South Bohemia region
Thanks to its many monuments and beautiful nature, this region, which lies near the border with Austria and Germany, has a particularly recreational character. Therefore, it is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world who will find here many ways how to relax. The region has a lot to offer: ancient towns, majestic Gothic churches, Renaissance castles, monasteries, unique collections of small architecture, folk architecture monuments and interesting technical buildings including unique pond systems. Thanks to its location in the very center of Europe, the influences of the Germanic and Anglo-Saxon North were combined in this area with the fine art of Italian Renaissance masters. All this imprinted on the “healthy” soul of the region, where it was never dominated by heavy industry, but by agriculture and landscape management and monuments. Two places in the region are already listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and others are applying for this prestigious entry. At the same time, South Bohemia is an important center of education - there are many schools headed by the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, which has eight faculties with almost 11,000 students in more than 200 fields, so its architecturally valued campus is full of life.
More info:
https://www.jiznicechy.cz/en/
České Budějovice
The largest city in the South Bohemian Region lies at the confluence of two rivers – Vltava and Malše, which predetermines its picturesque beauty. It is a statutory city and administrative metropolis of the South Bohemian Region, with almost 100,000 inhabitants. The rich history of the royal city is commemorated by outstanding architectural buildings built since the 13th century. České Budějovice was founded in 1265 by Czech King Přemysl Otakar II. and from the very beginning benefited from a convenient geographical location on trade routes. They have become the site of numerous shops and holders of sovereign rights granted by the king, including the right to brew beer. Revenues also flowed from the trade in salt and skirt, fish farming and extensive silver mining. During the Thirty Years' War, České Budějovice even became a metropolis of Bohemia for some time (even crown jewels were hidden here), but this glorious era ended in the summer of 1641 with a large fire in which two thirds of the city burnt down. Its importance then strengthened the end of the 18th century, when it became the seat of bishop of the new diocese. In the 19th century, development was aided by the first European horse-drawn railway, which connected České Budějovice with Linz in Upper Austria and together with the Vltava cruise accelerated the transport of goods between north and south.
These important moments remain imprinted in the architecture of this city, whose center is a conservation area. The oldest part is the Piarist Square with a Dominican monastery, in the immediate vicinity of which is a large square of Přemysl Otakar II, which is considered one of the highlights of medieval urbanism in the country. It is lined with houses with a typical arcade and in the middle of the square stands the Baroque Samson Fountain, one of the largest in Bohemia. The most beautiful view of the historic center and the surrounding area is from the nearby Black Tower built in the 16th century. World-renowned companies with long-standing tradition are located in České Budějovice, such as Koh-i-noor Hardtmuth (one of the world's largest manufacturers of art, school and office supplies), Budějovický Budvar, engineering Robert Bosch or the major food company Madeta. The city is also an important center of culture and gastronomy. A very popular destination for tourists is the town of Hluboká nad Vltavou, 10 km away, with a large fairytale castle and a wide range of relaxation including wellness and golf.
More info:
https://www.c-budejovice.cz/en
Český Krumlov
A small, but cosmopolitan town with a unique atmosphere, registered in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List since 1992. Due to the close proximity to the Austrian border that constituted the "Iron Curtain" from mid 20th century, its development was not politically desirable, and that's why the town has preserved its unique medieval nature. The subsequent modern restorations were carried out in compliance with strict historic preservation rules. That made Český Krumlov a unique town, visited by millions of admiring tourists from all over the world every year.
The period of the lords of Rožmberk (1302 - 1602) who settled in Český Krumlov was essential for its bloom. They imprinted a unique character of Italian Renaissance to the town and to the castle, which now constitute the second largest castle of the Czech Republic. In late 17th century, when the Eggenberg family ruled, the Baroque Theatre (now the oldest of its kind in the world) was build and the castle garden rebuilt. In the Schwarzenberg period, Český Krumlov got its Baroque nature, and then, from the 19th century, there were no essential changes, except for the elimination of the walls and the gates. Therefore the town preserved its paved crooked streets, romantic places and a unique complex of town houses (more than 300 buildings under preservation order in the historical centre), with the imposing castle rising above the meander of the Vltava River. Český Krumlov also ranks among the most important cultural centres of the Czech Republic: very famous galleries include the Egon Schiele Art Centre and the International Art Gallery; very attractive is also the summer theatre program presented at the revolving auditorium in the castle park. Interesting things showing the particularities of the region can be seen also in the Moldavite Museum, and the small Seidel Photographic Studio Museum telling the story of the dawning of the photograph is unique at European level. It is situated in the house where the pioneers of that art lived and left a precious legacy showing the character of the Czech-German-Austrian borderlands from late 19th century. The visitors can have their photographs made in the authentic environment and even borrow historical clothes.
More info:
http://www.ckrumlov.info/docs/en/zakinf.xml
https://www.zamek-ceskykrumlov.eu/en
Hluboká nad Vltavou
The town of Hluboká nad Vltavou is a very enticing place; it attracts visitors from far away with its fairy-tail castle, one of the most famous ones in the Czech Republic. The origins of the town date back to the 13th century; primarily the Schwarzenberg family that acquired the Hluboká Castle in the 17th century, was very important for its history. Inspired by his travels to England, Prince Jan Adolf II Schwarzenberg with Princess Eleonora, his wife, ordered a reconstruction of the Barock castle in the romantic New Gothic style, taking the English Windsor castle as model. The new style made the castle very famous; it became a favourite of Czech and international movie makers, and therefore its scenery can be seen in many fairy tales. In 2009, it also hosted the meeting of foreign ministers of the European Union, invited by Karel Schwarzenberg. The richly furnished castle interior is worth seeing, with its beautiful walls and ceilings decorated by wood carvings. Also the authentically furnished private rooms of Prince Adolf and his wife Hilda, the last owners of Hluboká, can be visited. The castle kitchen with the confectionary and personal and food elevator from early 20th century can be seen in the basement.
More info:
https://www.hluboka.cz/en/
https://www.zamek-hluboka.eu/en
Lipno
The Lipno Dam was built on the Vltava River in 1950–1959. During the construction, favorable natural conditions were used, especially the character of the landscape and the gradient of the Vltava. Plans for streamlining and energy utilization of the Vltava River have been developed since the end of the 19th century. The Lipno Waterworks was the fourth dam of the Vltava Cascade in time and its first stage. The largest water area in the Czech Republic has been established, which is of fundamental economic importance: it is a reservoir of water, it creates flood protection, it is an important source for electricity production, it creates an attractive environment for recreation and tourism development.
More info:
https://www.lipno.info/en/
