boheemia

Bohemia, or Bohemia in Latin (Czech: Čechy), is the western and largest historical region of the Czech lands, occupying most of the territory of the modern Czech Republic west of Moravia. It centers on the Bohemian Massif and is bounded by the Bavarian-Saxon border to the west, Poland and the Sudetes to the north, and Moravia to the east. The Vltava River runs through Bohemia, and Prague, the capital, lies in its historic heart.

Historically, Bohemia was settled in prehistoric times and developed under Slavic rule. In the 9th century it became a Czech duchy, and in 1198 it was raised to the Kingdom of Bohemia within the Holy Roman Empire. The 14th century, especially under Charles IV, saw Prague become imperial capital and home to Charles University (1348). The Hussite Wars in the early 15th century were pivotal. From 1526 Bohemia was a crown land of the Habsburgs, later part of Austria-Hungary, followed by rapid industrialization in the 19th century. After World War I it formed the western portion of Czechoslovakia; it endured Nazi occupation and later became part of the Czech Republic.

Today Bohemia is not an administrative unit but a geographic and cultural region corresponding largely to western and central Czechia. Its identity is linked to Prague’s historic role, architectural heritage, and the Czech language and traditions associated with the Bohemian lands.