Hotel GOMEL***, České Budějovice

Hotel RŮŽE***, Český Krumlov

Hotel REGENT***, Třeboň

ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE

County capital (pop. 95,000); industrial, transportation and cultural center of South Bohemia. The town's historical center was declared cultural reserve. The town was founded as royal hold and its mission was to stave off the lust of expansion on South Bohemian warlords' part.

ČESKÝ KRUMLOV

County capital (pop. 14,000) at southern foot of the Böhmerwald. One of the most distinguished urban reserves in the Czech Republic. Also under the protection of the UNESCO. The town was founded under the castle of the Vítkovci (Wittigonen) clan.

JINDŘICHŮV HRADEC

County capital (pop. 22,000) in South Bohemian lake district. The local castle was mentioned already in 1220. The lords of Hradec were in the 14th to 16th century one of the most distinguished Bohemian clans. The town's historical core is under protection as cultural reserve.

TŘEBOŇ

A town in South Bohemian Basin. Largest ponds of the Czech Republic in the vicinity (fish-breeding; the famous Třeboň carp, recreation), spa (movement organs treatment, mud baths). Close to town walls there was laid out the pond Svět (210 hectares), now used for recreation purposes. 3 km north the largest pond in Bohemia, the Rožmberk (489 hectares) with its 2.4 km long dam. Urban reserve.

TELČ

A town in a slightly hilly landscape in the South of Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, mentioned already in early 1200s. The town lived its heyday in the 16th century under the reign of the Lords of Hradec. Unique urban reserve. 16th century Renaissance chateau.

TELČ CHATEAU

Renaissance chateau complex, built in two stages on the foundations of a Gothic castle in mid-16th century and immediately after. Chateau interiors with unique decorations and collections mapping the castle's history from the times of Zachariáš z Hradce to those of the Podstadsky-Liechtenstein family.

ZLATÁ KORUNA - MONASTERY

A Cistercian monastery founded by King Přemysl Otakar II in 1263 to counterbalance the importance of Vyšší Brod monastery, established by the Rožmberks. The monastery's Church of the Assumption of Our Lady dates approx. 1300, while the convent with the Chapter Hall was built between 1280 and 1300. After 1663, the monastery was revamped in Baroque style. Abolished by Emperor Josef II, the monastery as renovated and opened to the public after 1909. There is an exhibition devoted to South Bohemian literature.

ČESKÝ KRUMLOV - CASTLE AND CHATEAU

One of the most remarkable castles in Bohemia. Founded by Vítkovci clan in the 1st half of the 13th century. After 1302, after the last of the clan deceased, the castle became the seat of the Rožmberks. The castle was extended several times, and it was rebuilt into a Renaissance chateau in the 16th century. Later, its owners, the Eggenberg and Schwarzenberg families made some Baroque modifications and had a riding school and a summer house (Bellarie) built. The chateau chapel was rebuilt, the masquerade hall decorated, and a new chateau theater was built. Historical interiors (two sightseeing routes). Representation halls furnished with objects from the times of the Rožmberks to those of the Schwarzenbergs.

JINDŘICHŮV HRADEC - CHATEAU

Originally a small castle dating back to late 12th century, it gradually expanded into a vast complex. The castle flourished particularly under Adam II of Hradec, who had the castle rebuilt into a Renaissance residence in 1581. The reconstruction was completed by the Slavata family. Its next owners, the Černíns, added the so-called Spanish Wing, but a fire in 1773 damaged seriously the whole premises of the chateau. The chateau is currently under reconstruction and will be gradually opened to the public.

HLUBOKÁ NAD VLTAVOU - CHATEAU

A Gothic castle built in mid-13th century to strengthen the Přemysl clan's power. In 1661, Hluboká was purchased by the Schwarzenbergs. The castle was rebuilt several times. Its most recent modification into Windsor Gothic style was carried out between 1839 and 1871; it transformed Hluboká into Schwarzenbergs' representative residence. The chateau's premises include a large park and a riding school. Representative interiors contain precious collections of Flemish tapestries, weapons, furniture, and paintings.

TŘEBOŇ - CHATEAU

A 16th century Renaissance chateau, from the last Rožmberks' era. The chateau's foundations, however, are older, no doubt linked to the history of the town of Třeboň. After the Thirty-Year War, Třeboň chateau became the property of the Schwarzenbergs, and it remained in their hands for subsequent 300 years. A part of the chateau was turned into an archive containing documents and objects related to the Rožmberk and Schwarzenberg families. Historical interiors recall the proprietors, particularly the Courtiers' Hall with Rožmberks' coat-of-arms. Fishery exhibition.

VYŠŠÍ BROD - MONASTERY

A Cistercian monastery founded by Vok z Rožmberka in mid-13th century. The oldest preserved parts are the Chapter Hall, cloister, refectory and the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady. The Church contains the Rožmberks' family crypt. The monastery was conveyed to the Cistercians' Order. The Church, Chapter Hall, and the library containing a number of manuscripts and first prints are open to the public.

ROŽMBERK - CHATEAU

One of the oldest castles of the Vítkovci clan, dating back to the 13th century. Only a part of the tower called Jakobínka has survived to our times. In the 14th century, the Lower Castle was built, then modified into a Renaissance structure in the 16th century. In 1620, the castle became property of the Buquoy family and remained in their hands until 1945. The current romantic style is the result of modifications made in the 1st half of the 19th century. A family museum was set up inside.