The country can be divided into two regions – Highland and Lowland.
The highland zone consists of groups of mountains:
The main mountains regions are in the North and East of Britain. The higest mountains are the Highlands of Scotland with the higest mountain Ben Nevis.
The lowland zone is flat and rolling, there are many limestone or chalk hills, but the best known of these are the chalk cliffs facing European mainland.
Lakes are numerous in the Lake District, the largest being Windermere, and in the Highlands of Scotland, the most famous is the Scottish Loch Ness because the legends surrounding it. The most important river is the Thames, which flows through London; the others are The Severn or The Trent.
The UK is really good at football. The football has a big tradition in the UK. The most well-know and the best teams in the UK are Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal or Glasgow Rangers.
Places to visit in Great Britain
GB is very rich in monuments. On this area is about 27 UNESCO.
Between the most popular places in GB evidently belongs The Stonehenge. It is an arrangement of a big stones. The function of this place is still unclear. The most likely theory is the sacrificial function.
Another interesting thing is Hadrian`s Wall. It was a defensive fortification in northern England. Begun in AD 122, during the rule of emperor Hadrian, it was the first of two fortifications built across Great Britain, the second being the Antonine Wall, lesser known of the two because its physical remains are less evident today.
Caernarvon castle is too very big touristic attraction. King Edward I, known as Longshanks, ringed Wales with castles, in the 13th century, as a way of subduing the rebellious Welsh and cementing English power over them. He intended Caernarvon Castle to be a Royal residence and the seat of his government in North Wales.
In 55 BC was the first roman invasion by julius caesar. But the british people stood up (odolat) to invasion for 90 years, but they were conquered (zdolat) by emperor claudius in 43 nl. Although the roman occupation lasted (trvat) for 400 years, the british people didnt adopt the latin language and didnt displace (vytlačit) the celtic.
In 5th century came three germanic tribes (kmen) – the Angles, saxons and jutes. From scandinavia came the vikings and this invasion continued till the 11th century. This period can be characterised as a period from tribe to feudal organisation of society. The period of feudalism lasted to the 15th century. In this time the english nation and language came into being. It was period of faiting between kings and nobles (šlechta), frequent were wars and suffering (utrpení). But it was also time of trade (obchod) and the end of feudalism prepared england for a rise (růst) as a Word power.
Other period was known as tudor period. The two famous rulers were henry VIII and elizabeth I., and in the elizabethan age england became one of the leading powers. Henry had six wifes and and five mistresses and he prefered absolutism. Elizabeth first didnt have any children and for that she was called virgin queen. For her all life she cared about country.
In the 17th century grew the conflict between king and parliament and that was reason for the civil war in the in 1640, which resulted in the abolition of the monarchy and the head of this revolution was john cromwell and this was also end for english bourgeoise revolution. In 1603 – 1707 was created the personal union of sckottland and england, because to 1660 it was a republic. In 1707 was created the great britain from england and scottland.
In the 17th and 18th century england was the best at european commerce and this was the preparing for the industrial revolution. During the industrial revolution britain became the first industrial power in the world.
The anglo – french rivalry for world domination culminated in the napoleonic wars – 19th c. the victorian era, called after queen victoria, was a period in which britain became the strongest world power, the greatest financial and commercial power, the greatest sea power and the greatest colonial power, it was era of colonial expansion.
In 1801 was created the united kingdoom from great britain and ireland, but in 1921 the ireland was the free state and united kingdom was from great britain and the north ireland. Now the queen is Elizabeth second from Windsors dynasty.
Great Britain
Official name is United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The United Kingdom consists of four historical and geographic parts - Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The capital city of Wales is Cardiff, in Scotland it is Edinburgh, in England it is London and the capital city of Northern Ireland is Belfast.
The population of Great Britain is nearly 60 million. There live the English, the Scottish, the Irish, the Wales and the Ulster – it is Indian, Pakistan, Jews, Italian, Chinese and so on. The majority of people speak English.
History
The first inhabitants who came to this land were settlers from Europe. The name Britannia came from Romans who occupied the country. Then the country was occupied both by Vikings from Scandinavia and Normans.
