České Budějovice - a royal city

The historic core of the city is a city monument reserve and there are many interesting and valuable buildings to see. However, the history of the town began to be written in the middle of the 13th century, when it was founded as a royal town here at the confluence of the Vltava and Malše rivers by King Přemysl Otakar II.

The central square is Přemysl Otakar II Square, which has an almost square shape with dimensions of approximately 133x133m. Among other things, there is the town hall building and the famous Samson's Fountain, one of the largest Baroque fountains in the country, which is a very important monument. Not far from the square is the Cathedral of St. St. Nicholas and next to it the Black Tower, which serves as its bell tower. At the same time, it is also a popular tourist destination, which in season provides a beautiful view of the city from a height.

About a hundred meters away is the Piarist Square, from the square of Premysl Otakar II. Piaristická Street leads to it. It is located on the site of a former cemetery and its most important building is a former Dominican monastery with the Church of the Sacrifice of the Virgin Mary. The Church of the Sacrifice of the Virgin Mary is the most valuable historical and artistic monument of České Budějovice, as it was founded together with the town in 1265. Later it was modified several times, but it still retains its Gothic face. You will find rare frescoes from the 14th century, a unique feature is a double fresco in a niche opposite the northern entrance to the transept. There is also with its 10 meters the largest fresco of St. Christopher in the Czech Republic. On the square you can also visit the South Bohemian Motorcycle Museum.

In addition to the aforementioned museum, there is also the South Bohemian Museum, the Horse-drawn Carriage Museum, the Energy Museum and the Budvar Museum of České Budějovice in Budějovice, dedicated to the local excellent beer. If you would rather visit nature, you can go to the nearby Vrben ponds on the northeastern outskirts of the city. It is a system of four ponds, along the dikes of which there is also an educational trail.

České Budějovice is often the starting point for further trips, because there are many interesting destinations in its vicinity. Let us mention, for example, the Hluboká nad Vltavou chateau, the castle ruins of Dívčí kámen or Karlův hrádek, the UNESCO-listed village of Holašovice or the slightly more distant towns of Třeboň and Český Krumlov, other pearls of southern Bohemia.

Author: Martina Limbergová

Photo author: Lenka Marešová