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Czech Republic: Cesky Krumlov, Hluboka Castle, Prague

Hluboka Castle, Czech Republic: All about romance
by Prakash Bang, Editor in Chief

There’s a small village in Southern Bohemia called Hluboka. Sitting atop a hill out there is the very romantic chateau surrounded by acres and acres of gardens. Only 40 kms from Cesky Krumlov, a visit to the castle would be a good idea.

Castle Gate, Hluboka Castle, Hluboka, Czech Republic

We were on a day tour to Cesky Krumlov. After enjoying the day in Old Town, we began our drive towards Prague at around 5PM. As planned, we took country roads instead of the motorway. That way, we could explore the countryside and make a brief stop at Hluboka Castle.

Only 30 minutes away was Zlata Koruna (Golden Crown) Monastery. We parked our car under a shady tree and walked the monastery. The silence was golden. After a very brief visit, we drove towards Hluboka. Few kms ahead, the chateau on the hill signaled that we were nearing the village. As we came closer, a lake, the Hluboka village and the castle all made for a good picture stop. A few minutes uphill drive brought us to the gates of Hluboka Castle.

Actually a chateau, Hluboka Castle was built in the 1200s by the Czech king Premysl Otakar II son of King Wenceslas I. It was extensively renovated in the 16th century during the heart of the Renaissance and then later in the 19th century to its current splendor.

By the time we reached the castle, the visiting hours were over. However, that did not stop us from enjoying the castle’s beautiful rose gardens and the winter gardens dotted with magnificent statues and fountains.

Had we taken one of tours of the castle, we would have witnessed the intricate and magnificently detailed work that decorates the inside of the castle. Original furniture and tapestries woven in the early 1600s abound throughout the many rooms. Bedrooms, dressing rooms, and reading rooms all feature grand chandeliers, paintings by the European masters of the 16th through 18th centuries, stained glass window panes, and Delft china, prized furnishings and Chinese vases from the 1700s. Since this was a castle needing defense, there is an impressive armory, replete with myriad swords, suits of armor, firearms and ammunition.

Zlata Koruna Monastery, Hluboka, Czech Republic

After spending an hour in the castle premises, we were ready to leave. The drive took us through the neighbourhood where the first Budweiser beer was brewed. Just so you know, Budweiser is originally a Czech beer that was first brewed in the year 1785. The Budweiser in North America is not the same. Well, this is not the page to discuss various copyrights and infringements.

By 8:30PM we were at our hotel in Prague. This would be our last night of a beautiful 12-day trip of Central Europe.

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