London
The capital city of whole Britain is London. It has a population of around 10 million people. It lies on the river Thames. There are many important monuments. For example places of interest in London are Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, the London is home of the Queen, Hyde Park, the residence of the prime minister, etc. There is a centre of political and administrative life in London, which is the city of Westminster. There are Houses of Parliament rebuilt in gothic style, there is also the famous Big Ben.
Besides these capitals there are many big cities such as Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow etc.
Nature
Apart from the land border with the Irish republic, the United Kingdom is surrounded by sea. From continental Europe it is separated by the English Channel. The North Sea lies to the east. The Irish Sea separated Great Britain from Ireland, while south-western England, the north-western coast of Northern Ireland, and western Scotland face the atlantic Ocean.
The country can be divided into two regions – Highland and Lowland.
The highland zone consists of groups of mountains:
The main mountains regions are in the North and East of Britain. The higest mountains are the Highlands of Scotland with the higest mountain Ben Nevis.
The lowland zone is flat and rolling, there are many limestone or chalk hills, but the best known of these are the chalk cliffs facing European mainland.
Lakes are numerous in the Lake District, the largest being Windermere, and in the Highlands of Scotland, the most famous is the Scottish Loch Ness because the legends surrounding it. The most important river is the Thames, which flows through London; the others are The Severn or The Trent.
The UK is really good at football. The football has a big tradition in the UK. The most well-know and the best teams in the UK are Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal or Glasgow Rangers.
Places to visit in Great Britain
GB is very rich in monuments. On this area is about 27 UNESCO.
Between the most popular places in GB evidently belongs The Stonehenge. It is an arrangement of a big stones. The function of this place is still unclear. The most likely theory is the sacrificial function.
Another interesting thing is Hadrian`s Wall. It was a defensive fortification in northern England. Begun in AD 122, during the rule of emperor Hadrian, it was the first of two fortifications built across Great Britain, the second being the Antonine Wall, lesser known of the two because its physical remains are less evident today.
Caernarvon castle is too very big touristic attraction. King Edward I, known as Longshanks, ringed Wales with castles, in the 13th century, as a way of subduing the rebellious Welsh and cementing English power over them. He intended Caernarvon Castle to be a Royal residence and the seat of his government in North Wales.
Canada
History: The Vikings first discovered it more than a thousand years ago, but the Europeans came there in the 15th century ? in 1497 John Cabot discovered Canada. The name Canada derivers from the Indian word ?Kanata?, which means a village or community. It first appears in narrative of Jacque Cartier and is used since 1860. After its discovery the land was first called New France, then British North America. Canada became a British dominion in 1867 (it was a British colony since 1793). Now it is a self-governing member of the British Commonwealth and since 1964 it has its own national flag and emblem (the maple leaf). Economically the neighbouring USA influences Canada.
Geography: Canada is the second largest country in the world. It covers more then half of the continent of North America and occupies a number of islands. The largest of them are: Vancouver in the west, New Scotland and Newfoundland in the east, Victoria and Baffin Islands in the north. Canada borders with USA in the south and Alaska in the north-west. In the east there is the Atlantic Ocean, in the west the Pacific Ocean. The surface is various: in the east Canada there are hills and mountains, the central part is covered by vast plains. In the west, there is the mountain range of the Rocky Mountains. The highest mountain is Mt. Logan (5959 m high).
Canada is a country of lakes, there are thousands of them. The largest are Lake Erie and Ontario. There are famous Niagara Falls between these lakes. Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake, Lake Winnipeg is an other well-known lake.
The Niagara Falls are the major tourist attraction. The Canadian part is 900 m wide (the American 320 m). Goast Island reports the two part. The longest river is Mackenzie, other big rivers are the Yukon, the Fraser, the Columbia and the River St. Lawrence.
The climate: Most of the inhabited parts of Canada have a continental climate (with warm and sunny summers and long cold winters). On the Pacific coast the climate is milder, the North, mostly uninhabited, had the Arctic climate with winter temperatures about 500 C below zero.
