What Reigns Supreme in the Czech Republic?

Every place wants to be recognized for something special, whether it’s the biggest, longest, or oldest. Some places achieve this distinction naturally, while others create their own unique records or strive to fit into various rankings. Here at Which Way Out of Boredom, we have compiled a list of national wonders, record holders, and those with impressive titles.

Certain records are set in stone: for instance, Snezka, standing tall at 1,603 meters, will forever hold the title of the highest mountain in the Czech Republic. Additionally, Praděd stands as the tallest peak in Moravia, while the Giant Mountains will continue to reign as the highest in the Czech lands, and Maple will remain the tallest peak in the Highlands. If you’re fascinated by geographical and altitude records, join us as we explore the lofty peaks, hills, and mountains and uncover the tallest locations across all regions of the Czech Republic.

On the flip side, we can also discover records related to lower altitudes. The lowest spot recorded in our country is the shore of the Elbe River near Hřensko on the German border, but unless there’s a revival in coal mining, the deepest point ever reached remains at the old uranium mines in Příbram, where quarrying reached an impressive depth of 1,838 meters. Additionally, the deepest borehole, measuring 6,506 meters, is located in Jablunka, in the Vsetin region.

Exploring the Extremities of the World

Hikers, long-distance trekkers, and explorers traveling along the extensive routes of Via Czechia, as well as the northern and southern trails that traverse the Czech Republic, often commence their adventures from the “most” geographical points in our land. Let us briefly introduce these unique locations on Paths out of Boredom. The country’s northernmost point is situated close to Lobendava in the Šluknov foothills, while the southernmost point lies on the Czech-Austrian border in the area of the no longer existing village of Radvanov. The westernmost point can be found within the Smrčiny Nature Park, and the easternmost point is located in the village of Bukovec near Jablunkov. In a direct line, the distance between the easternmost and westernmost points spans 493 kilometers, while the northernmost to southernmost points are 278 kilometers apart.

Churches and Cathedrals: The Tallest, Widest, and Longest

Moreover, there are records that may change over time, particularly in the sphere of architecture and monuments. For instance, do you know which Czech church holds the title of the largest and most significant? It’s an easy answer: The Cathedral of St. Vitus, Wenceslas, and Vojtech located within Prague Castle. It measures 124 meters in length and 60 meters in width. Taking second place is The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist in Sedlec in Kutná Hora, measuring 92 meters long and 41 meters wide. The church in the Kladruby Monastery ranks third, with a nave of 91 meters in length and 31 meters in width. The current structures of the second and third rectories are the creative work of Jan Blazej Santini.

Interestingly, a pilgrimage site known as Velehrad along with its Basilica Minor claims the title of the largest Baroque pilgrimage church in the Czech Republic, with dimensions of approximately 85 meters in length and up to 44 meters in width according to Maps.com.

Additionally, the Church of Our Lady of the Snows in Prague boasts the highest vault in the city, standing at a height of around 34 meters. Though the church appears today only as the intended presbytery, if the triple nave had been constructed, the entryway would likely be where the current Adria Palace resides. The vault, originally towering over 40 meters, was diminished during Renaissance renovations.

The Longest Tunnels

The ranking of structures like tunnels is also subject to change. Previously, the title of the longest railway tunnel was held by the 1,747-meter long tunnel beneath Spike, which opened in 1876 on the Klatovy to Iron Ore route. However, in 2007, the Březenský Tunnel was built near Chomutov, measuring 1,758 meters, and in 2018, it was succeeded by the Ejpovice Tunnel near Pilsen, which spans roughly 4,200 meters. In the future, the Oucmanic Tunnel on the main rail corridor connecting Prague and Ostrava is expected to take the top spot. This tunnel aims to resolve the winding and slow segment between Chocní and Ústí nad Orlicí, with construction scheduled to commence in 2030. A longer 20-kilometer tunnel is also planned along the high-speed line from Prague to Beroun, but that project is still several decades away.

Currently, the longest tunnel for pedestrians and cyclists stretches beneath Prague’s Vítkov Hill, connecting Žižkov and Karlin, measuring 303 meters in length without significant competition. Meanwhile, the Brno metro boasts a tunnel that holds the title of the longest tram tunnel in the Czech Republic, running under the residential area of Starý Lískovec to the University Hospital Brno and the nearby university campus. It measures 602 meters and was completed in 2022, while the tunnels in Pisárky and Žabovřesky are each shorter than half a kilometer.

