ONLY OLOMOUC! A H I D D E N G E M 2 3 CZECH CULTURE AND LANGUAGE 5 C O N T E N T S 1 4 INTRODUCTION HISTORICAL OLOMOUC PRACTICAL MATTERS GO OUT! 6 TESTIMONIALS Hello there prospective resident of Olomouc ! We are very happy that you have decided to look into this guide to learn more about the city of Olomouc and what it has to offer. Whether you have already decided that you want to spend a semester in Olomouc, or if you are still deciding if you want to come here, we hope that this guide will provide you with the information you need. This is a guide BY international students FOR international students. Within it, we have outlined some interesting and practical information on Czech culture, history as well as facts about Olomouc itself. In addition, it includes all the practical information you need in order to help you get around Olomouc and enjoy it to its full potential. Along with descriptions of individual experiences , there is no doubt that you will get a good indication of what Olomouc is like. We think you will find that there are few places in Europe that can provide the unique experience that Olomouc has to offer. We sincerely hope that reading this guide will help you on your decision to come here, or that it will help you with settling in here. Enjoy reading and hopefully see you in Olomouc ! Aziza Esther Kumush Lucie Tomas Quentin Vhiktoria Yerim I N T R O D U C T I O N HISTORICAL OLOMOUC Located at the heart of Central Europe, Olomouc has a very interesting history that could probably fill an entire guide on its own. However, that is not the purpose of this guide and so in this chapter you will find a collection of the most interesting historical facts about Olomouc. Dolní Náměstí Horní náměstí THE HOLY TRINITY COLUMN hen you walk around the city, you will see numerous fountains in the Baroque style – this is the pride of Olomouc. Each of them is a real work of art, decorated with sculptures of ancient heroes – Hercules, Jupiter and Neptune. In the largest fountain near the town hall, you will meet Julius Caesar (monument) – according to legend, it was he who founded the first settlement on the site of Olomouc. Although one of our teachers said it was all nonsense. lso in the town hall, several exhibitions about the history of the building and the city are constantly held, which can be visited free of charge. For just 1 Euro, you can climb the tower and see Olomouc from a height. And we recommend you to visit the Church of Saint Maurice and the Church of Saint Michael for a magnificent view of the city! hat you can’t miss is the Astronomical Clock on one of the walls of the town Hall, which is always surrounded by a crowd of tourists, decorated with figures of apostles, angels and basilisks. In Olomouc, the astronomical clock was reconstructed in the 1950s in the spirit of social realism: here the signs of the zodiac coexist with builders, scientists and happy farmers. CAESAR FOUNTAIN Smetanovy sady Bezručovy sady Cathedral of St. Wenceslas Museum of modern art Palacký University Church of Saint Maurice Church of Saint Michael Civil Defence Shelter G W A W etting to know Olomouc should start with two Central squares – Dolní Nám ě stí and Horní nám ě stí : on holidays, fairs and concerts are held there, and all the main places are located more or less nearby, including the town Hall, a square with neat colourful houses and a Plague pole - the Holy Trinity Column in Baroque style (1716-1754). Initially, the project of the column was planned more grandiose and massive, but due to lack of funds, many subtleties had to be abandoned. But in the end, the column still turned out to be bigger and more beautiful than all the others in Europe. In 2000 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as “one of the most exceptional examples of the apogee of central European Baroque artistic expression”. images above from mapy.cz n summer, the entire city goes to the parks that surround the centre. A flock of peacocks lives in Smetanovy sady all year round. ezru č ovy sady is located directly under the fortress wall of the old city, and you can go down here by numerous ancient stairs, one of which is located right at the Department of History. Here, students regularly learn something, couples with children walk, old people feed pigeons, some go for a run, and you can just relax and have a picnic in a quiet corner. hile walking in the Park, pay attention to the building with the inscription V Ě RNOST ZA V Ě RNOST / LJUBAV ZA LJUBAV. This is the Mausoleum of Yugoslav soldiers who died on the territory of the