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Czech Republic | Český Krumlov

Český Krumlov

Český Krumlov is a unique architectural jewel whose importance is underlined by its inclusion in the UNESCO list of the World Heritage sites in 1992.

Above the meanders of the Vltava River, a unique complex of municipal housing developed, mainly in the 16th century, along with an extensive castle and chateau complex, the second-largest in the country after the Prague Castle.

The historical seat of the Rosenberg family includes a variety of chateau buildings, the famous Hall of Masks, a unique Baroque theater, a chateau garden with a Rococo fountain and the summer residence Bellaria with a revolving auditorium, where seasonal theater performances take place.

The Cathedral of St. Vitus, a valuable architectural work of the Czech Gothic style, is a significant feature of the town.

Numerous cultural activities contribute to the lively atmosphere of the town, among them the International Music Festival, the Old Music Festival, exhibitions at the Egon Schiele Center, and the Five-Petalled Rose Festival (the rose was a symbol of the Rosenberg family).


History





According to legend, the name Krumlov is derived from the German „Krumme Aue„, which may be translated as „crooked meadow„. The name comes from the natural topography of the town, specifically from the tightly crooked meander of the Vltava river. The word „Český" simply means Czech, or Bohemian (actually one and the same), as opposed to Moravian or Silesian. In Latin documents it was called Crumlovia or Crumlovium. The town was first mentioned in documents from 1253, where Krumlov was called Chrumbonowe.

At that time the castle was the seat of the Lords of Krumlov, one of the branches of the powerful House of Vítkovec, which had a five-petalled rose in its coat-of-arms. The medieval town developed on both sides of the Vltava: the Latrán, grew up on the left bank in the area below the castle while the Inner Town. was founded on the right bank. It has a regular ground plan on account of the town square in the middle and the network of streets linked to it. The dominant feature of this part of town is the Church of St. Vitas.

 The Lords of Krumlov were succeeded by their relatives the Rožmberksin 1302. For three centuries Krumlov became the seat of the leading noble family in the country which led to its development in all spheres.

The extensive renaissance transformation of the town is mainly associated with the rule of Vilém of Rožmberk († 1592). It was at this time that amongst other buildings the Chateau Tower, which is the main dominant feature of the town, took on its present-day appearance. The baroque period is already connected with the House of Eggenberk, which received the demesne from Emperor Ferdinand II in 1622. In 1719 Krumlov was inherited by the House of Schwarzenberk. During the rule of this noble family the town and castle underwent a whole series of further building phases which have left us with numerous historic monuments. We find the most significant of them within the chateau complex (the Baroque Theatre, Masquerade Ballroom, Chateau Garden and so on).

The medieval and renaissance character of the town has remained until the present-day and forms a unique urban whole with valuable points of interest and an unrepeatable atmosphere. In 1992 the historic core was entered in the UNESCO list.


Culture


Museums

Museum of Torture in Český Krumlov

Opening time :
daily 9:00 - 20:00 hod.

Admission :
Adults : 80,- Kč
Children, students, pensioners : 40,- Kč
Family admission : 160,- Kč
School groups 30,- Kč, teachers free

In the Medieval cellars of the Town Hall, there is a authentic spaces the visitor is pulled into the cruel times of the Middle Ages, when corporal punishment experienced its most horrifying developments and the cruelest methods were used for guilty and innocent alike, resulting in a refined series of instruments of torture.

Regional Museum in Český Krumlov

One of the many attractions of Český Krumlov is its musieum on Horní Street. The museum, formerly the Jesuit Seminary from 1650 - 1652, is just  a few steps from the town square. Permanent exgibit is Historical Mapping of the area from Prehistory to the End of the 19th Century.

Puppet Museum - Fairy Tale House

The medieval interiors of the Fairy Tale House exhibit precious puppets from the National Museum in Prague, as well as a unique mechanical puppet theatre from Kačina Castle.

Throughout the year, various events designed for children and adults take place in the courtyard and ancient interiors of the Fairy Tale House.


Marionette Museum

 


The historical building of hte former church of St. Jošt houses an exhibition of old marionettes from the collection of the National  Marionette Theatre and replica of the  PCeský Krumlov Castle Baroque theatre.  The art shop offers a wide range of original puppets made by Czech artists.

Opening hours:

19 March - 31 October 2006               10:00 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The house of Photography 

Exhibition rooms of  photography and fine art

Alfons Mucha - lithography and original posters .




Egon Schiele Art Centrum



The Egon Schiele Art Centrum mainly presents classic 20th century art and parallel to this contemporary Czech and international art over an exhibition area of 4000 square metres. Apart from the permanent exhibition of Egon Schiele graphics and a documentary exhibition about his life it is possible to view a cartographic reconstruction of Schiele's Krumlov motifs.

Theatres


Revolving auditorium



It would probably be only a slight exaggeration to say that theatre, opera, and ballet performances in the revolving auditorium theatre are comparable only to those in antique amphitheatres. The  irreplaceable atmosphere of the open - air theatre, the romantic backgrund of the  frees of the castle gardens and the Rococo summer manor Bellarie could never be duplicated in a traditional theatre. The works of W. Shakespeare, W. A. Mozart, A. Dvořák, G. Bizet, A Dumas and others take on new dimension under the night sky.

