General Practical information

A – Czech Republic (https://www.czech.cz)

1) Brief history

The Bohemian or Czech state emerged in the late 9th century when it was unified by the Přemyslids and the kingdom of Bohemia was a significant local power during the Middle Ages, being part of the Holy Roman Empire. After its fall, Bohemia became part of Austria-Hungary.

Following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy after World War I, the independent republic of Czechoslovakia was created in 1918. The German minority tried to break away and Hitler succeeded in gaining the Sudetenland through the Munich Agreement in 1938, while Slovakia broke away. Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia was installed on the remaining Czech territory. The Czechoslovak government-in-exile and its army were acknowledged by allies and after World War II, the German minority of pre-war Czechoslovakia was expelled to Germany and Austria.

The strengthening Communist Party of Czechoslovakia took over in February 1948, bringing the country within the Soviet sphere of influence. In August 1968, an invasion by the Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize party rule and create "socialism with a human face" during the Prague Spring.

In November 1989, Czechoslovakia regained its political independence through a peaceful "Velvet Revolution". On 1 January 1 1993, the country peacefully split in two, creating the independent Czech and Slovak republics.

The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in May 2004.

2) Basic information

The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in central Europe (78,866 km2 ). The country borders Poland to the north, Germany to the northwest and west, Austria to the south and Slovakia to the east. The capital and largest city is the historic Prague (Czech: Praha), a major tourist attraction. Other major cities include Brno, Ostrava, Zlín, Plzeň, Pardubice, Hradec Králové, České Budějovice, Liberec, Olomouc, Karlovy Vary and Ústí nad Labem.

The country is composed of two entire historic regions – Bohemia and Moravia, and parts of Silesia.

The Czech landscape is varied; Bohemia to the west consists of a basin, drained by the Labe (German: Elbe) and Vltava rivers, surrounded by mostly low mountain ranges such as the Giant Mts. (Krkonoše) where one also finds the highest point in the country, Sněžka mountain at 1,602 metres (5,256 ft).

Moravia, the eastern part, is also quite hilly and is drained predominantly by the Morava river. Water from the Czech Republic flows to three different seas: the North Sea, Baltic Sea and Black Sea.

The Czech Republic is highly developed in industry and agriculture. Famous products of the industry are Škoda cars. Other products include glass, china and porcelain, paper, and Czech beer, namely Pilsner and Budweiser.

The Czech economy gets a substantial income from tourism: in 2001, the total earnings from tourism reached 120 billion CZK, making up 5.5% of GNP and 9.3% of overall export earnings.

There are several centres of tourist activity. The historic city of Prague is the primary tourist attractionand the most common point of entry for tourists visiting other parts of the country. Other cities also attract significant numbers of tourists, but the spa towns such as Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) and Mariánské Lázně (Marienbad) are particularly popular holiday destinations. Other popular tourist sites are the many castles and chateaux, such as those of Karlštejn, Konopiště and Český Krumlov. Away from the towns, areas as Český Ráj, the Šumava and Giant mountains attract visitors seeking outdoor pursuits.

For more information on the history, countryside and other places of interest visit:

https://www.visitczechia.cz/main-uk.html

3) Weather

The Czech Republic has a mild continental climate. Summers can be hot and dry but also rainy and cold. From June to August the average temperature is around 25°C and usually does not go under 15°C. Temperatures from December to March are around 0°C. Extreme temperatures are 35°C in summer and –20°C in winter.

4) National holidays

5) Sightseeing in Prague (www.praha.cz)

Prague Castle and Hradčany

Prague Castle is the most popular sight visited in Prague and the largest ancient castle in the world. Constructed in the 9th century by Prince Bořivoj, the castle transformed itself from a wooden fortress to the imposing form it has today. Rulers made their own additions so there is a mixture of styles. Prague castle has had four major reconstructions, but it keeps its classical facelift it took on in the 18 century during the reign of Maria Theresa. The castle has three courtyards and it has always been the seat of Czech rulers as well as the official residence. Allow at least half a day if you want to examine it in depth.

The following sights are highly recommended:

• Picture Gallery of Prague Castle (Obrazárna Pražského hradu)
• The Spanish Hall (Španělský sál)
• St Vitus Cathedral (Katedrála Sv. Víta)
• Lobkowicz Palace (Lobkovický palác)
• Schwarzenberg Palace (Švancenberský palác)
• Sternberg Palace (Šternberský palác)
• The Loreta (Loreta)
• Strahov Monastery (Strahovský klášter)

Prague Lesser Town

The Lesser Town was founded in 1257 on the slopes bellow the Prague castle and it is the part of Prague least affected by resent history.

The following sights are highly recommended:

• Nerudova Street (Nerudova ulice)
• Lesser Town Square (Malostranské náměstí)
• St Nicholas Church (Kostel sv. Mikuláše)
• Wallenstein Palace (Valdštejnský palác)
• Kampa Island (Kampa)
• Charles Bridge (Karlův most)

Prague Old Town

Mentioned in 1091, it is the oldest of the towns of Prague. However, its name dates back to the 14th century when the New Town was founded. The centre of the Old Town has always been the Old Town Square dominated by the Church of Our Lady of Týn and the Town Hall.

The following sights are highly recommended:

• Powder Gate (Prašná brána)
• Municipal House (Obecní dům)
• Estates Theatre (Stavovské divadlo)
• Carolinum (Karolinum)
• Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí)
• Church of Our Lady before Týn (Kostel Panny Marie před Týnem)
• Kinský Palace (Palác Kinských)

Prague New Town

The carefully planned New Town was founded by Charles IV in 1348. Twice as large as the Old Town, it was mainly inhabited by tradesmen and craftsmen. During the late19th century its outer fortification were demolished and redeveloped to its present appearance.

