The Czech Republic is a small landlocked country in Central Europe bordered by Austria, Germany, Poland and Slovakia. It has a long and rich history, fascinating culture, beautiful landscapes, medieval castles and towns, and unique traditions. Let’s explore some riddles around the Czech Republic and try to guess the answers!
History Riddles
Riddle 1
I am considered the father of the Czech nation who laid the foundations for Czech statehood. I brought Christianity to the Czech lands. Who am I?
Answer: Saint Wenceslaus
Riddle 2
We are four Czech religious reformers and key figure of the Bohemian Reformation in the 15th and 16th centuries. Our teachings had a strong impact on the Czech lands and beyond. Jan Hus was one of us. Who are we?
Answer: Jan Hus, Jerome of Prague, Petr Chelčický, Jan Amos Komenský (Comenius)
Riddle 3
I am a Czech national revivalist and historian. I wrote the first Modern history books about Czechs. I am also known as the father of Czech history. Who am I?
Answer: František Palacký
Culture Riddles
Riddle 4
I am a world-renowned Czech author famous for my absurdist novels and plays. Some of my best known works include The Metamorphosis and The Trial. Who am I?
Answer: Franz Kafka
Riddle 5
We are towering bone structures decorated with skulls, bones and candles, displayed around All Souls’ Day in early November. What are we?
Answer: Kostnice (Ossuary)
Riddle 6
I originated as a Czech folk dance with fast rotations, but over time evolved into a worldwide sport. Men traditionally wear black trousers, white shirts and bow ties when competing. What am I?
Answer: Ballroom dancing
Food and Drink Riddles
Riddle 7
I am considered the national dish of the Czech Republic – sliced veal or beef sirloin or pork coated in bread crumbs and fried. I am usually served with potato salad, tartar sauce and a slice of lemon. What am I?
Answer: Schnitzel (Smažený řízek)
Riddle 8
We are Czech sweet dumplings made of batter or dough, boiled in water and typically filled with fruit jam, vanilla pudding or sweet cottage cheese. We are especially popular around Christmas time. What are we?
Answer: Knödel (Knedlíky)
Riddle 9
I am a type of cookie made by layering yeast dough with ground walnuts or poppy seeds and sugar or honey between sheets of the dough, then baking it in an oven. I originated in the Czech city of Pardubice. What am I?
Answer: Perník or gingerbread from Pardubice (Pardubický perník)
Riddle 10
I am a Czech lager beer brewed in Plzeň. My golden color and clarity are due to decoction mashing and Saaz noble hops. I was the first pale lager beer in the world. What am I?
Answer: Pilsner or Pilsner Urquell
Geography Riddles
Riddle 11
I am the highest point in the Czech Republic at 1,602 meters. Skiers and snowboarders can find groomed slopes on my highest peak during winter. Mount Sněžka is what I am called. What mountain range am I part of?
Answer: Krkonoše Mountains (Giant Mountains)
Riddle 12
We are a series of vast underground limestone labyrinths near Brno filled with stalactites, stalagmites and underground lakes. What are we?
Answer: Moravian Karst Caves
Riddle 13
I am the largest natural lake in the Czech Republic. I am located in northern Bohemia near the German border. The lakeside town of Doksy with its castle is a popular tourist attraction on my shores. What lake am I?
Answer: Lake Mácha (Máchovo jezero)
Architecture Riddles
Riddle 14
I am a castle located near Prague considered one of the most significant castles in the world and the largest in the Czech Republic. My history dates back to the 14th century. What castle am I?
Answer: Karlštejn Castle
Riddle 15
I am a castle perched on a rock above the city of Český Krumlov in southern Bohemia. My architecture spans from Gothic to Baroque styles. What castle am I?
Answer: Český Krumlov Castle
Riddle 16
I am often considered the most beautiful historic library in the world, decorated in Baroque style with tens of thousands of ancient texts. I am part of a former Jesuit college in a Czech city beginning with O. What library am I?
Answer: The Clementinum Library in Olomouc
Famous People Riddles
Riddle 17
I was a world famous Bohemian ecclesiastical reformer and priest who was burnt at the stake for heresy against the doctrines of the Catholic Church. My execution helped spark the Hussite Wars. Who am I?
Answer: Jan Hus
Riddle 18
I was a Czech philosopher, theologian and pedagogue of the Enlightenment. I greatly influenced modern theories of education. The asteroid 1478 Komenský is named after me. Who am I?
Answer: Jan Amos Komenský (Comenius)
Riddle 19
We are famous fairy tale authors and collectors of Czech folk stories from the 19th century. Our classic stories remain popular today. Brothers Božena and Karel Capek were inspired by us. Who are we?
Answer: Brothers Grimm
Literature Riddles
Riddle 20
I am an epic poem written in Old Czech considered a masterpiece of European epic poetry from the Middle Ages. I tell the tale of a mythical Czech knight hero named Oldřich. What long poem am I?
Answer: Old Czech Legends (Staré pověsti české)
Riddle 21
I am a drama play in verse composed in the early 19th century by Josef Kajetán Tyl. My story revolves around a fictional assassination attempt on a 13th century Czech ruler from the Přemyslid dynasty. What play am I?
Answer: The Finger of Fate (Fidlovačka aneb Žádný hněv a žádná rvačka)
Riddle 22
We are the best known novels by Czech author Milan Kundera that explore themes of identity, totalitarianism, human existence and Eastern European history. The Unbearable Lightness of Being is one of us. What novels are we?
Answer: The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Wars Riddles
Riddle 23
We were a series of wars in the 15th century between the followers of Jan Hus called Hussites, and the Catholic Church authorities aligned with Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor. We greatly impacted the Kingdom of Bohemia. What series of religious wars were we?
