CESKY KRUMLOV
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Cesky Krumlov (German Krumau) is a small city in the South Bohemia region of the Czech Republic, best known for the fine architecture and art of the historic old town and Krumlov Castle. Population: 14,600. It was known as Krumau until after World War II when the German-speaking population was evicted; Cesky Krumlov literally means 'Czech Krumlov'.
Construction of the town and castle began in the late 13th century at a ford in the Vltava river which was important in trade routes. Most of the architecture of the old town and castle region dates from the 14th century through 17th century, structures are in Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. The core of the old town is within a horseshoe bend of the river, with the old Latran neighborhood and castle on the other side of the Vltava. |
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Krumlov Castle is unusually large and fine
for a town of Krumlov's size; within the Czech Republic it is second only to
the castle complex of Prague.
Krumlov Castle contains a miraculously preserved Baroque theatre, complete
with original scenery and props, one of only a few such theatres that are
still extant. Due to its age, the theatre is only used once a year, when a
Baroque opera is performed in candlelight.
Cesky Krumlov is the Czech Republic's important cultural center, hosting a
number of festivals and other events each year. The best known one is the
Five-petalled Rose Festival, which is celebrated on the weekend of summer
solstice in June. The whole downtown area is cleared of traffic and turned
into a "medieval" town again, brimming with craftsmen, artists, musicians,
and local people dressed in costumes ranging anywhere from peasants to
members of the court and nobility. Various activities such as jousting,
fencing, historical dance performances, and folk theatre plays take place
all over the town including the castle, local park, and the river bank. The
festival is concluded by a spectacular firework show above the castle.
One of Krumlov's residents was the painter Egon Schiele, and there is now a
museum of his work in the town.
Krumlov is also a great place to try Czech food. Over 80 restaurants have
been established in the area since the Velvet Revolution in 1989. Among the
best known ones belong Don Julius, Papa's, the tavern Marketa in the Castle
gardens, the pub Na louzi, and pizzeria Latran. Many restaurants are located
along the river, and one can watch canooists paddling down Vltava or study
the architecture of the castle while enjoying a meal.
Less than two kilometers from Cesky Krumlov is one of Bohemia's oldest
monasteries called Zlata Koruna (The Golden Crown), and about 15km from
Krumlov is the castle Hluboka, established in the 12th century and later
remodelled according to the English Windsor Castle. |
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