Tue 04.May.2010
Česky Krumlov, Czech Republic
Entry Level
![First View old town with spires, seen from nearby hill](pix/2010/p4292071.jpg)
It is a mile or so hike down the hill from the train station to the old
town, and a bit of a climb again up to my hillside room above the other
side of the old town. The trek made a great orientation walk through
the heart of the maze of twisty passages.
Here is the first clear view I had of the old town, about half-way down
from the station.
Actually, the main street winds, but is
easy to follow. The twisty passages are the side streets.
![Two Towers, Three Touristas Round castle, onion-spire church tower, teenage tourist girls](pix/2010/p4292098.jpg)
Old Krumlov occupies a near-island in a loop of the Vltava River. On the
cliffs opposite perches a vast sprawling castle, with an almost
playfully painted round tower on the lower level.
Classical music fans will know the Vltava by it's German name Moldau.
Below the tower the maze of the old town spills across the river, and curls around the castle walls. Beyond lies a brewery.
The round tower is a good navigation aid, as is St Vitus' church spire
on the "loop" side of the river.
Crossing the bridge leading up to my
neighborhood, you can see that no opportunity is lost here for a
colorful boutique cafe.
![Latran Street colorful shopping street](pix/2010/p4292101.jpg)
![Foot of the Castle Stairs grey and white painted building facades](pix/2010/p4292113.jpg)
![Reality Canceler real estate office "Realitní Kancelář"](pix/2010/p4302163.jpg)
Reality
Canceler. Not a bad word for a real estate office.
![default title default alt text](pix/2010/p4302214.jpg)
![Moldau Hilton whitewashed building with blue trim](pix/2010/p5012254.jpg)
Did anybody else go to Berkeley? If so, you'll notice that this view
from the upper reaches of the castle looks a lot like Sather Gate.
There! That pointy spire down there is St.Vitus', the other reference
point.
Moldau
Hilton
Not only is this a whimsical name for an obviously modest pension, the
color scheme suggests a Greek island. It looks funny in South Bohemia.
Perhaps that is the point.
![Foot of the Castle Stairs grey and white painted building facades](pix/2010/p4302202.jpg)
![Reality Canceler real estate office "Realitní Kancelář"](pix/2010/p5012256.jpg)
That
high bridge connects parts of the castle that sit on two adjacent
hills.
This porch overlooking the river is smaller than it looks.
Contents Copyright 2012 Jeff Bulf