The powerful citadel of Krumlov castle makes a very big impression. The first fortress was founded in 1240, but later it was reconstructed in different architectural styles. As a result, now you can see a very beautiful castle towering over the historical center of Cesky Krumlov.
The Vltava river was a busy trade route in the Middle Ages. The castle was built on a rock by the feudal Lord Wyatek II in a place where the river makes two bends. After the Vyatkovichs, three other noble families owned the castle: the Rosenbergs, Eggenbergs, and Schwarzenbergs.
Now the castle has 5 separate courtyards, where there are more than 40 different buildings. They were built in different periods in the neo-Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo styles. Together with the surrounding territories, the castle area reaches 10 hectares. It is the second largest castle in the Czech Republic after Prague castle.
The largest Outer courtyard can be entered from the main street of Latran, through the Red gate. This yard was called the Vybeg. Domestic animals grazed here. To the right of the gate rises the Gothic building of the Salt warehouse, to the left there are the stables. There is also a Manor hospital, which has been the city hospital since 1775.
The second courtyard is called the Lower City. Sometimes it is called the Guard House, since the guards who protected the castle lived here. It can be entered through the Bear moat. A Gothic castle tower rises above the courtyard. Its height reaches 35 meters. You need to climb it to see the sights of Czech Krumlov from the highest point. A cheese factory and a mint are located nearby. In the center of the courtyard is a large stone fountain. The castle has preserved the Wenceslas cellars, which go 12 meters deep into the rock.
From the Lower city courtyard through a powerful stone bridge you can enter the Upper City. This is the main castle where its owners lived. Inside the massive Palace there are the Third and Fourth courtyards. The Palace rooms are open to the public. There are preserved interiors of different times, starting from the era of the Rosenbergs.
Further from the Upper city through the Cloak bridge you can go to the Fifth courtyard. This bridge is built in the form of a Roman aqueduct and leads to a nearby rock. There is the Palace theater, and behind them is the Upper garden. It changed its appearance many times, until in the 17th century it acquired the features of a classic English garden. The Neptune fountain is located in the center of the Park. Its dimensions are 150 by 750 meters.
From the Upper garden you can go down to the Park, which is called the Lower Prater. Between them, the Bellaria pavilion was built in the Rococo style in the 18th century. The Lower Park is very extensive. In some places it resembles a forest. At the far end of the Park is a large pond overgrown with water lilies. There is also a Winter riding arena.