Canada has a population of about 32 mil. people. About 45 % are of British origin, about 30 % of French origin, over 20 % of continental European origin, about 300 000 Indians and 20 000 Eskimos. The Eskimo population inhabits the Arctic regions and Indians live mostly in the villages in the prairies. Most of the French Canadians live in the province of Quebec. Both English and French are the official languages in Canada. Most inhabitants live near U.S. ? Canadian borders. The capital city is Ottawa, the largest city is Montreal, next big cities are Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Quebec, Vancouver ? important port on the west coast.
Natural resources: Canada is very rich in minerals and natural resources. There are large deposits of coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, copper, zinc, nickel, lead uranium etc. But its greatest resources are forests. Canada is the major exporter of lumber, wood, pulp and print paper.
Places to visit
Canada has many popular city destinations, each offering its own Canadian urban experience. From the laid back charm of Vancouver to the sophisticated European flair of Montreal and Quebec City, cities in Canada are popular tourist destinations.
Canada is a big country with a wide-ranging geography, making it ideal for many sports and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for nice hiking trails, golf courses or want to up the thrill factor by heli-skiing or dog-sledding, Canada has a vacation for you.
In most popular places in Canada belongs: Niagara Falls, Toronto – CN Tower, Vancouver – winter olympic games 2010.
UNESCO: Nahanni national park (around the river Nahanni).
Historic district of Quebec - The historic center of the city founded in the 17th century citadel includes, for example, parliament, the old port and commercial neighborhoods.
Geography: Canada is the second largest country in the world. It covers more then half of the continent of North America and occupies a number of islands. The largest of them are: Vancouver in the west, New Scotland and Newfoundland in the east, Victoria and Baffin Islands in the north. Canada borders with USA in the south and Alaska in the north-west. In the east there is the Atlantic Ocean, in the west the Pacific Ocean. The surface is various: in the east Canada there are hills and mountains, the central part is covered by vast plains. In the west, there is the mountain range of the Rocky Mountains. The highest mountain is Mt. Logan (5959 m high).
Canada is a country of lakes, there are thousands of them. The largest are Lake Erie and Ontario. There are famous Niagara Falls between these lakes. Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake, Lake Winnipeg is an other well-known lake.
The Niagara Falls are the major tourist attraction. The Canadian part is 900 m wide (the American 320 m). Goast Island reports the two part. The longest river is Mackenzie, other big rivers are the Yukon, the Fraser, the Columbia and the River St. Lawrence.
The climate: Most of the inhabited parts of Canada have a continental climate (with warm and sunny summers and long cold winters). On the Pacific coast the climate is milder, the North, mostly uninhabited, had the Arctic climate with winter temperatures about 500 C below zero.
Canada has a population of about 32 mil. people. About 45 % are of British origin, about 30 % of French origin, over 20 % of continental European origin, about 300 000 Indians and 20 000 Eskimos. The Eskimo population inhabits the Arctic regions and Indians live mostly in the villages in the prairies. Most of the French Canadians live in the province of Quebec. Both English and French are the official languages in Canada. Most inhabitants live near U.S. ? Canadian borders. The capital city is Ottawa, the largest city is Montreal, next big cities are Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Quebec, Vancouver ? important port on the west coast.
Natural resources: Canada is very rich in minerals and natural resources. There are large deposits of coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, copper, zinc, nickel, lead uranium etc. But its greatest resources are forests. Canada is the major exporter of lumber, wood, pulp and print paper.
Places to visit
Canada has many popular city destinations, each offering its own Canadian urban experience. From the laid back charm of Vancouver to the sophisticated European flair of Montreal and Quebec City, cities in Canada are popular tourist destinations.
Canada is a big country with a wide-ranging geography, making it ideal for many sports and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for nice hiking trails, golf courses or want to up the thrill factor by heli-skiing or dog-sledding, Canada has a vacation for you.
In most popular places in Canada belongs: Niagara Falls, Toronto – CN Tower, Vancouver – winter olympic games 2010.
UNESCO: Nahanni national park (around the river Nahanni).
Historic district of Quebec - The historic center of the city founded in the 17th century citadel includes, for example, parliament, the old port and commercial neighborhoods.
Prague
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic. It is the most important political, economic and cultural centre of the country and seat of the President and the other institutions of Czech government.
More than one million people live here.
In middle ages, it was a very important city in the time of reign the king Charles IV.
