Český Krumlov

The town of Krumlov in Czech republic is se establishing itself as an importaind tourist destination on daily basis. It’s not really odd, since this picturesque town on the banks of Vltava has remained unchanged the same for the past five centuries. Already in 1963 it was recognized as an important historical city and in 1992 UNESCO proclaimed it to be a world wide historical monument. The town center has over 300 historical buildings giving it a unique feel. And the tow is not only a historical site, but a living city, with many cultural and fun events.

The town is first mentioned in 1253 under the name of Chrumbonowe, but the territory has signs of settlement since early stone age, with remains aging between 50.000 and 70.000 years. The bronze age settlements are some 3500 years old and iron age settlements some 2400. The first Slavic settlements are from the 6th century.

In the early medieval times the river Vltava became an important trade route and the town probably belonged to the Czech noble family Slavnikovci, which was defeated in 995 by Přemyslovci, who took control of the territory.

In 1251, Czech king Přemysl Otakar II married Ano Maria Bamberg and gained a lot of territory in Austria, which he settled with his serves and thus integrated it into his kingdom. His expansionistic policy collided with the strongest aristocrat family of the »Vitkovci« county. The most obvious conflict was when the town of České Budějovice was founded in the monastery Zlatá Koruna. These inner struggles weakened the Czech kingdom.

In 1253, in a letter, Otokarja Štyrskega mentions Krumlov for the first time. The first part of the town evolved spontaneously under the castle and was named Latran and the other was built in the green arch that was previously unsettled. It was a typical colonist city with a squared square in the middle, with roads leading up to it from the corners of the town wall. This part was first mentioned in 1274 since then Czechs, Germans and occasionally Italians controlled the town. When the Vitkovec family of Krumlov bide out, king Vaclavu II should gain the territory, but Vitkovec Jindřich von Rosenberg asked the king to change the annexation law and Krumlov became the main residence of Rosenberg in 1302.

Under the rule of the Rosenberg the town started to flourish. It developed trade fairs, crafts, butchers and even breweries. In 1367 it had 96 houses. Peter I. von Rosemberg gave the town its look in the 14th century it has kept until today.

In 1420 political changes came to be and the town came into the hands of a 12 member council, where every month a counselor had the function of a mayor. But the judicial and repressive power was in the hands of the magistrate. But all the officials had to be approved by the Rosenberg family.

At the end of the 15th century the town go the privilege to hold weekly fairs and a huge 8 day fair on the day of St. Havel.

The last Rosemberg sold the town, after being in depth, to Rudolfu II. Habsburg in 1601. Later in 1622 Ferdinand II. Habsburg gave the town to the family from Styria - Eggenberg – in exchange for their help in the 30 year war.

When the Eggenberg’s died out, the town changes hands again in early 18th century and is under the rule of Schwarzenbergs, who help the town develop and become one of the leading central European cities. The city lost this prestige in the 19th century and thus kept its renaissance and baroque look.

In the 19th century some 5000 people lived there and the town hosted an infantry battalion. It had two schools and a “work school” for children abandoned by their parents. Also a paper mill started to operate in the time, not far from the city in Větření.

With the foundation of the Czechoslovakian Republic on October 28th 1918 the town pronounced itself a part of the Austrian republic, but that lasted only until the Czech army occupied it on November 28th 1918. With an order from the ministry the town name changed from German Krumau into Czech Česky Krumlov in 1920, a name that was first used in 1439.

After American liberation in WWII, all the German living families were evicted from the town, which itself didn’t suffer much devastation during the war years.

Since 1962 a lot of efford was put into keeping the authenticity of the town and in 1992 it was placed on UNESCO’s world heritage list.

Sights of Český Krumlov

The town park  is one of the most beautiful parks in Czech republic and dates back to the 16th century, when Jesuit teachers used it as a resting place. Hotel Růže, is one of the most prestigious hotels in the town, and is just a short stroll away from the park (just across the small bridge). The park itself has a summer residence and a cemetery with a one wooden chapel of St. Martin, which was last modified in 1737.
There are many artistic statues in the park, from different time periods and 65 kinds of plants, from which the white pine tree stands out. The park is on the left bank of Vltava and a popular recreation site.

The castle is one of the most important monuments in central Europe. It came to be in the 14th century and they kept working on it until 19th century. IT’s well preserved inside and outside. In 1963 the town proclaimed a protected area, in 1989 it became a national monument and in 1992 it became a part of the UNESCO’s world heritage.

The castle park is a large area and forms the castle complex, which is made up from forty buildings and other places, spread around the castle courtyards.

The castle complex has many museums, galleries, and in summer months there are events held in the courtyards.

The old town square is also a sight of its own, but is luckily small enough you can’t get lost there. A trip to Krumlov is not only a trip in place, but also in time, for while walking through the town we forget the cell phones, net and other modern commodities.

Annually the town hosts 400 cultural events, from art to music festivals, so that there’s always something for everyone. See more at: www.ckrumlov.info .

Travellers Hostel is located right in the centre of historical Unesco town Cesky Krumlov in two buildings from the 13th century. Travellers hostel offers 102 beds in all kinds of rooms from dormitories with mostly 8 beds to private rooms and apartment with a beautiful view of the Krumlov castle. There is also a very popular bar with occasional live music and a restaurant with international cusine in the hostel. We offer internet, laundry service, book exchange and free linen. Breakfast is also available here and it is the cheapest one in the town. For more information click HERE .

Český Krumlov - Travellers Hostel
Soukenicka 43,
381 01 Český Krumlov
Czech Republic
Tel. 420 380 711345
Fax. 420 380 711345
krumlov@travellers.cz