Guidebook for Foreigners

7/31/2019 Guidebook for Foreigners

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GUIDEBOOK

FOR

FOREIGNERS


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Infosys Brno guidebook for foreigners

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Table of content

ContentsIntroduction to the Czech Republic, Southern Moravia and Brno City ............................................................. 3

Sightseeing in and around Brno ........................................................................................................................................ 4

Theatres and cinemas ............................................................................................................................................................ 8

Health insurance and health care in the Czech Republic ........................................................................................ 9

Banks .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Transportation in Brno ....................................................................................................................................................... 13

Accommodation ..................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Mobile phone providers ...................................................................................................................................................... 16

Basic Czech ............................................................................................................................................................................... 17

National Holidays in the Czech Republic ..................................................................................................................... 18

Czech food and drinks ......................................................................................................................................................... 19

Event Calendar........................................................................................................................................................................ 20

Frequently asked questions .............................................................................................................................................. 22

Useful links ............................................................................................................................................................................... 22


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Introduction to the Czech Republic, Southern Moravia and Brno City

The Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is located in the center of Europe and is

bordered by Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Austria. TheCzech state came up in the 9th century after its unification

by the Premyslids. During the middle ages the Kingdom of

Bohemia was an important local power in central Europe.

Around the 15th century Bohemia became the arena for

many religious wars. Prominent among these were the

Hussite Wars in 15th century and Thirty Years of War in

17th century. These wars lead to major loss of lives and

widespread destruction of infrastructure. As a result of

these conflicts Bohemia came under the Habsburg

influence and became a part of Austria-Hungary.

With the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after WorldWar I the Czech lands and Slovakia jointly proclaimed the

establishment of independent Czechoslovakia in October

1918. The time between WWI and WWII is now called "the

First Republic". Czechoslovakia had a parliamentary

democracy, concentrated 70% of the industry of the former

Austro-Hungarian Empire, and had an economy that was

among the strongest in the world.

In September 1938, Germany, Britain, France and Italy

signed the Munich Pact, giving Hitler the right to invade and

claim Czechoslovakia's border areas. On March 15, 1939,

Czechoslovakia was invaded by Hitler's army. The border territories were seized by Germany and the rest of the country was

occupied by Nazi Germany until the end of World War II in 1945.

After the Second World War, in a coup d'tat in 1948, Czechoslovakia became a communist-ruled state. In 1968, the increasing

dissatisfaction culminated in attempts to reform the communist regime. The events, known as the Prague Spring of 1968,

ended with an invasion by the armies of the Warsaw Pact countries (with the exception of Romania); the troops remained in

the country until the 1989 Velvet Revolution, when the communist regime collapsed. On January 1, 1993, Czechoslovakia

peacefully dissolved into its constituent states, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Politics

The Czech Republic is a parliamentary democracy. The head of state is a president, elected for 5 year terms. The president may

be elected in a maximum of two consecutive terms. The parliament consists of the Chamber of Deputies (two hundred deputies

elected for four-year terms) and the Senate (eighty-one senators elected for six-year terms). The government consists of theprime minister, his or her deputies, and the ministers who make up the cabinet; the cabinet is the supreme body of executive

power. The highest judicial body is the Supreme Court.

Geographically, Prague as the capital city is the home of the Executive power. Brno is the seat of the Supreme Court, the

Constitutional Court and other high courts of the country.


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Sightseeing in and around Brno

With a history going back more than 1000 years, Brno has a rich past and plenty of sights to show for it. The city lies in the

central part of Europe and at the same time it represents the centre of the province of Moravia, one of the historic lands of the

Czech Crown. It is situated at the crossroads of ancient trade routes which have joined the North and South European

civilizations for centuries.

Brno is sited in a picturesque countryside, surrounded on three sides by wooded hills and opening to the Southern Moravian

lowlands to the south of the city. In the north, the city is guarded by the foothills of the Drahany and Bohemian-Moravian

ranges.

The city itself lies in the basin of the Svratka and Svitava rivers, somewhere to the north of their conflux at elevations ranging

from 190 to 425 meters (620 to 1395 ft) above sea level, covering an area of 230 km2 (143 sq.miles). From east to west it spans

about 22 km (13 miles). The river Svratka cuts a 29 km (17 mile) path through the city and is the main supply for the Kninicky

Dam Lake, a popular recreation area in the city's northwest corner. The Svitava River flows through the city for about 13 km (8

miles).

Below are some suggestions of places to visit.

Castle pilberk

Visible on its hill from all around Brno, the pilberk castle is one

of Brnos most impressive sights. The castle was built in the first

half of the 13th century on top of a hill bearing the same name.

The original building often changed hands and the medieval

part was later rebuilt. In the 18th century pilberk was

transformed into an enormous Baroque fort which also became

a feared prison, with the inmates being particularly notorious.

