Historic Treasures of Central Europe

Historic Treasures of Central Europe

Five historic sites. That was the assignment for each of these Central European countries: to nominate and then select—in a place rich with magnificent history—just five national attractions. The resulting list contains entries as unexpected as they are beautiful. Most of all, they reveal the way our ancestors lived.

Castles, Coins, and Jewels: CZECH REPUBLIC

Amidst its fairytale castles and cobblestoned streets, Czech’s historic offerings include a shimmering wall of jewels dating back to the Holy Roman Empire.

1. The Prague Castle, Prague
Built in the 9th century, the Prague Castle is located in a Gothic complex that includes the St. Vitus Cathedral, Romanesque Basilica of St. George, a monastery and several palaces, gardens and defense towers. Walk to Prague’s Old Town across the Charles Bridge, a crucial landmark built in 1357.

2. Kutna Hora, near Prague
Located just 45 minutes outside of Prague, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kutna Hora is an ideal day trip from Prague. Tour the silver mine shaft, the site of the mint for goschen, one of the era’s most widely circulated coins (highly coveted by collectors). St. Barbara's Cathedral—the town’s centerpiece—remains one of Bohemia’s most enduring Gothic masterpieces.

3. Cesky Krumlov, southern Bohemia
The picturesque UNESCO town of Cesky Krumlov has been the official residence of the Rozmberk family (one of Czech’s most influential families) for 300 years. Tour the castle, Central Square, and local brewery, or go boating and rafting on the river.

4. Karlovy Vary, western Bohemia
Karlovy Vary is the world's most famous Bohemian spa. It was named for Emperor Charles IV, who allegedly discovered its 12 famous mineral springs in 1358, while hunting. Karlovy Vary subsequently became the favorite spa town of Peter the Great, Goethe, Schiller, Beethoven, and Chopin.

5. Karlstejn, near Prague
Karlstejn, located one hour outside of Prague is a majestic Gothic castle built in 1348 by Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV specifically to house his royal treasures, a collection which included relics and coronation jewels belonging to the Roman Empire. Your tour of the castle offers a look at the Holy Rood Chapel, famous for the 2,000 precious and semiprecious gems inlaid within its walls.

From the Teutonic Order to the Renaissance, and Beyond: POLAND

1. Wawel Royal Castle, Krakow

In the center of Krakow, a limestone hill rises above the Vistula River. This is Wawel, an extraordinary sanctuary for some of Poland’s most significant historical monuments. This unique cultural symbol represents the former seat of Polish rule—and in many ways, it defines the Polish national origin.
 

2. Old Town, Warsaw
Warsaw's oldest section is also a living, breathing cultural salon. The walled neighborhood emerged as the site of a 13th century prince's castle. Although it was largely destroyed during World War II, it's since been faithfully restored, and deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site.
 
3. The Pearl of the Renaissance, Zamosc
Founded in 1580 and wonderfully preserved, Zamosc is one of the most outstanding examples of Renaissance architecture in all of Europe—and perhaps the world.
 
4. Brick Castle, Malbork
The brick castle at Malbork was the seat of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order. It remains the largest structure of its kind in Medieval Europe, and is now registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

5. Old Town and New Town, Torun
The so-called City of Many Nations is comprised of Torun’s Old Town and New Town. Featured: the Teutonic Castle, one of the nominee’s for UNESCO’s most important world cultural sites as of 1997.

Cinderella to Cathedrals: GERMANY

From a fairytale castle to a small island made sophisticated with museums, Germany's history is very much alive in both present and future.

1. Berlin Wall, Berlin
In 1989, the end of the era that divided Germany also took down the Berlin Wall. Yet 22 years of demolishment hasn't done away with all historical remnants: you can still visit portions of the Wall along the Mühlenstraße, and at the Memorial and Documentation Center at Bernauer Straße.

2. Castle Neuschwanstein, Bavaria
Rising out of storybook Bavaria--set beautifully against the Alps--is a life-size version of every princess' dream. Rub your eyes, and you think you're in a real-life Disney World, with a world-renowned castle more ornate and decadent than you ever imagined. King Ludwig II built world-famous Neuschwanstein for himself in partial tribute to Wagner’s operas and heroic German legends. The castle is Germany's most visited building.   

3. Cologne Cathedral, Cologne
It took over 600 years to build the Cologne Cathedral. The completion of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1880 is a powerful testimony to the strength and persistence of European Christianity. The stunning Cathedral boasts the world's largest church facade, and it's a magnificent sight to see. 

4. The Church of Our Lady, Dresden
The Church of Our Lady in Dresden is a masterpiece of baroque architecture. Destroyed in 1945, it was rebuilt, and is now a symbol of reconciliation and peace. Since its reopening, the church has inspired other revitalization project throughout Europe.

