Cesky Krumlov Castle And Chateau
It is a complex of forty buildings and palaces, situated around five
castle courts and a castle park spanning an area of seven hectares. The
State Castle of Cesky Krumlov, with its architectural standard,
cultural tradition, and expanse, ranks among the most important
historic sights in the central European region. Building development
from the 14th to 19th centuries is well-preserved in the original
groundplan layout, material structure, interior installation and
architectural detail. A worthy assessment of the area by both domestic
and foreign experts resulted in the acquisition of historic monument
preservation status. Castle Tower
This is a rounded six-storied tower. The lower part (first two
stories) is much wider and is separated from the upper one by the
cornice, with the original ceilings dating from the 1580's. The facade
is decorated with illusively painted architecture. The second floor has
a rounded ceiling as well. The ceiling above the third floor is a
simple joist ceiling with a porthole and rounded windows with
semicircular vaulted niches placed in the circular stonework. The
belfry is on the fourth floor, where four bells are set on the bell
supporting construction located in the high ceiling room. Castle Lapidarium
This Lapidarium, together with the cellars of Prague Castle, is
unique in the castle architecture of all of Central Europe. The main
cellar area, originally unified, is 48 m long and 8.5 meters high,
while the wagon vault of the cellar is 4.6 m high at its peak. The room
has retained its Renaissance appearance up to the present. In the 16th
century the cellars served as stables, and according to archival
information up to one hundred horses could have been kept here. The
window segments are five-sided, confirming the Renaissance origin of
these rooms which were built around 1580. Cesky Krumlov Regional Museum
Archaeological, artistic, mechanical and ethnographical collections
and items of applied arts. Some of the most interesting exhibits are a
collection of Gothic sculptures, traditional local costumes, examples
of peasant furniture, equipment from the original Jesuit apothecary and
a unique detailed ceramic model of the town in a scale of 1 : 200.
Wax Museum
The Wax Museum in the centre of Cesky Krumlov opened in May 2001.
Covering more than 600 sq metres, the museum focuses on personalities
from southern Bohemia as well as displaying people working at trades
from
a bygone age. Beginning our 'journey through history' in an ancient
taproom and then in the atmosphere of the alchemist's workshop, we come
eventually into the Court of Emperor Rudolf II seeing some of his
collection of scientific instruments and works of art. We find out
about the Rozumberks, meet Franz Joseph I, and are startled by the
apparition of The White Lady. Castle Bears
In many places, the Cesky Krumlov Castle is decorated with
ostentatious coats-of-arms of the lords of Rosenberg bearing the sign
of the five-petalled rose in a silver field and bears as the
shield-bearers. The Rosenberg family legend held that the Rosenbergs
were related to the noble Italian family of Orsini. Orsa means she-bear
in Italian, and it is this animal motif which especially the last
Rosenberg rulers used to demonstrate their relationship with the house
of Orsini. |
