Cesky Krumlov

Sightseeing in town: Just strolling through the maze of small cobblestone lanes of Český Krumlov is a joy. Before beginning any formal sightseeing, wander at random through the town to get a feeling of its many treasures. Be sure to stop at the picturesque Svornosti Square, where you will find the tourist office. Here you can get a map and will find all the information on special events taking place, location of museums, and tours. You can book tours here and buy tickets for any concerts or special events. There is so much to see and do in the town that it will take a minimum of two days. Following are some suggestions on what to see and do. Old Town Tour: We highly recommend to first take this walking tour, which is an excellent introduction to the colorful history of Český Krumlov. As you stroll through the labyrinth of its cobbled medieval streets, your guide will tell romantic tales of yesteryear, take you to hidden nooks you might not find on your own, and point out the location of museums and other places you will later want to explore on your own. (April through October, English-speaking tour leaves 2:00 pm from the tourist office, duration 90 minutes.) Brewing History Tour: Český Krumlov has always been an important beer-producing town, and still has its own local brewery. This walking tour gives a hint of what life was like for both nobility and ordinary people in medieval times and why beer was so popular. (April through October, English-speaking tour leaves 12:30 pm from the tourist office, duration 60 minutes.) Night Tour: This walking tour explores the legends, ghosts, mysteries and love stories of Český Krumlov. It includes a visit to an ancient gothic house and admission to an exhibit of marionettes from the National Museum of Prague. (May through October, English-speaking tour begins 8:30 pm in front of the Fairy Tale House on Radiční Street, duration 90 minutes.) Eggenberg Brewery: For beer enthusiasts, a tour of the Eggenberg Brewery, which produces dark lagers plus a yeasty, unfiltered beer, is well worthwhile and, best of all, beer sampling is included. (Tours begin at the brewery at 11:00 am, duration 45 minutes.) Raft Tour: On the banks of the Vltava River, just below the town, you can board a wooden raft crafted in the ancient style for a boat tour. As the raft loops around the city it provides many beautiful views from a different perspective. To add to the fun, your guide will entertain you with tales of days of yore. (May through October, information and tickets available at the tourist office, duration 60 minutes.) Graphite Mine: The Český Krumlov Graphite Mine is located on the outskirts of town. This tour is especially fun for children (and adults who are still a child inside). You don special clothing (including shoes) and a helmet with miner’s lamp attached before descending to the bowels of the earth with your guide to learn about how the graphite has been mined here since the 18th century. (July & August: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; April, June, September & October: tours by arrangement; tel: (380) 711.199, website: www.grafitovydul.cz, email: grafitovydul@quick.cz. Marionette Museum: Housed in the former church of St. Jošt, the Marionette Museum features an exhibit of antique marionettes and a replica of the Baroque Theater in the Český Krumlov Castle. The Fairy Tale House: Here you will find an awesome exhibit with hundreds of precious puppets in all sizes and shapes from the National Museum in Prague. The display is very inclusive with all kinds of puppets from peasants to warriors. Also of interest is a fantastic mechanical puppet theater (it even has a miniature ferris wheel) brought here from the Cačina Castle. If you are lucky, there might be a puppet show in the courtyard. (May through October: 10 am to 10 pm.) Museum of Torture: Located on the square near the tourist office, the Museum of Torture is a must of you are traveling with little boys—they will relish the gruesome displays of medieval instruments of torture. It is all a bit contrived, but certainly interesting. (Open all year, 9 am to 8 pm.) Wax Museum: Located in one of Český Krumlov’s picturesque old houses, the wax museum depicts skillfully crafted wax figures that are cleverly displayed in various scenes appropriate to the featured personalities. Dimly lit staircases lead up and down through the house, adding to the drama. Not only figures from the Czech past are shown, but also other cultural personalities such as Louis Armstrong and Charlie Chaplin. (Open all year, 9 am to 8 pm.) St. Vitus church: The spire of beautiful St. Vitus church (which dates back to the 15th century) stretches into the sky, making it easy to spot from anywhere in town. There are no tours, but you can visit the church on your own. Krumlov Castle: If you see nothing else in Český Krumlov, you must visit the amazing Krumlov Castle (the second largest in the