Czech Republic during the First world war. n the same gardens there is another interesting monument of the 20th century: the civil defense Headquarters/Shelter . A huge bunker hidden right under the city centre, not so long ago declassified, and not even all local residents know about its existence. You can get there with a tour, or come to an event – this place has become popular with artists and organizers of various festivals. ou will definitely not pass by the Cathedral of St. Wenceslas – this huge neo-Gothic Church is located in a small street, but it is visible from everywhere. It is worth visiting to admire the country’s second largest temple, frescoes and architecture. On the street, look at the wall to the left of the entrance – there you can see a Romanesque window, protected by a round glass. According to locals, this is the oldest architectural detail in the entire city – it has been preserved since the middle of the 12th century. n the Museum of modern art , you can see the works of Czech classics of the 20th and 21st centuries, including David Czerny (he launched a huge middle finger on a homemade raft on the Vltava river and repainted a Soviet tank in pink). In addition, there are good temporary exhibitions. On the top floor, you can climb up a tiny tower onto the roof with another great city view. Entrance is free on Sundays. ight at the Museum you will see the main graffiti of Olomouc – the Selfie King , a favourite attraction of our friend. Olomouc was once the most important spiritual centre of the country. Even the University buildings that now occupy half of the centre are former monastic buildings. ow there are many more students in the city than there are monks, and Palacký University is the oldest in Moravia and the second oldest in the whole country, it was founded in 1573 by the Jesuits. Y N I R I B W I CZECH CULTURE AND LANGUAGE Brief history of the language The Czech language is a derivative of the Old Slavic . The oldest written traces of the Czech language known to date are two sentences from a famous founding charter in 1057 of a religious chapter located in Litom ěř ice (north of Prague). Between the 12th and 13th centuries, Czech began to distinguish itself from the old Slavic. In the 14th century, Czech culture and language blossomed under the emperor, Charles IV . Between the 14th and 15th centuries, a spelling reform introduced diacritical marks into Czech. This innovation was ardently defended by Jan Hus, the best known representative of the Bohemian Reformation of the Roman Catholic Church. When printing was invented in the 16th century, the Kralice Bible became an example of literary Czech. After 1620, however, Czech gradually lost ground in favour of German which became the language of education and science. But in the 18th and 19th centuries, a movement emerged, called the Czech national renaissance , which enabled the Czech language to revitalise itself to become the language spoken today. Like in Latin and many Slavic languages, the word order is relatively free in Czech, thanks to the declensions of words indicating their grammatical functions within the sentence. Most Czech verbs are split between so-called perfective and imperfective aspects to express a different temporal perspective . For example, if you talk about the act of reading, you will use the verb č íst to describe the process of reading, the reading activity unfolding in time, but you will use the verb p ř e č íst to describe it as an accomplished event. General overview of the grammar Funnily enough, despite the relative small size of the Czech Republic, this country counts a number of considerably different dialects . This difference does not hinder communication, but it is the source of many discussions when colleagues and friends laugh at the many variations a Czech word can have in dialects. Dialects So, now you have all the basics to pronounce Czech words, it’s time to get down to work with the most common phrases that will come in handy in most situations. Hello = Ahoj / or more formally, Dobrý den [long “y”] Good bye = Na shledanou [Remember each letter is pronounced separately, so “sh” here must not sound like “sh” in “shock”, but like an “s”, and then the breathy voiced “h”] Thanks = D ě kuji [d-yeah-kuh-yee] Beer = Pivo [open “o”] Another one = Je š t ě jedno During your stay here, you will be amazed at one special ability all Czech people have: they can pronounce entire words without any vowels at all! Words of everyday life, like krk (“neck”), prst (“finger”) or č tvrt (“quarter“), so sometimes