Cesky  Krumlov is a town in which history is ever present. Sometimes especially at night or in the Winter one can almost believe oneself back in time - no wonder the town is popular as a film location. The centre of Cesky Krumlov has dozens of medieval, renaissance and baroque houses crowding  its winding cobbled streets. Almost every other building features  beautiful external decoration - frescos, and sgraffito (where the design is scatched into the plaster), so much so that one can spend hours  wandering around with one's mouth open.

The Cesky Krumlov Tourist Information Centre hires out an audio tour of the town, which tells the tale of the different buildings and gives an insight into the history of the town. The tour is available in a number of languages including English. Another way to find about the different  architectural styles and decoration of Cesky Krumlov is to visit the Museum of Architecture and Craft. The Cesky Krumlov Regional Museum’s incredible model of old Krumlov gives you another insight in to the history of the town.

St Vitus Church stands on a promontory formed by the River Vltava, thus  creating a major feature in the town. The construction of the Church of  St.Vitus began in 1340, but was completed only after the Hussite wars. The church has three naves (typical for Bohemian Gothic) and vaulting in a style similar to that in St Vitus Cathedral, Prague. The church  boasts 15th century frescos. The predominantly baroque Minorite  Monastery in Latran is also worth a business.

Industrial Heritage

Cesky Krumlov also has an industrial past. As you walk around the base of the cliffs above the river you can still see entrances to abandoned  graphite mines. You can take a tour down a former graphite mine just  outside the town on Chvalsinska (the road to Cerna v Posumavi). Most of  the tour is in a little train - not for the claustrophobic. The price  includes equipment and clothing. There are tours in English.

The other industrial attraction is the Eggenberg Brewery. Tours of the  brewery start at 11am at the gates of the brewery and can be in English. Prices vary according to how much you want to drink!

Cesky Krumlov’s Historic Buildings

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