This picturesque town lies in a deep, meandering valley of the Vltava river in the very South of Bohemia. Its golden age came about during the rule of the Lords of Rosenberg, in 1302-1602, who made their residence there. At that time, Krumlov was a point of contact between the Czech interior, the Austrian/German Danube region, and Northern Italy. The Italian Renaissance greatly influenced the appearance of the town and its castle.
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At the end of the 17th century, during the rule of the Eggenberg dynasty, a Baroque theater was built and the chateau garden remodeled. During the rule of the Schwarzenbergs, Krumlov received a decorative Baroque makeover. However, Cesky Krumlov equals more than an exceptional complex of 300 historical buildings. The town presents itself to visitors also as a hub of culture, conventions and tourism. The International Music Festival takes place annually in August, as does a festival of Renaissance music; theatrical productions are held in the castle garden, the Festival of the Five-Petalled Rose is a major summer attraction, and the Egon Schiele Center is open to visitors the year round.
Cesky Krumlov is situated some 180 km south of Prague, near the border with Austria. A network of long-distance bus lines connects it to major cities. In the summer, an express train from Prague (the Šumava) comes here daily.