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CESKÝ KRUMLOV Picture Postcard — Plucked from a Fairytale

Cameron McKeon
CESKY KRUMLOV
CESKY KRUMLOV
The steadily approaching castle accentuated by vibrants green on the way is a fitting introduction to Český Krumlov.

The Vltava River snakes around a castle-topped town teeming with red roof buildings and riverside restaurants in southern Czechia. A blink of an eye and Český Krumlov is in the rearview mirror, but a meander through its medieval streets and the hands on the clock begin to fly in the opposite direction.

The Vltava River bends out of view but the brightly-colored buildings remain front and center, lined with families and friends sitting just outside.
The Round Tower’s exterior design is reminiscent to layers of a cake, each section a different color and flavor.
St. Vitus church rises above Český Krumlov and acts as the high point of the circular old town, surrounded by the Vltava River.
Before stumbling upon the old town, winding passageways seldom encroached upon by cars treat pedestrians with knick-knack shops and ice cream stands in a medieval-inspired design.
The castle grounds meet the old town, separated only by a wide stretch of the river.
A swift stream’s steady growl mellows out into a background hum as conversations ramp up in the restaurant above.
The Round Tower can be glimpsed from all over town, this time rising above a serene portion of the river.
The castles arching windows multiply and glare menacingly at the small town below.
An Italian restaurant provides an Italian-like view as the sun pours into the dark room and onto the patiently-awaiting plants.
Every castle needs its garden. After a jaunt up and past the main castle ground, your eyes meet expansive stretches of greenery lined with expertly trimmed shrubbery.
Old meets new in this view of the castle. The pristine white-and-gray passageway rubs right up to the faded but authentic splotchy brown of the neighboring building.
Český Krumlov awaits sunset as shade creeps over the town but the afternoon sun remains preoccupied on the backdrop.
A hike up to the castle offers a birds-eye-view of the town as a reward. From bottom to top, a slice of the river gives way to condensed, red-roof buildings, before spreading out into rolling hills and finally a blue sky painted with brushstrokes of white here and there.
The painted-on bricks and designs may not fool many, but who’s complaining about a little bit of fairytale embellishment to a fairytale town?
A spotless sky reflects off the calm waters below, dotted with kayakers enjoying a hint of summer in early May.
A few strides are all the separate a pair of sloping buildings in the old town, and there it is once again. The Round Tower splits the difference, perched perfectly in the middle of the two buildings.
As one leaves town, Český Krumlov waves goodbye in grand fashion. A red and yellow gate acts as a symbolic curtsey as visitors pass through one last time.

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Photos courtesy of Cameron McKeon.

Cameron McKeon

About the Author: Cameron McKeon

After Cameron McKeon spent 34 days walking the Camino de Santiago, he gained a new perspective on travel. The pilgrimage route in the north of Spain opened his eyes to experiencing new cultures through conversation, local cuisine, and studies. Cameron has traversed much of Europe, spending time in the Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, France, and more. With a background in journalism and anthropology, he has an eagerness to write about his experiences abroad.

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