Cesky Krumlov Castle, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

Český Krumlov Castle dates back to 1240 when the first castle was built by the Witigonen family, the main branch of the powerful Rosenberg family.

By the 17th century the Rosenbergs had died out and the dominion of Krumau was given to Hans Ulrich von Eggenberg by Emperor Ferdinand II and Eggenberg was named Duke of Krumau. After the death of Hans Ulrich's son, Johann Anton I von Eggenberg, the castle was administrated for the period between 1649 and 1664 by his widow Anna Maria.

One of her two sons, Johann Christian I von Eggenberg, was responsible for the Baroque renovations and expansions to the castle including the castle theatre now called the Eggenberg Theatre. When the male line of the Eggenbergs died out in 1717 the castle and duchy passed into the possession of the Schwarzenbergs. In 1947, the Schwarzenberg property, including Český Krumlov, was transferred to the Czech provincial properties and in 1950 it became the property of the Czechoslovak State. The entire area was declared a national monument in 1989 and in 1992 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The castle houses the Český Krumlov Baroque Theatre, which is situated on the castle courtyard. It is one of the world's most completely preserved Baroque theatres with its original theatre building, auditorium, orchestra pit, stage, stage technology, machinery, coulisses (stage curtains), librettos, costumes etc.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Huong Pham (8 months ago)
This charming town has a rich character and is filled with plenty of sights and activities to enjoy. It's a perfect destination for families with children. ?

Dan C (8 months ago)
Absolutely beautiful. Easier to manage and less crowded than Prague. Felt like stepping into a fairy tale. Kids loved strolling the narrow streets, ice cream, funnel cakes, and mirror maze. Highly recommend. Great day trip. Many restaurant options. 6 stars!!!

John M (9 months ago)
Amazing baroque castle that is a must if (when) you visit the Czech Republic, there are 20.000 plus reviews so i am not going to add much of anything to it. That said spend some time in this great town; it is much more than just the castle.

ShawnCZek (9 months ago)
The castle is gorgeous, and the view from the top of the tower is amazing. You can grasp the beauty of the old town and its architecture. However, when it comes to the staff and prices, it is an atrocious place. It has been living of success from the past and is being abused to the maximum. Let's start with tickets. If you want to get only to the top of the tower, you must buy it together with a ticket for the museum of the house of Schwarzenberg. If you are interested in that family, it is a fair deal. But in any other case, you get an expensive ticket for a cheap museum; you have to read everything off a paper as they did not bother to make and put any signs next to the exposition. This makes the entire exhibition (which is quite short) boring. Toilets are a story on its own. They are managed by rude ladies who knock on your door if you take a few minutes for your business. Not mentioning that when I asked for paying by card, I got told off in an unfriendly manner. And yes, you can't pay by card to go to the toilet. This is clearly a tourist place where they just want your money, nothing else. The castle is worth wandering around and seeing from the outside. Otherwise, it is a horrible place and one of the worst experiences I have had.

Shannon E (9 months ago)
Fantastic video from the top of the tower. There’s a small historical museum within, but the best part is the views. I bet it’s amazing to here at sunset!

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright R. Van Wallendael

Historic Site of the week

St. Martin Rotunda

The Chapel of St. Martin is the only completely preserved Romanesque building in Vyšehrad and one of the oldest in Prague. In was built around 1100 in the eastern part of the fortified outer ward. Between 1100 and 1300, the Rotrunda was surrounded by a cemetery. The building survived the Hussite Wars and was used as the municipal prison of the Town of the Vyšehrad Hill.

During the Thirty Years’ War, it was used as gunpowder storage, from 1700 to 1750, it was renovated and reconsecrated. In 1784, the chapel was closed passed to the military management which kept using it as a warehouseand a cannon-amunition manufacturing facility. In 1841, it was meant to be demolished to give way to the construction of a new road through Vyšehrad. Eventually, only the original western entrance was walled up and replaced with a new one in the sountren side. The dilapidating Rotunda subsequently served as a shelter for the poor.

Cesky Krumlov Castle

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

St. Martin Rotunda