Ceský Krumlov

Ceský Krumlov ("Bohemian Krumlov") is a small city in the Czech Republic, best known for the fine architecture and art of the historic old town and Krumlov Castle.

Year Decision Comments
1992 Inscribed Reasons for inscription

Reviews

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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):
The Czech Republic holds fantastic memories for me, it is a really interesting and culturally beautiful country, and Cesky Krumlov is one of the true highlights. The centre is a maze of alleys and street moving up hill and down to the river banks. It is perhaps a cliché to say it is like a fairy tale to walk around but so far this is the closest I may have come to one. There are a fair few tourists going around in groups during the day, but it is manageable, the best thing to do is just sit in a pub enjoy the best larger in Europe and let all of life’s worries drift past you.
The canoeing on the Vtava is a fantastic way to spend a half day and it gives some impressive views of the castle as you travel around past it. Ah yes and the Pension at the Hostel Merlin has to go down as one of the best budget options in Europe truly fantastic. Cesky Krumlov is a real gem and a highlight of Europe, well worthy 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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