In the Czech Republic, only Cesky Krumlov can compete with Prague in terms of the number of attractions and legends per capita. This town, located in the South Bohemian Region, on the bend of the Vltava River, was inscribed by UNESCO experts on the World Heritage List in 1992.
History nearby
And this is not surprising, because the historical center of Cesky Krumlov has over three hundred old buildings, and this is over eighty percent of the total development.
You can come to Cesky Krumlov for one day from Prague. A few hours will be enough to stroll through all the streets of the historical center of this unique town, explore the castle, have a delicious meal, and buy souvenirs.
It is believed that the city was founded around 1230-1239 by the son of Vitek from Prčice. In different eras, Krumlov was owned by Rosenberg (Rosenbergs), Eggenbergs, Schwarzenbergs. Each family completed and altered the castle, changed a lot in the appearance of the city.
It is noteworthy that by the beginning of the twentieth century the population of 7,000 Krumlov consisted of 82 percent Germans … In 1918, Czechoslovakia declared its independence, Czech troops entered the city, suppressing the desire of the German majority to create an independent administrative district, which was to join Austria. On April 30, 1920, the city was officially named with the prefix "Czech". During the German occupation, he did not suffer much, as well as when he was liberated in 1945, practically without a fight, by the Americans. All German-speaking citizens from Krumlov were deported to Germany and Austria after the war. The city again became part of Czechoslovakia.
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In the era when the country belonged to the so-called socialist camp, Krumlov fell into decay, many of his buildings required serious reconstruction. And only after the velvet revolution, most of the buildings were returned to their beauty, they tried to recreate their original appearance.
Five-petalled rose symbol
Krumlov is good at any time of the year. Even in rain and slush. But it is especially attractive in summer, in June, when the Five-petalled Rose Festival takes place here. This is a two-day fun with medieval processions, fireworks and fairs. In summer, Krumlov also hosts chamber music festivals, jazz festivals and much more.
The five-petalled rose is a symbol of the Rozmberk family, which did a lot in previous centuries for the prosperity of Krumlov. It in various forms - in stone, on frescoes, in wood can be seen everywhere in the city. The five-petalled bud is nothing more than a rosehip flower, a romantic symbol of an extinct family.
One of the most famous Czech writers of the 20th century, Karel Čapek, wrote about Krumlov: “I don’t know how many bends the Vltava makes here - while you go right through the whole city, keeping as straight as possible, you will cross it five times and every time you wonder that it so golden brown and in such a hurry. I also don’t know how many inhabitants there are in Krumlov, but there are thirty-four taverns, three churches, a castle - one, but a large one, two gates and a great many attractions: in fact, the whole city is a historical landmark …"
There is some kind of secret hiding behind the door of every house in Krumlov. There is something mystical everywhere. Especially in cloudy weather, it seems that the souls of the people who once lived here are watching you and, perhaps, somewhere around the corner you will definitely meet a ghost.
The most famous legends
The most famous Krumlov legend is about the White Lady, the spirit of Perchta from the Czech count family of Rozmberk. The beautiful daughter of Oldřich II spent a happy childhood in her father's castle in Krumlov. Many suitors asked for her hand in marriage. But her father forced her to marry Jan Lichtenstein, a wealthy and noble widower, an evil and rude man. The marriage became her hell, from which there was no way out. In vain she prayed for the softening of the heart of the monster-husband, in vain she wrote desperate letters to her father and brother: "Save me from these evil people - and you will have such a merit before God, as if you liberated a soul from hell." And only the death of her husband released her from the family prison. With great joy, Perchta returned to the castle of Cesky Krumlov and became the personification of good and the protector of all suffering. The grief of marriage left on her face indelible traces of suffering and deprived her of the ability to laugh. A serious and slender, prematurely withered woman with curly golden hair tied with a white ribbon, she lived in the ancestral castle until her death in 1476. And all the poor people of the adjacent lands did not stop mourning and seeing her in their visions. The White Lady began to appear in the corridors and on the stairs of the Cesky Krumlov castle, foreshadowing the future with her appearance. It is believed that if someone sees her smiling in white gloves, it will bring good luck, if she is wearing red gloves, then there will be a fire, and if she is in black gloves and a veil, it meant impending misfortune, illness or death … White The lady is considered the protector of all babies, at one time, according to legend, she looked after the children of her heirs and protected them from all evil.
In Cesky Krumlov, you will also be told about another ghost of the castle - who died innocently at the hands of the madman Julia, the illegitimate son of Emperor Rudolf II, daughter of the local barber Markite. They will also talk about the spirits of the court alchemist, who died in the dungeons of the castle, but did not reveal the recipe for eternal youth, the innkeeper, who broke his neck for joy after being betrothed to his beloved …
But the most interesting to someone may seem to be the story of the family of witches who lived for many generations in Cesky Krumlov. The first Annabel (that was the name of each of the women of this family) appeared in the city during a thunderstorm. She knocked on the door of a young family who recently had a baby. The wanderer turned out to be a young woman with a child in her arms. Her daughter, very similar to her mother, bore the same name. Anabelle stayed with the people who sheltered her after she cured their child.
Every morning the witch doctor went with her daughter to the forest, collected herbs and treated the townspeople. When little Annabelle grew up and her mother got older, they went into the forest for ten days. And no one else saw the old woman, and the young one had a child-girl who was very similar to her and was called Anabel. Each Annabelle treated people and left the city in an unknown direction when the time came. This continued until 1945, when all the Anabeli disappeared somewhere. And no one else saw them. But many stories are associated with their name, for example, about a basilisk that emerged from an egg of a black chicken, and about many cases of healing of ordinary residents of the town … Now you can admire the house where Anabeli once lived. There is a café that is not popular nowadays. The townspeople are sure that if you call him Anabel, things will definitely improve.
Many Krumlov legends have acquired new details, and some have even lost their original sound, but have not ceased to be intriguing.
Take with you
What is worth seeing in the historic center of Krumlov? A castle with a deep moat near the entrance, where real bears live, courtyards decorated with sgraffito and frescoes, with a tower, Cloak Bridge and a baroque theater, and a magnificent garden are mandatory. It is necessary to walk along the longest street - Latranu and look into the souvenir shops, visit the main square of the town - look at the town hall and the plague pillar with the statue of the Virgin Mary, visit the Church of St. Vitus. And also look into a medieval-style tavern - taste delicious carp and smoked beer …
There are many souvenir and jewelry shops in Krumlov. Especially it is worth taking a closer look at the latter: vltavin jewelry is sold here. There is a legend that this stone is of extraterrestrial origin. Allegedly, a huge meteorite once fell in the vicinity of Cesky Krumlov, when it fell, it mixed with local rocks and a unique alloy was formed. Vltavin is considered a symbol of Krumlov and the Czech Republic in general. Jewelers make the most beautiful jewelry out of it. By the way, the owner of one of Krumlov's jewelry salons is Russian, he has a representative in Goryachy Klyuch, through whom you can also buy jewelry made of "Czech stone".
You will not regret it if you go to the Koh-i-Noor brand shop, because it is not far from Krumlov that there are mines where graphite is mined for the famous pencils. The stationery of this company is appreciated for its high quality.
Krumlov leaves a lasting impression. I want to come to it again and again - for new secrets.
Marina Svetlova