According to today’s scales Český Krumlov is a tiny pueblo. But in reality it is beautiful and romantic Czech town. Its population oscillates around 15 000. The city is located in the valley and is protected on one side by green trees of Blanský les (Forest Blanský) and from other side by undulating foothills of Šumava.
The down-town of the city has preserved medieval character so far. The river Vltava flows in the middle of the city. In this part of its flow Vltava is weak, tame stream of water, which in the season thousands of boaters using. And enjoying the environment of course. River creates with her beautiful meandering stream the unique atmosphere.
Over the River Vltava, the Castle Český Krumlov rises into the sky. That historic treasure stands here since the turn of the 13th and 14 century. Castle is visited by huge number of tourists every year, not only from Czech republic. Historic centre including Castle was registered in 1992 as the part of UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The Gothic Castle Český Krumlov offers to his visitors the second largest (right after the Prague Castle) area. In Castle is a unique open-air theatre with revolving auditorium, which is in summer occupied by Jihočeské divadlo (South Czech Theatre).
In the vast castle area we can find a total of 40 buildings of various sizes. Castle Gardens cover an area cca 7 ha.
The entire historic city centre is dotted with picturesque houses, all of which are now beautifully restored; so visitors are allowed to show all its beauty. In the bowels of stylish houses you can buy souvenirs, you can sink more into the history of the town or you can just sit for a good cup of coffee and Czech beer.
In Krumlov the oldest documented settlement goes back to 6000 BC. Krumlov has changed owners a few times in the history. The first known owners were the medieval lineage named Vítkovci. After the demise of the last two of them – Jindřich (1301) and Vok (1302) – the property passes in the beginning of 14th century into the hands of Jindřich from Rožnberk. Before nationalization in 1947 Krumlov belonged to the Schwarzenberg family. Name Krumlov was separately used as name of city up to 15th century when it was related to the word Czech (Český) and the town got its current name Český Krumlov.
Český Krumlov received in 2008 an international award from the National Geographic magazine, which rated him among the most beautiful cities in the world.
