Cesky Krumlov - A Bohemian Jewel near Prague
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Nestled in the crook of a perfect horse-shoe meander of the Vltava river, Cesky Krumlov glows in the late autumn sun.
As we peer down from the castle tower, the town below with its red tiled roofs and the flaming mountains beyond are a picture postcard. The cameras are clicking away. It is these stunning vistas that draw thousands of visitors to Cesky Krumlov every year.
Crooked cobbled streets lined with unique lime-washed town houses, a medieval town square, wooden bridges and an imposing castle towering over the landscape all make Krumlov a town frozen in history. Apart from the demolition of its town walls, nothing has changed here since the 19th century and in 1992 UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site, ensuring it stays like that.
Krumlov, which gets its name from the German word ‘krumov' (meaning crooked), saw settlers coming in from both sides of the border to the valley as early as the 8th century. From 1302 to 1602, during the reign of the Rosenberg family, it blossomed into the most influential town in all of Bohemia, second only to Prague in importance. Since then it has been known as Cesky i.e. Bohemian.
If you sprinted you could go from one end of Krumlov to the other in ten minutes, yet there is enough here to keep one interested for days. Infocentrum in the main square offers a variety of guided tours including a night walk. Or, if you prefer to stroll on your own you could rent an audio guide.
The town centre itself has more than 300 listed town houses; the second largest castle complex in the Czech Republic; a Neo- gothic church; one of the few synagogues that survived the World Wars, seven museums; a string of art galleries, including one dedicated to Egon Schiele; one of the oldest and best preserved Baroque theatres in the world; and even a local brewery. In addition to which there are a number of atmospheric pubs and eateries, which just beg to be explored.
Cesky Krumlov is also wonderfully situated for more active holidays. Both the Blansky Forest and the Sumava National Park on its doorstep offer fantastic opportunities for walking, cycling, skiing, horse riding, golf, fishing, and rafting on the River Vltava.
Getting there: Cesky Krumlov is a two hour drive or train ride from Prague. Many tour organisers offer day trips.
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Cesky Krumlov near Prague
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