Cesky Krumlov Tourist Attractions
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Located in the region of Bohemia, the beautiful walled city of Cesky Krumlov is the second most popular attraction in the Czech Republic after Prague.
Minorite Monastery
In poor condition on the outside, but with interesting architecture on the inside, the Minorite Monastery is an interesting stop for visitors to Cesky Krumlov. Construction of the monastery started in the middle of the 14th century and continued off and on until the end of the Baroque era.Still an operating monastery with divine offices, the monastery occasionally holds religious concerts. Visitors should check with the tourist office in Cesky Krumlov to see if any events are planned.One of the most interesting aspects of the monastery is a unique set of trusses of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque origin. Careful restoration work has been undertaken in some areas but overall the monastery has fallen on tough times. Limited resources and damage during the communist era have made bringing the Minorite Monastery back to its original glory a daunting task.The monastery is an extensive complex, and also includes the Convent of the Poor Clares.
Krumlov Chateau (Castle)
A massive building situated above the town of Cesky Krumlov, the Krumlov Chateau is a fascinating look into the lives of the rich and famous of Bohemia. Visitors will see many ornate paintings, elaborate tapestries, and period furnishings of the original inhabitants.Spread over an area of 7 hectares the chateau consists of 40 buildings and palaces, five castle courts and a castle park. Hour long Chateau tours are available on the hour and take in the Chapel of St George, Renaissance Hall, and the Royal Family Apartments.Owned by several families of note over the years including the Schwarzenbergs and Rozmberks, the Krumlov Chateau has been preserved in its original form due to their financial contributions to restoring and preserving the complex.
Egon Schiele Centrum
The Egon Schiele Centrum is a large, 4000 sq meter exhibit space featuring classical and contemporary 20th Century art work. The gallery is privately owned and was established in 1993. Regularly changing exhibits make the gallery a hotspot in Cesky Krumlov for both locals and visitors interested in culture. The gallery is located just below the main squareOne of the highlights of the Egon Schiele Centrum is the permanent exhibition of works by the Vienese painter Egon Scheile's (1890-1918). Also on display is an interesting overview of the artist's life.The Egon Schiele Centrum also regularly hosts readings, concerts, and performances and visitors are advised to check in to see what is new and exciting.
Marionette Museum
Located a short ten minute walk from the town center, the Marionette Museum makes for an interesting diversion, especially for the traveler with children in tow. The museum has regular performances of classic operas and these events are a sight not to be missed.The museum building is the former Church of St Jobst, and some of the rooms feature interesting interior design. The Marionette Museum features many interesting displays including stages and puppets from the 19th Century. Other items on display are curtains and complete marionette theatres. Modern collections from the National Marionette Museum are also featured and provide an interesting insight into the evolution of this form of entertainment.
Cesky Krumlov Regional Museum
The first stop for a visitor to Cesky Krumlov should be the Regional Museum. The Museum has a wide variety of exhibits from the surrounding areas and provides an interesting insight into the history of Cesky Krumlov and the Bohemian region.The museum has much to offer travelers. Depending on your interests there are exhibits in archeology, fine arts, weapons, folk art from the Sumava region, room furnishings, along with mechanical and ethnographical displays.Two of the highlights of the Regional Museum are a collection of Gothic sculptures and a room size ceramic model of Cesky Krumlov in a 1:200 scale.
Museum of Torture
Bemoaned by some of the residents of Cesky Krumlov as a crass invasion of tackiness to their town, the Museum of Torture is a mindless diversion if the beautiful surroundings start to overwhelm you. Located in the medieval cellars of the Town Hall on the main square, the museum is easy to find.Dimly lit and garishly decorated, the Museum of Torture provides one hundred grisly exhibits of mankind's cruelty to one another. Ten wax figures are placed in torture instruments so nasty that you are glad they feel no pain. The highlight of the museum is the audio-visual extravaganza of a witch burning and a sword execution.
Wax Museum
The Wax Museum of Cesky Krumlov makes an interesting diversion for visitors to this beautiful medieval town. Located in a newly restored Renaissance house, the museum has many interesting wax figurines on display.The wax figurines showcase the life and times in medieval Europe. There is an alchemist's shop, a blacksmith's shop, an old tavern, and a fascinating recreation of the courts of the Bohemian Emperor Rudolf II.Also on display are wax figurines of famous people of the 20th Century, strangely enough including Mick Jagger. The wax museum is located just below the main town square and is easily located.
Surroundings
There are a variety of attractions worth visiting in the Cesky Krumlov surrounding area.
Vyssi Brod Monastery
The Vyssi Brod Monastery is located approximately 33km / 20mi south of Cesky Krumlov, on the bank of the Vltava River. It is one of the largest monasteries in Bohemia and consists of a number of sprawling buildings. The Vyssi Brod Monastery was founded in the mid 13th Century but buildings on the monastery complex are from a mix of time periods. It was fortified in the 15th Century. The monastery is still in the possession of the Cistercian order and it is one of the most important sacred Gothic buildings in the Czech Republic.Some of the highlights of this Cistercian monastery are the Gothic Church, a collection of baroque paintings, which include works by Brandl and Hirchelly, a library collection of some 70,000 books and documents, some of which date to the 12th Century, and a Postal Museum describing the history of postal services.
Zlata Koruna Monastery
Just north of Cesky Krumlov is the Zlata Koruna Monastery. It sits on a headland jutting into the Vltava River, which surrounds the property on three sides. The monastery dates to the 13th Century when it was founded by the King of Bohemia, Premysl Otakar II. He is said to have given a thorn from the thorn crown of Jesus Christ to the monastery. At the center of the monastery complex is the basilica with the adjoining convent. The oldest building at the Zlata Koruna Monastery is the Chapel of the Guardian Angels. Most of the buildings are Gothic with baroque adaptations.
Map of Cesky Krumlov Attractions
Map - Cesky Krumlov