you can hear sentences like Str č prst skrz krk , which is actually a well-known Czech tongue-twister! It uses only syllabic consonants and means... Stick your finger through your throat! Useful, isn’t it? Quite a tough one to pronounce though for a beginner. So if you’re a beginner yourself, you might want to start practising with slightly ‘easier’ words, containing at least one vowel within long strings of consonants, like: č tvrtek (Thursday); zmrzlina (ice cream), or even the famous Vltava, the “Czech national river”. In Czech, remember that each letter is pronounced separately So beware when you pronounce “Palacký”, the name of Olomouc university: “ck” here must not be pronounced like “ck” in the name Jacky, but separately, so basically: /Pala ts ki/. As for diphthongs, AU is pronounced like ow in “owl”, and the two others, EU (ew) and OU (o-w). You know how to pronounce Olomouc now, don’t you? Basic pronunciation tips Now let’s leave this tongue-twisting introduction aside and focus more on how to pronounce the words you will come across on road signs, storefronts or restaurant menus. Let’s have a look at the simple letters pronounced differently from English: E: like in “get” I and Y: /i/ like in “sit” O: always open “o” like in “sock”. U: like in “flew” C: /ts/ G: always /g/ like in “game”, not like in “gym”. J: /y/ like in “yes”. R: rolled r, like in Spanish, Italian or Russian. A typical feature of the Czech language is the use of diacritics above the letters : these can be small inverted circumflexes, rounds or acute accents. The vowels A, E, I, O, U, Y have long counterparts recognisable by their diacritics: Á, É, Í, Ó, Ú, Ů , Ý. The letter E can receive another diacritic ( Ě ) and is then pronounced a bit like /yeah/ (however, with the letter “m” before, a soft n-sound seeps in- between: for example, m ě is pronounced /mne/). Diacritics are also used on consonants and change their pronunciation: Č : a bit like /tsh/, like in “check” Ď : similar to /dj/, like in “India” Ň : /nj/ like in new Š : /sh/ Ť : /tj/ Ž : the way you pronounce “s” in the word “leisure” Ř : this trilling sound is known to occur almost only in Czech. If you want to pronounce this strange sound, keep the teeth together while slightly pursing your lips, then place the tip of your tongue on your palate and vibrate it. This should normally sound like a rolled r mixed with the Ž sound! Where are vowels? Attention to different pronunciations! Diacritics Separate a word into pieces May 1: Labour Day May 8: Liberation Day , celebrating freedom after World War 2. July 5: Saints Cyril and Methodius Day , a celebration of the evangelisation of Czechia by these two saints. July 6: Jan Hus Day , a celebration of one of the Czech Republic greatest Reformers and national hero. HOLIDAYS HOLIDAYS HOLIDAYS As foreigners to this country, we have made many observations on interesting differences in habits, lifestyles and social interactions, and would like to share some of them with you here. Our personal experience of the Czech Republic When it comes to the language, I was pleasantly surprised by how far you can get with English in most places . Naturally there are exceptions too, but generally you will find English-speaking people quite easily. They are always willing to help , but something that definitely helps even more is putting in some effort yourself. If you learn some basic phrases in Czech, you can really tell how much the Czechs appreciate you trying to speak their language . This is a very stark contrast to the Netherlands where speaking Dutch is almost discouraged since everybody seems very eager to speak English to foreigners as much as possible. With regards to food, there are also some culture differences, in my case between the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. As I am anything but a meat-lover, I was quite stressed about the Czech cuisine as it seemed very meat-focused Although this was the case, the sheer number of vegetarian and vegan options surprised me ! You can find some of these options on the map, and also later in this guide in the section on vegan/vegetarian restaurants. Also, both the roasted and mashed potatoes are amazing in any restaurant I’ve been to in Olomouc! I have no clue how they do it, but they definitely know how to cook a potato! When you first visit Olomouc, you might be struck by how few people are walking around. You’ll soon figure out that the city fills itself with students once uni starts (I have to admit, I was quite reassured by that). And if you go to class early, you’ll find