Architecture in Czechia

Architecture is one of Czechia’s highlights for visitors. Prague’s Staré Město old town precinct, Malá Strana, Hradčany and Nové Město are famous for their variety of architectural styles going back to the medieval period. This is recognised by world-heritage listing.

But there are other world-heritage architectural gems.

The old town of Český Krumlov in southern Bohemia is Czechia’s second-most visited site and its palatial residence, Baroque theatre and gardens are the main centre of attraction. But wandering its streets and along the banks of the Vltava is also unforgettable for its array of styles and decorated facades.

The small and unchanged 18th and 19th century folk architecture of the village of Holašovice includes remarkable UNESCO-listed decorated frontages.

The central market triangle of tiny Telč in the Vysočina region is listed for its mostly Renaissance and Baroque buildings, an unbroken sequence of facades that preserves the ambience of centuries past and includes a palace complex with one of the most remarkable burial chapels in Europe. Třebíč, not far away, is also listed for its basilica church and Jewish quarter.

Kutná Hora, recognised by UNESCO for its old town and two stunning Gothic churches, is a gem that was funded by rich silvers mines from the medieval period.

The spa towns of Františkovy Lázně, Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně are also UNESCO-listed sites, with architecture belonging mostly to the Neoclassical, Empire and Art Nouveau periods.

Tábor, with its unique history as a theocratic fortress of the Hussite movement, has a legacy of medieval layout and Gothic and Renaissance buildings that include sgraffito facades. Znojmo in southern Moravia maintains a blend of most styles and preserves parts of its town walls.

Olomuoc, Plzeň, Hradec Králové and České Budějovice all maintain large areas of historical streetscapes. Little Mikulov is arranged around a large palace complex but is dotted with Renaissance buildings.

For more rustic architecture, visit the world-heritage village of Holašovice, about 15km west of České Budějovice, or the mostly timber buildings of the open-air museum Valašské muzeum v přírodě at Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, about 65km west of Olomuoc.

Romanesque

Prague: Bazilika svatého Jiří (interior), Rotunda svatého Martina, Vyšehrad
Olomouc: Arcidiecézní museum (interior)
Třebíč: Bazilika svatého Prokopa
Znojmo: Rotunda svaté Kateřiny

Gothic

Prague: Katedrála svatého Víta (with Neogothic), Chrám Matky Boží před Týnem, Karlův most, Prašná brána, Staronová synagoga, Vladislavský sál, Dům U Kamenného zvonu
Karlštejn: Hrad Karlštejn
Třebíč: Bazilika svatého Prokopa
Jihlava: Kostel svatého Jakuba Většího
Tábor: City fortifications
Kutná Hora: Chrám svaté Barbory, Katedrála Nanebevzetí Panny Marie a svatého Jana Křtitele (with Baroque)
Brno: Katedrála svatého Petra a Pavla

Renaissance

Prague: Vysoká synagoga, Dům U Minuty, Schwarzenberský palác
Telč: Zámek Telč
Český Krumlov: Hrad a zámek Český Krumlov
Litomyšl: Zámek Litomyšl

Baroque & Rococo

Prague: Matyášova brána, Valdštejnský palác, Chrám svatého Mikuláše (Malá Strana), Strahovský klášter
Olomouc: Sloup Nejsvětější Trojice, Kostel Panny Marie Sněžné
Vranov nad Dyjí: Zámek Vranov nad Dyjí
Mikulov: Zámek Mikulov
Zelená hora: Poutní kostel svatého Jana Nepomuckého
Kutná Hora: Jezuitská kolej
Hradec Králové: Kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie
Tábor: Kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie, Klokoty