Czech Republic). There is no way you can miss it since the castle, which consists of an endless row of attached buildings, stretches across a lofty ridge overlooking the town from across the river. It is huge, stretching over a kilometer along the bluff. Dominating the scene is a dramatic bell tower that rises in a series of whimsically painted tiers, the final one being an ornate, open-air viewing arcade under a steeple topped by a jaunty flag. Buy your tickets as soon as possible upon arriving in Český Krumlov since Krumlov Castle is a highlight. Tickets are necessary since you cannot tour independently but need to take a guided tour. Also, the number of English-speaking tours is limited and space is sometimes sold out. (April, May, September, October: 9 am to 5 pm; June July & August: 9 am to 6 pm, closed on Mondays.) Krumlov castle is so vast that the tours are broken down into the following: Tour 1: This tour is a very good overview of the castle, visiting the Renaissance Chambers, the incredible Golden Carriage (which was only used once), and the Masquerade Hall. (Tour originates in the third courtyard, duration 60 minutes.) Tour 2: This tour includes a visit to the Schwarzenbergs’ 19th-century Chambers. (Tour originates in the third courtyard, duration 60 minutes.) Baroque Theater Tour: This fabulous tour is a favorite and sells out very quickly. The boundless wealth of the nobility who lived in Krumlov Castle in the 17th century is obvious when you see this opulent theater. The only comparable one in the world is the Baroque Theater at Drottningholm Castle, on an island just outside of Stockholm. (Tour originates in the fifth courtyard, duration 45 minutes.) Castle Tower & Castle Gardens: You can visit the Castle Tower (located in the second courtyard) and the beautiful Castle Gardens (located at the far end of the castle) on your own, without tickets or reservations. Excursions from Český Krumlov: In addition to the sights to see in the town, there are wonderful excursions into the countryside. Shown below, is a selection of highlights. Prague (190 km northeast of Český Krumlov): Although Prague is over a two-hour drive from Český Krumlov, it is such a stunning city that we would be amiss not to mention it as a possible excursion. It would be preferable to plan to stay at least a few days in Prague. However, a one-day visit will give you an overview of what this marvelous historic city has to offer. If you decide to go, get an early start in the morning and then return to Český Krumlov in the evening. Once you have seen Prague, it is so amazing that you will want to return for an extended stay. Holašovice (45 km north of Český Krumlov): If you enjoy visiting picturesque villages, Holašovice will enchant you. Here you find, tucked in the tranquil countryside, a tiny town where time seems to have stood still. This cluster of 19th-century peasant homes is a fine example of the charming, whimsical style of architecture characteristic of many of the villages in the southern part of Bohemia, where baroque features such as gables, white stucco ornamentation, and articulated rooflines enhance the farm houses. Holašovice is so special that UNESCO has chosen it as a protected town under the World Cultural Heritage. Zlatá Koruna Monastery (8 km northeast of Český Krumlov): Conveniently close to Český Krumlov, Zlatá Koruna Monastery was built by King Přemysl Otakear in 1263 in gratitude to God for victory in a battle against the Hungarians. It remains today as one of the best-preserved monasteries in the Czech Republic. The guided tours are not in English, but an explanatory text is available. In 1995 the monastery was proclaimed a National Cultural Heritage site. (Open April through October: 9 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm, closed Monday.) Rožmberk Castle (25 km south of Český Krumlov): Built on a rocky promontory above the Vltava River, Rožmberk Castle is one of the oldest castles in Bohemia, dating back to the 13th century. Throughout the centuries, it has been renovated and expanded many times. You can visit the art gallery featuring many baroque paintings and beautiful ceramic pieces, and a superb armory. Like many castles, this one too has its own ghost. Rožmberk Castle’s ghost is a lovely lady who wanders through the castle at night. (Open April through October: 9 am to 4 pm, closed Sunday.) Vyšší Brod Monastery (33 km south of Český Krumlov): Located on the outskirts of Vyšší Brod above the Vltava River, the Vyšší Brod Monastery dates back to 1259. The fortified complex contains the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, various farm buildings, an abbey, and a monastery. Guided tours visit the beautiful church, an extensive picture gallery with over 100 paintings by baroque masters, and a stunning baroque cloister library. (Open May through September, Tuesday–Saturday: 9 am to 11:30 and 1 pm to 4 pm, Sunday: 1 pm to 4 pm, closed Monday.)