out that most Czechs start working early in the morning, and finish early in the afternoon: public transports and the historical centre get noisy from the walking of passers-by at these hours of the day. The rest of the time, the streets are quieter. Olomouc was a lifetime experience for me! I was particularly impressed by the Czech language with all its supposedly similar words to Russian Living in Olomouc, I found some interesting examples that have totally different meanings! POZOR: attention (CZ) / shame (RU) OKURKY: pickles (CZ) / cigarette stubs (RU) Č ERSTVY: fresh (CZ) / stale (RU) September 28: Saint Wenceslas Day , celebrating Czech statehood. October 28: Independence Day , celebrating the proclamation of the Czechoslovak Republic in 1918. November 17: Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day. A holiday that celebrates two seperate struggles, namely a student protest against Nazis in 1939 and a 1989 protest that led to the Velvet Revolution which in turn led to the end of Communism. CURRENCY Tram 7 One of the things you will most likely run into first, is the fact that the Czech Republic has its own currency; the Koruna č eská or Czech Crown . Naturally, exchange rates are prone to change (it’s in the word after all) so it is always wise to do a quick Google search to find out what the current exchange rate is. However, it is always advisable to at least internalise the exchange rate somehow just so you do not find yourself constantly trying to figure out the prices of things. Generally, 1 Euro equals to about 25 Crowns. Roughly the same counts for the Dollar too, though this will equate to a bit under 25 crowns. P R A C T I C A L M A T T E R S Armed with an understanding of Olomouc’s history and some basic knowledge on Czech culture and the Czech language, it is now time to focus on some of the practical things you can arrange to make your stay in Olomouc a bit easier. 1 Euro = 25 Crowns 1 Pint of Beer is 30 Crowns = 1,20 Euro Do note that this sum is not universal! Make sure to update it according to the current exchange rate! If you did not arrange for private housing in Olomouc, your home for the semester will most likely be at the Ne ř edín Campus (what a great opportunity for you to practice your pronunciation of the ř sound!), which is located on the calm western edge of Olomouc. Otherwise, you are probably staying at Envelopa by the Morava river, close to the centre. When it comes to Ne ř edin, the reception will be your first destination and is located on U Leti š t ě 786/14 . The easiest way of getting there is by taking the tram. This is regardless of whether you arrive at the bus station (Aut. nádra ž í podchod) or the main station (Olomouc hlavní nádra ž í). Your exact destination will be Ne ř edin Krematorium which is the end station for all trams going that direction. QUICK MATHS YOUR HOME BASE Aut. nádra ž í podchod Olomouc hlavní nádra ž í Tram X4 Ne ř edín Campus The Public Transport network in Olomouc is great and quite punctual. You have the option of taking a bus or a tram, the latter arguably being the better option as they are easy to get on to, they go often and they can take you to the most important spots in Olomouc. The easiest way of finding out how to get somewhere, is to use the IDOS app which is available on both the Apple Store and Google Play. It allows you to put in your current location and your destination and will tell you all your options of getting there. Alternatively you could go to their website on https://idos.idnes.cz/ if you have no possibility of getting the app. Both have an English option as well. When it comes to tickets, most tram and bus stops will have yellow machines that sell them. However, you can only pay with coins and they are not at every single stop. Therefore you should not rely on them too much.The aforementioned IDOS app also gives you an option to buy tickets digitally which you can use if you are in a pinch. All of Olomouc is within zone 71 so you generally do not need to worry about your ticket not being valid somewhere, provided you are in Olomouc. You can buy a normal ticket for 18 crowns or 9 at a reduced tariff if you have your ISIC card. These last for 40 minutes An easier option is to get a ticket for a full day (it says 24 hod. ) for 46 crowns or 23 at a reduced tariff with your ISIC card. Information on the dorms themselves can be accessed from the website https://skm.upol.cz/en/accommodation/basic- information/ . If you run into trouble, the phone number for questions about the accommodation is 00420 585 638 002 Going