Cesky Krumlov





by Female Abroad



Considered one of the most beautiful towns in Europe, when people head to the Czech Republic, they end up in Prague and the few that venture outside of the city head over to Cesky Krumlov; this Renaissance city is actually the second most visited place in the country. Originally built in 1253 and with lots of the original buildings still standing, it is easy to see why. This UNESCO protected city is known for it's peninsula looking downtown core with a six-story tower and it's chateau. This Chateau also has a small bridge that connects the peninsula to Old Town over the Vltava river.



Driving Distance from Prague: 2.5 hours

Taking the Train from Prague: 4 hours (take a train from Main Railway Station to Ceske Budejovice then onto Cesky Krumlov)

Bus from Prague: 3 hours (take a bus from Florenc Bus Station or Na Knizeci Bus Depot (by Andel Metro Sation) directly into Cesky Krumlov)



Sights & Sites



State Castle & Chateau Cesky: St. George Chapel, Masquerade Hall, the bridge, the gardens and the best preserved Baroque theatres in Europe

Church of St. Vitus with the tomb of the Rozmberk family

Historic medieval taverns and pubs

The Seidel Photo Studio Museum (Museum Fotoatelier Seidel)

Egon Schiele Art Centre (Egon Schiele Art Centrum)


If you are planning on sight seeing while there then the Cesky Krumlov card may be for you as it gets you 50% off of 5 attractions (Casle Museum & Tower, Regional Museum, Seidel Photo Studio Museum, Egon Schiele Art Center, and Cesky Krumlov Monasteries) as well as free entry to Egon Schiele Garden Studio during the summer. You can only buy this card (CZK 300 at time of writing) when you are in town but more information can be found here.



Festivals



International Music Festival

Celebrations of the Five Petaled Rose; jousting tournaments, markets, and processions

Carnival; Shrove Tuesday is celebrated with a folk festival (masks, street plays, feasts, etc) Easter; runs from Holy Thursday to Easter Monday and is celebrated with painted eggs, lambs, craft markets, and more

Magical Krumlov; May Day Eve is celebrated with witches, maypoles, lantern procession, and more

Celebrations of Liberations; celebrates the liberation of the town by the US Army in 1945

Rallye Cesky Krumlov; car racing

Chamber Music Festival

European Heritage Days; buildings not normally open to the public are open to explore

Festival of Baroque Arts

Saint Wenceslas Celebrations; the saint of brewers and winemakers is celebrated with a folk festival

Wine Festival

Advent and Christmas



Nearby Attractions



Vyssi Brod Cistercian Monastery

Lipno Dam

Rozmberk nad Vltavou Castle

Zlata Koruna Monastery