Answer: The Hussite Wars
Riddle 24
I was the Battle of White Mountain fought in November 1620 during the early stages of the Thirty Years’ War. My outcome had a profound impact on Czech history for the next three centuries. What decisive battle was I?
Answer: The Battle of White Mountain (Bitva na Bílé hoře)
Riddle 25
I was a Central European student activist movement triggered in January 1989 calling for end of one-party rule in Czechoslovakia. My protests led to the fall of communism. What was I known as?
Answer: Velvet Revolution (Sametová revoluce)
Places Riddles
Riddle 26
I am a magnificent Gothic-style bridge spanning 16 arches across the Vltava river in Prague, decorated by 30 Baroque statues. I was completed in 1402 under King Wenceslaus IV. What famous bridge am I?
Answer: Charles Bridge (Karlův Most)
Riddle 27
I am a historic square in Prague’s Old Town featuring many colorful baroque buildings. Prague astronomical clock on my facade is a popular tourist site. Name me.
Answer: Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí)
Riddle 28
We are a labyrinth of interconnecting underground tunnels, passages and cellars beneath the streets of Prague dating from the Middle Ages. What are we called?
Answer: Prague Underground or Tunnels (Pražské podzemí)
Nature Riddles
Riddle 29
I am the most common tree species in the forests of the Czech Republic, especially in mountainous regions. My timber is highly valued and I am an important symbol in Czech culture. What tree am I?
Answer: Norway Spruce (Smrk ztepilý)
Riddle 30
I am one of the most deadly poisonous mushrooms in the world, sometimes called the “death angel”. I have a white cap and white gills but can be mistaken for edible varieties. What lethal fungus am I?
Answer: Destroying Angel (Muchomůrka bílá)
Riddle 31
We are a unique breed of horses developed at Kladruby monastery during the Middle Ages for carriage transport at ceremonial events. Our features include a convex head shape and Baroque body type. What royal horses are we?
Answer: Kladruber Horses
Science Riddles
Riddle 32
I was a Czech scientist who discovered the Mendel’s laws of inheritance – the basic principles of heredity. I studied the inherited traits of pea plants in my monastery garden. Who was I?
Answer: Gregor Johann Mendel
Riddle 33
I was a Czech scientist who invented the lightning rod, the basis for electromagnets, the arc lamp, and made many meteorological discoveries. What was my name?
Answer: Prokop Diviš
Riddle 34
We are surgical tools invented by a Czech physician in the late 1950s. Our angled blades allow better view and control in intricate surgeries. What tools are we?
Answer: Štěpán surgical forceps
Inventions Riddles
Riddle 35
I am a machine developed by Czech company Škoda in 1924 to assist with difficult childbirths using suction. I reduced risks for both mothers and babies. What invention am I?
Answer: Škoda obstetric suction cup
Riddle 36
I am a unique Czech foot-propelled scooter with a single front wheel invented in the 1990s. My simple steering system makes me very maneuverable. What fun vehicle am I called?
Answer: Kolobežka scooter
Riddle 37
I am a non-lethal electric shock self-defense weapon invented in the Czech Republic in 2008. My design includes a control switch to temporarily disable attackers by causing muscle spasms without injury. What device am I?
Answer: ShockBlade
Industry Riddles
Riddle 38
I am a leading engineering group founded in Plzeň in 1895. Škoda Auto is my automobile division and one of my many companies in transport, engineering, power, electrical and defense industries . What large conglomerate am I?
Answer: Škoda Group
Riddle 39
I am a famous Bohemian hand-cut lead crystal glass producer from Northern Bohemia founded in 1775. My glassware is known globally for its high quality and craftsmanship. What company am I?
Answer: Moser Glassworks (Moser Glass)
Riddle 40
I am a gun manufacturing company based in the Czech city of Uherský Brod. I am one of the most prolific firearms manufacturers in the world, especially known for excellent craftsmanship. I began producing pistols in 1936. What company am I?
Answer: Česká Zbrojovka (Czech Small Arms)
Sports Riddles
Riddle 41
We are a Czech manufacturer of high quality handmade sports cars and racing vehicles located in Eastern Bohemia. Our S 7 roadster won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1968. What car company are we?
Answer: Aero Cars
Riddle 42
I am a famous male Czech tennis player who dominated the sport in the 1970s and 80s. I won 8 Grand Slam singles titles including 3 Wimbledon championships. Who am I?
Answer: Ivan Lendl
Riddle 43
I am a professional ice hockey team based in Prague. I am the oldest and most successful hockey club in the Czech Republic having won 12 national championships. What team am I?
Answer: HC Sparta Praha (Prague Spartans)
Economy Riddles
Riddle 44
I am the official currency of Czech Republic and one of the official currencies in the European Union. My name in Czech is koruna česká. What am I called in English?
Answer: Czech koruna or Czech crown
Riddle 45
I am a mobile developer and electronics company headquartered in Prague. I am focused on innovating the Internet of Things. Some of my products are PET detectors, BreathAnalyzers, and Air Guard air monitoring systems. What company am I?
Answer: Jablotron
Riddle 46
We are a precious metal mining company based in Jihlava that operated one of the most productive silver mines in the world during the 16th century at Jáchymov. This led to a period known as the Czech Silver Rush. What company name did we historically operate under?
Answer: Royal Mining Company (Královská mincovna)
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 46 riddles covering various aspects of the Czech Republic along with their answers. From medieval castles, golden beer, world famous authors and fairy tale writers to cutting edge innovations, Czechs have made remarkable contributions in both arts and sciences. Let me know in comments if you could correctly guess all the riddle answers about this small but culturally rich country in Central Europe. Looking forward to bring more mysterious riddles from around the world next time!
