Cesky Krumlov -
The original Gothic castle, upon which the town of Český Krumlov was based, was founded by the Lords of Krumlov (one of the branches of the Vítkovci family. around 1253. The Vítkovci family was a branch of the powerful Witigonen family, which has the five-petalled rose in its coat-of-arms. In 1302, the last Witigonen died, and the Witigonens' relatives, the Rosenbergs (Rožmberk), inherited the castle. The Rosenbergs maintained their seat there until 1602. During this time, the town experienced its greatest prosperity, with rapid economic development, construction of new buildings, and the expansion of trade with other cities in the region.
In 1602, the Emperor Rudolf II von Habsbursg bought the Krumlov dominion. In 1622, it was transferred to the Eggenberg family. In the 1680's, under the rule of Johann Christian I. von Eggenberg, farming, construction, and the arts flourished, helping Český Krumlov rise out of a period of stagnation that resulted from the Thirty Years' War.
At the end of 17th century, the Castle Baroque Theatre was built; and the Castle Gardens were renovated. In 1719, a new dynasty, the Schwarzenbergs, inherited Český Krumlov. In the second generation of their rule, Joseph Adam zu Schwarzenberg began extensive reconstruction of the castle. During this time, the castle was developed with a Baroque character.
Towards the end of the 18th century, and in the 19th century, the economy and the arts stagnated. By the middle of the 19th century, the Český Krumlov Castle was no longer the main residence of the Krumlov-Hluboká Schwarzenberg family. In the 20th century, the World Wars caused further stagnation though Krumlov was spared damage from battles or from bombings. At the end of the war, the German population was expelled.
In 1989, the Velvet Revolution brought renewal to Český Krumlov, eventually leading to its inscription into the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1992.
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| We are visiting the walled fortress city of Cesky Krumlov - located in the southern part of the Czech Republic. A UNESCO World Heritage location - has been a ruling fort since 1302. The town is situated on the banks of the Vltava River - the same river in Prague. |
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| Entrance into the city |
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| Tower part of the fortress - now part of the Rozmberk Dynasty museum. |
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| Fountain inside the courtyard |
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