The following sights are highly recommended:

• Welceslas Square (Václavské náměstí)
• Church of Our Lady of the Snows (Kostel Panny Marie Sněžné)
• National Museum (Národní muzeum)
• National Theatre (Národní divadlo)

6) Public transport in Prague

Public transport in Prague is integrated and reliable, operated by Dopravní podnik hlavního města Prahy (www.dpp.cz). It includes:

• trams
• buses
• Metro (the underground)
• suburban integrated transport (combination of buses and trains of Czech Railway)

Travelling by city transport is only possible with a valid (short or long term) ticket. Passengers have to obtain their tickets before boarding the vehicle or entering the Metro system. The ticket is valid only if marked in the validation appliance. Tickets can be bought at Metro stations or in DP Information Centres, hotels, at news stands, travel bureaus, department stores, etc. Single tickets can also be bought from the slot machines located at Metro stations or near some stops of surface transport.

Transfer ticket  (valid for 75 minutes after marking) costs 32 CZK, non-transfer one is 24 CZK.

The validity of tickets can be checked by the ticket inspectors of DP at any time during travel or stay in the Metro system. The ticket inspector is entitled to ask the passenger to produce his or her valid ticket, confiscate invalid tickets and collect a penalty.

B – Before arrival

If a visa is required, it is necessary to apply for it a way ahead of time. Short term visa is valid up to 90 days and long term visa more than 90 days. Visas are issued at Czech embassy or consulate in the country of origin where it is also possible to receive more information. The process of visa issue can take two months and the following documents are necessary:

Short term visa (valid up to 90 days):

• Valid passport – expiry date of the passport validity must be at least 2 months after the end of the planned stay in the Czech republic
• Visa Application
• Invitation - will be arranged by Erasmus coordinator at PUCES
• Financial agreement or other confirmation of the sending university, that the student received a grant to cover his/ her studies in the Czech republic
• Confirmation of the Accommodation – will be arranged by Erasmus coordinator at PUCES
• Health Insurance
• 3 passport size photographs

Long term visa (valid more than 90 days) – see. short term visa, plus:

• Clean Criminal Record  – very important document! It must be issued in the official language of the country of origin and also translated into Czech language with the approval and stamp of a Public Notary
• Application for a Criminal Record in the Czech republic, which proves that the host student has clean criminal record in the Czech Republic. This Application is available at all Czech Embassies as well as the form for Visa application

Visa application should be delivered to the Embassy 60 days before the planned arrival. All  documents must be signed at least  90 days before the application.

List of foreign embassies:

C – After arrival

After arriving in Prague it is advisable to contact PUCES Erasmus coordinator RNDr. Vladimír Přech immediately:

tel:  +420 284 840 027,  +420 284 841 027; e-mail: vladimir.prech@svses.cz

D – Living costs

The living costs are estimated at around 10,000 CZK (Kč), individual expenses depending on each student’s means. The basic needs may include:

• food (3,000–6,000 CZK) = (110–220 €)
• travelling costs (250–300 CZK) = (10–15 €)
• accommodation (3,800–4,200 CZK) = (130–150 €)
• pocket money (700–1,000 CZK) = (20–40 €)

E – Accommodation and catering

PUCES has neither its own accommodation capacity nor catering facilities. An agreement with a nearby school canteen facilitates the provision of midday meals for students. PUCES assists in finding appropriate, reasonably priced accommodation in hostels and private lodgings.

F – Health care and insurance

Surgeries, hospitals and pharmacies

PUCES students are entitled to standard health care provided by Students’ Health Centre (Studentský zdravotní ústav Praha, Spálená St. 12, Praha 1, tel. 224 949 035). There are also private healthcare establishments offering their paid medical services to foreign nationals as well.

Other selected healthcare centres:

Medical stand-by duties:

Dentist stand-by duties:

Pharmacies with a non-stop service:

General emergency number:

When you dial number 112 you can get connected to the ambulance, fire department or police. The operators speak Czech, English and German.

Health insurance

Although the Czech Republic recognizes health insurance effected within the European Union, Erasmus students are recommended to get insured in their home country before arrival. (Should health problems arise, it is advisable to keep healthcare payment documents and let them reimbursed by a health insurance company in a respective home country.)

G – Study facilities at the host institution

Resource centre, study rooms, e-portal

PUCES Resource centre is located in the refurbished basement of the college building, together with a large study room and an assembly lounge. The RC contains more than 7500 books, periodicals, college coursebooks, bachelor theses, other study materials and CDs. The library book funds are continuously supplemented, the list of books being available on the intranet (internal information system). More than twenty e-learning courses are available on PUCES e-portal, providing online learning support.

Computer labs

In addition to the Resource centre equipment, two large computer rooms (61 computers) are available for PUCES students. All the computers are interconnected in a local network. Windows and Linux server and Wi-Fi network are used extensively. PUCES operates its own domain www.svses.cz. The Internet is accessible – both in IT labs and the Resource centre. ICT infrastructure and resources as well as audio-visual and other teaching aids are being constantly updated.

Students with disabilities

PUCES does not have barrier-free building modification, however, students with minor disabilities can get integrated into academic community and join standard learning activities. Moreover, e-learning courses are available for handicapped students enabling them to study online.