Czechoslovakia - A Country of Tourist Attractions

This 1965 pictorial map of Czechoslovakia, designed by Jaroslav Vildt and published by Čedok, is both a visually engaging representation of the country and a historical artifact that reflects the era's political and cultural landscape. The map showcases a highly stylized depiction of Czechoslovakia’s tourist attractions, featuring an abundance of castles, spas, historic cities, and natural landmarks, all rendered in vibrant colors and detailed illustrations. Its trilingual title—French, English, and German—immediately signals its purpose as a promotional tool aimed at attracting Western tourists, a key component of the country's economic and diplomatic strategy during the Cold War.

Čedok, the national travel agency of Czechoslovakia, played a crucial role in shaping the country’s tourism industry. Founded in 1920, it became the official travel bureau of the socialist state, responsible for organizing both domestic and international travel. During the communist era, Czechoslovakia sought to maintain a controlled yet appealing image for foreign visitors, particularly from the West. Čedok's travel literature and maps, including this one, served as a form of soft diplomacy—an effort to attract hard currency while simultaneously presenting Czechoslovakia as a stable and culturally rich destination.

The 1960s were a period of relative openness in Czechoslovakia compared to the harsher Stalinist years of the early Cold War. Under the leadership of Antonín Novotný, and leading up to the Prague Spring reforms of 1968, the government sought to expand tourism as part of its economic strategy. Western tourists were allowed to visit, though their access was carefully managed. The country’s historic cities, particularly Prague, Karlovy Vary, and Bratislava, were promoted as must-see destinations, while spa towns such as Mariánské Lázně and natural attractions in the Tatra Mountains were highlighted for their recreational appeal. However, while these efforts aimed to attract Western visitors, interactions between them and local citizens were often monitored by state authorities, reflecting the broader tensions of the era.

The artistic style of the map itself is reflective of mid-20th-century European travel illustration, reminiscent of the lively, colorful designs used in postwar tourism promotion across the continent. The combination of hand-drawn architecture, scenic landscapes, and transportation routes creates a romanticised vision of the country, one that aligns with Čedok’s mission of enticing travellers despite the underlying realities of life behind the Iron Curtain.

Ultimately, this map represents the complex interplay between state-controlled tourism, Cold War geopolitics, and the enduring appeal of Czechoslovakia’s landscapes and heritage.