A Musical Route Through Central Bohemia: Castles, Museums and the Trails of Great Composers

The Kudy z nudy portal has compiled a list of routes and memorial sites in Central Bohemia connected to the lives and work of the region's greatest Czech composers and musicians — from Antonín Dvořák to Bedřich Smetana.

According to the portal, the region preserves the memory of such names as Antonín Dvořák, Bedřich Smetana, Václav Talich, Svatopluk Čech, Jarmila Novotná, Josef Suk, Josef Kajetán Tyl, Jaromír Vejvoda, Jan Jakub Ryba, Ema Destinnová and Josef Leopold Zvonař.

Classical music fans can visit Antonín Dvořák's birthplace in Nelahozeves, a monument to the composer in Vysoká near Příbram, and walk the Dvořák Trail, which runs from Nelahozeves to Kralupy. The exhibition in the house where Dvořák spent his childhood tells the story of the places, sounds and impressions that shaped his music.

The Benátky Museum features an interactive exhibition on the history of Benátky nad Jizerou, with exhibits linked to both Bedřich Smetana and Tycho Brahe. It was in the village of Jabkenice that the composer spent the last ten years of his life, devoting himself entirely to music.

Nature lovers can choose from several themed trails: the Talich Trail in Beroun, the "In the Footsteps of Josef Leopold Zvonař" route in Kublov, and the aforementioned Dvořák Trail in Nelahozeves.

Another point of interest is a Neo-Renaissance chateau with an extensive park where Dvořák often stayed for long periods; visitors can come here at any time of year to see the surroundings that inspired the composer. In Líteň, in the rooms of the parish house by the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, a museum dedicated to Svatopluk Čech and Jarmila Novotná is open to the public.

An interesting fact: it was at the "Škoda lásky" restaurant in Zbraslav that Jaromír Vejvoda's world-famous polka was born — a tune known today far beyond the borders of Czechia. And in the woods near the village of Voltuš, not far from Rožmitál pod Třemšínem, lies the grave of composer Jan Jakub Ryba.

Read also: Prague Castle from the inside: 9 spots within the fortress you shouldn't miss

Source: kudyznudy.cz