city park in Český Krumlov

The city park in Český Krumlov is the oldest and best-known green space in this South Bohemian town, spread along the left bank of the Vltava river close to the historic centre and the castle. For visitors touring Český Krumlov, it offers a natural break between sightseeing stops - a quiet, tree-lined stretch of ground right next to the river.

Where is the park and how do you get there?

The park sits near the centre of Český Krumlov, on the left bank of the Vltava (roughly 48.809 N, 14.3186 E), within easy walking distance of the main square and the castle complex. That makes it simple to fit a stroll through the park into a walk around the old town, without needing to travel outside the centre.

What is the history of this site?

The ground now occupied by the park has a long and surprisingly varied past. As early as the 15th century, the area held farmsteads and utility buildings belonging to Krumlov's burghers, serving purely practical purposes for the town. In 1585 a cemetery was established on the site, which shaped the character of this part of town for centuries. Toward the end of the 16th century, the local Jesuits laid out a garden here, linked by a footbridge to the Jesuit college on the opposite bank of the Vltava - a connection that, while no longer physically present, helps explain why the park still sits directly on the riverbank today.

When was the park in its current form established?

The city park itself was founded in 1908. From that point it was gradually reshaped and refined into something close to its present layout. Some sources credit the original design of the park to the town's municipal architect, Karel Nowaczek. After 1920, the original layout underwent further changes, with additional planting and reworked paths adapting the park to the needs of a growing town.

What can visitors see in the park today?

Today's city park still carries traces of its layered history and is regarded as the most valuable and recognisable green space in Český Krumlov. It is where locals go for a daily walk and where visitors can catch their breath - trees, footpaths and the closeness of the river offer a clear contrast to the dense stone architecture of the old town, which can get crowded for much of the year.

Why visit the park during a trip to the town?

Český Krumlov is known above all for its castle and its UNESCO-listed baroque old town, but covering those sights on foot can be tiring, with narrow lanes, crowds and steep climbs. The park offers a natural counterpoint: a place to sit by the Vltava, recover some energy, and see the town from a quieter, more intimate angle before heading back out to the next landmark.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the city park in Český Krumlov? It lies on the left bank of the Vltava, close to the historic centre and the castle, within walking distance of the main square.

When was the park established? The city park in its current form was founded in 1908, although the site had earlier uses ranging from farm buildings to a cemetery and a Jesuit garden.

What was on this site before the park existed? In the 15th century it held burghers' farmsteads and utility buildings; a cemetery was established there in 1585; and toward the end of the 16th century the Jesuits laid out a garden connected by a footbridge to their college across the river.

Is the park a good place to rest while sightseeing in Český Krumlov? Yes - thanks to its riverside setting and shaded greenery, the park offers a calm alternative to the crowded old town and is easy to reach on foot from the centre.

Who designed the park? Some sources point to municipal architect Karel Nowaczek as the author of the original 1908 park design.