Journey to the Czech Republic: Cesky Krumlov

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

The city of Cesky Krumlov is located in the very south of the country. It is a small town, but its location, turbulent history and numerous attractions make it a famous tourist destination. In 1992, the historical center and the castle lying on the opposite bank were included in the UNESCO list of international heritage as a single baroque ensemble. Why is this town with a population of only thirteen thousand people so interesting? Let's find out.

Road to town

Czech Krumlov and Hluboka nad Vltavou Castle lie on the same line from Prague to the south, to the Austrian border. Therefore, both castles can be viewed in one go. Having reached the city of České Budějovice, you need to turn onto the E49 highway in order to find this snow-white castle, the former Frauenberg, among the fish farms. Both of them are peers. They were built in the middle of the 13th century. And both were repeatedly rebuilt until they turned from defensive structures into beautiful palaces with gardens.

Deep above the Vltava you need to visit again and then to feel the difference in the Austrian and true Bohemian style of building castles. But if this palace can be seen in an hour or two, then Krumlov is worthy to spend inhim for at least a couple of days. After all, in addition to the castle, the city has a lot of interesting places. Whenever you come to this tourist center, you will definitely get to some festival, concert or exhibition. The city itself will captivate you with its exquisite romantic atmosphere, and its picturesque nature will leave you with the best memories.

Cessky Krumlov: how to get there

Easier to get to the city by bus. Most of the way this public transport does on the main highway. Therefore, its speed is not much inferior to the railway express. In the case of Cesky Krumlov, it is best to use the bus service. First, you don't need to make any transfers. And secondly, the bus station is located near the city center. But the railway station is located half an hour walk from it. You will have to use a taxi (it will cost about 5 Є).

Direct flights depart from the capital's bus stations Florenc (near the metro station of the same name) and Na Knizec (near the Andel subway stop). The last point of departure is preferable. From "Na Knizhetse" buses leave in the right direction every two hours. Unfortunately, there is no direct train "Prague - Cesky Krumlov". We'll have to change in Budějovice. But this will not be any problem, since the local train is waiting for a train from the capital. In addition, if you want to explore Gluboka nad Vltava along the road, then this is a good option for a trip.

Unique location

Getting into this hilly foothills, the Vltava River begins to wind its way through the rock. And now, on two “almost islands”, formed by the meanders of the water stream, Cesky Krumlov rises. Photos taken by aerial photography very clearly demonstrate how the Vltava winds around the city like snake rings. This location evokes memories of the Ukrainian village of Kamyanets-Podilskyi, but the shores there are high and rocky.

But in Krumlov, such proximity to the river is fraught with floods. The last of these occurred in June last year, when the streets of the city could only be traveled by boat. And the biggest flood of this century happened in 2002. On the left bank of the river is the district of Latran. Previously, it was a separate settlement (like Buda and Pest in the capital of Hungary), but with the construction of a bridge in 1347, it merged with Krumlov.

Foundation of the city

Initially it was a little different. In 1240 Krumlov Castle was built. His calling was to guard the trade route from Bohemia to the south. The lords of the castle, the feudal family of Vitković from Krumlov, took tribute from merchants for passing through their lands. Then, from 1253, on the left bank of the Vltava, a settlement was formed - Latran. It began to overgrow with houses and the foot of the castle. This is how the city of Cesky Krumlov was formed.

From 1302 it passes to the kindred Vitkovic family from Rožmberk. These gentlemen had money and were very enterprising. The first flourishing of the city is connected with their reign. They opened silver mines in the nearby mountains. Later Vitkovicithrough dynastic marriages, they became relatives of the Italian family of Orsini (many popes came out of it). To honor noble cousins, the lords of Krumlov began to breed bears. After all, "Orsini" is translated from Italian and means the brown owner of the forest. It has become a tradition. You can still see two clubfoot bears in the aviary in the castle. Unfortunately, little has survived from the impregnable stronghold of the Middle Ages. Unless the cellars and the Cylindrical tower give us an idea of the former might of the castle.

