The hilly natural setting around a meander of the Vltava, the highly picturesque character of the historic centre, the beauty of its Renaissance castle: Český Krumlov is without doubt one of the most beautiful towns in Czechia, with an exceptional historical heritage and included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 1992.
It is the second-largest castle complex in Czechia, built over several centuries on a rocky promontory above the meander of the Vltava. It is the dominant feature of the Český Krumlov skyline. A first castle was built in the 13th century by Count Vítek of Krumlov, a branch of the powerful Witigonen family, whose emblem representing a rose with five petals is visible everywhere in the city. Bequeathed to the Rosenberg family in 1302, the castle was enlarged in the 14th century and largely rebuilt in Renaissance style in the 16th century, the golden age of Český Krumlov. Briefly under Habsburg rule in the early 17th century, it passed successively to the Austrian Eggenberg and Schwarzenberg families, who refurbished the interiors in Baroque, Rococo and Empire styles. Inhabited on an episodic basis from the mid-19th century onwards, the castle was nationalised in 1947 like many other German properties in Czechia, and is now the property of the National Heritage Institute.
What to see in Český Krumlov?
The castle and château
Dating mostly from the 16th century, Český Krumlov Castle and Château is one of the most important castle complexes in Europe. Here you will discover its magnificent interiors, the Renaissance rooms with painted frescoes of the powerful lords of Rosenberg and the Baroque rooms with original furnishings of the Schwarzenberg family who succeeded them.
The baroque theatre
An exceptional example of a Baroque theatre preserved in its original state. Located in the fifth courtyard of the castle on the site of an older theatre dating from the 17th century, it was rebuilt by Joseph Adam of Schwarzenberg in 1765-66: the auditorium, orchestra pit, complex machinery, sets, lighting and costume collection are all original. Largely inspired by the Baroque stage designs of Giuseppe Galli-Bibiena, the theatre offers some interesting artistic and functional improvements on the Italian model.
The château gardens
Open access for a stroll after visiting the château: behind the formal gardens, there is a pretty rococo summer pavilion and a small pond.
The historic centre
The historic core of the town was formed around the castle and in the meander loop around the Gothic church of St Vitus and the central Svornosti Square (home to the Renaissance town hall and a Marian plague fountain).
The picturesque medieval streets are lined with colourful facades adorned with stucco or sgraffito from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, with a variety of pediments. Numerous cafés, brasseries, souvenir and craft shops now occupy the ground floors. The banks of the Vltava are also pleasant places to stroll.