to Envelopa is a little different as there are a number of different dormitories. However, Envelopa is also closer to the main station. The dorms are situated along Š meralova or 17. Listopadu street There are a lot of other options too. To find out about how to find these, refer to the header on public transport. Do not forget to get a ticket and validate it in the tram! Tram X4 Aut. nádra ž í podchod Olomouc hlavní nádra ž í Envelopa Campus PUBLIC TRANSPORT Mobility is one of the most important characteristics for an international student, but this has to start at the local level. It is true that Olomouc is perfectly located in the centre of Europe, but before you start thinking about going to Vienna, Budapest or Krakow, you should ensure a carefree way of transportation across Olomouc. GENERAL INFORMATION TICKETS By far the best option is to get a 3 month subscription (t ř i m ě síce) Unfortunately there is not a semester ticket, but the 3 months option is the closes. For the remaining 2 or 3 months you could opt for another subscription or simply pay for tickets. A 3 month subscription will cost you 900 crowns or 450 crowns at the reduced price. Do mind that the reduced price only counts if you are between 18 and 25 and if you have an ISIC card. Getting a subscription is not too hard, but you do need a couple of things. The easiest location to get a subscription is at Legioná ř ská 746 because it is right next to the Palackého tram stop which is quite central. The other option is at Ko ž elu ž ská 563 If you go to get a subscription, be sure to bring your ISIC card, passport (just in case) and a passport picture. More information on tariffs and subscriptions can be found at https://www.dpmo.cz/en/information -for-passengers/tariff/. If you do not have a passport picture, you can easily get one taken in Galerie Moritz at Fotolab Cewe on 8. kv ě tna 24 street Keep in mind that the reduced tariff only counts if you have an ISIC card and if you are between 18 and 25 years old! If you are 26 or older you will not get the reduced tariff even if you have an ISIC card! Taxis are also an option, though considerably more expensive. Two of the main dependable taxi services are Vi3 which is available at (00420) 773 158 158 and City Taxi Olomouc which is available at (00420) 800 22 30 30 . The latter is slightly cheaper but generally you are looking at about 25-30 Crows per kilometer. They should also be at most hotspots such as the train station, bus station or in the centre, but this is not set in stone. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IDENTITY CARD (ISIC) It is likely that the Palacký University will arrange an ISIC card for you, in which case there is little you have to do. It is important to keep this card in mind because it is essential for you if you want discounts in public transport , as well as access to a number of facilities at the Ne ř edín dorms. You must always keep this card with you as it is your proof for reductions in public transport. In the unlikely event that the university does not provide you with an ISIC card, go to their website for all the information you need at https://www.isic.org/ . It is definitely worth it to get one! SUBSCRIPTION TAXIS The laundry machines at Ne ř edín can be a bit unreliable (they might break, the door might not close/open, or there are simply no keys to laundry machines left). Therefore, most of us resorted to private laundromats during our time in Olomouc. This is a bit more expensive, but definitely worth it. There is one laundromat close to the Ne ř edín dorms called Speed Queen Laundry ( t ř . Míru 965/105 ) which is not only quick and easy, but also located next to a great coffee shop, Caffe Nicol ( t ř . Míru 105 ), where you can drink a coffee while you wait for your laundry to finish. If you do want to use the laundry machines in the dormitory buildings, all you have to do is go to the reception to pick up the keys for 30 crowns Olomouc is an excellent travelling hub if you want to explore both the Czech Republic and Europe. When it comes to travelling, you have a couple of options. First off there is the train which can take you to most cities in the country itself but can also take you to countries even as far as France, Italy and Russia! Prices can be difficult to find and are best found by just going to the train station to inform. Another great option for travelling is of course by bus. For this there are a lot of options. For instance, Flixbus which will have connections to pretty much any big city in Europe. Also, Regiojet is a great