Český Krumlov's striking Renaissance castle (zamek-ceskykrumlov.cz), occupying a promontory high above the town, began life in the 13th century. It acquired its present appearance in the 16th to 18th centuries under the stewardship of the noble Rožmberk and Schwarzenberg families. This is the second largest castle complex in the country – Prague Castle is the biggest in the world and locals joke that Krumlov is only a bathroom smaller! There are over 360 rooms in the castle, and tours examine only a fraction. The interiors are accessible by guided tour only, though you can stroll the grounds unsupervised.
The guided tours run only from April to October and there are three routes offered: Tour 1 (one hour) takes in the opulent Renaissance and baroque interiors; Tour 2 (one hour) visits the Schwarzenberg portrait galleries and their 19th-century apartments. Tour 3 (40 minutes, 10am to 3pm Tuesday to Sunday May to October) explores the chateau’s nearly perfectly preserved baroque theater. Be aware that it would take all day to do all three tours. No 1 is the standard tour, with knowledgeable guides not only leading tourists around the period interiors, but filling in a lot of background on the noble families that built and rebuilt the castle, the White Lady who appears here now and again and the alchemists who once worked for its residents.
Book tours at castle ticket windows, over the website or through the Infocentrum.
Even if you don't take the tour, part of the fun here is getting lost in the passages, arcading and gangways on the south side, which lead to the Bridge "na plášti" (Cloak Bridge) – an amazing Renaissance structure rising incredibly high above the gorge. Other highlights include the beautifully painted Round Tower dominating the scene, and the baroque theater, one of only two in Europe preserved in its original state. There's also a large museum and a huge set of formal Castle Gardens where you'll find the famous Krumlov Revolving Theatre.