It became the place of grim, lengthy suffering for French

revolutionaries, Italian carbonari, and adherents of the Young

Italy movement as well as Czech political prisoners. The prisonwas also a place of terror during the Second World War. Since

1961 pilberk has been a museum under the administration of

Brno city and is used for exhibition purposes. The former prison

cells are also open for viewing

The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul

The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul is located on the top of a hill

known as Petrov, on the presumed site of the former Brno castle

that dates from the 11th and 12th centuries. After the castlesdownfall the free-standing Romanesque basilica was rebuilt as a

Gothic cathedral in the 13th century, further modified in the 15th

and 16th centuries, and converted to the Baroque style in the 18th

century. Its current neo-Gothic form dates from the turn of this

century. Since 1777 the cathedral has been the seat of the Brno

bishopric.


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Park Lunky

Take tram 1 or 6 and get off at stop Antoninska or Pionyrska to visit the oldest city park in Central Europe. Its a

great place to walk, run or have a pick nick, and the park also very close to Villa Tugendhat (small square).

The Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady

The Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady is a true gem amongst Gothic architecture in Moravia. The

widow Queen Elika Rejka established the Cistercian convent in 1323 next to the old parish church of

Our Lady. This became known as Aula Sanctae Mariae, or the Queen's Convent. In 1782 the

Augustinian monks moved here from their original site next to the church of St. Thomas, which is today

on Moravsk Nmst (Moravian Square). From this year onwards the Old Brno convent became their

new home, and also the seat of an abbot. The Gothic Church of the Assumption of Our Lady differs

from other monuments of its period, not only by its complicated and unique ground plan composition,

but also by the building techniques used in the construction of its untendered brickwork alternating

with carved masonry, which is unusual for the Czech Republic. In the XVIII century the interior was

baroquized; the baroque buildings of the Abbey were also completed at this time. In 1868 Johann

Gregor Mendel was elected Augustinian abbot, and it was in this monastery that he discovered and

formulated his theory of genetics. In 1987 the Old Brno church was elevated in status by Pope John

Paul II, and from that time it has carried the title "Basilica minor".


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Parnas Fountain

The Baroque Parnas fountain was built in 1690-95 on the site of a Renaissance fountain from

1597 to the design by Johann Bernhard Fischer of Erlach. The cave was built by Adam Tobi of

Vienna and the sculptural decoration is the work of A. Rigi, A. T. Kracker and an unknown

Italian sculptor. It is the most valuable piece of Baroque sculpture in Brno; an isolated example

of Baroque naturalism and illusion of considerable dramatic force. Built in the centre of thefountain is a three-sided craggy rock. Sitting on top of the north-eastern side is an allegoric

statue leaning against a quiver with arrows. Beneath it is a winged dragon. On the north-

western rock sits the figure of Babylonia with a crown on the right foot and to the right is a

winged lion. On the southern rock is the allegoric statue of Persia with a horn of plenty and

underneath to the right, a bear crawls out from the rock. At the top of the grotto stands the

statue of Europe triumphantly holding a scepter over a vanquished dragon.

Dietrichstein Palace

Dietrichstein palace was built on the site of five houses by CardinalDietrichstein. After a radical conversion by Domenik Martinell in

1700 only the main door and some of the vaults were left intact

from the Baroque palace designed by Giovanni Giacom Tencala. Still

preserved and worthy of note from Martinells work is the entrance

portal and the vestibule. The building which functioned as a

provincial and appeal court in the 19th century was gradually

repaired and the effects of an undervaluing of the Baroque

architecture of the palace in the 1980s. This extension was taken

down and the exterior of the building was restored to its Baroque

state. The building now holds exhibitions for the Moravian museum

Villa Tugendhat

Villa Tugendhat (by German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe), built

on a slope in the residential suburb of Brno, faces to the south and has a

view of the city centre, pilberk castle and Petrov cathedral. The

building is constructed around an extensive steel frame supporting a

ceramic ceiling. Not counting the kitchens and food preparation areas,

the main floor measures 360 m. On its southern and eastern sides the

entire living area is visually open to the entire height of the walls using

glass, allowing a view of the exterior garden and the interior winter

garden. The most striking and dominant feature of the living area is the

onyx wall that creates breath-taking lighting effects. The living area was

furnished with items that took up a precisely defined space, and which

were designed by Mies van der Rohe himself. The furniture, especially the armchairs and other chairs, were so modern, high-

quality and purposeful that they are still produced today. The Tugendhat Villa in Brno, the most prominent completed

European work of its creator, has become one of the milestones in the history of 20th century architecture. Its importance was

recognized in 2001 by its inclusion amongst the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites.


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Old town hall

The city administration was situated in this, the oldest secular building in Brno until 1935. The historical

origins of the building go back to around 1240. Before 1510 the tower entrance was hoded-through to

the courtyard which A. Pilgram decorated with a stone portal with reliefs of heralds and town dwellers.

The original allegory of justice was replaced in 1660 by the present statue. At that time the citys new

coat of arms was added to the portal which Brno acquired in 1646. The portal closes the original Late-Gothic gate. The tower lies on early Gothic foundations; its roof is a copy of the original renaissance roof.

The town hall building was damaged during the Swedish wars and its repair, completed in 1660, was

accredited to the Brno architect Jan Ktitel Erna.