Royal City

The Vitkovichs from Rožmberk, who later became known as the Rosenbergs, were not always lucky in financial matters. The last owner of the castle from this family named Wilelm, who lived at the end of the 16th century, started a global reconstruction of his estate. He invited architects from Italy, the then fashionable masters B altazar Maggi and Antonio Eriser, to give the Gothic castle a renaissance look. They got down to business and built a summer palace, laid out a park.

But the grandiose construction undermined William's solvency, and his brother Peter Vok was forced to sell the castle to Emperor Rudolf II in 1602. So Cesky Krumlov became a royal city. Rudolph II was not very interested in this remote place from Vienna. He did not really rebuild the city, but settled his illegitimate son, Julius Caesar of Austria, suffering from schizophrenia, here.

A black page in Krumlov's history

The eldest son of the Emperor andItalian aristocrat Katerina Strada inherited from his father the disease of manic insanity. And the hostages of his seizures, alas, were the inhabitants of the city. Julius Caesar arrived in Cesky Krumlov in 1607. He liked the daughter of the local barber Market, and he took her to his castle. But in a fit of aggression, he beat her, cut her with a knife and threw her out of the window. The girl was lucky to survive, and she began to hide with relatives. Then the emperor's mad bastard imprisoned her father and announced that he would execute him if Marketa did not return to him.

Residents of the city persuaded the unfortunate girl to sacrifice herself and come to the maniac. During another burst of madness, the "major" killed Marketa and dismembered her body. Some time later, the prince died - as they say, from a fever. His ashes were buried under an unmarked slab in the cemetery of the Franciscan monastery to prevent angry residents from desecrating them.

Baroque pearl

After the castle was owned by Emperor Ferdinand II, the Austrian family of the Eggenbergs, until finally it passed to the Schwarzenbergs. Representatives of this last kind are firmly established in the city. They owned the castle until 1945. Since the city was very destroyed during the Thirty Years' War, the Schwarzenbergs started a big restructuring. Then the baroque fashion dominated. Therefore, both the city and the castle of Cesky Krumlov are a single ensemble, made in the same style.

Schwarzenbergs set up a park with fountains. They completely rebuilt the castle into a palace. It is to them that the city owes one of the most uniquebuildings - theater. It was erected in 1766. "Cunning" mechanisms set in motion the auditorium, which turned around inside the ring stage. Unfortunately, real performances in this temple of art are given only three times a year, but you can see the theater itself by purchasing a ticket for an excursion.

Ceský Krumlov attractions

This city is famous for more than one castle. Although the local citadel is the second largest in the Czech Republic, most tourists come here just to stroll through the narrow labyrinths of medieval streets, visit numerous museums, take pictures against the backdrop of the town hall, try beer in the museum of this foamy drink, ride a canoe through dashing bends of the Vltava. The nineteenth century only removed the fortress walls and gates of the city, leaving its baroque appearance intact. The bridge, named Plaschev, has also been preserved. This three-story structure was built in 1767. It connects the residential part of the castle, the theater and the garden. Of the churches, we recommend you visit the Minorite Monastery (where, as we remember, the ashes of Julius Caesar of Austria lie under an unknown slab), the Gothic St. Vitus Church with frescoes of the 15th century, and the Church of the Body of God.

Museums

In addition to the torture museum, which is located in the castle, we highly recommend visiting the wax room installations. There is also an art gallery in the city. Fans of Art Nouveau will enjoy the exposition of the Museum of Modern Art. The city attracts artists and artists. Street performances, concerts, exhibitions are often arranged here. Not less thanAn interesting attraction is the town hall building itself. It was built in 1580.

Tourist infrastructure

Because the city is always full of visitors, Český Krumlov has no shortage of hotels and hostels. Camping is also open in summer. Although the historical center and the castle can be explored in one day, we strongly recommend that you stay in Krumlov for a few days. If only to see the castle and the city in beautiful lights.

As for nutrition, be sure: you will definitely not die of hunger, but will eat to your heart's content. Not for nothing, after all, Hasek made his character the miller-glutton Baloun a native of Cesky Krumlov. They love to eat here - hearty, tasty and leisurely. If you stay in the city for a few days, you can organize a short trip around South Bohemia. Then you will see all the places of worship: the castles of Cesky Krumlov, Gluboka nad Vltava and Loket, the ancient monasteries of the Golden Crown and Vyshy Brod.