30 Color Photos Capture Street Scenes of Czechoslovakia in 1970

Czechoslovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe, created in October 1918, when it declared its independence from Austria-Hungary.

Czechoslovakia in July 1970

From the Communist coup d'état in February 1948 to the Velvet Revolution in 1989, Czechoslovakia was ruled by the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. The country belonged to the Eastern Bloc and was a member of the Warsaw Pact and of Comecon. During the era of Communist Party rule, thousands of Czechoslovaks faced political persecution for various offences, such as trying to emigrate across the Iron Curtain.

In January 1993, Czechoslovakia split into the two sovereign states of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

These vintage color photos were taken by Philippe Guillot that show street scenes of Czechoslovakia in July 1970.

Bouzov Castle (14th century)

Cheb. The town hall

Czechoslovakians

Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad). Family outing for Soviet officers

Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad). Fashion model posing in front of a hot spring

Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad). Waiting line

Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad)

Karlovy Vary street scenes

Karlstejn Castle

Kroměříž. The central square

Olomouc. Soviet military vehicle

Olomouc. The Holy Trinity Column

Olomouc. The spire of the town hall

Olomouc. The town hall astronomical clock, work of Karel Svolinský

Prague Castle (Hradčany) seen from Petřín Hill

Prague Castle above the Vltava

Prague Castle overlooking the old town (Stare Město)

Prague. At the entrance to the main courtyard of Prague Castle

Prague. General view from Petřín Hill

Prague. On the Čech Bridge

Prague. Soviet soldiers on a spree in Golden Lane

Prague. St. Nicholas Church, Lesser Town

Prague. St. Nicholas Church, Lesser Town

Prague. The Church of Our Lady before Týn

Prague. The Golden Lane

Prague. The Jewish cemetery (Starý židovský hřbitov)

Prague. The Mánes bridge, over the Vltava

Prague. The Old Town Hall clock

Prague. The Powder Tower (Prašná brána)

Prague. Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí)

(Photo © Philippe Guillot)