TRIPS FROM CESKY KRUMLOV
to historic towns, castles and abbeys
Cesky Krumlov makes a great place to explore the surrounding countryside and towns. There is so much to see - beautiful countryside, ancient towns, ruined castles, beautiful churches and abbeys. Being close to the border it even makes a cheap option for exploring Austria and Germany.
The following is not comprehensive, just a taster list of some of our favourite places. There is so much more - and you never know what surprises you will come across when you escape the crowds and visit the "real" Czech Republic. The photo above is of the maypole and witch in Prachatice Town Square - we are told the witch gets burnt!
If you want a site which gives details of all the attractions in Southern Bohemia check out http://www.jiznicechy.org . It has to be said that the Cesky Krumlov Information Centre is pretty useless for attractions outside the town. Check out our Lipno and Sumava page for details of the natural beauties of the National Park and the Activities page if you are into cycling, canoeing, walking, skiing or climbing.
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Divci Kamen Castle
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Trebon
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Prachatice
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Ceske Budejovice
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Rozmberk nad Vltavou
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Rimov
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Horice Na Sumave
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Klet mountain
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The Blansky Les
Divci Kamen Castle
The imposing ruins of Divci Kamen Castle are set above the Vltava
River. There is a trail which runs from Holubov to Trisov and
brings you to the foot of the castle. The walk is stunning and takes a
couple of hours including the castle visit. There are train stations
are Holubov and Trisov.
Trebon
Trebon makes a nice day trip from Cesky Krumlov. It is a lovely
town with Renaissance castle and townhouses. It is set in a landscape
of huge man-made lakes, around which you will find waymarked nature
trails and cycle paths.
Prachatice
Prachatice is another town with a lot to offer. If you think
beautiful Renaissance wall decorations are confined to Cesky Krumlov,
think again. Prachatice is full of them, some dare we say it even finer
than those in Cesky Krumlov.
Ceske Budejovice
Ceske Budejovice is the largest town in South Bohemia and is easily accessible by train or bus from Cesky Krumlov. At its centre is one of the largest town squares in Europe. Of course the other thing Ceske Budejovice is famous for is the beer. This is where Budvar (the original and better Budweiser) is brewed. Tours of the Brewery should be booked in advance. Near to Ceske Budejovice you can visit another world heritage site - the village of Holasovice with its Baroque farmhouses.
Rozmberk nad Vltavou
Rozmberk nad Vltavou is almost like a mini Cesky Krumlov. It has a smaller castle built on the rock cliffs that overlook the river and the small town. This is the starting place for a day's canoe trip down the Vltava River to Cesky Krumlov.
Rimov
You will find another trail at Rimov, but this one is very unlike
the Holubov/Divci Kamen trail. The start and end of the trail is
a church and Loretto Chapel. The trail follows the stations of
the cross set in a variety of settings. The stations of the cross
vary considerably in design - some are simple panels, others models,
some are set in small chapels, others in the open. The climax for
us is the Garden of Gethsemane, where life-size statues are set in a
woodland clearing (see above)
Horice Na Sumave
Horice Na Sumave is famous for its passion plays, which are performed in an amphitheatre above the town every summer. There is a small museum about the passion plays and a short trail which takes you up to the theatre. It is accessible by bus, train or cycle trail.
Klet Mountain
The Klet Mountain is the magic mountain which rises above Cesky Krumlov. Its wooded slopes are criss-crossed with paths for you to explore a typical Czech forest - the Blansky Les. At its peak you will find an observatory from which you can see the Alps on a clear day and at its foot on the Krumlov side you will find the Vysenske Hills trail, which explores the Vysenske Kopce nature reserve. The trail starts in Vysne just above the Cesky Krumlov railway station.
The Blansky Les
The Blansky Les (Blansko Forest) is an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty which extends north from Cesky Krumlov. The forest makes great walking - one waymarked trail is a round trip from Brloh and takes in the ruins of Kuklov Monastery and the even more ruined Kuklov Castle (above). The little train from Cesky Krumlov takes in a number of stops for the Blansky Les - including Zlata Koruna for the gothic monastery of the same name, Holubov and Trisov for Divci Kamen and the Klet.