'Czechs' () are a
western Slavic people of
Central Europe, living predominantly in the
Czech Republic. Small populations of Czechs live also in
Slovakia,
Austria,
USA,
Brazil ,
Argentina,
Canada,
Germany,
Russia and other countries. They speak the
Czech language, which is closely related to the
Slovak language.
Among the ancestors of the Czechs are ancient
Slavic tribes who inhabited the regions of
Bohemia,
Moravia, and
Silesia from the
6th century onwards.
The most successful and influential of all Czech kings was by far
Charles IV (Karel IV), who also became the emperor of the
Holy Roman Empire. The
Luxembourg dynasty represents the heights of Czech (Bohemian) statehood territorial and influence as well as advancement in many areas of human endeavors.
Many people, most notably the religious reformist
Jan Hus and the warlord
Jan Žižka from the
1400s, are considered national heroes and many national legends and stories concern their lives.
There are also ancient folk stories about the Czech people, such as the
Forefather ÄŒech, who according to legend brought the tribe of Czechs into its land or
Přemysl, the Ploughman, who started the dynasty that ruled for 400 years until
1306.
The Czech people also take much pride in
saints who benefited the Czech culture, most notably
St. Wenceslaus (Václav) patron of the Czech nation,
St. Vitus (VÃt) (whom has a cathedral named after him in Prague: see
St. Vitus Cathedral),
St. John of Nepomuk (Jan Nepomucký),
St. Prokop,
St. Adalbert (Vojtěch),
St. Ludmila, and
St. Agnes of Bohemia (Anežka Česká).
References
See also
★
Czech Republic
★
List of Czechs
★
Demographics of the Czech Republic
★
The Greatest Czech