The Lake and dam

The Brno lake and its surroundings together create the greatest

recreational area of the city. The lake itself is a 10 km long water

reservoir, created by the dam on the Svratka river which was builtbetween 1936 and 1940. From April to September, sightseeing

boats can be taken on the lake. This boat line is a part of the Brno

public transportation authority system. You can buy a combined

ticket that is good for both the boat ride and for entering the

Veveri castle on the shore of the lake. The Veveri Castle used to

be one of the most devastated castles in the country and it has

undergone major renovations. It is one of the largest castles in

Moravia and it was probably built at the end of 12th century for

local aristocracy that used to hunt in the nearby woods. Now it

offers tourists various events, like medieval re-enactments.

Moravian Karst and Caves

At 25 km North of Brno, you can find the Moravian Karst and Caves. The Karst area has a size of 100 square kilometers and

contains over 1000 known caves 4 of which are open to the public. Some caves have not been completely mapped out and

qualified spelunkers continue to explore them. There are three main tourist routes in the area: red, yellow, and green. Be sure

to inquire at the tourist information booth as to which one suits your level of adventure.

The caves contain interesting stalagmites and stalactites and are well lit with passage ways. A highlight of the area is a boat tour

along an underground river. Also of note is the Macocha Abyss, a deep chasm redolent with luxuriant vegetation.

Brno Zoo

Located on Monk Hill in the vicinity of the lake, The Zoological Garden of Brno city means 65 hectares of animal delight. With

almost 800 different creatures, you will be able to enjoy the diversity of the kingdom of living things for a whole day.

Take tram 1 from the main train station with direction Bystrc, or tram 3 or 11 from Ceska with direction Bystrc. You can al so

take bus 50 or 54.
http://www.dpmb.cz/ldjr.asphttp://www.dpmb.cz/ldjr.asphttp://www.veveri.cz/http://www.veveri.cz/http://www.dpmb.cz/ldjr.asphttp://www.dpmb.cz/ldjr.asp


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Hiking

As Brno is surrounded by forested hills, there are abundant possibilities for hiking. You can find detailed maps of the whole

Czech Republic (with hiking trails) in bookstores. Its certainly worthwhile to leave the city during the weekend and explore

forest and countryside.

Theatres and cinemas

The city of Brno has more than 14 theatres. The biggest and most known theatres are Janacek Theatre, Mahen Theatre (both

part of National theatre in Brno) and Brno city theatre.

Janacek Theatre

It is situated near the city centre on Roosveltova Street. This theatre offers ballet and opera plays and it is also place where

festivals of classical music take place. One of the most famous is festival Moravian autumn (Moravsky podzim).

Mahen Theatre

Theatre building is important Brno architectural landmark. It was the first theatre on the European

continent to be fully equipped with electric lighting. Today Mahen Theatre offers mainly drama plays of

old classical authors as well as new modern authors. For more information about Janacek and Mahen

Theatre and their program go to www.ndb.cz.

Brno city theatre

Brno city theatre is unique theatre group, and not only within the Czech Republic.

They are so interesting for theatre-goers that their performances have been

permanently sold out since the year 1995. You can see drama and musical plays

there (e.g. Hair, Les Miserables, Evita).For more info go to www.mdb.cz.

Cinemas in Brno

Most of films screened in cinemas are in original language with Czech subtitles. In Brno there are two multi theatre cinemas. In

the centre there is Palace Cinemas Velky Spalicek with 7 theatres. Apart from generally distributed movies, they also show art

films.

The second multiplex Palace Cinemas Olympia has 10 theatres and is located in the Olympia shopping centre. It is the second

most frequented cinema in the Czech Republic. For more information about multi theatre cinemas go to www.palacecinemas.cz

For people who do not like environment and offer of multiplexes we can recommend ART Cinema on Cihlarska street. This

cinema focuses on demanding spectators by screening non-commercial artistic film. You can find more information on

www.kinoartbrno.cz.
http://www.mdb.cz/http://www.mdb.cz/


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Health insurance and health care in the Czech Republic

Introduction

In line with the Czech legislation, all persons (regardless of the nationality) who hold a permanent residency in the Czech

Republic must have Health Insurance. Foreign Employees, who are employed by a company located in the Czech Republic, musthave a Health Insurance too (irrespective of holding permanent residency or not). Health insurance lasts for the period of

employment only. Upon termination of employment, the health insurance will be cancelled and the right to the payment of

health care by the heath insurance company also ends.

The Employer announces to the health insurance company the details of each new foreign employee that joins the company.

The Employee will firstly receive a paper confirmation with health insurance number (within 8 calendar days after joining date),

which indicates that the Employee is registered to a health insurance company. The paper confirmation is valid for period up to

3 months or until the plastic card is received. The plastic card with the same health insurance number is issued within 2 3

months. Please note that the confirmation paper holds equal importance as the card. An Employee outside of the EU receives

only paper confirmation instead of the plastic card.

Visits to doctors and treatments at hospitals will be covered for by the Health Insurance Company, only upon presentation of

this paper /card beforehand. It is strongly advisable that you keep this paper/card on you at all times.

