Through the castle courtyards and garden to Kvítkův Dvůr

Český Krumlov Chateau is one of the few chateaus in the country whose courtyards are open to the public all year round. The gates of the castle grounds do not close even at night.

From the 5th courtyard, you will go to the Castle riding hall built between 1744 and 1746. It served its original purpose - that is, for training in horse riding in bad weather - until the beginning of World War II. In the second half of the 1970s it was rebuilt for cultural and social use. In the winter months you will have to walk around the riding stables, from April to the end of October you can walk through the castle garden.

From the chateau garden you will go along a dirt road to little castle of Ptačí hrádek. Along the way, you will find somewhat unusual views of Krumlov with its prefabricated buildings and views of the Blanský Forest.

Ptačí hrádek is the commonly known name for the unbuilt monument in honour of Charles I Philip of Schwarzenberg, who commanded the victorious armies of Russia, Austria and Prussia in the battle against Napoleon at Leipzig in 1813. The building is now privately owned and is not open to the public, only its exterior can be seen.

From Ptačí Hrádek you will follow the green hiking trail around the historic water reservoir. It is a stone pool sunk into the ground, which was part of an ingenious irrigation system. It was put into operation in 1731 and was used to pump water from the Polečnice River for the castle garden and to supply the local water cannons and fountains (seven at the time).

The origin of the two-sided, mainly lime avenue leading to château farmstead Kvítkův Dvůr dates back to the first half of the 18th century. The grove was declared a memorial tree in 1992.

Kvítkův Dvůr, located near the chateau garden, was built as the seat of the lords of the Krumlov lords in the 13th-14th centuries; its present appearance comes from a rococo reconstruction after 1750. Tours of the building, which are offered to the public by its private owner, take you, among other things, to the rococo interiors with unique paintings by F. J. Prokyš.

From Kvítkův Dvůr you will return along the alley, after which you will go right along the wall of the chateau garden and after 200 metres by the God's Martyrs' Church you will turn left and continue along the former Kájov pilgrimage route lined with chapels.

At the chapel of St. Florian you can enjoy another of the many beautiful views of Krumlov. Then you continue through the historical part of the Plešivec suburb.