Now I would like to speak about the centre of Prague. The historical centre is very nice. There is a Venceslas square, which is the largest and the most important square in Prague. It is typical for a statue of St. Venceslas in the upper part of the square. This statue was made by Czech sculptor Myslbek. There are a lot of small cafeterias, fastfoods and restaurants.
From the Venceslas square we can go to the Old Town square. This square is well known for the Astronomical clock with twelve apostles going around beyond two little windows every hour. It is the place where twenty seven Czech noblemen were executed.
From the Old Town square we can go to Charles Bridge. This bridge was built by Charles IV. in the 14th century.
The urban river is called Vltava.
In Old town its Judaic cemetery and Old - New Synagogue was the centre of The Prague Ghetto. It is very attractive and interesting place.
The most famous place for tourists is Prague castle. It is the seat of the president. There we can visit for example the Golden lane. The St.Vitus cathedral stands near the Castle.
Now I would like to present art movements in Prague history.
Romanesque style:
The oldest buildings are built in the Romanesque style. They have thick stone walls and small narrow windows with round arches. The most important example of Romanesque style is the Basilica of St. George at Prague Castle. Rotundas were also built – there are three in the Prague, for example in Vyšehrad. Prague had also a Romanesque stone bridge – the Judith Bridge, it was near the present Charles Bridge. Many Romanesque houses were in the Old Town.
Gothic style:
The next style is called Gothic. The buildings were high with much thinner walls, their arches were pointed. Rib cross vault is another of their characteristic features. Examples: St. Vitus´s Cathedral, Old Town Hall, Charles Bridge and its towers and Old – New Synagogue. Many Gothic buildings were built especially during the reign of Charles IV. He called to Prague the best builders of his days – Mathias of Arras and after his death – Peter Parler. At Prague Castle he built a new residence similar to the palace of French kings. Charles IV. also established the New Town. Some large buildings, for example St. Vitus´s Cathedral or the Church of Our Lady of Týn or the Church of Our Lady of the Snows were finished much later. Vladislav´s Hall at Prague Castle named after the king Vladislav Jagellon, was built in Gothic style, but its windows are in Renaissance style.
Renaissance style:
The best – known examples of Renaissance style are the Royal Summer Palace or Belveder or Hvězda Summer Palace. During the reign of the Emperor Rudolf II., who made Prague his permanent residence the Spanish Hall and Rudolf´s Gallery were built at Prague Castle.
Baroque and Rococo styles:
Many churches and other buildings are from period of Baroque and Rococo. Their characteristic features are monumentally, curve in the forms of windows, wall or statues, onion-shaped tower roofs, large wall paintings. The most famous Baroque church is St. Nicholas Church in Malostranské náměstí, another Baroque church is the Church of St. Nicholas in the Old Town Square and Prague Loretta in Hradčany. The finest Rococo building in Prague is Kinský Palace in the Old Town Square.
Classicism and empire:
The style of classicism and empire were inspired by Classical architecture – The Estate Theatre, there were in 1787 the world premiere of Mozart´s Don Giovanni, and in 1834 the premiere of Josef Kajetán Tyl´s Fidlovačka, one of its songs became the Czech anthem. Prague’s best-known Empire style building is the Exhibition Hale U Hybernů.
The second half of the 19th century is period of pseudo-historical styles. A pseudo-Romanesque style and pseudo-Gothic style is frequent – the western half of St. Vitus´s Cathedral or the Church of St. Ludmila in Vinohrady. Neo-Renaissance buildings are for example the National Theatre, the Rudolfinum or the National Museum.
Art Nouveau:
At the beginning of the 20th century, blocks of flats and public buildings were built in Art Nouveau. It is a very decorative style with flowers and leaves, geometrical ornaments. For example Prague Municipal House beside the Powder Tower.
Cubism:
After the Art Nouveau there was a short period of Cubism. The most important of these buildings is the house at black Madonna.
Functionalism:
Another famous style was architectural Functionalism. It was a period between two wars. An outstanding example of Czech Constructivism is Trade Fair Palace in Holešovice.
Modern art:
In Prague of there days we can see all these historical monuments and also new buildings for example very interesting Dancing House – it looks like dancing pair of people.