In contrast, road tunnels frequently see new records set. Currently, the longest of these is the Bubeneč Tunnel in Prague, measuring 3,091 meters, part of the larger Blanka tunnel complex which totals 5,502 meters. Following that is the Panenská Tunnel in the Ore Mountains, which measures 2,155 meters and has been operational since December 2006. Interestingly, this tunnel replaced the former third longest tunnel, the Strahov Tunnel in Prague, which measures 2,004 meters and opened its doors in December 1997.

The Longest and Highest Bridges

The same applies to bridges; currently, the longest is the Radotín Bridge, which measures 2,291 meters and is located on the Prague Ring Road. However, when considering the span of the main field, the Žďák Bridge, completed in 1967, comes out on top with a length of 543 meters and a height of 90 meters above the valley floor as well as 50 meters over the surface of the Orlik Reservoir, making it the tallest bridge in the Czech Republic.

For railway bridges, there’s certainly a contender in the Žampach Railway Viaduct, which spans between the Jílové u Prahy and Luka pod Medníkem stations, where the Posázava Pacific railroad operates. According to various sources, this is considered either the tallest stone railway bridge in the Czech Republic or possibly even in all of Europe, standing just one meter shorter than the Nusel Bridge in Prague. Furthermore, there is another remarkably tall railway bridge crossing the Vltava River near the village of Červená na Písek. Next to this modern arch bridge is an old truss bridge dating back to 1889, originally constructed for the route from Brno to Pilsen. To wrap up, the longest railway bridge is the Negrelli Viaduct in Prague.

The Tallest Towers

Measuring the tallest towers proves simple, and they tend to change less frequently than tunnels. The tallest castle tower is the Leaning Tower at the Tovačov Castle, which reaches 96 meters. However, it is overtaken by the highest church tower in Bohemia, standing at 102.6 meters—the tower of St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral in Pilsen. The second tallest church tower is at the St. Wenceslas Cathedral in Olomouc, measuring 101 meters, followed by the main tower of St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle, which stands at 96 meters. Additionally, this cathedral is home to the largest bell in the Czech Republic, named Zikmund, which dates back to 1549, is over two meters tall, has a diameter of 256 centimeters, and weighs around 16.5 tons.

None of these towers can compete with the Žižkov Television Tower, which reaches a peak height of 220 meters above the ground. Among all buildings in the Czech Republic, the tallest are two transmitters for medium-wave broadcasting, each standing at 355 meters, and can be found in the countryside near Český Brod—a true sight to behold.

The Highest and Largest Dams and Dikes

Dams and dikes can also be accurately measured. For instance, the Dalešice Dam on the Jihlava River is recognized as the highest dam in the Czech Republic, reaching an elevation of 100 meters. Although it’s a filled dam, it ranks only second in length within Central Europe. In terms of the longest earthen dam, the title goes to the Nechranice Dam near Kadana, which extends 3,280 meters with foundations that are an impressive 800 meters wide. You can gaze down from the 91-meter deep cavity of the Orlik Dam, which boasts the distinction of being the tallest concrete dam in the country. This dam also contains the largest volume of water. Meanwhile, the largest surface area is occupied by Lipno, which spans nearly 50 square kilometers. Although the Rožmberk Pond is smaller than Lipno with a surface area of 647 hectares, it uniquely reflects the curvature of the Earth on its surface. None of the previously mentioned dams can match the unmatched power of the hydroelectric station known as the Dlouhé stráně pumped-storage hydroelectric power station.

More Records and Highlights

• • If you’re looking for intriguing facts and records, be sure to explore the showcase of various Czech NEJs; you’ll undoubtedly discover many delightful surprises!

• • We also have suggestions for those interested in the highest and lowest points throughout the country.

• • Are you a mountain enthusiast? Then you’ll certainly want to learn about the records and fascinating details surrounding our mountains, including the longest and steepest slopes, the largest snow parks, and more winter sports curiosities.

• • If viewpoints and lookout towers are more your style, you’ll find the highest Czech lookout tower at the Ledvice Thermal Power Plant near Bílina. Standing at 144 meters tall, this glass observation tower with a gallery is accessible via a lift and 44 steps. We’ve compiled information on various intriguing aspects of lookout towers, including tips for those not keen on heights, featuring towers that are low, lower, and lowest.

• • If you are a fan of heights, join us in exploring skyscrapers and the tallest buildings in the Czech Republic. We even know about future structures that will rise in the skyline!

• • For those captivated by tunnels and other technical monuments, we have many exciting travel suggestions. Discover the world of road, tram, and railway tunnels with Which Way Out of Boredom and enjoy a thrilling underground adventure!

• • At Kudy z Boredy, we also feature a collection of transport and railway records and curiosities!

• • We haven’t overlooked the weather—find out where the coldest winters, hottest summers, and wettest spots in the Czech Republic are!