Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/235

201 to interest visitors historically and in the excellence of its architectural features.

Its chief industries are concerned with the manufacture of paper, cloth, cellulose, beer and rope.

The stately castle of Krumlov is of course the charming attraction, dominating the whole town, and from its commanding position on a high rock on the left bank of the Vltava, it forms quite a majestic land-mark.

The first lords of Krumlov were of the family of Vítek-(Vítkovici) who was famous in 12th century, it afterwards came into the possession of Henry of Rosenberg in 1290, and eventually it passed by inheritance to the family of the Schwarzenbergs in 1719.

The several buildings within this extensive castle, are of various periods and contain altogether more than 300 apartments; amongst them are many large halls and magnificent rooms, a rich archive and splendid picture gallery.

Of the five chapels, St. George’s is the most important and interesting. It is built in the gothic style of the 14th. century. In a subterranean, dungeon of this castle, Wenceslaus IV., son of Charles IV., was imprisoned for a short time by the Bohemian nobles who were dissatisfied with his manner of government.

Visitors desirous of a pleasant walk in the park can enter by the bridge which leads to it from the castle, the natural beauty of the grounds is enhanced by the statuary with which it is adorned, and the numerous fishponds like miniature lakes, contribute to the freshness and beauty of the scene.

The other noteworthy buildings of this historic town; are, the decanal church of St. Vitus founded in the 14th. but altered considerably in the 15th. century. It is in the gothic style. Here are to be seen the tombs of the Rosenbergs. The monastery of the Minorits also of the 14th. century. A gothic Church Corporis Christi and the Holy Virgin (with fine painting) and the ancient nunnery of St. Clara founded in 1361.

In the market-place there is a remarkable old house mentioned in 1309, as being then the property of the abbey of Zlatá koruna (Golden crown), there two, is the building which in ancient times was a College of the Jesuits