An impressive castle on the high bank of the Vltava River, narrow and winding streets with cute houses opposite, a medieval atmosphere and a touch of romance - all these are Krumlov. The Czech Republic, whose sights are already numerous, is proud of this city.
Still would! Indeed, since 1992, its central part and the main dominant, the castle, are included in the honorary List of UNESCO. This architectural complex represents the world heritage of mankind. In Krumlov, the tourist season lasts all year round. The Czech authorities also take care of this. Festivals, exhibitions, performances, concerts, street installations are constantly held here. The wonderful nature and developed tourist infrastructure make the city the second place after Prague to visit.
Krumlov's uniqueness
The castle and the labyrinth of streets near it are not the oldest in the Czech Republic. The city recently turned seven hundred years old, but it is not antiquity that makes it unique, but the unspoiled nature of this place. Krumlov (Czech Republic) is architecturally similar to midges in amber: centuries have passed, but nothing in the appearance of the city has changed. A century of prosperity of this place was in the Baroque era. When in the 19th century, fashion came to wide avenues that transformed Paris and other big cities, Krumlov simply did not have the money to afford the luxury of demolishing and building something new. This is how he remained - as if completely and completely transferred to us by time machine from the 17th century. Krumlov is also unique in its location on the curved meander of the Vltava. The river, like a snake, encircles the city with a ring, and houses, like swallow’s nests, hang over the water.
History
The first mention of the city of Krumlov (Czech Republic) dates back to the middle of the XIII century. Then there were as many as two settlements, towering on the banks of the Vltava River one opposite the other. And a century later, in 1347, a bridge was built across the river, connecting Latran and Krumlov. The city was an important point on the Bohemian road. It was founded by the Vitkovici from Rožmberk, and they owned it for three hundred years. At the beginning of the XVII century, when the family died away, the Czech Krumlov passed into the hands of Emperor Rudolph II. Here he settled his crazy son Julius Caesar in order to distance him from the Vienna court. Therefore, schizophrenia and seizures of rage of the imperial bastard poured on the inhabitants of the city. So, Julius Caesar brutally killed and dismembered the body of his concubine, the daughter of the local barber Marketa Pikhlerova. After the death of the little tyrant, Krumau (the city had such a name then) passed to the family of the Eggenbergs and, 50 years later, the Schwarzenbergs. The latter owned the castle until 1945.
Krumlov (Czech Republic): theater
The first Schwarzenberg did not spare money to equip their city. The appearance of Krumlov bears the imprint of the Baroque era. The city was populated by immigrants from Bavaria, Austria, Northern Italy and Central Bohemia, and this circumstance also made adjustments to the architectural buildings. The castle and houses are an amazing and unique mixture of different Baroque trends. Krumlov, whose photo is the hallmark of South Bohemia, boasts a unique theater. It is equipped with special mechanisms that rotate the auditorium inside the ring stage. And although performances in the theater give only three times a year, you need to see this unique structure
.
Other attractions of Krumlov
In this town it's nice to just wander through the maze of medieval streets. Indeed, more than 300 houses are monuments of architecture. At the tourist information office you can take an audio guide - so a walk along Krumlov will be not only enjoyable, but also informative. You can taste the products of the local brewery, taste real Bohemian dishes and ride a raft along the rapids of the Vltava. As for museums, there are more than enough of them: puppets, photographs, torture, wax figures, modern art, an art gallery. Krumlov (Czech Republic) is located near the mine, where graphite is mined for KOH-I-NOOR. There are also guided tours. Among the religious buildings, it is worth visiting the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, the 15th-century church of the Body of God and the Franciscan monastery.
Krumlov Castle
This defensive structure cannot be ignored - it is the second largest palace complex in the Czech Republic. By the way, the mentioned theater is located within its walls. The castle was rebuilt several times. Often successive owners added something to his appearance in order to please the new fashion. Therefore, the harsh and simple militaristic technique of the Middle Ages (the first towers were erected in the 13th century), the Renaissance harmony and the pompous palace luxury of Baroque were reflected here. The tour will allow you to look into the cellars with a columbarium, climb the tower, see the Egenberg and Masquerade halls, walk through the park.
Krumlov: how to get from Prague
Most tourists prefer to come here for one day, since the city is relatively close to the capital - only one hundred and sixty kilometers. But choose a weekday for the trip, because on the weekend a lot of Czechs flock to the weekend in Krumlov (Czech Republic). A bus and train map shows that it is best to get there by road. The whole journey will take about three hours. If you travel by train, you will have to change trains in Ceske Budejovice, and the station is also very far from the historic center. But Krumlov deserves to spend several days in it. You can feel the magic of this city only in the evening, when the influx of tourists will decline, and the castle will be painted with backlight.