A unique town area, mainly from the 16th century, has developed over the picturesque meanders of the Vltava river, along with the extensive castle and chateau grounds, which is the second largest castle complex in the Czech Republic, just after the Prague Castle.
The first written mentions of Český Krumlov date back to 1253.he town and the castle in Český Krumlov lie at the borders of the Vltava river and the first settlements have been formed here by the Celts in the Neolithic period. The Slavs have come here after that, in the 6th century. The more recent history of the town is closely tied to the foundation of the castle around the year 1250. One of the branches of the Bohemian nobility has taken seat here – the famous family Vítkovci, later known as the Lords of Krumlov. Both the castle and their five-petalled rose coat of arms was inherited by their relatives the Rosenbergs. Under their rule, the castle and the town thrived and prospered. In their times, the Rosenbergs were the most powerful family in Bohemia, shadowed only by the king.
Your tour of Český Krumlov will begin with the visit of the town, the view of the romantic meanders of the Vltava river, followed by the tour of the castle and concluded by walking through the rest of the town, where you will see the unique urban development.The Rosenbergs have been discontinued and so the castle went to the Eggenbergs in 1622, and then, after three generations, when they didn’t have direct successors, the heritage comes to the Schwarzenberg family, after 1719.