Foreign employees are entitled to the same rights as the Czech citizens in terms of the type and standard of care they are

covered for.

Health Insurance Payments

Both the employer and the employee make monthly contributions for health insurance cover. The employees contribution is

automatically deducted from each months gross salary. The employee does not have to worry about making the payments on

his own.

Health Insurance Companies

There exist numerous Public Health Insurance Companies in the Czech Republic. Foreign Employees of Infosys BPO s.r.o. are

registered with the Oborova Zdravotni Pojistovna Zamestnancu Bank, Pojistoven a Stavebnictvi (Occupational Health Insurance

Company for Employees of the Banking, Insurance and Building Sector), or also referred to as 207. For additional information

regarding OZP you can check out their website, which is www.ozp.cz. Please note that not all information is provided in English.

Doctors need not be contracted with all insurance companies thus before going to the doctor you should find out if the doctor

is contracted with your insurance company

Visitations to Doctors

1) You should contact the doctor you plan to vis it beforehand, so as to check his availability to take an additional patient.2) Establish if the doctor is contracted with your insurance company.3) During your first visit to a doctor, he will ask to register you. This means you should always visit this doctor if you have

health problems. This doctor can also recommend you for examination done by specialists.

4) Purchasing certain medication with a prescription script from the doctor in a pharmacy is cheaper then without havingthe script.


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Regular Charges

On visiting doctors (of all kinds) there are 2 things you need to have with you:

a) Your Health Insurance Cardb) 30 CZK (this is valid for all kinds of doctors)

Should you be admitted and stay overnight at a Public Hospital, you will be charged 60 CZK for each full day there. This fee

covers mainly the meals.In addition there is a standard fee of 90 CZK for the need of an Emergency Team or Flying Squad.

English-speaking doctors

General practitioners:

MUDr. Placha

Phone: 543 213 033Address: Londnsk nmst6, Brno Business Park(easy to enter from Videnska street)www.mojeambulance.cz

MUDr. Olga Nehybova

Purkynova 2640/93Phone: 541 210 285

MUDr. Roman Stehlik

Address: Vaclavkova 4381/63Phone: 548 215 901

List and contacts of Public Hospitals in Brno

A. Fakultn nemocnice U sv. Anny- www.fnusa.cz - +420 543 181 111 / 541 582 111 -

B. razov nemocnice v Brn- www.unbr.cz - +420 545 538 111 -

C. NemocniceMilosrdnch Brat, LDN- www.nmbbrno.cz - +420 543 165 111 -

D. Fakultn Nemocnice Brno- www.fnbrno.cz - +420 532 238 111/ 532 234 226/ 532 231 111-

E. Chirurgick Nemocnice Delta, spol. s.r.o.- www.nemocnicedelta.cz - +420 532 149 333 -

Emergency Numbers

Emergency Central Number 112

This is a centralised centre where your call will be put through to the relevant department (ie. Fire Department, Ambulance etc)

Ambulance - Sanitka 155

Fire Department - Hasici 150

Police 158

City PoliceMestska Policie 156

Dentists

MUDr. Walid Al Awad

Phone: 542 216 553Address: Janska 2

MUDr. Tomas Fridrich

Address: Rybkova 4Phone: 549 251 549
http://www.mojeambulance.cz/http://www.mojeambulance.cz/


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Medical vocabulary

English Czech

Plaster Nplast The back Zda

Thermometer Teplomr Cheeks Lce

Poison Jed Chest Hru

Sling tek Chin Brada

Bandage Band Ears Ui

Wheelchair Invalidn vozk Eyebrows Obo

Crutches Berle Eyes Oi

First aid kit Lkarnika prvn pomoci Feet Nohy

Doctor Doktor Fingers Prsty

Surgeon Chirurg Foot Noha

Nurse Zdravotn sestra Forehead elo

Psychologist Psycholog Hair Vlasy

Dentist Zuba Hands Ruce

Dermatologist Dermatolog Head Hlava

I need a doctor. Potebuji lkae. Hips Boky

I have a cold. Jsem nachlazen/. Knees Kolena

A fever Horeka Legs Nohy

The flu Chipka Lips Rty

My shoulder hurts Bol m rameno. Mouth sta

I am diabetic Jsem diabetik. Neck Krk

I am allergic to Jsem alergick/ na ... Nose Nos

I fainted Omdlel jsem. Shoulders Ramena

I am HIV positive Jsem HIV pozitivn. Stomach aludek

I have heart problems. Mm srden pote. Teeth Zuby

I had a heart attack. Ml jsem srden zchvat (infarkt). Throat Hrdlo

I have asthma. Mm astma Toe Prst na noze

I am vomiting Zvracm. Tongue Jazyk

I am pregnant Jsem thotn. Tooth Zub

I have breathing problems. Mm problmy s dchnm. Waist Ps

A virus Vir (virus) Skin Ke

A fever Horeka

The pulse Puls

An injury ZrannA pain Bolest

Diarrhea Prjem

A cough Kael


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Banks

In order to receive and manage your salary, you should open a bank account. Opening an account in CZK or a foreign currency is

possible. Usually there is an English-speaking employee in every branch able to help you set up the account. The language

ability of the staff will vary by individual branch office.

