Every June, residents of the town of Český Krumlov in southern Bohemia go on a trip to the Middle Ages and Renaissance! Yes, the whole city and thousands of guests are taken on an extraordinary voyage through time!
Time of valiant knights and golden-haired princesses, monumental castles and evenings to the sound of the lute. The most prominent Czech nobles and officials of the Kingdom of Bohemia walk through the narrow streets of Krumlov, giving way to trotters carrying riders on the cobblestones.
Only once a year there is an event for which thousands of guests go to Krumlov to watch or participate, dressed in costumes of the era. In June, the fairy-tale city is immersed in the bright celebration of the five-petaled rose for 3 days.
The name of the holiday was determined by a beautiful flower that still blooms on the city's coat of arms. This is a symbol of the aristocratic family Rožemberk, who owned the castle of Czech Krumlov for almost three centuries (from the 14th century). However, this is not their only castle. This was a very influential and respected family, and therefore its name is often mentioned today and Krumlov festivities resound throughout the southern Czech Republic.
The five-petaled rose festival is an urban historical festival. The scenarios for each year are based on significant anniversaries of the city of Český Krumlov and historical events related to the Rožemberk family and their castle.
The key points of the program are historical processions and entertainment. More than a thousand people take part in the costume parade. The hot spectacle of the festival is the knight's "Tournament of Roses". Hundreds of shops with handicrafts and souvenirs grow up along the central streets of the city; historical amusements for children and adults are arranged in squares and shady courtyards; music in the style of the Middle Ages rings; dancers, fakirs, jugglers surprise with their skills. In the evenings, fireworks light up the sky over Krumlov castle and the Vltava River.
During the three days of celebration in the historical center of the city, more than a hundred programs are held on a variety of stages and platforms, and street taverns and public houses (pubs) prepare special dishes in the spirit of the past.
The holiday is extremely colorful and atmospheric and is worth it to plan a trip to Krumlov in June at least once in advance. However, tempted by the Middle Ages, you need to think about choosing a hotel in advance: on the eve of the holiday, old Krumlov hotels and family pensions are fully staffed with guests from all over the Czech Republic and neighboring countries.