From the evening of December 27th to the afternoon of January 1st Tom and I had our base of operations in the Jihočeský (southern czech) town of Český Krumlov. Tom's aunt was kind enough to give us the use of her apartment while she stayed with her parents, where we celebrated Christmas, for a few more days.
Český Krumlov is situated around a bend in the Vltava river. The town first began in the 1200s due to efficient trade routes created by the river and easy access to raw materials in the surrounding forests. The past century caused many political changes in Český Krumlov and the rest of the Czech Republic. Before WWI Czechoslovakia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Český Krumlov was briefly a part of the Czechoslovakian Republic before being annexed by Nazi Germany as a part of Sudetenland in 1938. After WWII Czechoslovakia was a puppet republic of the Soviet Union. In 1968 Czechoslovakia was invaded by the Soviet Union, the borders were closed, and the country was forced to become communist. The Velvet Revolution in 1989 kicked the Soviets out to once again allow Czechoslovakia to be a republic. And finally, in 1993, the peaceful split of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. (*Please note this is a simplified history of a long and complex issue*)
Český Krumlov is situated around a bend in the Vltava river. The town first began in the 1200s due to efficient trade routes created by the river and easy access to raw materials in the surrounding forests. The past century caused many political changes in Český Krumlov and the rest of the Czech Republic. Before WWI Czechoslovakia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Český Krumlov was briefly a part of the Czechoslovakian Republic before being annexed by Nazi Germany as a part of Sudetenland in 1938. After WWII Czechoslovakia was a puppet republic of the Soviet Union. In 1968 Czechoslovakia was invaded by the Soviet Union, the borders were closed, and the country was forced to become communist. The Velvet Revolution in 1989 kicked the Soviets out to once again allow Czechoslovakia to be a republic. And finally, in 1993, the peaceful split of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. (*Please note this is a simplified history of a long and complex issue*)
Through all the political upheaval Český Krumlov remained. The castle complex and old town are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
View of the castle's tower from an inner courtyard
The castle complex is the largest in the Czech Republic outside of Hradčany Castle in Prague. At the towers base and to the left (from this orientation) lies a moat. A standard addition to any self respecting castle, yes? No. This is no ordinary moat, it is a bear moat. Beginning in the 1500s brown bears were kept at the castle to act as guards and symbols of the Rosenberg family lineage. Today the bears act less as guards and more as tourist attractions. When the bears eventually perish they will join their ancestors in the castle as part of the decor. Three days Tom and I tried to see them but no luck.
No bears but beautiful views!