You can get information on services and products of the banks in English and free of charge on telephone info lines starting

with numbers 800.

For opening your account you will usually need your passport. Depending on the bank they can ask you for additional

documents (ID card, confirmation about a temporary residence in the Czech Republic etc.) In case you need to give your

address in Czech Republic and you dont have it yet ( if you are staying in a hotel) you can use the address of our company (but

only during first month of your employment):

Infosys BPO

Holandska 9

639 00 Brno

The major banks in the Czech Republic

Ceska sporitelnawww.csas.cz+420 800 207 207Janska 6

Komercni bankawww.kb.cz+420 800 111 055Nam. Svobody 21

Raiffeisen Bankwww.rb.cz+420 800 900 900Janska 13

GE Money Bankwww.gemoney.cz+420 844 844 844Holandska 3(Spielberk Office Centre)

Volksbankwww.volksbank.cz+420 800 133 444Herspicka 5 (M Palace)

CSOBwww.csob.cz+420 800 300 300Holandska 8(Spielberk Office Centre)

UniCredit Bank Czech Republicwww.unicreditbank.cz+420 800 144 441Holandska 2(Spielberk Office Centre)

! Note that Czech banks are closed on Saturday and Sunday!
http://www.csas.cz/http://www.rb.cz/http://www.gemoney.cz/http://www.volksbank.cz/http://www.volksbank.cz/http://www.gemoney.cz/http://www.rb.cz/http://www.csas.cz/


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Transportation in Brno

Serviced area

The City of Brno and its surroundings are serviced by an integrated public transport system with unified travel tickets. The

serviced area is divided into several tariff zones. The zones for the area of the City of Brno are 100 and 101. An overview of theserviced area may be found at www.idsjmk.cz

Tickets

Before each journey, the traveler must purchase a ticket. The validity of a ticket is time and zone limited. The ticket is valid from

the moment it is signed for a period specified on it and only in those tariff zones marked on the ticket. All tickets are transfer,

except the 10 minutes ticket - this is valid only in the vehicle in which it was validated. The ticket must be validated immediately

after boarding a vehicle. After changing to another tram or bus, further validation is not required.

How to read your transportation ticket

LEGEND TO PICTURE

A ... ticket numberB ... type of ticketC ... time validity of ticketD ... zone validity of ticketE ... how tickets are usedF ... priceG ... print for marking:

1 ... symbol of carrier2 ... vehicle number3 ... line4 ... zone5 ... date of punching (day, month and the two last digits ofyear)6 ... time of punching (h:min)

For most journeys around Brno, a two-zone ticket for 60 minutes will be sufficient. For a longer stay, one-day or three-day

tickets for zones 100+101 are offered for an attractive price.

Where to buy tickets

Ticket vending machines at transport hubs and important stops

Inquiry Office

tobacconists

post offices

railway stations

drivers (limited range and higher price)For longer stays it is recommended to purchase a long term/ season ticket (you will need a passport photo).

Season tickets Price

For one month 530CZK

For three months 1280CZK

Timetable of all types of transport you can find on: www.idos.cz
http://www.idsjmk.cz/http://www.dpmb.cz/e6_1.asphttp://www.idos.cz/http://www.idos.cz/http://www.dpmb.cz/e6_1.asphttp://www.idsjmk.cz/


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Inquiry office (where the red 1 in the green square is)

Novobranska Street 18

Open hours: Monday-Friday, from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.

tel.: +420 543 174 317


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Accommodation

Finding a place to live is essential when you first arrive in Brno. When you start looking, you should have an idea of what you

are looking for. Do you want the privacy of a flat for one or are you satisfied with only a room in a shared flat? How much rent

are you willing/able to pay? Do you prefer the city centre, the suburbs or even the countryside?

Basically there are two ways of searching: with help of real estate agencies or directly from the owner. It can also be useful to

check the announcements about vacant rooms and flats in the employee room or with your colleagues.

Real Estate agency

A real estate agency [in Czech realitni agentura, realitni kancelar, realitka] is a private company which acts as a mediator

between the owner of a property and those who seek to buy or rent a property. Naturally, they earn a fee for their services,

and its the buyer or tenant who carries these costs.

After you contact a real estate agency with a specification of what you are looking for, the agency starts offering you

accommodation more or less according to your demands. If you find some of the flats offered to you as fitting, the agency will

take you and show you the flat. If you are interested in renting the flat or room, you sign the booking contract. The flat is now

reserved for you. After this you will sign the contract of lease with the owner of the flat. The agency will then prepare therenting contract and organize a meeting between you, the landlord and agencys representative where the contract of lease

and the certificate of completion are signed.

Useful terms

Contract of lease; lease [smlouva o najmu]

This is a legal agreement between you and the landlord, wherein the conditions of the renting are specified, as well as the

responsibilities of both parties. The lease can be for a specified length of time (i.e. one year) or unlimited with certain notice

conditions.

