Český Krumlov

By

Our day in Český Krumlov felt like we were stepping onto the pages of a fairytale. It was a picture-perfect town complete with winding cobblestone streets, medieval buildings, a little river running through the town, and a castle on a hill.

We boarded buses and left the port of Linz, Austria and within  about 20 minutes we crossed the border into Czech Republic. We travelled a little farther until we reached this magical little town on a bend of the  Vltava River, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our knowledgeable guide began our tour by taking us up into the Castle that dates back to the 13th century and was originally built by the Rosenberg family.

 The Rosenbergs, a prominent Bohemian noble family, settled in the region and played a prominent role in both the castle and the region from the 13th to the 17th centuries. Its coat of arms included a rose with five petals, one for each branch of the family. 

Over the centuries, the castle evolved into a magnificent complex, reflecting Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles. 


The castle contains 5 courtyards, forty buildings and palaces, a moat (with bears), gardens, and a tower that overlooks the town below.


 

 

The Cloak Bridge dates back to the 15th century.  It was once made from wood, but it has changed over the years. It's final alteration to what we now see was finished in the late 1700s.


Down Into the Town

After the castle we walked down into the town. It was filled with charming restaurants, lovely shops, art galleries, hotels, a church, and a vibrant town square. The Church - St, Vitus Church - can be seen easily from the castle as it sits on a hill in the center of the town. Like many other Medieval cities, Český Krumlov is a criss-cross network of  cobbled streets going off in all directions.


 

 


We loved exploring this enchanting town. We knew nothing about Český Krumlov before we left home, but we are so glad that it was on this itinerary. Sadly the fairytale had to end for us and the bus was waiting to take us back to reality. It was a great day!



 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Palma de Mallorca

By
Image
 Palma de Mallorca is known for it's beautiful beaches, stunning coastline, and historical landmarks. As we were only there for the day, we focused our attention on the Old Town. (although, the photos I've seen of the coastline really make me want to return and spend a few days exploring the beaches and coast.) Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca We started our day at the Cathedral of Palma,   also known as the Cathedral de Santa Maria de Palma or La Seu. This massive gothic cathedral dominates the skyline and is one of Spain's largest cathedrals.
Read more

Guadalest, Spain

By
Image
 We had a stop in Alicante, Spain.  It was our first time there, but we decided not to explore the city.  Instead, we ventured out on an excursion to the beautiful village of Guadalest. Guadalest is known for its stunning views and historic significance.  Originally founded by the Moors as a fortified settlement, its strategic location on a mountain made it an ideal defensive stronghold. It was part of the Islamic Kingdom of Valencia as far back at 750AD.  After the Christian conquest in the 13th century, the village became part of the Kingdom of Valencia. The village has maintained it's medieval charm, with it's narrow alleys, old stone buildings, cobbled streets, and the iconic castle. Guadalest Castle Guadalest Castle is an 11th century fortress and castle that was built by the Moors.  After being damaged by an earthquake, the war of the Spanish Succession, and a mine explosion, all that remains is a restored tower.   Despite not being well-pre...
Read more

A Day in Cannes

By
Image
Before our stop in Cannes, all I knew about the city was that it hosts a fabulous film festival every summer and serves as a playground for the rich and famous. To be honest, after spending a day there, I still don’t know much more than that.   I think that one needs more than a day in Cannes to really discover the city and surrounding area.
Read more