ČESKÝ KRUMLOV

This picturesque medieval town with its ancient lanes and breathtaking views attracts yearly more than one million tourists from the whole world. The town is surrounded by several meanders of the Vltava River. As a matter of fact the crooked stream of the river gave the town its name – Krumlov, in German Krumau (krumme Aue = crooked meadow). On a high rock above the town and the river there proudly rises the Krumlov castle and chateau, which is the second largest castle complex in the country.

The castle and the town were founded as early as in the 13th century by the Lords of Krumlov, members of a mighty Czech family The Vitkovci. The period of the biggest prosperity of the town is connected with the three hundred years of reign of the Rosenbergs (another branch of the Vitkovci family). With their wealth and power they could always compete with the Czech kings at whose court they very often held the highest positions in the kingdom. At the beginning of the 17th century Český Krumlov was even owned by the kings and emperors, the Habsburgs, who later gave the dominion to the Eggenbergs, for faithful services. Today the local brewery still carries their name – Eggenberg. Another important family (and the last one) that owned the town were the Schwarzenbergs, who just like the Rosenbergs before positively influenced the affairs not only in the town, but in the whole Southbohemian region and even in the whole country.

Until today the town has kept its medieval character and in the historical centre you will find almost no modern structures and the styles of the seven hundred years of existence of the town are smoothly combined here. Every visitor will be undoubtedly charmed by the town´s historical spirit and the magic of the past. Yet Krumlov is still a living town, with numbers of cultural events and possibilities, not just a historical relic. Český krumlov rightfully deserves taking pride in being written on the high-prestige list of UNESCO sites and no one should miss the visit of this beautiful place.