Town Theater

Alongside concerts of varying genres and theatre productions of mostly Prague theatre companies, the Municipal Theatre has entered into long-term cooperation with a very interesting project. Weekly during the summer months, the company of the National Theatre in Prague presents a marionette production of the Mozart
 " opera of operas ", Don Giovanni. The premier of this opera was personally directed and cenducted by Mozart in the Prague Estates Theatre in 1787. The opera is presented in its original Italian libretto with large - scale puppets in the spirit of the original 18th century production.


Must see

Castle of Česky Krumlov


The dominating feature of the town is the State Castle and Chateau. The complex is made up of more than forty historical buildings, a tower from hte year 1257, which was rebuilt in the 16th century to take on its current apperance, the castle garden with a cascading Baroque fountain, the Ballarie Summerhouse, which is the oldest summerhouse in Central Eurpe, and the castle 's Baroque theatre with the complete, preserved original equipment including  changes of scenery.

The Clad Bridge

  A multi-tiered bridge connecting the Upper Castle with the castle garden.

A view of the castle from across the river from a place called Na Ostrově ( on the island) you will be afforded a unique view of the castle.

The Square

There you can find the Renaissance town hall, which was formed by joining two buildings in the year 1580; the joint attic of these two structures is a distinct architectural feature. The Marian Plague Column with a fountain is also located in the square.

St. Vitus Church


A gothic church with a tracery vault, built by the Rožmberks in the 15th century. Beautiful  tracery and cross vauls, and noteworthy supporting  stone columns. Among other things one can admire, the interiors feature a matutial Baroque main altar, a small Baroque and large neo-Gothic organ and the Baroque chapel of St. Jan Nepomucky.

Trip Tips


The Zlatá Koruna Monastery





In the year 1263 Přemysl Otakar  II called on the Cistercians from the Austrian Abbacy of Heligenkreuz to support his power. The monastery lost its function in the year 1785, when Emperor Josef II revoked it. Currently, it is possbile to view the monastery via  guided tour. Of course you can not miss the cruciform corridor and the Chapel of the Guardian Angel.The monastery is situated approx. 4 km from Cesky Krumlov and that 's why we can recommend it as a nice trip.

The Vyšší Brod monastery




The town and the monastery Vyšší Brod are both situated on the upper right bank of the Vltava river in the foothills of the Bohemian Forest, in a romantic landscape amidst thick forests.

Cistercian Abbey in Vyšší Brod  was founded on June 1st,1259 by the nobleman Vok of Rosenberg. The legend holds that the nobleman founded the monastery aut of gratitude for his miraculous rescue out of the stormy Vltava river as he had turned to the Blessed Virgin Mary for help while drowning. The Rosenberg dynasty died out in 1611 but Cistercians have been praying for the repose of their souls until the present time.

Wisiting a Cistercian monastery only makes sense if combined with understanding the monastery 's spirituals basic. The architecture and art can be  understood if the visitor is acquainted with the spirituality expressed in them. It was just this climate that gave birth not only to this and other monasteries, but to all of European culture.



Rožmberk Castle





Cradle of the Rožmberk dynasty, this fairytale castle set above the Vltava River offers tours of castle chambers, and a chance to meet the White Lady - maybe even in the corridors of the castle...
In July and August you have the opportunity to book an exciting tour led by The White Lady and other figures from the life of the castle.

1.4.2006 - 30.4.2006 (Sat, Sun) 09:00-16:00
1.5.2006 - 31.5.2006 (Tue-Sun) 09:00-16:00
1.6.2006 - 31.8.2006 (Tue-Sun) 09:00-17:00
1.9.2006 - 30.9.2006 (Tue-Sun) 09:00-16:00
1.10.2006 - 31.10.2006 (Sat, Sun) 09:00-16:00

Where to eat

Český Krumlov is full of  small, romantic, traditional and also luxury  restaurants but in case you visite Český Krumlov for the first time you never know which one is a really good and where to have a nice evening.

This is the reason why we would like to give you some recommendation and tipes :)

Incexpencive but good quality


Traveller 's Hostel
Soukenická 43
(Snail: Panská 19)
Český Krumlov

Uniform menu for at least 12 people for 99 CZK (soup, main dish, dessert), lunch with dinner 179 CZK (2 soups, 2 main dishes, dessert, salad). Over 30 people 79/149 CZK, children up to 12 years of age 70% of the price.

Hot Breakfast ( till 12:00), soups, French baguettes or Ciabatta, Pasta, Meat, Salads .... Black , BBQ from    19:00 – 00:30


Tavern U dwau Maryí
Parkán 104
381 01 Český Krumlov

During the summer, you can spend a pleasant time on the terrace on the Vltava river below with a beautiful view of the castle tower, and look over herbal garden with a traditional representation of all types of spices of the local household, the same being used directly in the preparation of the food they serve. The menu follows old time Bohemian style of medieval taverns.

Laibon - Vegetarian restaurant
Parkán 105
381 01 Český Krumlov



They can offer you a great variety of vegetarian specialities mainly inspired with Oriental and Czech cuisine.

Middle Class

Papa's living restaurant
(Child friendly)

Latrán 13
381 01 Český Krumlov





Renowned Krumlov restaurant with a beautiful terrace situated above the river Vltava and with a view of old parts of the town. In the pleasant interior you can find excellent cuisine combining South European dishes  with South American specialities.

Opening hours: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. 7 days a week