Český Krumlov Castle

Český Krumlov Castle ranks among the best-preserved castle complexes in Central Europe and is the second largest in the Czech Republic after Prague Castle. Perched on a rocky spur wrapped by a bend of the Vltava River, it towers directly above the old town, and together they form a UNESCO-listed historic ensemble.

How did the castle come to exist?

Construction began around 1240 under the Vítkovci family, a branch of the powerful Rosenberg (Rožmberk) dynasty that would go on to rule southern Bohemia for roughly three and a half centuries. The town's name reportedly derives from an old German phrase for a bend in a river, a fitting description of a fortress wrapped by the Vltava's curve.

Why did ownership change so many times?

Petr Vok of Rosenberg, the last male heir of the family, sold the entire Krumlov estate to Emperor Rudolf II around the turn of 1601-1602. In 1622, Emperor Ferdinand II granted the property to Prince Johann Ulrich of Eggenberg, whose successors — especially Johann Christian I of Eggenberg — transformed the Gothic-Renaissance stronghold into a grand Baroque residence. When the Eggenberg line died out in 1719, the estate passed to the Schwarzenberg family, who held it until 1947, when it was transferred to the Czechoslovak state.

What is there to see inside the castle grounds?

The complex spans roughly forty buildings arranged around five courtyards, set within several hectares that also include Baroque gardens. The landmark castle tower, visible from almost anywhere in town, rises more than eighty metres above the Vltava. The fifth courtyard is reached via the so-called Cloak Bridge, a multi-storey covered passageway built in the late 17th century that let the nobility move between sections of the castle without descending into the streets below. The grounds also preserve a rare Baroque theatre dating from 1766, one of the most completely intact in the world, complete with its original stage machinery, sets and costumes.

Why does the castle moat have bears?

Live bears have been kept in the castle moat since the 18th century, continuing a tradition that stretches back to the 16th century and ties into a legend claiming the Rosenberg family descended from the Italian Orsini line — "orso" meaning bear in Italian. The moat has housed bears continuously since 1707 and remains one of the most popular stops for visitors travelling with children.

Frequently asked questions

Is Český Krumlov Castle a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Yes, the entire historic centre of the town, including the castle, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992.

Can visitors climb the castle tower? Yes, the tower is open to the public via 162 steps, and the top offers a wide view over the old town and the river bend below.

Do you need a guide to visit the castle? The state apartments and the Baroque theatre are generally only accessible on guided tours, while the courtyards, gardens and bear moat can be explored freely.

How far is the castle from the historic centre? The castle stands right above the old town, separated only by the river and a bridge, so it is only a few minutes' walk from the centre.