Booking contract [rezervacni smlouva]

In this contract you settle the booking fee with the agency. The amount of the fee varies from 1 to 2 times of the future rent

and depends on the state of the flat.

Certificate of completion [predavaci protocol]

Is a document where the state of the realty and its equipment at the time of start of the lease is described.

Notice period [vypoved z najmu]

If you wish to stop renting the flat, you usually need to notify your landlord 1 to 3 months in advance. This should be specified

in your contract of rent.

Deposit fee [zaloha na skodu]

This is a fee paid by the tenant to the landlord, usually upon signing the contract of lease. All or part of the fee will be returned

to the tenant at the end of lease the lease, depending on the state in which the tenant hands over the realty to the owner. This

is why the state of the property at start of the lease needs to be described in the certificate of completion. The deposit feevaries usually between 5000CZK and 10000CZK.


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Some interesting websites for real estate search

http://www.nemovitosti.cz/

Real estate agencies:

http://www.nemovitosti.cz http://www.amigro.cz Mrs. Fialov, tel. 774 403 434http://www.bravis.cz http://www.realspektrum.czMr. Janda, tel. 723 411 076http://www.realprestige.cz http://www.rksting.czMrs. Machovsk, tel. 724 670 545http://www.realspektrum.czhttp://www.sdk-reality.cz

The owner

Renting directly from the owner is definitely the cheaper option, since you do not have the real estate agency as the go-

between. The way to find flats that are rented directly by the owner is through online search. You can find some websites

below (most of them are in Czech, can be translated using the Google translator).

Some advertisements may seem directly from the owner or current flat mates, but when you call there you find out theopposite is true. Therefore, sometimes you can see this information written in the advertisement, i.e. Ne RK *no agency+, Bez

RK *without agency+, Od majitele *from the owner+, when direct lease.

Websites for direct lease search

http://www.spolubydlici.cz/

http://espolubydlici.cz/

http://www.byty-pronajem-podnajem.cz/

http://www.chcispolubydlici.cz

Mobile phone providers

Staying connected in the Czech Republic is useful. You can purchase a prepaid Czech SIMcard or tariff plan with one of the

following providers:

Company Shops in Brno centre

Telefonica O2www.cz.O2.com+420 800 02 02 02

Vankovka Gallery, street Ve Vankovace 1

Masarykova street 12

T-Mobilewww.t-mobile.cz

+420 603 603 603

Vankovka gallery, street Ve Vankonce 1

Namesti svobody 18

Vodafonewww.vodafone.cz+420 800 777 777

Vankovka gallery, street Ve Vankonce 1

Masarykova street 2
http://www.bravis.cz/http://www.realprestige.cz/http://www.sdk-reality.cz/http://www.spolubydlici.cz/http://espolubydlici.cz/podnajem-spolubydlici/jihomoravsky-krajhttp://www.byty-pronajem-podnajem.cz/http://www.chcispolubydlici.cz/podnajem-v-Brne.htmlhttp://www.cz.o2.com/http://www.vodafone.cz/http://www.vodafone.cz/http://www.cz.o2.com/http://www.chcispolubydlici.cz/podnajem-v-Brne.htmlhttp://www.byty-pronajem-podnajem.cz/http://espolubydlici.cz/podnajem-spolubydlici/jihomoravsky-krajhttp://www.spolubydlici.cz/http://www.sdk-reality.cz/http://www.realprestige.cz/http://www.bravis.cz/


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17

Basic Czech

Czech is not the easiest language to learn, but the basic words and phrases below will certainly be useful in everyday life and

your effort will be appreciated.

Common phrases Numbers slaGood morning Dobr rno One JednaGood afternoon Dobr odpoledne Two DveGood night Dobrou noc Three tiHello Dobr den Four tyiHi/Hellow Ahoj Five ptGood by Nashledanou Six estThank you Dkuji Seven sedmYou are welcome Nen za/ Prosm Eight osmExcuse me S dovolenm Nine devtIm sorry Promite Ten desetYes Ano

No Ne Days Dny

Please Prosm Monday PondeliHow are you? Jak se m? Tuesday terFine, thanks Dobe, dkuji Wednesday StedaI dont understand Nerozumm Thursday tvrtekDo you speak English? Mluvte anglicky? Friday PtekI dont speak Czech Nemluvm esky Saturday SobotaI am a foreigner Jsem cizinec Sunday NedleMen Mui/PniWomen eny/DmyHow much is it? Kolik to stoji?Water VodaBeer PivoWine VnoBon apptit Dobrou chu


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18

National Holidays in the Czech Republic

The following is a list of the national holidays in the Czech Republic. Most offices, businesses and local shops are closed a nd

public transport timetables follow the Sunday schedule.

January 1 - Establishment Day celebrating the creation of the Czech Republic in 1993Not just the first day of the year, but also a celebration of the restoration of the Czech Republic, which officially split with

Slovakia on January 1st, 1993. Czech saying: Jak na Nov rok, tak po cel rok, which means: as on New Years Day, so will be

the new year. Also: dont eat chicken for New Years dinner, lest your luck for the coming year fly away.

