Cesky Krumlov Castle Grounds: a Bohemian fairy tale

Cesky Krumlov Castle dates back to 1240 and it is the second largest castle complex in Czechia after Prague. It houses this incredible-looking bridge over the moat and is recommended for anyone who visits Czechia, let alone Cesky Krumlov itself.

Without belittling the castle itself, many people and sources said that already the grounds were a must-see. Plus they were free, and due to time limits we contented ourselves with the grounds.

I can’t discuss what I missed, but my day achieved perfection without the castle interior.

We made our way through one of the gates. It was uphill, and suddenly we found ourselves somewhere high up – we were on the bridge we’d admired earlier! High up over the moat, with statue stone pillars. I have rarely experienced something that takes your breath away in that way. The views were incredible, and also it was fascinating watching the other activity upon the bridge.

They were filming something with happy-looking families: the little boy was throwing paper aeroplanes off the bridge (a nearby assistant had a handful of ones folded and ready), while the father looked protectively on, and the mother, as well as looking the obligatory twenty years younger than her hubby, smiled adoringly at her children.

What a lovely cliché of a place, and if I directed films I definitely would film them on Cesky Krumlov castle bridge. It definitely has made a doors-smashing-open entrance onto my list of Epicest Places I’ve Ever Visited.

We took plenty of pictures and tried to stay away from heat strokes, carried around un-iced ice coffees (well, I did) and admired the beauty and utter perfection.

There were also Versailles-style labyrinthy gardens with fountains which were aesthetically pleasing (though slightly too sweltering for us).

Nicola portrayed her epic skills of travel friendness by patiently waiting for the crowds of tourists to disappear for me to pose on the empty wall, only to look at the pictures and suggest we retake them a few times with a different background. I had to consciously make sure I didn’t swing myself onto the ledge too far in a fit of hurry, would have been a tragic yet imaginative death.

I’m sure the castle is fabulous too, but as a first-hand experience, I can say the castle grounds themselves already contribute to A Day Well Spent.