Ceske Budejovice

Ceske Budejovice was founded in 1265 on the confluence of the Vltava and Malse rivers by King Přemysl Otakar II. The city has a chessboard layout. The 13th-century Dominican monastery with the Cloister Church of the Sacrifice of the Virgin Mary features important Gothic frescoes, which were discovered only recently. Not far from here, the Renaissance-era Butchers‘ Shops (Masne kramy) provide a perfect opportunity for sampling the renowned local cuisine. Another highlight of the city’s skyline is the 72-meter Black Tower, which offers breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings. The square-shaped central plaza is home to one of the largest fountains in the country, the Samson fountain.

Between the years of 1825 and 1832, the first European horse-drawn railway was built between Ceske Budejovice and Linz, Austria. You can learn many an interesting fact about the railway if you visit the South-Bohemian Museum, located in a watchman’s house in Mánesova Street. An important thoroughfare is the pedestrian zone on Lanna Street (Lannova třída), which provides numerous shopping and dining opportunities. Taking the road to Prague, you will soon arrive at the Budvar brewery; here you can not only sample the famous brew (the Budweiser name is derived from the German name for Ceske Budejovice), but also tour the brewery itself.

Ceske Budejovice is the seat of the South Bohemian regional administration and a university.