The Český Krumlov State Castle is the second largest castle and castle complex in the Czech Republic and is also one of the most important monuments in Central Europe.

Largest in Central Europe

The castle grounds are one of the largest in Central Europe. It includes forty buildings 

and palace buildings, which decorate five courtyards and a seven-hectare castle garden. The original layout preserves the architectural detail of the building development from the 14th to the 19th century. The biggest dominant feature of the castle is the castle tower, which is a symbol of Český Krumlov and an expression of its rich history and artistic beauty.  

UNESCO

In 1989 the castle was declared a national cultural monument and in 1992 the entire historical complex was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The castle was originally built in the Gothic style, then it was enlarged and at the end of the 16th century it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style and at the end of the 17th and 18th centuries Baroque and Rococo modifications were made. In the first courtyard of the castle you will find the castle lapidarium, where you can see original Baroque statues from the castle grounds. And the spicy thing is that there are bears in the garden. 

On a rocky promontory surrounded by rivers

The monumental complex of Český Krumlov Castle and Chateau is situated on an elongated high rock promontory, which is surrounded by the Vltava River on the south and the Polečnice Stream on the north side. 

Origin

The name of Krumlov Castle comes from the Latin castrum Crumnau or Old High German Crumbenowe. It characterizes the natural configuration of the terrain - krumben ouwe, so it means a place on a crooked meadow or on a floodplain. The earliest reference to the castle of Krumlov was probably made by the Austrian knight Minnesänger Ulrich of Lichtenstein in his poem "Der Frauendienst", which dates back to between 1240 and 1242. The first written form of the name Chrumbenowe can be found in a charter of Duke Otakar of Austria and Styria from 1253. At that time Krumlov was already the seat of Vitek of Krumlov, a member of the important noble family of Vitkov. 

Our tip: When you are in Český Krumlov, download the new mobile app for the Castle Museum.