Easter Monday

The only movable holiday in the Czech calendar. Czech tradition: women are beaten (not viciously) with whips made from

willow sticks on Easter Monday. Men receive painted eggs or shots of plum brandy (slivovice) in return for whipping of

women. Alternatively, or additionally, women can be thrown into cold water (preferably a stream, though a bathtub will

suffice).

May 1 - Labor Day

International Workers Day in many countries. Also known as May Day, this day is celebrated for different reasons throughout

the world.

May 8 - Liberation Day, celebrating the end of World War II

Date marking Czech liberation from Germany at the end of the Second World War. Germany signed the terms of surrender on

May 8, 1945, and the German army in Prague surrendered on the morning of May 9.

July 5 - Constantin and Methodius Day (Cyril a Metodej)

Date commemorating the religious teachers St. Constantin and St.Methodius, who translated Christian literature into the Slavic

language in the ninth century. They were first Christian missionaries to the Czech Republic.

July 6 - Jan Hus Day

Date commemorating religious reformer Jan Hus, who was burned at the stake on July 6, 1415.

September 28 - St. Wenceslas Day

Commemorating St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech people and the Czech Republic, who was killed in September of

929 or 935 (there are some discrepancies regarding the year of his death). Czech statehood is also celebrated on this date.

October 28 - Czechoslovakian Statehood Day, establishment of democratic Czechoslovakia in 1918

Date of the foundation of Czechoslovakia, which declared independence from the Hapsburg Empire at the end of World War I.

November 17 - Freedom and Democracy Day

Commemorating the anti-Nazi student demonstrations of 1939 and the anti-Communist demonstrations of 1989. Student

demonstrations on 17th November marked the beginning of the end for the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. It is also

called Velvet Revolution.

December 24 - Christmas Eve

The main Christmas celebration in the Czech Republic the time when presents are exchanged and a traditional Christmas

dinner (carp soup, fried carp, carp surprise, etc.) is served.

December 25 and 26 - Christmas Holidays

Czech Name Days

In the Czech Republic every day of the year is someones name day (svatek in Czech). It is a reason to celebrate, wish the

person a Happy Name Day and buy a little present like flowers and a box of chocolates.


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Czech food and drinks

Food

The traditional Czech diet may be considered heavy, with an emphasis on meat, potatoes, and dumplings and the use of

substantial amounts of animal fats, butter, and cream. Meats primarily pork, beef, poultry, and organ meats such as liver,kidneys, brains, and sweetbreadsare frequently prepared with gravy and eaten with potatoes or dumplings. Soups are an

important part of traditional lunch. Potato and tripe soup are favorites, as well as beef or chicken broth with tiny liver or

marrow dumplings. The most commonly used vegetables are carrots, peas, and cabbage. Salads were eaten only seasonally

until recent years.

Czechs have always enjoyed sweets. The most common are fruit dumplings (made with plums or, in winter, preserved apricots)

served with grated farmer cheese and bread crumbs browned in butter, with sugar sprinkled on top. Dumplings often are

served as a meal. Popular sweet baked goods include buchty, small, roughly rectangular yeast buns with a filling of jam or

preserves; kole, small cakes made of white flour with an indentation on the surface for a filling of poppy seeds, plum jam, or

sweetened farmer cheese; a semisweet cake (bbovka) made of yeast dough and baked in a fluted tube pan; thin pancakes

spread with jam, rolled, and topped with powdered sugar (palainky); small raised pancakes (lvance); and apple strudel

(jablkovzvin or trdl).

The emphasis on meat can give vegetarians a hard time when trying to choose from a menu. In Brno (especially in the city

centre) there is a possibility to have lunch in almost every restaurant for 60 Kc (approximately 2 EUR), including a soup and a

main course. Normally there is on the daily menu also a vegetarian dish.

Beer and Wine

Beer is the most popular drink in the Czech Republic and Czechs are the worlds biggest beer consumers, with an average of 160

liters per head per year. The fact that beer is the cheapest alcoholic drink probably has something to do with the popularity .

Apart from beer Czechs drink and produce wine as well. Wine is grown mainly in the South Moravia area. You can find

numerous wine cellars in the city, which sell and serve the best wines. A specialty is the ice wine or the straw wine, which is

made from grapes that are harvested only after the first frost. This makes a delicious, very sweet and an expensive white wine.

Two other very well known and famous drinks are "Becherovka" originating from Karlovy Vary, and Slivovice, a domestic plum

brandy that is typical for the Moravian region.


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Event Calendar

January

International Travel Trade Fair at Brno Exhibition centre Go & region tour (http://www.bvv.cz/go-gb)

March

Setkn/Encounter Festival - At the beginning of this project in 1991 there was the idea to arrange a meeting of all theatre

schools from former Czechoslovakia. Later the festival Setkani/Encounter has broadened and in present days 14 ensembles

from the whole world take part in its five-day run. (http://www.encounter.cz/ENG/act_year.php)

April

Brno JazzFest- If you are short of money or dont like to pay for something you dont know well, try these concerts and jam

sessions with free admission. This annual international jazz festival is organized in Brno and is very well known.

