Cesky Krumlov Castle: The Renaissance in the Czech Republic

In this installment of Larger Than Life: Architecture Through the Ages, we visit a castle in the Bohemian Renaissance style.

The original Little Castle, as seen from the town’s historic center, shows its transformation into a Renaissance chateau. Forward and to its left is the Mint, originally used for minting coins. While the two buildings are stylistically similar, the color of the Mint’s exterior walls is more in keeping with Bohemian baroque aesthetics. Diana Hlachova/Shutterstock

Less than 50 miles from the tripoint border of Austria, the Czech Republic, and Germany, the town of Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic, embodies the region’s architectural heritage. The historic center of the town has street layouts and many ordinary buildings that date back centuries. Larger architectural works, including two magnificent monasteries, add to the beauty and historicity.

Most impressive of all is Cesky Krumlov Castle. Overlooking the town from a promontory across the Vltava River, the 17-acre complex includes some of the finest examples of Bohemian Renaissance and baroque architecture.