Guided tours of České Budějovice

Further information:

Are you going to visit České Budějovice for sightseeing? A sample of one of the possible routes can be found below.

Route. St. Nicholas/Black Tower - Piarist Square - Rabenštejn Tower - Blind Shoulder of the Malše River - Iron Maiden - Biskupská Street - Přemysl Otakar II Square.

The jewel of České Budějovice is undoubtedly the historical centre of the city with a number of valuable religious and secular buildings. S Gothic, Renaissance, but especially Baroque houses and a uniquely preserved arcade. Its centre is the Square of Přemysl Otakar II, which is one of the most beautiful and with its area of 1 ha also one of the largest in the Czech Republic. We will start our tour here. Just look around and you won't know where to go. You'll be impressed by the fountain that dominates the square. It is Samson's Fountain, in the centre of which stands a prismatic plinth with gargoyles, on which stand four figures of athletes supporting a circular bowl with a sculpture of Samson on a lion. On the way to the Samson Fountain you may stumble over a stone. But not just any stone. It's called the Fading Stone and it marks the spot where the executions of the conspirators accused of the murder of the town crier used to take place. Be careful, however, not to cross it after ten o'clock in the evening, for legend has it that any such will wander the streets of the town until morning and not find their way home. If you like art, pop in for a tour of the House of Art - a gallery focusing on contemporary art and architecture. It's housed in one of the historic buildings bordering the square. Your attention will not miss the famous symbol of the city - Black Tower. Walk up to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, climb 225 steep steps and enjoy a unique view of the city and the surrounding hills from a height.

From the tower, continue along Hroznovou Street to the Masní krámům, a building built in the Renaissance style. Today it is home to the famous restaurant of the same name. At the corner of Hroznova and Krajinská streets you can see other historical houses such as Zátek's House from the 16th century.

Through Hroznova Street you can further reach Piaristické náměstí, where you can admire architectural gems such as Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary from 1265. From the outside you can see a frog climbing up the wall of the church. It is said that once it reaches the roof, the world will end. Don't you think he's already too high? The church is connected to the Dominican Monastery by a newly reconstructed Gothic cloister. Another important landmark is the former town armoury, which also served as a granary and salthouse. The three stone faces peering down at you from the gable belong to thieves who were caught stealing from the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary and subsequently - just a head short - cut down. Or so the story goes.

From Piaristice Square, head to Česká Street, but before you do, be sure to look back at the stone skull and stick your fingers in its eye sockets. It is said to bring good luck.Continue along Česská Street, at the end of which turn left and you will come across Rabenštejn Tower, part of the former city fortifications. From the tower, follow Panská Street past the reconstructed Front and Back Mill to the embankment of the blind arm of the Malše River. Across the river you can see the Sokol Island with the Sokolovna, swimming pool and other opportunities for recreation and sport.

Continue along the blind shoulder past a part of the preserved city walls and after a short walk you will reach the Iron Maiden tower. It got its name from a legend that there was a torture chamber with a torture device resembling a virgin's embrace. In the neighbourhood of this tower there is an iron bridge from where you can see the confluence of the Malše and the Vltava and on the left side the Háječek Park with the building of the observatory and planetarium. Behind the bridge on the Zátkov embankment is the building of the Justiční palác and two important statues - St. John of Nepomuk and the patron saint of the city, Panny Marie Budějovická. From the bridge, continue along Biskupská Street, where you will see the Bishop's Residence - the seat of the Bishop and the České Budějovice Diocese, and after a few metres you will return to the famous České Budějovice Square.