More than one million people live here.
In middle ages, it was a very important city in the time of reign the king Charles IV.
Now I would like to speak about the centre of Prague. The historical centre is very nice. There is a Venceslas square, which is the largest and the most important square in Prague. It is typical for a statue of St. Venceslas in the upper part of the square. This statue was made by Czech sculptor Myslbek. There are a lot of small cafeterias, fastfoods and restaurants.
From the Venceslas square we can go to the Old Town square. This square is well known for the Astronomical clock with twelve apostles going around beyond two little windows every hour. It is the place where twenty seven Czech noblemen were executed.
From the Old Town square we can go to Charles Bridge. This bridge was built by Charles IV. in the 14th century.
The urban river is called Vltava.
In Old town its Judaic cemetery and Old - New Synagogue was the centre of The Prague Ghetto. It is very attractive and interesting place.
The most famous place for tourists is Prague castle. It is the seat of the president. There we can visit for example the Golden lane. The St.Vitus cathedral stands near the Castle.
Now I would like to present art movements in Prague history.
Romanesque style:
The oldest buildings are built in the Romanesque style. They have thick stone walls and small narrow windows with round arches. The most important example of Romanesque style is the Basilica of St. George at Prague Castle. Rotundas were also built – there are three in the Prague, for example in Vyšehrad. Prague had also a Romanesque stone bridge – the Judith Bridge, it was near the present Charles Bridge. Many Romanesque houses were in the Old Town.
Gothic style:
The next style is called Gothic. The buildings were high with much thinner walls, their arches were pointed. Rib cross vault is another of their characteristic features. Examples: St. Vitus´s Cathedral, Old Town Hall, Charles Bridge and its towers and Old – New Synagogue. Many Gothic buildings were built especially during the reign of Charles IV. He called to Prague the best builders of his days – Mathias of Arras and after his death – Peter Parler. At Prague Castle he built a new residence similar to the palace of French kings. Charles IV. also established the New Town. Some large buildings, for example St. Vitus´s Cathedral or the Church of Our Lady of Týn or the Church of Our Lady of the Snows were finished much later. Vladislav´s Hall at Prague Castle named after the king Vladislav Jagellon, was built in Gothic style, but its windows are in Renaissance style.
Renaissance style:
The best – known examples of Renaissance style are the Royal Summer Palace or Belveder or Hvězda Summer Palace. During the reign of the Emperor Rudolf II., who made Prague his permanent residence the Spanish Hall and Rudolf´s Gallery were built at Prague Castle.
Baroque and Rococo styles:
Many churches and other buildings are from period of Baroque and Rococo. Their characteristic features are monumentally, curve in the forms of windows, wall or statues, onion-shaped tower roofs, large wall paintings. The most famous Baroque church is St. Nicholas Church in Malostranské náměstí, another Baroque church is the Church of St. Nicholas in the Old Town Square and Prague Loretta in Hradčany. The finest Rococo building in Prague is Kinský Palace in the Old Town Square.
Classicism and empire:
The style of classicism and empire were inspired by Classical architecture – The Estate Theatre, there were in 1787 the world premiere of Mozart´s Don Giovanni, and in 1834 the premiere of Josef Kajetán Tyl´s Fidlovačka, one of its songs became the Czech anthem. Prague’s best-known Empire style building is the Exhibition Hale U Hybernů.
The second half of the 19th century is period of pseudo-historical styles. A pseudo-Romanesque style and pseudo-Gothic style is frequent – the western half of St. Vitus´s Cathedral or the Church of St. Ludmila in Vinohrady. Neo-Renaissance buildings are for example the National Theatre, the Rudolfinum or the National Museum.
Art Nouveau:
At the beginning of the 20th century, blocks of flats and public buildings were built in Art Nouveau. It is a very decorative style with flowers and leaves, geometrical ornaments. For example Prague Municipal House beside the Powder Tower.
Cubism:
After the Art Nouveau there was a short period of Cubism. The most important of these buildings is the house at black Madonna.
Functionalism:
Another famous style was architectural Functionalism. It was a period between two wars. An outstanding example of Czech Constructivism is Trade Fair Palace in Holešovice.
