The Round Tower
Today, we continue exploring the most popular attraction in Český Krumlov, the Krumlov Castle. Since there are many areas within the spectacular Castle complex, we began this miniseries with an overview of the Český Krumlov Castle, as well as information on the guided tours available. In this second article, we concentrate on the Castle Gardens and the Round Tower. The Gardens are simply beautiful, and the panoramic views from the Round Tower are worth the climb!
In general, the entire Castle is a must-see if you are anywhere near Český Krumlov!
Český Krumlov Castle Gardens
The Castle Gardens: After finishing the Castle Tour, we slowly walked across the multi-leveled bridge and continued the climb to the Gardens. The views of the Old Town and Vltava River are awesome! There is a small café with a wonderful observation point, allowing you to look back on the Castle stretching to your right.
The Castle Gardens were absolutely pleasant in the cool afternoon. The upper section of the Garden is English style, which values wild and natural beauty. Tall hedgerows line the paths. The lower section of the Garden is French style, which promotes planned geometrical beauty. A large fountain located in the middle of the Garden divides the grounds, emphasizing the symmetry of the French gardens.
The Fountain in the Castle Gardens
Admission to the Gardens is free, with no ticket required. For more information on the Gardens, visit the Castle’s website.
The Round Tower: Rebekah makes fun that I always find the tallest building wherever we travel, and then I insist that we climb to the top. In Český Krumlov, the tallest structure around is the Castle’s Round Tower. The next morning, Rebekah and I ascended the Round Tower’s 162 steps for more sweeping vistas of the surrounding countryside.
We purchased tickets in the office at the base of the Tower (not the same ticket office for the tours) for 50 Crowns each ($2.50).
During the climb to the top, the first steps were stone, which transitioned to wood as we continued up. Near the top, a large room presents the Tower’s history and depicts the painted façade’s restoration work conducted in the mid-90s. Passing a set of large bells, we finished the climb to the top. Far below us we watched people passing over the drawbridge and watching the bears. The views of the Castle Town, Old Town and Vltava River separating the two did not disappoint!
Follow the links below for more information on the Český Krumlov Castle complex:
- The Castle Overview & Tour.
- The Castle’s Baroque Theater.
Climbing the Round Tower
The view is always amazing from the top, right David? I’ve climbed many a lighthouse solo and let my ‘afraid of heights wife’ take pictures from below!
Justin,
You are absolutely correct! There is a reason places around the world allow you to climb their highest points in the area, for a small fee of course! Rebekah is always a good sport, giving in to yet another climb. She is always glad when we get to the top!
The Český Krumlov looks amazing! The Castle Gardens seem like a beautiful and relaxing place to visit especially for the lovely price of free. Thanks for sharing your pictures!
Janeen,
The gardens, like everything else in Český Krumlov were beautiful!
I am glad you enjoyed the pictures!