option for going to Austria or to other places in the Czech Republic such as Brno. Lastly, there is Leo Express which also gives you some train options. These are just some recommendations. Brno (65 km) Hradec Králové (122 km) Tel č (137 km) Tábor (187 km) Prague (210 km) Č eské Bud ě jovice (212 km) Č eský Krumlov (230 km) Bratislava (160 km) Vienna (167 km) Kraków (199 km) Budapest (268 km) Have fun with exploring the Czech Republic and Europe! If you are too lazy to cook your own lunch, or your flatmates are using the already small kitchen of your bunker, this will be a chance for you to try out the Ne ř edín dining hall, or menza, which has many advantages : besides being very cheap , it offers you substantial 3-course menus from 11:00am to 2:30pm from Monday to Friday. You will have a more or less large selection of courses, and you can order whatever you want : for example, two different starters and one main course, or one main course and two desserts – it’s up to you! Remember to top up your ISIC card with money at Ne ř edín reception before placing an order. FACILITIES AT THE DORMS EATING AT NE Ř EDIN PRIVATE LAUNDRY TRAVELLING! BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO VISIT Coffee Library (Biskupské nám ě stí 1) - large tables, Wi-Fi, specialty coffee drinks, and healthy snacks to fuel your workday. Different menus almost every day ranging from local to Italian and Oriental. Tastes differ - they are well aware of this idiom! You can also find some vegetarian / vegan treats! Konvikt (Univerzitní 3) - the university’s bistro, with its special atmosphere, its quirky touches of decoration will for sure seduce you. They serve coffee and beer from breakfast till night when cultural events take place, and excellent and filling vegan, vegetarian and meaty dishes every day Chlebí č ky is the Czech version of sandwiches. On a piece of bread they can put a mountain of food, so you can eat for half a day. Try it in the eponymous place Chlebí č ky (Opletalova 474/4) . There are more than 20 varieties, you can start with the Czech classics - ham, salami, egg and mayonnaise There are also unusual options for vegetarians - soft cheese, hazelnut, apple and grapes. “Drápal (Havlí č kova 1) – a classic restaurant with beer taps and traditional Czech dishes. It is worth to try the right Ć esne ć ka – a traditional garlic soup. Try beer spilled in one of the unusual ways - “Pivo č epované na š nyt, mlíko nebo na č ochtana” : you will be brought a full mug of the most delicate beer foam. In weekdays, from 11:00 to 14:00, most restaurants offer “polední menu” – a good option for business lunch. Usually you can choose from 5-6 main courses, with a bowl of soup as a side. The average price for lunch is about € 4-5. See the offers for the following week on: https://www.olomouc.cz/poledni-menu G O O U T ! THE FOODIE OLOMOUC TRADITIONAL Try Hanácká hospoda (Dolní nám. 27/38) The most unusual goulash recipes are waiting for you! Be ready for Czech portions! UNI FACILITIES : Vegetarian- / Vegan-friendly Traffic Coffee (Palackého 1124 / 21A) – a small cafe that arose on the site of a former printing kiosk. For old times’ sake, people still sometimes come here to buy tickets – the owner has everything. In addition, you will always find excellent coffee and delicious homemade cakes The Kathmandu Nepali Restaurant (Dolní nám ě stí 25/40) - you will be charmed from the moment you climb up the double flight staircase. The vast interior makes it the perfect place to meet for a big group. Wide selection of Paneer and Vegetables Curry Dishes, all vegetarian, among which two are vegan. A list of allergens is included in the menu. FÆNCY FRIES (Ztracená 317/15) serves French fries with countless fresh homemade toppings - cranberry sauce, banana ketchup or cheddar . Options for fillers are constantly changing. In addition to potatoes, you can also get a great hot dog. The fries are cooked in vegetable oil, so it’s vegetarian / vegan-friendly! Closed on weekends. Bistrá Kráva (Wurmova 5) – a small cozy bistro with a daily menu. Here they prepare excellent breakfasts and lunches from natural product. Large selection of delicious desserts - vegan people, if you're lucky, you might even try a"honey" cake, a vegan version of the Czech speciality! Clean, neat and delicious, feels like home. You can have a snack on the go in the spaghetteria Š pagetárna (1. máje 825/4). For € 2.5 you will get a large portion of classic Italian pasta. WORLD CUISINE COFFEE PLACES FOOD ON THE GO Tvar ůž ková cukrárna pastry shop (Denisova 13) - "Olomoucké