Cesky Krumlov-A Treasure to Behold and Experience

Walk around town...visit the Castle with its round tower...must take the tour inside to see the palace halls...see the Vaclavske Cellars and its ceramic art exhibition...hear the story of the castle being haunted by a white lady who appears occasionally to forecast doom and gloom...walk through the old town to experience the Gothic Town Hall...the Church of St. Vitus...and the Regional Museum located in the Old Jesuit seminary built in 1652.

All of the above is worth a visit but also spend time visiting the hundreds of shops, especially those underground, built from old cellars along the river...talk to the people of Cesky...see if you can get an invitation to a home for supper...as I did...check out the many antique shops.

Quick Tips:

There is so much to see and experience in this historic medieval town but don't be too disappointed with the number of "tourist shops" selling junk stuff...this town is not without its imperfections...it is part of our "let's get the tourist dollar anyway we can syndrome".

Best Way To Get Around:

I arrived by bus...the station is very close to the center of things. Walking is the only way to see and appreciate this town...paths and alleys are narrow...although there are maps you can purchase which are helpful, I would recommend that you just get lost and roam around to suit your fancy, being open to the possibilities of the moment.

This is a great place to stay...located next to the Vltava River, which flows through town (look for a street below Rooseveltova at the bottom of the hill on the right).

There are two four bed dorms and I paid $8 per night. As with most hostels, cooking facilities are available here but with food so inexpensive in the Czech Republic, I chose to eat at various restaurants. There is a small library and a pleasant garden in the back. The owners are friendly and very helpful and will take the time to share ideas on places to go and see.

The place was quiet and my fellow travelers were respectful of "quiet hours".

I would highly recommend this place for atmosphere alone along with the fact that I met some local people here who invited me to their home for supper one night.

This restaurant is located in an old wine cellar, which apparently at one time was also the local jail. The setting is really medieval and you can imagine...perhaps not...spending months or years in this jail/prison trapped in a dark, damp room without lighting.

The food was excellent...I had their home-made saugages along with delicious cheese and, of course, wine...all for less than $10.

On another day I had a ryby (fish) with some kind of a hot sauce (Czech cuisine is strong on sauces and gravies). With this meal I has bramborova polevka which was a potato soup.

The native friends I met took me to this restaurant which serves very good Czech food...this place has a quaintness that immediately creates good atmosphere but the real treat was the food.

I had a Drskova polevka soup, or tripe soup, which was delicious. Then some dumplings which were out of this world...these dumplings were filled with meat...I also had a fruit dumplings (ovocne knedliky) with whole fruit inside, crushed poppy seed and melted butter.

The Czech Republic is a beer drinker's paradise...beer will set you back under 50 cents for a large glass and the beer is great. Beware...the Czechs sereve their draught beer with a high head of foam which makes for a rather flat brew...so better to order bottled beer which is still cheap.

Another feature of this restaurant is that there is occasional entertainment...anyone, with courage and nerve...and confidence...can play the restaurant's piano.

This is the highlight of this ancient medieval town and by far the most popular place visited...unfortunately often with long lines.

The dominating feature of Cesky Krumlov is the ground of the Castle and Chateau. The so-called "little castle" with massive cylindrical towers is the oldest part of thesae buildings...going back to the 13th century founded by Vitek of Krumlov. According to history, Peter of Rosenberg had a bigger castle built on this land, so-called the Upper Castle, which was used as a seat of rulers. The biggest building activities took place during the successful reign of William of Rosenberg who changed the castle into an exquisite seat.

You can spend an hour looking at the exterior of the castle...my photo does not do justice to this work of art so I have also included a drawing with more detail.

At the top there is a clock with four russet bust of Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and twelve masks of zodiac.

The belfry contains four bells.

In the ground floor of the tower was a dungeon where many were imprisoned.

Inside, don't miss the massive ballroom and the Chapel of St. George...and do walk across the bridge that connects the castle and the castle theatre.

The remarkable Castle Garden was created at the end of the 17th century, taking five years to complete. The eastern part of the garden is being kept in French park style...here you can see rich geometrical figures made out of bushes and flowers. See Cascading Fountain which adds to the beauty of this place.

This unique house was built in 1580. The owner of this house was a regent of the Rosenbergs Jakub Krein of Jelcany who was a famous fish farmer.

There are very old mural paintings on the facade portraying the owner of the house, his wife, and small monkey. There are also patrons of the house - St. James and St. Florian, who was the patron against fire.

This church (see photo) was built in the 15th century. The construction was finally finished after the Husssite Wars. There is a nave and two aisles, reticulated vault and thin supporting pillars. Don't miss the great altar dating from 1683 and the organ from about 1500 in the Late Gothic church gallery.

At the north side of the church is a Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk with the gravestones of William of Rosenberg and his third wife Anna Marie.