Sightseeing in Cesky Krumlov - what to see. Complete travel guide

The South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic offers tourists to visit one of its most picturesque destinations, the city of Cesky Krumlov. This gorgeous city is situated on the bank of the Vltava River. This settlement is an ideal destination for everyone who likes active recreation and wants to participate in popular Czech festivals. Cesky Krumlov is also perfectly suitable for couples because the atmosphere of love and romance lingers in the air here. During its long history, the city got many legends and interesting tales. The longer you stay here, the easier it is to believe that you might stumble upon a gnome who is bringing a gold bar to his home during a night walk on the streets of Cesky Krumlov.

First mentions of Cesky Krumlov in historic documents date back to 1253. Of course, the first settlers in the area appeared much earlier. Archaeological findings prove that Celts lived here in the 4th century BC. Moreover, there are fragments of items from the Stone and Bronze Ages. Vítek z Prčice, a local nobleman, is considered the founder of the city. The Vitkovci family lost their power at the beginning of the 14th century, and the Rosenberg family soon replaced them. This period was the most rewarding for the region because various industries and business relations with other cities and countries started developing in Cesky Krumlov. Rich people started building their homes here, and large events such as trade fairs took place in the city twice a year.

Peter I of Rosenberg was one of the most famous and popular rulers of Cesky Krumlov. He did a lot for the prosperity of the city and got permission for the Jews to settle here. A full reorganization of the city administration took place in the 20s of the 15th century. After the reform, the purkmistr became the head of Cesky Krumlov. The city also got a parliament and court. Silver mining in the region started at the end of the century. A completely new period started for Cesky Krumlov after the end of World War I because all Germans were departed from the city. The region continued its rapid development in the 20th century. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

What is Cesky Krumlov famous for? Without a doubt, marvelous castles remain one of the biggest attractions of the settlement. One of these castles belonged to the Rosenberg family. Cesky Krumlov Castle was built in the 13th century. This is the second largest castle in the Czech Republic with only the Hradcany castle complex in Prague being ahead. During its long history, Cesky Krumlov Castle won a reputation of a majestic and impenetrable building. Even a large fire inside the castle couldn’t severely damage it. Several restorations didn’t change the look of the building much.

The only thing that changed in the castle over time was its style. Initially, the castle had elements typical for the Italian Renaissance. Later, it became a gorgeous example of the romantic Gothic architecture. Without a doubt, there are many legends and stories about Cesky Krumlov Castle, just like about the majority of old castles. According to one of these stories, there is a ghost of a White Lady that lives in it. The ghost appears rarely, and when she does, this is a sign of big luck or big trouble such as a fire. In order to find out what the future brings, it is important to take a look at the gloves that the lady is wearing. They can be white or red.

Do you want to make a journey to the past? Consider visiting a museum that opened in Cesky Krumlov in 2001. It exhibits wax figures of local people in traditional clothes of the past and doing traditional tasks. The total area of the museum is sixty hundred square meters. There are many interesting installations inside, such as a medieval alchemist’s laboratory, an old tavern, and a traditional workshop of past centuries. Besides that, there are figures of kings and different residents of Cesky Krumlov.

It is very interesting to walk in old dusty corridors because every installation has its own sound effects. In a laboratory, you will hear typical gurgling, as if the alchemist is making his new potion. In the tavern, you will hear the sound of tableware and utensils, as well as visitors’ talks. While taking a walk in the halls of the museum, you will also see many figures of prominent people of not only the Czech Republic but also other parts of the world.

Continue your cultural program in the Museum of Torture that is open on the main square of the city. Here, visitors can see many different torture devices used to torment people accused of different crimes. The exhibition includes the famous “iron lady” with spikes inside, a “Spanish boot” that was turning a foot into a bloody mess, scary-looking pincers, giant hooks, and many other items. Installations with wax figures show how tortures happened in the past. The museum’s exhibition is really thrilling, so it will take time to forget it.

There are no flights to Cesky Krumlov because there is no airport in the city. There are even no direct trains to it from many Czech cities. If you want to reach Cesky Krumlov from Prague, you will need to make a change. You need to reach Ceske Budejovice first and then take a train to Krumlov. The journey time is four and a half hours.