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Cesky Krumlov Castle is a state castle and a museum situated in the city of Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic.

The castle is a huge structure consisting of 40 buildings spread around 5 courtyards and a ground of 7 hectares that make up the entire castle park. The huge castle complex was built in phases and each building was erected between the 14^th and 19^th centuries. The first castle was constructed by the Witigonen, the primary family branch of the renowned, powerful, and rich Rosenbergs. The foundations of the castle as it looks today were laid in the sixteenth century when the complex underwent large-scale re-modeling towards a Renaissance appearance.

Cesky Krumlov Castle is Central Europe’s second-biggest castle and is second to only the Prague castle. The town of Cesky was proclaimed as a municipal preserve in 1963 and the castle was declared a national monument in 1989. In 1992, the full complex was added to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Monuments list.

Cesky Krumlov Castle – Origins of the name

The castle’s name had its origins in the Latin phrase ‘castrum Crumnau’ meaning old German Crumbenowe. It is a reflection of the surrounding landscape; the meaning of ‘krumben ouwe’ is a house on a rocky meadow. The first mention of the Cesky Krumlov Castle was in a poem by minnesinger Ulrich of Lichtenstein, an Austrian knight, titled ‘Der Frauendienst.’ This poem has been dated back to the mid 1200s.

Evidence of the first time ‘Crumbenowe’ was written can be seen in a document from 1253, written by Styrian and Austrian Duke Otakar. During this period, Krumlov was seat of Witigonen noble family’s Vítek of Krumlov. The phrase ‘Cesky’ has been associated with Krumlov since the mid 1400s.

Cesky Krumlov Castle – Location and Area

The mighty castle complex is made up of 40 houses and palaces which are located around 5 courts and a big park that is spread across 7 hectares. Tourists can see the location and area of each building and court in the ground-plan layout of the castle.

The Cesky Krumlov Castle was constructed on a rock outcrop that was naturally created due to the action of the Polečnice stream on the northern end and the Vltava River on its south side. The structure proudly towers over a quaint town located below; the town features distinguished Baroque burgher and Renaissance architecture. The castle complex along with the town and the spectacular Church of St.Vitus impart a distinctive look to the entire region. Just like a pristine pearl in a shell, the town is located in a beautiful valley enclosed by the rolling Šumava foothills on the west and south, and the Blansko Forest massif on the north.

History of Cesky Krumlov Castle

The first castle in Cesky had Gothic architecture. It was built by the Lords of Krumlov in the mid 1200s. The Lords of Krumlov were a part of the Witigonen noble family represented by a coat-of-arms bearing a 5-petaled rose. In 1302, the lords died without leaving any inheritors. Subsequently, the castle was inherited by their family members, the Rosenbergs, who kept it their seat till 1602.

The 3 centuries of Rosenberg rule and their name is associated with an era that saw the castle and town flourish greatly. In the late 1500s, the castle was given a spending and magnificent Renaissance home remodel. Their rule was marked by total Rosenberg control in various fields including Bohemian aristocracy, patrons of the culture and arts patrons, educated humanists, and famous politicians with highest posts in the kingdom.

The Rosenberg family died out by the seventeenth century and the Krumau dominion was handed over to Hans Ulrich von Eggenberg by Roman Emperor Ferdinand II who named Eggenberg as the Duke of Krumau. After Eggenberg’s son Johann Anton I died, the administration of the castle fell in the hands of Johann Anton’s widow, from 1649 to 1664. Johann Christian, one of her sons, carried out the castle’s Baroque expansions and renovations.

After all male Eggenbergs died, the Schwarzenbergs took over the castle. In 1947, Czech provincial authorities took over the castle and 3 years later it became state property.

Cesky Krumlov – Opening Hours

The castle opens at 9 am and runs till 5 pm.  People usually trickle down the disperse by sunset. One must note that the castle remains closed on Monday. In the winter, since the winter onset is by 3.30 PM, it makes sense to take all the paranomic pictures from the castle before 3 PM.  You can expect to spend 2 hours in the castle and thoughly enjoy the experience.

The garden and the Baroque theater is generally closed during the winter season. The climb up the castle tower, the exterior and the fascinating view that shows the entire Cesky Krumlov town, is clearly fascinating to the eye. The castle museum which has an array of painting, furniture, weapons of yore are available for a fee. The tower view of Cesky Krumlov is the best but it is for a price of 50 CZK. Having said that, you can still have a great time  going to the top floors of the castle, even if you don’t reach the tower, and still benefit from spectacular view of the townside.

Tour of the Cesky Krumlov Castle

The entire castle complex is open to public and can be toured by all. A stroll across each courtyard, particularly in early evenings, can be a wondrous experience. The most interesting part of an interiors tour is at the Baroque Castle Theatre which was reopened and a trail tourist tour is being tried out.

The guided exterior tours consist of visits to over 40 buildings and palaces located across the 5 courtyards of the castle. In this tour, tourists can walk across the Lower Castle which has the 1^st courtyard known as Romping Ground, and the 2^nd courtyard called as the Guardhouses. Children will surely get fascinated by the bears which are raised in the bear boat located between these two courtyards.

Tourists can then go to the 3^rd and 4 courtyard of the castle which make up the Upper Castle. A ceramics display can be seen in the 4 storys of renaissance and gothic cellars located in the 4^th courtyard. You will pass onto the 5^th courtyard after crossing the aptly named Cloak Bridge and later to the expansive gardens located in the Český Krumlov. Entrance to the gardens is restricted on the basis of the opening hours of the castle and whether or not there are performances at the Revolving Auditorium equipped Open-air Theater by the South Bohemian Theater group.

The gardens are located at an elevation of 3 different levels. It has a dominating cascade fountain that is adorned with intricate sculptures representing the varied deities of water as well as symbols of the 4 seasons. A fabulous Rococo Summer Manor Bellarie can be found in the center and opposite it is the open-air theater. At the end of the gardens is a small pristine lake.

Presented below is a table of the operation hours

Snacks and meals are available for tourists at different restaurants located in the Castle Riding Hall, or the tower-Dairy, or the knightly tavern named Markéta located in the park.

Guidebooks, souvenirs, historical replicas of furniture and glassware, and handicraft objects are available for purchase at a shop in the 4 courtyard. The Castle Museum and Castle Tower are usually closed a few days prior to Christmas to the New Year.

Cesky Krumlov Castle – Pictures

Cesky Krumlov Castle – Map