Cesky Krumlov Castle

Cesky Krumlov Castle dominates the small, historic town of Cesky Krumlov in the heart of Southern Bohemia.

Despite Cesky Krumlov’s many attractions, the Castle should not be missed. For starters, it appears to be everywhere. You’ll have a hard time finding a street from which you can’t see the tower.

Cesky Krumlov Castle was established in the 1240s by a Czech aristocratic family. It changed hands between influential families, each of which made their stamp on the building.

The Krumlov Castle was passed down through the Rosenberg family for 300 years after the last of the Lords of Krumlov went away.

When the Rosenberg line died out in 1602, Emperor Rudolf II acquired the castle and estate, and it eventually passed to the Eggenberg family (originally from Styria, Austria), who had no living heirs either, and finally to the Schwarzenbergs. During this time, the castle was renovated to reflect contemporary Vienna and became a hub for intellectual gatherings.

Cesky Krumlov was a part of German Austria before WWI, Czechoslovakia after the war, Germany annexed it, and then it was returned to Czechoslovakia before becoming part of the Czech Republic once that country split from Slovakia. And what a ride it was!

Cesky Krumlov Castle, like the rest of the city, fell into disrepair during the Communist era.

In the wake of the 1989 Velvet Revolution, progress was made. Cesky Krumlov’s historic centre (containing the Castle) was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1992, solidifying the city’s status as a popular tourist destination.

The Castle Gardens in Cesky Krumlov are among the city’s most picturesque spots. They are the largest portion of the complex at 10 hectares, and are a great place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the summertime throng with a picnic or a good book.

Multiple names have been used to refer to the gardens that were established in the 17th century. Castle Gardens is a much better name than “New Princely Garden” or “Court Garden,” which were both considered.

Terraced with towering lime trees, the grounds also feature manicured beds of pink and orange flowers and a stunning Rococo Cascade Fountain in the lower grounds.

Many visitors to Cesky Krumlov come to see the world’s best-preserved Baroque theatre. The historic auditorium, orchestra pit, props, decorations, and more may be seen on a tour of this outstanding theatre for around 400 CZK per person (2026 pricing; check the official castle website for current rates, since tours run only a limited number of times per year).

The theatre building itself was constructed in 1680–82 under Prince Johann Christian I von Eggenberg, replacing an earlier makeshift theatre space in the castle’s Deer Hall; it was substantially refurbished with updated Baroque stage equipment between 1765 and 1766 under Josef Adam zu Schwarzenberg. It is one of only a handful of court theatres in the world to retain its original stage machinery, scenery, and props.

Many of the paintings and ceiling murals in the Theatre were done by leading carpenters and artists from Vienna, as the Viennese style was at the height of its popularity at the time. The services of an informative guide are included in the price of your ticket, so you may find out more about the theater’s amenities.