Okoli Prahy v obrazech [Around Prague in Pictures]

Persuasive ‘tourist’ map of Prague from Communist Czech Republic.

This charming pictorial map of Prague and the surrounding area was drawn by Jiri Cizek and published locally by the City Station of Young Tourists in 1959. The image presents a lighthearted overview of dozens of historic sites, villages, and notable attractions across a large part of central Bohemia. Accompanying illustrations highlight important architecture, recreational opportunities, and local industries.

Text on the right side offers a distinctly one-sided geo-political history of the Czech capital, with the introduction translating approximately to “Prague and its surroundings are interwoven with the revolutionary traditions of our people, who fought here against their oppressors for ages until the final victory in 1948.”

The map was issued to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Czechoslovak Youth Association (CSM). The CSM was one of several Soviet-style youth organizations established after the Communist takeover to ‘educate’ the next generation of obedient party members. The text continues to encourage the tourism youths to understand the various places ‘to be able to compare the life of the people at that time with the present, when the liberated people are building their socialist state.’

Source.