Above the city, which is located on the banks of the Vltava River, as in a fairy tale, rise the white towers and battlements of the Hluboká castle. Another "star" among Czech castles-movie characters. And one of the most beautiful and most visited in the Czech Republic. Besides, it is easy and fast to get to it. Hluboká nad Vltavou is located 11 km North of Ceske Budejovice. You can arrive not only by road but also by water. In the summer season, pleasure boats connect Hluboká and Ceske Budejovice. Another interesting castle, Czech Krumlov, is located 30 km away.
Historically, a Royal Gothic fortress was located on a hill above the river. Today, the views from the hill are amazing. Previously, this location was an important factor in monitoring the surrounding area. Over the centuries, the castle has changed several forms. I visited both the Renaissance and Baroque styles. Hluboká acquired its current image in the XIX century.
The owners, Prince Schwarzenberg and his wife, visited England, where they got acquainted with Tudor and Elizabethan architecture and decided to give their possessions a similar look. Therefore, you can often hear that Hluboká is a small Windsor.
The castle has richly decorated halls with artfully carved wood, with luxurious collections of interior items. The garden and conservatory adjacent to the castle are especially beautiful in spring when there is a lot of greenery around.
Not every Czech castle has both an elegant look, and interiors, and decoration, and picturesque surrounding space. In Hluboká all this is successfully combined. The fairy-tale appearance of the castle and the comfort of the park are attractive not only for connoisseurs of castle architecture but also for all romantics. At any time of the year, many newlyweds come here for photoshoots or arrange a celebration in the spectacular scenery of Snow White walls.
The castle is open to visitors all year round. Tour routes lead to private rooms and luxurious halls. Also, the tour includes a visit to the tower, the castle's kitchens and Alsova South Bohemian Gallery.