tvar ůž ky" , or Olomouc cheese is a delicacy that every traveler should try. This is a local cheese with a disgusting smell and – according to gourmets - a divine taste. Sophie’s Café (Denisova 33) - an hotel but also a nice coffee place. Make sure you try the delicious brunch , cakes and heart- warming hot beverage (the hot plum juice is amazing). The staff is so nice and helpful, and they can turn some options into vegan treats! Koza z ů stala celá (Mlýnská 952/2) - this restaurant with a funny name: "the goat remained whole" makes vegetarian and vegan cuisine. You will also have a funny time finding it if you follow Google Maps (clue: look at the stairs). Few options of refined, nicely presented food. These are the team's recommendations, but make sure you discover Olomouc's hidden gems: the city's filled with nice coffee places and restaurants to please all the tastes! Southern Moravia is traditionally a wine-growing region: local Traminer and Moravian Muscat are not inferior to French and Italian wines. It is not surprising that many people here prefer a trip to the wine shop to a pub. Jazz Tibet Club (Sokolská 551/48) - a cozy bar with Tibetan lanterns and the best concert venue in the city Despite the name, you can hear not only jazz. Only high-quality music is always played here. OLOMOUC BY NIGHT Despite its size, Olomouc hosts many bars and clubs, making the night scene and life vibrant. And, let's be honest, students are among those who make it so special! WINE CLUBS AND CONCERTS S-klub (17. Listopadu 43) and U-klub ( Š meralova 1122/12) in the area of the University campus are typical student clubs , where beer flows like a river all week, and on weekends they play concerts with covers. Sometimes local stars come here too – you can hear cool Czech folk or dance to new indie music. Varna (Riegrova 373/6) is the most popular disco in the city pop music scene. At the ECHO Club & Lounge (Uhelná 19) , there is less space, but the dancing is more lively. And every Wednesday, there is an Erasmus party at Belmondo (Mlýnská 4) ! Bar Diva (Pavel č ákova 3/17) started as a theater club for actors, but gradually turned into the main LGBTQ–friendly institution in the city. Moreover, this is one of the few places in the city that is open all night long. The most famous of all – Vinárna U Zlatky (Lafayettova 5) - is not easy to find, but it is worth it: behind an inconspicuous door and a steep staircase, you will find authentic cellars full of excellent local wines. In the next building is Na š e vinotéka (Lafayettova 7) , where you can go directly to the cellar. You can buy draught wine at very nice prices. If you find yourself in the city in early autumn, be sure to try Burchak-a young (just fermented wine of the new crop) at Vinotéka Drexler (Sokolská 39) , right at the tram depot. It tastes like grape juice, but after a couple of glasses you will feel all its power, so be ready. Svatováclavský pivovar (Mariánská 845/4) brews its own beer in the same hall where it is served. You can choose from 7 types: from classic light to unusual cherry. Very popular with students and teachers: during the day, there may well be a seminar, if the Professor is bored with classes in the classroom. There is also a favourite attraction for tourists: beer baths or spas in a wooden font . They say it rejuvenates the body and soul. Hosp ů dka U Kud ě je (Krapkova 20) - a tiny bar on the edge of the city Park. Here you can try about 10 Beers from small local brewers . At the next table, most likely, there will be a large group of Czechs of all ages, singing and playing the guitar. Hospoda U Musea (t ř 1. máje 8) - a legendary place, popularly called Ponorka (submarine). Every Thursday – concerts of Czech bands, and at the entrance you need to get a card of a member of the "private club" – this is done to circumvent the new law banning Smoking in bars. And, of course, only cash! The Black Stuff Irish Pub & Whisky Bar (t ř .1.máje 19) was recognized as the best pub in the Czech Republic several years ago . Look here for the atmosphere of a real Irish bar, the set of drinks matches: different types of whiskey, Guinness and Magners cider. Prices for alcohol here are slightly inflated by local standards (€ 2-3 for a pint of beer), but the place is really worth it. BEER For the fans of the second hand such a small town as Olomouc is a godsend! The city centre counts many second hand shops and antiquities where you can buy good pieces of clothing for little money and many other things including books . Vertigo (Univerzitní 227/6) is the oldest