5. Museum Island, Berlin
Berlin's Museum Island (a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999) brings together five internationally significant museums on one small piece of real estate. The complex--built between 1824 and 1930--includes the Altes Museum, the Neues Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie, the Bode Museum and the Pergamon Museum.

Wooden Churches and Altars, and a Sprawling Ruins: SLOVAKIA

Modern Slovakia is a wonder of craft architecture and UNESCO curiosities.

1. Spis Castle, Spissky hrad
Spiš Castle was built in 12th century Slovakia, atop the site of an earlier castle. Today, the castle—one of the largest castle ruins in Eastern Europe—attracts thousands of visitors, and serves as a frequent location for film shoots. It is on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list—together with the adjacent locations of Spisska Kapitula, Spišské Podhradie and Žehra.
 

2. St. Jacob, Levoca
Roman-Catholic St. Jacob Church is an important sacred building. Its main altar is the tallest wooden altar in the world, and well worth a visit.  

3. Bardejov
Aside from being one of the oldest Slovakian towns, medieval Bardejov boasts exceptionally well-preserved fortifications.

4. Banska Stiavnica
Banská Štiavnica was once the biggest mining centre in the 18th century Habsburg empire. Now, the town is a museum.

5. Carpathian Mountain (Slovakian side)
Nine wooden buildings—and one belfry—built between the 16th and 18th centuries served as houses of worship for (alternately) the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Greek Catholic Churches. Today, they form an irresistible historic chain.  
 

Thermal Baths and Market Halls: HUNGARY

Ornate architecture, thermal baths, and a massive market hall distinguish Hungary and its pretty jewel: Budapest.

1. Parliament Building, Budapest
Stand on the banks of the Danube, and you'll notice--among the other buildings--a neo-Gothic landmark. The Parliament Building took 17 years to build. The building is still very much in use, with ongoing Parliamentary business, a working Congressional Library, and an exhibition featuring the Hungarian Crown Jewel.

2. Great Synagogue of Dohany Street, Budapest
The largest synagogue in Europe was built in an eastern, Moorish style. It seats 3,000 worshippers in three wings.

3. The Great Market Hall, Budapest
Market halls have largely disappeared from Europe’s main cities. Fortunately, Budapest still has one of its biggest and most impressive indoor food markets. The Great Market Hall is known for its wide variety of foods such as meat, spices, candy and eateries. A distinctive architectural feature is the roof, which was restored to have colorful Zsolnay tiling.

4. Opera House, Budapest
Hungary's 1,200-seat opera house was designed in an Italian Renaissance style by Miklos Ibl. 24-carat gold leaves decorate three levels of auditorium. The hallways and foyers display murals of Hungary's greatest painters.

5. Szechenyi Bath, Budapest
It's a little-known fact that Budapest has more thermal baths than any other world capital. One of the oldest and greatest is the 20th century Szechenyi Spa which was the city’s first thermal bath on the Pest side of town. http://www.szechenyibath.com/

Of Mozart, Mountains and More: AUSTRIA

The past is lively and present in Austria’s ancient fables, medieval castles, and courtly palaces and relics.

1) Imperial Carriage Museum
Stroll through Austria's history at the Imperial Carriage Museum, located near Schönbrunn Palace.

2. "Schlossberg," Graz
The Austrian city of Graz is situated on a large plain. And then there is “Schlossberg,” a rock formation that juts out--castle-like--into the sky. Come visit the rock, listen to the fables that Austrians have concocted to explain this geographic anomaly, and visit the impressive fortresses that past residents have been inspired to construct.

3. Mozart’s Birthplace, Salzburg
Picture this: You're five, and you're the main attraction in Europe's greatest courts. You're dressed in your finest threads, and brought around to perform before kings. That was true of five-year-old 18th century pianist and composer Wolfgang ("Wolferl") Amadeus Mozart —and he remained revered and prolific throughout his life. Visit his Salzburg birthplace, and see where the magic began.

4. Imperial Palace, Innsbruck
Innsbruck’s Imperial history is a story all its own. The Habsburgs loved this glorious Alpine city, with its rough surroundings and distinct Tyrolean culture. Visit the Imperial Palace, the city’s shining example of this fascinating and enduring empire—and discover how the Habsburgs made Innsbruck their home.

5. Forchteinstein Castle, Burgenland
In the midst of Burgenland’s western hills lies stately Forchtenstein Castle, built as a protective bulwark against 13th century invaders. A tour of the fortifications and the castle’s treasury will give you a lively impression of castle life in the Middle Ages.