Ceský Krumlov

Ceský Krumlov
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The Historic Centre of Ceský Krumlov is best known for the fine architecture and art of the old town and Krumlov Castle. Construction of the town and castle began in the late 13th century at a ford in the Vltava River, which was important in trade routes in Bohemia. The town became the seat of the Duchy of Krumlov.

Between 1938 and 1945 it was annexed by Nazi Germany as part of the so-called Sudetenland. The town's German-speaking population was expelled after liberation by the American Army during World War II and it was restored to Czechoslovakia.

Year Decision Comments
1992 Inscribed Reasons for inscription

Reviews

John Burton (New Zealand):
I visited Cesky Krumlov recently as a member of a 16 strong walking party from New Zealand which spent three weeks in Central Europe. I think that all of us were agreed that our three days in this magical place were the best three days of our trip. We stayed in the Old Inn in Svornosti Square and the scene was set by the staff who wore national costume. Just walking the streets was a joy but the highlight was our tour of the Castle and particularly the amazing Rococo theatre. The guided tour gave us a real insight into what it must have been like both to perform and to watch a performance in this incredible historical venue. It's hard to believe that this wonderful town was so neglected at the end of the communist era and has been restored to its former glory in such a short time. I'd certainly recommend any visitor should stay at least as long as we did. I only wish we had been able to stay longer!
Date posted: October 2009
Adrian Lakomy (Slovakia):
Absolutely marvelous and magnificent. Just be sure you are there early in the morning or you will "fight" with other tourists. Don't miss the main attractions and Gardens and local Eggenberg brewery!
Great thing is to rent a raft above the town and raft through the town to Zlata Koruna.
 
David Berlanda (Italy / Czech Republic):
I have been once in Ceský Krumlov and it was, apart from Prague, the Czech town I most liked. It was constructed in the 13th century on a double meander of the river Vltava and was controlled by the family Rosenberg from 1302 to 1611. After the czech defeat (1620) at the White Mountain it passed to the family Eggenberg and then Schwarzenberg, that left it when the sovietic army came in 1945. The monument that dominates the town is, on a hill, the huge castle, in Gothic, High Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles, but projected especially by Baldassarre Maggi, with a high decorated round tower and two stunning courts with frescos. Very nice for its frescos by Josef Lederer is the room of the Masks, the Rococo chapel and the Rococo theatre that contains the original scene machines. Beautiful especially if you see it from the bottom is the bridge, with four storeys of arcades, that goes over a small valley and brings to the terraced gardens. There you can find the summer palace Bellaire, the winter riding school and the stables, projected by Andrea Altomonte. Under the castle there is the quarter Latrán, constructed around a street that begins at the Renaissance gate of Budějovice, projected by Domenico Benedetto Cometa, and finishes at the bridge that brings in the centre. On this road you can find a lot of beautiful decorated buildings: the most important are the church of St. Justus, with a nice tower, the Renaissance arsenal (projected by Cometa), the town hall of the quarter with graffiti, a convent with the church of Corpus Christi, a Gothic cloister, a vast court, sculptures and a bulwark, remain of the town walls. Incredibly pretty are, on the opposite bank of the river, where is the centre, the decorated fronts of the Renaissance houses, that contain wooden ceilings, and the streets, with a regular layout, that bring to the main Square of the Concord. There are the Virgin column, made by Mätthaus Wenzel Jäckel, and the Renaissance town hall (crated by combining several houses), decorated with columns and coats of arms. Very nice is the small island on the Vltava and the nearby brewery, on the Wide Street, and the school. On the Upper Street there is the Gothic main church of St. Vitus, with nice vaults, frescos and altars, the chantry, the prelacy, with Rococo stairs on the court, the jesuitic college, projected by Baldassarre Maggi, and seminary.
This town is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, because of the quality of its architecture and of the decorations. It's absolutely worth to be vistited (if you go there you must leave the car out of the centre, closed to the traffic). It justifies the inscription and it's the second nicest town in Czech Republic with the second biggest castle (that you can visit only with a guided tour).
Photo: Ceský Krumlov - View from the jesuitic college to the castle, the centre and the quarter of Latrán with the church of St. Justus
Date posted: February 2006
Klaus Freisinger (Austria):
Cesky Krumlov, or Krumau in German, is a gem of a village, but not really a secret anymore. Lots of people have discovered it, and it would be advisable to visit outside of high season. The essence of the town is medieval, but there are Renaissance and Baroque monuments as well, and the Vltava River meandering through town gives it an even nicer atmosphere. Because it used to be way off the beaten track, it usually escaped marauding armies and was thus able to preserve its historic townscape. It is probably too far from either Prague or Vienna for a daytrip (but certainly doable if you want to), but there's enough to see there for two or three days anyway.
 
Geovanni Millan (Mexico):
Cesky Krumlov is a magical place. So small, so beautiful. Almost impossible to believe that it was damaged by floods a few years ago. Not to be missed: The castle, the main square, just roam around the streets. Cesky Krumolov is so small that can be visited for only one day, but is so beautiful that you might stay there for months.
 
Ian Cade (England):
I have spent a lot of time in the Czech Republic and travelled pretty extensively around it, and I don’t think I saw anywhere as beautiful as Cesky Krumlov.
The centre is a maze of alleys and streets moving up hill and down to the river banks. It is perhaps a cliché but the town is like the setting for a fairy tale.
There are quite a few tourists going around in groups during the day, but it is manageable. I would recommend staying at least a night and relaxing with a few glasses of beer whilst the day trippers rush by. Then head out for some exploring when it has quietened down a little, and then finding another pub.
We rented canoes and paddled through the centre and carried on a few hours down stream. This was a great way to view the centre of the town, especially the brightly coloured castle.
Cesky Krumlov is a real gem and a highlight of central Europe. It is well worth of a trip down from Prague for a couple of days to recover from the crowds.
 
Rob Wilson (UK):
Cesky Krumlov is like something out of a fairy tale. You can almost imagine knights riding down the streets and princesses waiting to be rescued from the castle! I recently spent three days there and enjoyed every minute. It is the kind of place that everyone hopes to find in central Europe.
The whole place is in excellent condition and rates as one of the best WHSs that I have ever visited.
 
Jeremy Tollpuddle (England):
I am a huge lover of the Czech Republic and for sheer beauty Cesky Krumlov does not get beaten. It is in a stunning setting and the maze of cobbled streets adds so much charachter to the place. it reminded me of some places in portugal like a mix between Coimbra and Sintra. a few recomendations, for places to stay go to the Hotel Merlin just across the second bend in the river and try to get into there pension!! this place was fried gold it was like having your own private vila at dorm room prices!! also for a great day out go cannoeingg or rafting along the Vltava and try the beer you are in the Czech republic it is the best larger in the world, but for a little change try the local Eggenberg beer in dark form, it is really top notch!!
 
Lynn Lucas (USA):
We visited on a day trip from Prague and what a worthwhile trip it was! The countryside getting there is quite beautiful and once there, the town was very special. It is easy to imagine the town many centuries ago (minus the tourist shops) teeming with people. I have toured many castles, but must say that the guide, the detail they explained and the preservation of the interior rooms is simply spectacular. A very worthwhile trip.
 
CHENG-CHING LIN M.D.,M.S (TAIWAN):
Cesky Krumlov
A wonderful place to visit. The city hall beside the sguare is good but the internet service not easy for tourist,for it is not support the English.
Is the statue in center of square is a memorial for plague( a black death disease)?
I like to have a trip again if it is possible.
 


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