Garden of the jesuite seminary in Český Krumlov

The Garden of the Jesuit Seminary in Český Krumlov is a small viewpoint garden on Horní Street, right next to the former Jesuit seminary building - today home to the Regional Museum - and directly across from Hotel Růže. The garden itself is compact, but it owes its reputation almost entirely to one thing: a viewing terrace that opens onto one of the town's most recognizable panoramas.

Where does the garden get its name?

The garden takes its name from the adjoining seminary building, put up between 1650 and 1652 on the site of six older burgher houses. Together with the Jesuit college and theatre, it once formed a compact cluster of Jesuit buildings, part of an order that had been invited to Český Krumlov by William of Rosenberg back in 1582. The Jesuits' activity in the town came to an end in 1773, and the seminary itself was formally abolished by decree on 25 May 1777. The building didn't lose its educational purpose overnight, though - it continued serving teaching functions afterward, and since 1950 it has housed a museum.

What can you see from the viewing terrace?

The view is the main reason to make the short walk here. From the terrace, the panorama takes in Český Krumlov Castle and its distinctive tower, the red rooftops of the old town's burgher houses, and the narrow, winding lanes of the UNESCO-listed historic centre. It's one of those vantage points that lays out the town - wrapped in a bend of the Vltava River - in a way street level never quite manages.

When can you visit the garden?

The garden is open year-round, with no seasonal restrictions on access. Thanks to its picturesque outlook and intimate scale, it has become a popular venue for weddings and larger celebrations - catering can be arranged on site, and accommodation for guests is readily available nearby in the town centre. The garden is managed by Českokrumlovský rozvojový fond, the local fund responsible for restoring and maintaining the town's historic properties.

How do you get to the garden?

The entrance sits on Horní Street, a few hundred metres from náměstí Svornosti, Český Krumlov's main square. The route follows the same street where the former seminary building stands, and the walk from the square takes only a few minutes.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Garden of the Jesuit Seminary open all year? Yes, the site is accessible year-round with no seasonal closures.

Is there anything to visit inside the former seminary building today? Yes, the building now houses the Regional Museum in Český Krumlov, which took over the old seminary rooms once the Jesuits' educational activity there had ended.

Can you hold a wedding or event in the garden? Yes, thanks to the view and its intimate atmosphere, the garden is a popular choice for weddings and larger celebrations, with catering available on site.

How far is the garden from the main square? It's on Horní Street, a few hundred metres from náměstí Svornosti - just a few minutes' walk away.

Why is the garden called "of the seminary"? The name comes from the adjoining former Jesuit seminary building, built in the mid-17th century, which together with a college and theatre made up the town's cluster of Jesuit buildings.