Trest was founded at the beginning of the 13th century. One of the dominant features of this small town is the castle, originally a medieval fortress and then rebuilt as a four-wing chateau with arcades, courtyards and towers at each corner. Believe it or not the chateau was our hotel for two nights and cost us just over 100$US for the whole stay.

Front entrance to the Chateau:We were so impressed by the Chateau that Stephany just had to run ahead to get to the front door first.

Taken early morning as we set out to stroll through the grounds : It was a quiet early morning when this photograph was taken. Behind us was a lovely driveway of oak trees.

A lovely avenue of oak trees : The avenue led from the chateau to the rear exit of the chateau grounds

In the park: When walking through the park you just had to be a little careful about the insects

The birthplace of Josef Schumpeter: The Czechs are beginning to wake up to the fact that Josef Alois Schumpeter, one of the 20th century's great economists rivaled perhaps only by Keynes, was born in the Czech Republic of Czech parents. Schumpeter spent his early years here in Trest before moving on to Vienna and becoming eventually Austria's Minister of Finance immediately after the First World War. After a distinguished career in Austria and Germany he moved to the USA and became a professor at Harvard University in 1933, dying there in 1950.

The inscription on Josef Schumpeter's house:

Synagogue: Rebuilt in 1827 after a disastrous fire the building is no longer used as a synagogue as all the Jewish community were wiped out in the war. It now houses an interesting display of the life of Franz Kafka.

Dr Siegfried Lowy's house: Dr Lowy was one of Franz Kafka's uncles. Franz used to visit him regularly between 1900 and 1907 and based his Country Doctor short story on his uncle's experiences

Franz Kafka bust: Displayed on his uncles's house