The prosperous and lively town of Ceske Budejovice, the capital of Southern Bohemia, lies just north of the Austrian border. The town dates to the 13th Century, although the Thirty Years War and a fire in 1641 destroyed much of the town. Most of present day Ceske Budejovice dates from the 18th Century when the Hapsburg Empire rebuilt much of the
town, leaving the extraordinary baroque architecture that visitors see today. The Black Tower is the most visible structure in the town, standing 70m / 232ft high, and the main symbol of Ceske Budejovice. At the center of town is the huge main square of namesti Premysla Otakara II. For a better understanding of the history of Ceske Budejovice and the region, visit the Museum of South Bohemia.