Tractor nostalgia - the Zetor 25

The other day a farmer in my neighborhood, who has an imposing collection of vintage tractors, demonstrated one of his treasures, the Zetor 25 - a tractor which once was quite popular also in the Nordic countries.

That such a quality tractor could be manufactured in the former communist Czechoslovakia clearly shows that the old industrial roots from Austro-Hungarian times have played - and still play - an important role in the region.

Here is brief history of the Zetor 25:

Zetor have been producing tractors since 1947, their first model being a two cylinder four stroke diesel powered "Model 25". Standard features included 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds, independent braking, and a differential lock, which was rarely seen on tractors at the time.

Between 1945 and 1961, Zetor made modifications to the Model 25, and also announced a more affordable tractor - the Model 15. The Model 15 had a 15hp 1 cylinder diesel engine. Zetor also sold a Model 25 A, a more modern, comfortable version of the 25, and a Model 25 K, which was targeted at crop farmers who worked on flat land and wanted more ground clearance.

Production of the 25 A and 25 K tractors ceased in 1961. 158,570 units were built of the model 25 

I was quite impressed by the present Zetor company´s modern productions facilities in Brno, when I visited the factory in connection with their 60th anniversary festivities in 2006.

PS

Here is another favourite tractor from times gone by, the classic Massey Ferguson - maybe tho most popular model during my childhood years:

The Prague Castle

(click on picture for larger image)

I had the privilege to live and work in Prague quite recently (altogether for about four years). When I am asked, what place in historic Prague is the most memorable, I answer without any hesitation: The Prague Castle. This mighty castle, high on the hill overlooking the Vltava (Moldau) river is the largest coherent castle complex in the world, with an area of over 70000 m², length of 570 meters and average width of 130 meters.

The history of the castle stretches back to the 9th century. It was mostly likely founded around the year 880  by Prince Bořivoj of the Premyslid Dynasty. Later Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors and Presidents of Czechoslovakia and, since 1993 the Czech Republic have had their offices in the castle.

When you plan a trip to Prague, remember to reserve enough time for the castle - there is so much to explore. And the view from the castle down to old Prague is breathtaking!

Here are a couple of sites with useful information:
Visit to Prague Castle
The Prague Castle home page
My Czech Republic

The architecture of Prague castle:

Czech beer - still going strong

“A fine beer may be judged with only one sip, but it's better to be thoroughly sure.”

Czech saying

Having lived in Prague for four years, I learned to appreciate Czech beer. Although the new international owners of some wellknown Czech breweries have done their best in order to give also Czech beers the international taste of euro-beers, they have fortunately not been 100% succesful. Pilsner Urquell still has got its own taste, and the same can be said about the Czech owned Bernard beer, which is one of my personal favourites. Also the Moravian Starobrno brewery makes excellent beers.

But the most interesting Czech beers are the ones brewed by the minibreweries, which have become quite popular in recent years:

 There is another positive outlook – the rising number of minibreweries where one can find not only the “Czech” lagers but many other honestly produced and professionally treated beers, such as ale, weissbier, bock, porter, stout and most amazing other experimental brands. Such a boom in the beer culture is bound to last.
Just a remark: there was only one single minibrewery that survived the era of communist mass production – that of the tourist-besieged U Fleku – which is also the oldest Czech brewery with a continuous commercial history since 1499. At present there are approximately 80 small breweries and family-operated microbreweries (if we deduct for subcontractors and educational beer facilities), which surpass in number the 48 industrially operated big breweries that have been on a downslide due to competition. Is it a comeback to the previous style of beer brewing when at the beginning of the 20th century there were in Bohemia and Moravia nearly 400 breweries?

Read the entire article on the Czech Beer Tours page.

(U medvídků)

My favourite minibrewery in Prague is U medvídků, where they brew Oldgott, an excellent bottomfermented half-dark lager. If you visit Prague, don´t miss to try out Oldgott!