Ceský Krumlov

Construction of the town and castle began in the late 13th century at a ford in the Vltava river which was important in trade routes. Most of the architecture of the old town and castle region dates from the 14th century through 17th century, structures are in Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. The core of the old town is within a horseshoe bend of the river, with the old Latran neighborhood and castle on the other side of the Vltava. The town's German-speaking population was evicted after World War II.

During the communist era, Krumlov fell into disrepair, but since the Velvet Revolution much of the town's former beauty has been restored, and it is now a major holiday destination popular with tourists from Germany, Austria and beyond.

Krumlov Castle is unusually large and fine for a town of Krumlov's size; within the Czech Republic it is second only to the castle complex of Prague.

Krumlov Castle contains a miraculously preserved Baroque theatre, complete with original scenery and props, one of only a few such theatres that are still extant. Due to its age, the theatre is only used once a year, when a Baroque opera is performed in candlelight.

Český Krumlov is the Czech Republic's important cultural center, hosting a number of festivals and other events each year. The best known is the Five-Petalled Rose Festival, which is celebrated on the weekend of summer solstice in June. The whole downtown area is cleared of traffic and turned into a "medieval" town, brimming with craftsmen, artists, musicians, and local people dressed in costumes ranging anywhere from peasants to members of the court and nobility. Various activities such as jousting, fencing, historical dance performances, and folk theatre take place all over the town including the castle, local park, and the river bank. The festival is concluded by a spectacular fireworks show above the castle.

One of Krumlov's residents was the painter Egon Schiele, and there is now a museum of his work in the town.

Krumlov is also a great place to try Czech food. Over eighty restaurants have been established in the area since the Velvet Revolution in 1989. Among the best known ones belong Don Julius, Papa's Living, the Tavern Markéta in the Castle gardens, the pub Na Louži, and the Pizzeria Latran. Many restaurants are located along the river, and one can watch canooists paddling down the Vltava or study the architecture of the castle while enjoying a meal.

Less than two kilometers from Český Krumlov is one of Bohemia's oldest monasteries called Zlatá Koruna (The Golden Crown), and about 30km from Krumlov is the Hluboká Castle, established in the 12th century and later remodelled according to the English Windsor Castle.