A UNESCO World Heritage Site with Renaissance and baroque architecture dating from the 1500s, an impressive fortress complex and one of the last two remaining baroque theatres in Europe: you will find all this and more in Český Krumlov. Photos: CM.
Brno / Czech Rep., Sep 12 (BD) – The leading destination of the Bohemian region, Český Krumlov, continues to be one of the most charming locations in the Czech Republic.
Let’s begin with the location. Český Krumlov is located in the Southwest of the Czech Republic, in the South Bohemian region. To get there from Brno takes about 4 and a half hours by car, and approximately 6-7 hours by bus. The trip is perfect if it’s done during the day because you get to see the Czech countryside, its fields, its rolling hills, and its picturesque villages.
One-way bus tickets from Brno cost between 400 and 700 Czech crowns, depending on the provider and the times of departure. For accommodation there are many hostels and little inns scattered all over the city to satisfy different tastes and budgets. But make sure to reserve a place to stay as early as possible, because you’ll keep seeing the sign “no rooms available” over and over as you walk through the city. Trust me, I have seen it myself.
The city may be small, but I recommend a full-weekend trip rather than a one-day-trip to enjoy all it has to offer. The city itself (including sightseeing, museums, cafes, etc.) combined with the outdoor recreational activities will keep you active and exploring (among others you can rent a canoe for 3 hours and have a thrilling adventure of going down the river). Likewise, rambling through the city is quite enjoyable: there are many little alleys and streets to discover and it’s a pleasure to try to walk them all. Also, every corner is a perfect photo moment.
Given the city’s quaint character and its popularity, you should expect a large presence of tourist’s groups from all over the world and be prepared to cope with the delays and overwhelming feelings it may bring, but if you can get past that, you ́ll find yourself ignoring everyone else and loving the place in no time.
There are 3 major points of interest during a visit to this city: The old town surrounded by the Vltava River with its streets and alleys and restaurants at the river shore, which offer not only tasty local food and a variety of ales but they also present spectacular views of the Castle; the fortress and the castle of the Rožmberk family, which is an astonishing complex that includes the royal gardens, horse stables, the mighty tower with its 162 steps (a perfect vantage point to contemplate the city!), and an impressive bridge that connects two large sections; and the central historical square where you can gasp at the ancient but still solid architecture of the still standing little homes and venues, some of which have been there since the 1600s, such as a medieval pharmacy that has successfully resisted three attempts from McDonalds to take its place.
Inside the castle there are little patios where you can eat and refresh yourself and two museums.I strongly recommend that you visit the permanent exhibition of bronze sculptures by the Czech artist Miroslav Paral, which offers a ride through the modern history of the country and the city, including some personal memories of the sculptor. The sculptures themselves will definitely make an impression on you.
Other attractions in the city include a puppet museum, which is great if you want to know more about this fine Czech tradition, and an old factory which is a semi-abandoned space that carries history and depicts the passage of time without any words. Watch out for the family of Brown European bears in the pit at the entrance of the castle! These impressive animals have been part of the identity of the city since one of the Rožmberks carved them in their coat of arms in the 16th century.
Český Krumlov has been declared a Czech gem by anyone who has visited it. Indeed, this Bohemian city gives the Czech people many reasons to be proud of their cultural and historical heritage. Overall, to experience this city is to live through a strong sensation of being lost in a time warp in the midst of a medieval town, an experience that many dream to have during their travels in Europe.
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