(http://www.jazzfestbrno.cz/jfb09/en/program)

Bonjour Brno - It is surprising, but even the French culture needs to be advertised. That is the purpose of the annual festivalcalled Bonjour Brno (The French Days) which is organized by the French Alliance. (http://www.bonjourbrno.cz/)

May

Brno Museum Night - Sixteen museums and venues (30 buildings in total) is freely available to the public during this Brno

Museum Night between 6 p.m. and 12 p.m. Moravian gallery, Technical museum, Brno house of arts and Mendel museum is

among the participating institutions. There are shuttle buses to help visitors with transportation to distant venues.

(http://www.brnenskamuzejninoc.cz/index_en.php)

June

Brno - a city in the heart of Europe - Festival of Entertainment - Concerts, theatre performances, crafts, entertainment in the

streets of Brno. (www.bmue.cz)

Ignis Brunensis - Brno - Denis Park, Brno Dam, the castle of pilberk international competition of fireworks

(www.ignisbrunensis.cz)

July

Brno Shakespearean Days A theatre festival based on the works of William Shakespeare at the Spilberk Castle and

surrounding park (www.shakespeare.cz)

August

Grand Prix of the Czech Republic- World championship of motorbikes. (http://www.brnograndprix.com/)

The International Folklore Festival of Brno Festival of Folklore music and dances held in the city center

(http://kadmusarts.com/festivals/4796.html)

September

Czech International Air Show (airshow.cz) Take a look at the website to find out the specific location and dates.


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FIA Championship Grand Tourismo Cars - The Automotodrom is situated in the middle of the world-famous Masaryk

racetrack, where Grand Prix races are held. (http://www.automotodrombrno.cz/go/main.asp?catid=427&langid=2)

October

Brno Sixteen - The Brno Sixteen is a five day long international competition of selected short non-commercial live-action fiction

film organized by the city of Brno. (http://www.b16.cz/)

The International Folklore Festival of Brno Festival of Folklore music and dances held in the city center

(http://kadmusarts.com/festivals/4796.html)

November

Austerlitz The traditional commemorative event recalling the Austerlitz battle of December 2, 1805 (Battle of three

emperors). The main point of program is the battle reconstruction with soldiers in period uniforms. It takes place near Brno

next to village Tvarozna. (www.austerlitz.org)

St. Martin wine celebration - On 11th November first battles of wine coming from autumn harvest are open. Only wines

satisfying special conditions can get certification and be called St. Martin wine (Svatomartinske vino). The celebration event

(degustation of St. Martin wines) takes place on Namesti Svobody on this day.

December

Christmas market- Walking across the main square in Brno you will notice the stalls for the Brno Christmas Market. Christmas

Markets are a feature of the season in the Czech Republic and make for a very nice and pleasant early evening strolling through

the stalls with a nice hot mulled wine in hand. Selling mulled wine, various Czech hot foods and a variety of Christmas fare,

these markets are a nice way to simply spend some festive time, give the Christmas lights a look and enjoy the atmosphere. It

also welcomes the typical customs and activities of Czech traditions.

Given small annual variations, it is recommended to check the correct dates of the events on the respective websites.


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Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy English/French/German newspapers and magazines?

There is a newspaper shop (Tabak Valmont) in the main street between the train station and the Freedom Square

(Namesti Svobody), which has a bigger selection of international press than most other newspaper shops.

Where can I find out about theater, opera or ballet?

Visit www.brno.cz and click on the leisure section for information about all cultural activities in Brno.

Can I go to the cinema if I dont speak Czech?

Unlike many other European countries, most English spoken movies are not synchronized in Czech, but have Czech

subtitles.

Where can I find information about the Brno nightlife?

There is a free magazine called Metropol, which is in both Czech and English. Look for it in bars or other public places.

How can I best travel to the bigger cities in the region (Prague, Bratislava, Vienna, and Budapest)?

You can take the train or the bus. For the former, international tickets can be bought at the main station. For the

latter, you can take a Eurolines or Student Agency bus. Their offices are located across the Grand Hotel (Eurolines &

Student Agency) and in Vankovka (Student Agency).

Useful links

If you want to find out more about certain topics, here are some links you can explore.

http://www.marys.eu/czech-republic/brno/ is an online Brno town guide, with additional information about other

cities in the Czech Republic.

www.czech.cz is the official web page of Czech Republic operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech

Republic

on www.myczechrepublic.com you can find: Trip planner, Regions, City guides, Prague guide, Culture, Language,

History, Cuisine, Photos, Trivia, Bookstore, News & Opinion, Links

www.jizni-morava.cz is the official web page of Southern Moravia region for Tourists

www.ticbrno.cz is the official web page of Brno Tourist information centre

www.brno.cz is the official cite of the city of Brno

Guidebook for Foreigners

Documents

Transcript of Guidebook for Foreigners