Modern art:
In Prague of there days we can see all these historical monuments and also new buildings for example very interesting Dancing House – it looks like dancing pair of people.
The Czech Republic
The head of state is President and head of government is a Prime Minister.
The Czech Republic is a small land-locked (inland) country, due to its position often called the heart of Europe. The country is nested among mountains in the border regions that form a ring around the country. On that small area live about 10,3 million people. The capital city Prague with 1,2 million inhabitants is also the largest one in the country.
From the historical and cultural point of view, the country is divided into Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia.
Although the CR doesn´t have access to sea and alpine peaks, its territory includes variol landscape.
The highest mountain is Sněžka in the Giant Mountain. The biggest river in the CR is the Elbe which springs in the Giant Mountains and flows through Germany to the Northern Sea. The Vltava is considered the Czech „national river“, it is the longest river that acrosss the Czech territory. Many Czech river are suitable for canoe-touring.
A typical Czech landscape is a gently rolling one, with a colourful mosaic of fields, meadows and woods. Czech mountains provide good conditions for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. The country has only a few natural lakes, therefore a typic feature of the Czech countryside are fishing ponds. Most of them are located in South Bohemia.
The Czech territory also has numerus mineral water sprint, which are used for balneal purposes and for drinking cures.
Czech republic is particulary rich in castles. Probably most famous castles are Prague Castle and Karlštejn near Prague and the most visited are probably Hluboká Chateau and Lednice Chateau. The Czech has also 3 spa towns – Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně. (Plzeň is well known for Škoda auto and Pilsner beer.)
About 34% of the country is forested. Agriculture plays a relatively small role in the nation´s export industry (here potatoes, wheat, corn, sugar beets; pigs, cattle, sheep and fowl). The Czech republic has many industries (cars, steelworks, jewellery), it produce f.e. coal, mercury, zinc, lead,iron.
The Czech Republic is a small land-locked (inland) country, due to its position often called the heart of Europe. The country is nested among mountains in the border regions that form a ring around the country. On that small area live about 10,3 million people. The capital city Prague with 1,2 million inhabitants is also the largest one in the country.
From the historical and cultural point of view, the country is divided into Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia.
Although the CR doesn´t have access to sea and alpine peaks, its territory includes variol landscape.
The highest mountain is Sněžka in the Giant Mountain. The biggest river in the CR is the Elbe which springs in the Giant Mountains and flows through Germany to the Northern Sea. The Vltava is considered the Czech „national river“, it is the longest river that acrosss the Czech territory. Many Czech river are suitable for canoe-touring.
A typical Czech landscape is a gently rolling one, with a colourful mosaic of fields, meadows and woods. Czech mountains provide good conditions for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. The country has only a few natural lakes, therefore a typic feature of the Czech countryside are fishing ponds. Most of them are located in South Bohemia.
The Czech territory also has numerus mineral water sprint, which are used for balneal purposes and for drinking cures.
Czech republic is particulary rich in castles. Probably most famous castles are Prague Castle and Karlštejn near Prague and the most visited are probably Hluboká Chateau and Lednice Chateau. The Czech has also 3 spa towns – Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně. (Plzeň is well known for Škoda auto and Pilsner beer.)
About 34% of the country is forested. Agriculture plays a relatively small role in the nation´s export industry (here potatoes, wheat, corn, sugar beets; pigs, cattle, sheep and fowl). The Czech republic has many industries (cars, steelworks, jewellery), it produce f.e. coal, mercury, zinc, lead,iron.
American history and holidays
Americans celebrate a variety of federal holidays and other national observances throughout the year. American holidays can be secular, religious, international, or uniquely American.
With the wide variety of federal holidays, and the many levels of American government, it can be confusing to determine what public and private facilities are open on or around a given federal holiday. You can usually find such information in the daily newspaper or by calling the office you wish to visit.
The following are American federal holidays and other common national observances. Federal holidays are indicated as such.
New Year's Day is January 1. The celebration of this federal holiday begins the night before, when Americans gather to wish each other a happy and prosperous coming year. Many Americans make New Year's resolutions.
Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in January. The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was an African-American clergyman who is recognized for his tireless efforts to win civil rights for all people through nonviolent means.
