Krumlov is dominated by the second largest castle in the Czech Republic. It gets fewer visitors than the castle in Prague, but it is still quite the tourist destination. Upon returning from Krumlov the Viasat History Channel on our tv informed me that this castle was the home of the Princess Eleonora von Schwarzenberg. Apparently there are speculations that the Princess, who slowly died of cancer was suspected at the time (1741) of dying from vampirism. A large mass was found on her lungs during her autopsy, but the fact that a noble person at that time had an autopsy leads to the specualtion that it was a cover to pierce her heart to prevent her from becoming a vampire. Further, instead of being buried in her family crypt in Vienna next to her husband, she was taken from Vienna just after the autopsy back to Krumlov where she was buried at the side of St. Vitus. Her tombstone bears only her first name and the insctiption, "a sinner". It makes no reference to her last name or status. They dug into the grave a few years ago only to discover that it had been sealed in concrete and covered with concecrated ground (and bones) from the nearby cemetery. That is the conspiracy theory for this post.
Český Krumlov was more crowded than the other Czech towns I have visited, but it a beautiful place that is worth seeing.
For some reason, they have bears at the entrance to the castle:
Views of Krumlov from the castle:
The castle had beautiful gardens manicured in the English style. I would have loved to have taken a picnic up there.
People going over the dams in the river:
See what I mean about water quality?
I felt bad for the bears. They looked so bored.
ReplyDeleteI had a class recently where I asked my students what their favorite Czech destination was, and it was unanimously Cesky Krumlov. Very cute town, and they all mentioned the rotating theater.
And yes, I find it odd that anyone is willing to get into the Vltava. No thanks...