student bar in the city. An austere basement full of young people, loud music and cheap alcohol. Usually everyone moves here closer to midnight, when the owners of quieter places go to sleep. You can accidentally find yourself at a concert of an alternative band. GREEN FASHION And of course, there are many more! You can find your favourite bar through the following link: https://www.ratebeer.com/places/city/olomouc/0/56/ Our best finding was S.eko.nd (Panská 3) , a little gem hidden in the cobbled streets of the historical centre. For women especially, they really have nice pieces, from blouses to cute dresses. They have their own upcycled collection which you might want to give a try, but which is also more pricy. The clothes are well-organised, you will sure like it! There is another nice address in the beginning of the Opletalova street , in front of one of the façades of the Church sv. Morice . It’s right between a ski equipment shop and an optician. We haven’t found the name of this second-hand, but if you follow these directions you’ll find two windows with the inscription “second-hand” The place is a an organised chaos, but an expert eye will most certainly find a unique piece! If you are mindful of what you buy, there are many options in Olomouc! From organic, vegetarian or vegan products in supermarkets to specialised organic and helth stores such as Harmonie zdravi (Záme č nická 2) or Pi Centrum (Ibsenova 17) Olomouc has become a city that will forever be special to me. Not only did I meet people from all over the world in that city, but I experienced the Czech Republic in an authentic , unique way. The city is safe , quaint , historical , and absolutely beautiful My advice for any student going to Olomouc would be to explore, and give the city a chance! Many people may think it’s not interesting or fun because it’s small - but that’s what makes it great. It’s intimate , safe , and beautiful . There is a lot of opportunity to meet some amazing people . As a mostly student populated area, you have opportunities to meet people from all over the WORLD. If I got anything from the experience, it’s friends in more countries than I can count on my hands. That experience is priceless . It is absolutely worth every moment of your time and every penny that you spend! - Kylie Norwood Mathematics & Computer Science Moravian College United States of America Olomouc is a comfortable and beautiful city for foreign people. There are many kind people and it is a good and natural place. If you have the time, then you should go to Olomouc, you may just love the city! - Rio Abe Pshyical Culture Japan Sports Science University Japan T E S T I M O N I A L S Olomouc is a city with a thousand possibilities , and small details that make it become magical . In my opinion, the owner of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen in my life. One of the most interesting parts about the city is nature. The city is full of trees and small parks that serve as shortcuts to get to the most diverse places. You will encounter rabbits ALL THE TIME and listen to the sound of birds during the night. The old part of the city is composed of charming architecture , practically a film set, which made each of the walks towards the University happier. I can still feel the aroma of the (cute) cafes, and the excitement of the various local bars. I swear I never drank so much beer in my life. In addition, what made Olomouc even more special are the people I met along the way. People who joined the long walks, visits to pubs in the city center, and Wednesdays at one of the dance clubs. Olomouc taught me about a calmer and happier life. Pietra Alterats Sisti Cooperation Program Federal University of ABC Brazil Although Olomouc is a small city it has everything you need and it is also a student city, which is a big plus. There is plenty of space for recreation in nature or around lakes. Olomouc also has a great clubbing scene with friendly prices for students. For Olomouc, history is very important, and not only for the city itself but for the Palacky university as well. Palacky university is an old university but with a modern twist. Most of the buildings are very modern and it offers everything you need for studying. Once at the Palacky university do not forget to visit the central library if you are a Harry Potter fan 😊 . The dormitories are amazing, and they are a place where you will probably meet all your new friends so don’t be scared to live with new people, because it is amazing! Matea Hodak Faculty of Law University of Zagreb Croatia