Groundhog Day is February 2, and has been celebrated since 1887. On Groundhog Day, crowds gather in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to see if groundhog Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow after emerging from his burrow, thus predicting six more weeks of winter weather.
Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14. The day was named after an early Christian martyr, and on Valentine's Day, Americans give presents like candy or flowers to the ones they love. The first mass-produced valentine cards were sold in the 1840s.
Washington's Birthday is a federal holiday observed the third Monday of February to honor George Washington, the first President of the United States. This date is commonly called Presidents' Day and many groups honor the legacy of past presidents on this date.
Easter falls on a spring Sunday that varies from year to year. Easter is a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For Christians, Easter is a day of religious services and the gathering of family. Many Americans follow old traditions of coloring hard-boiled eggs and giving children baskets of candy.
Earth Day is observed on April 22. First celebrated in 1970 in the United States, it inspired national legislation such as the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. Earth Day is designed to promote ecology, encourage respect for life on earth, and highlight concern over pollution of the soil, air, and water.
National Arbor Day was proclaimed as the last Friday in April by President Richard Nixon in 1970. A number of state Arbor Days are observed at other times to coincide with the best tree planting weather, from January and February in the south to May in the far north. The observance began in 1872, when Nebraska settlers and homesteaders were urged to plant trees on the largely treeless plains.
Mother's Day celebrates mothers every second Sunday of May. President Woodrow Wilson, who issued a proclamation in 1914, asked Americans to give a public expression of reverence to mothers on this day. Carnations have come to represent Mother's Day, following President William McKinley's habit of always wearing a white carnation, his mother's favorite flower.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed the last Monday of May. It originally honored the people killed in the American Civil War, but has become a day on which the American dead of all wars, and the dead generally, are remembered in special programs held in cemeteries, churches, and other public meeting places. The flying of the American flag is widespread.
Flag Day, celebrated June 14, has been a presidentially proclaimed observance since 1916. Although Flag Day is not a federal holiday, Americans are encouraged to display the flag outside their homes and businesses on this day to honor the history and heritage the American flag represents.
Father's Day celebrates fathers every third Sunday of June. Father's Day began in 1909 in Spokane, Washington, when a daughter requested a special day to honor her father, a Civil War veteran who raised his children after his wife died. The first presidential proclamation honoring fathers was issued in 1966 by President Lyndon Johnson.
Independence Day is July 4. This federal holiday honors the nation's birthday - the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It is a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks. The flying of the American flag is widespread.
Labor Day is the first Monday of September. This federal holiday honors the nation's working people, typically with parades. For most Americans it marks the end of the summer vacation season and the start of the school year.
Columbus Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the second Monday in October. The day commemorates October 12, 1492, when Italian navigator Christopher Columbus landed in the New World. The holiday was first proclaimed in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Halloween is celebrated on October 31. On Halloween, American children dress up in funny or scary costumes and go "trick or treating" by knocking on doors in their neighborhood. The neighbors are expected to respond by giving them small gifts of candy or money.
Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11. Originally called Armistice Day, this federal holiday was established to honor Americans who had served in World War I, but it now honors veterans of all wars in which the U.S. has fought. Veterans' organizations hold parades, and the president places a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Thanksgiving Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest. Many regard this event as the nation's first Thanksgiving.The Thanksgiving feast became a national tradition and almost always includes some of the foods served at the first feast: roast turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes, and pumpkin pie.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is December 7. In 1994, Congress designated this national observance to honor the more than 2,400 military service personnel who died on this date in 1941, during the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, by Japanese forces. The attack on Pearl Harbor caused the United States to enter World War II.
Christmas Day is a federal holiday celebrated on December 25. Christmas is a Christian holiday marking the birth of the Christ Child. Decorating houses and yards with lights, putting up Christmas trees, giving gifts, and sending greeting cards have become traditions even for many non-Christian Americans.
With the wide variety of federal holidays, and the many levels of American government, it can be confusing to determine what public and private facilities are open on or around a given federal holiday. You can usually find such information in the daily newspaper or by calling the office you wish to visit.
The following are American federal holidays and other common national observances. Federal holidays are indicated as such.
