Český Krumlov – The City of Many Faces
The name Krumlov originates from the German term "krumme Aue", which translates to "crooked meadow". This name reflects the shape of the land on which the city is built – in the s-shaped meanders of the Vltava River. Since 1992, Český Krumlov has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The first written mention of the city dates back to 1309, in a document by Henry I of Rosenberg. Under the Rosenberg family, both the city and the castle experienced their greatest period of prosperity. The most famous members of the family were William of Rosenberg and Peter Wok of Rosenberg.
The city's dominant landmark is the original Gothic castle, which since 1302 (after the extinction of the Krumlov branch of the Witigonen family) belonged to the Rosenbergs. Today, the complex consists of 40 buildings, multiple courtyards, a large castle area, and a beautifully maintained castle garden.
In 1555, William of Rosenberg merged the previously independent town districts of Latrán and Old Town. The last member of the family, Peter Wok of Rosenberg, was forced to sell Krumlov to Emperor Rudolf II in 1601 due to financial difficulties. The emperor later sent his illegitimate son, Don Julius d’Austria, to live there. Legends tell of his wild lifestyle and the gruesome murder of his lover, Markéta Pichlerová. Suffering from schizophrenia, Julius was imprisoned in the castle, where he eventually died. Today, a restaurant near the castle bears his name.
The historic city center was severely damaged by a major flood in 2002, with the water rising over 7 meters, causing millions in damages.
Additional information
Our Tip:
In the newly opened Three Monasteries Complex in the meander of the Vltava River beneath the castle, you can visit the monasteries of the Minorites and the Poor Clares. The monastery courtyard hosts traditional craft workshops and markets.
Famous Figures:
- Egon Schiele (1890–1918) – Austrian expressionist painter, who lived in Krumlov with his lover Wally Neuzil in a garden house. His most famous paintings depict Wally and the city's atmosphere. Today, the Egon Schiele Art Centrum is an internationally recognized gallery.
- Josef Seidel (1859–1935) – Photographer of the Bohemian Forest, who spent nearly his entire life in Krumlov. In 1888, he became the head of a unique photography studio, which is now the Seidel Photo Studio, an internationally significant tourist attraction.
Do you know that...
… Josef Adam of Schwarzenberg rebuilt the original 17th-century castle theater into a Baroque-style theater in 1765–1766? It remains a unique world heritage site, comparable only to the Royal Theater in Drottningholm, Sweden, built in 1766.
