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Cesky Krumlov Castle

Castles & palaces ·Český Krumlov
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About

Cesky Krumlov Castle (Schloss Krumau): a Renaissance castle above the Vltava in Český Krumlov, Czech Republic, the country's second-largest castle complex.

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Cesky Krumlov Castle
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Why go

  • The Baroque theatre of 1766–1767, one of the best preserved in the world, with a deep stage that keeps its original wooden machinery
  • The hall dominated by the painting Dělení růží
  • The masquerade hall, with illusionistic paintings by Josef Lederer from 1748 and a wooden gallery
  • The golden coach from 1638 once used by Johann Anton I von Eggenberg
  • First-floor rooms with wooden Renaissance ceilings and a notable collection of woven hangings

Don't miss

  • Baroque theatreStage sets are still moved by hand, and candles still light the stage. Period opera performances are staged here now and then.Fifth courtyard1766–1767 On the map
  • Cloak BridgeA five-storey bridge spans the deep moat between the Upper Castle and the theatre. It is covered and gives wide views over the town.Between the Upper Castle and the theatre1764 On the map
  • Chateau TowerSix storeys, 54.5 metres high, and a symbol of the town. Climb the stairs for a 360-degree view over the castle and the town. The tower is a paid extra.Second courtyard, where the tower entrance is13th century; present form 1581 On the map
  • Bear MoatBears are kept in the moat. A bridge over the Bear Moat leads to the Lower Castle.Bridge over the Bear Moat, to the Lower CastleSince the late 16th century On the map
  • Baroque gardenLate Baroque gardens to the west, with a cascade fountain, a pleasure palace, a newly restored fountain and a hedge maze. A revolving auditorium has stood in the gardens since 1959.West of the castleLate Baroque style On the map

Your visit in 1–3 hours

2 h
  1. Walk up the approach from Latrán street and cross the Bear Moat, where bears wander about.
  2. Enter the outer courtyard from the Latrán quarter, by stairs from the south, or from the east.
  3. Go to the second courtyard for the Castle Museum and the entrance to the Chateau Tower.
  4. Start the first guided tour in the third courtyard; it takes about 60 minutes.

Know before you go

  • Open Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 to 17:00.
  • Walking through the complex is free; the museum, tower, tours and theatre are paid extras.
  • Buy tour tickets in advance, since the tour entrance is far from the ticket office.
  • Plan at least two hours for a visit.

Legends and hidden details

  • Legend says the White Lady is the ghost of Perchta of Rosenberg, whose image hangs in the castle.

What's inside

  • Castle Museum, entered from the second courtyard; a paid extra.
  • Renaissance and Baroque rooms and halls, with art from the last five centuries.
  • Gothic Wenceslaus Cellars, which now hold modern ceramic art.
  • A lapidary, a collection of stone sculptures.
  • A valued collection of woven hangings, plus a large picture exhibition.
  • Hrádek, the oldest part, with a tower from the 13th century and paintings from 1580.
  • Burgrave's house from 1578 in the east and north wings of the Lower Castle courtyard.
  • Stone fountain from 1641 in the middle of the Lower Castle courtyard.
  • Upper Castle, the Rosenberg Palace, reached by a brick bridge over a moat.
  • Rococo chapel, first mentioned in 1334 and rebuilt in 1750–1753.

Tips for your visit

  • The best approach is from Latrán street. The castle stands at Zamek cp. 59 in Český Krumlov.
  • Buy picnic supplies at the grocery across the road from the entrance on Latrán.
  • The first courtyard has tourist information, public washrooms and a souvenir shop.
  • In summer, a mixed-drink stand in the first courtyard serves cocktails.
  • The restaurant Maselnice sits across from the ticket office.
  • The official website, zamek-ceskykrumlov.cz, has an English version at /en.
  • The castle can be phoned on +420 380 704 712.

Best time to visit

  • Summer is the season for music theatre on the rotating stage in the castle garden.
  • The baroque opera Argippo had its world premiere in the theatre in 2009.
  • Performances take place in the theatre during the annual baroque festival.

Interesting facts4

1/4
  1. 1405

    Four bells in the tower's fourth floor were cast in 1405, 1671 and 1741.

    Schloss Český Krumlov - Wikipedia

  2. Writer Karel Čapek called the tower the most tower-shaped tower of all towers.

    Schloss Český Krumlov - Wikipedia
  3. 1988

    The fairy-tale film Sieben auf einen Streich was shot here in 1988 and 1989.

    Schloss Český Krumlov - Wikipedia

  4. The castle is known in German as Schloss Krumau.

    Château de Český Krumlov - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

The Witigonen family, a main branch of the Rosenberg house, began the castle. Under the Rosenbergs it served as their residence for three centuries, and William of Rosenberg led a major Renaissance makeover. Emperor Ferdinand II gave the Krumau dominion to Hans Ulrich von Eggenberg, and the Eggenberg family held the estate until their male line died out. The Schwarzenbergs then owned the castle, and later the state took it over. Today the whole site is a national monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  1. 13th centuryConstruction of the first castle begins.
  2. 1253The first written record of the castle dates from 1253.
  3. 1302The castle comes under Rosenberg control after the Vítkov line dies out.
  4. Until 1609Rudolf II's illegitimate son Julius is kept imprisoned at the castle until 1609.
  5. 1717The Eggenberg male line dies out, and the castle passes to the Schwarzenbergs.
Show all
  1. 1766–1767The Baroque theatre dates from these years and is the only one in Europe still in its original form.
  2. 1992The castle, with the historic centre, becomes a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Photo spots

  • Cloak BridgeThe covered walkway links the chateau to the theatre and offers wide views over the town.Between the Upper Castle and the theatre1764 On the map

Accessibility

  • Step-free entry The forecourt is entered by the castle steps or through a gate.
  • Toilets
  • Tower access The tower is reached by climbing its stairs.

Sources: Český Krumlov Castle - Wikipedia · Český Krumlov - Wikivoyage (see) · Český Krumlov – rezidenční sídlo jihočeské aris… · PodCastle NPÚ - · Château de Český Krumlov - Wikipedia · Český Krumlov (hrad a zámek) - Wikipedia · Schloss Český Krumlov - Wikipedia · checked 19 Oct 2026

Where
Zamek cp. 59, Cesky Krumlov

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Questions and answers

What are the opening hours of Cesky Krumlov Castle?

Cesky Krumlov Castle is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 09:00 to 17:00.

How long does a visit to Cesky Krumlov Castle take?

Plan at least two hours. The first guided tour takes about 60 minutes and starts in the third courtyard.

Is it free to visit Cesky Krumlov Castle?

Walking through the complex is free. The museum, the tower, the tours and the theatre are paid extras.

Should I book tickets for Cesky Krumlov Castle in advance?

Yes, buy tour tickets in advance, because the tour entrance is far from the ticket office.

How do I get to Cesky Krumlov Castle?

The best approach is from Latrán street. The forecourt is entered from the Latrán quarter, by the castle steps or through a gate.

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