New Year's Day is January 1. The celebration of this federal holiday begins the night before, when Americans gather to wish each other a happy and prosperous coming year. Many Americans make New Year's resolutions.
Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in January. The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was an African-American clergyman who is recognized for his tireless efforts to win civil rights for all people through nonviolent means.
Groundhog Day is February 2, and has been celebrated since 1887. On Groundhog Day, crowds gather in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to see if groundhog Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow after emerging from his burrow, thus predicting six more weeks of winter weather.
Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14. The day was named after an early Christian martyr, and on Valentine's Day, Americans give presents like candy or flowers to the ones they love. The first mass-produced valentine cards were sold in the 1840s.
Washington's Birthday is a federal holiday observed the third Monday of February to honor George Washington, the first President of the United States. This date is commonly called Presidents' Day and many groups honor the legacy of past presidents on this date.
Easter falls on a spring Sunday that varies from year to year. Easter is a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For Christians, Easter is a day of religious services and the gathering of family. Many Americans follow old traditions of coloring hard-boiled eggs and giving children baskets of candy.
Earth Day is observed on April 22. First celebrated in 1970 in the United States, it inspired national legislation such as the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. Earth Day is designed to promote ecology, encourage respect for life on earth, and highlight concern over pollution of the soil, air, and water.
National Arbor Day was proclaimed as the last Friday in April by President Richard Nixon in 1970. A number of state Arbor Days are observed at other times to coincide with the best tree planting weather, from January and February in the south to May in the far north. The observance began in 1872, when Nebraska settlers and homesteaders were urged to plant trees on the largely treeless plains.
Mother's Day celebrates mothers every second Sunday of May. President Woodrow Wilson, who issued a proclamation in 1914, asked Americans to give a public expression of reverence to mothers on this day. Carnations have come to represent Mother's Day, following President William McKinley's habit of always wearing a white carnation, his mother's favorite flower.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed the last Monday of May. It originally honored the people killed in the American Civil War, but has become a day on which the American dead of all wars, and the dead generally, are remembered in special programs held in cemeteries, churches, and other public meeting places. The flying of the American flag is widespread.
Flag Day, celebrated June 14, has been a presidentially proclaimed observance since 1916. Although Flag Day is not a federal holiday, Americans are encouraged to display the flag outside their homes and businesses on this day to honor the history and heritage the American flag represents.
Father's Day celebrates fathers every third Sunday of June. Father's Day began in 1909 in Spokane, Washington, when a daughter requested a special day to honor her father, a Civil War veteran who raised his children after his wife died. The first presidential proclamation honoring fathers was issued in 1966 by President Lyndon Johnson.
Independence Day is July 4. This federal holiday honors the nation's birthday - the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It is a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks. The flying of the American flag is widespread.
Labor Day is the first Monday of September. This federal holiday honors the nation's working people, typically with parades. For most Americans it marks the end of the summer vacation season and the start of the school year.
Columbus Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the second Monday in October. The day commemorates October 12, 1492, when Italian navigator Christopher Columbus landed in the New World. The holiday was first proclaimed in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Halloween is celebrated on October 31. On Halloween, American children dress up in funny or scary costumes and go "trick or treating" by knocking on doors in their neighborhood. The neighbors are expected to respond by giving them small gifts of candy or money.
Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11. Originally called Armistice Day, this federal holiday was established to honor Americans who had served in World War I, but it now honors veterans of all wars in which the U.S. has fought. Veterans' organizations hold parades, and the president places a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Thanksgiving Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest. Many regard this event as the nation's first Thanksgiving.The Thanksgiving feast became a national tradition and almost always includes some of the foods served at the first feast: roast turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes, and pumpkin pie.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is December 7. In 1994, Congress designated this national observance to honor the more than 2,400 military service personnel who died on this date in 1941, during the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, by Japanese forces. The attack on Pearl Harbor caused the United States to enter World War II.
Christmas Day is a federal holiday celebrated on December 25. Christmas is a Christian holiday marking the birth of the Christ Child. Decorating houses and yards with lights, putting up Christmas trees, giving gifts, and sending greeting cards have become traditions even for many non-Christian Americans.
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