Medieval Treasures: The 10 Most Fascinating Historical Sites in Cesky Krumlov

Rising dramatically above the Vltava River's horseshoe bend, Cesky Krumlov Castle isn't just the second-largest castle complex in the Czech Republic—it's also home to one of the most fascinating brewing histories I've encountered in my research.

During my third visit last June (yes, I keep coming back), I joined a specialized tour focusing on the castle brewery's historical operations. While the original medieval brewery no longer functions, the guide revealed how castle brewmasters once incorporated local herbs from the castle gardens into their recipes, creating beers that served both celebratory and medicinal purposes. The noble Rosenberg family, who controlled the castle for centuries, maintained detailed records of these brewing recipes, some claiming to cure everything from digestive ailments to melancholy.

What struck me most was learning how the castle's location was strategically chosen partly for its access to pristine water sources—essential for quality brewing. The castle well, reaching 54 meters deep, ensured a steady supply regardless of drought or siege.

After exploring the castle's five courtyards and 40 buildings, my girlfriend and I found ourselves mesmerized by the baroque theater, one of only few preserved baroque theaters in the world. The original stage machinery, operated entirely without electricity, creates special effects that would impress even in our digital age. I couldn't help imagining the elaborate performances that once entertained nobles as they sipped their specially brewed castle beers.

For the best castle experience, I recommend bringing along a pair of comfortable walking shoes. The castle complex is extensive, and those cobblestones can be murder on your feet after a few hours of exploration.

If you're like me and believe that understanding a culture means sampling its beer, the historic Eggenberg Brewery should be at the top of your Cesky Krumlov itinerary. Founded in 1560, this brewery represents one of the oldest continuously operating brewing traditions in Central Europe.

During my research visit, I was fortunate to interview the brewmaster who explained how little the fundamental brewing process has changed over centuries. The brewery still uses the same underground cellars for lagering (cold storage) that were carved out during the Renaissance. These naturally cool stone chambers maintain perfect temperatures without modern refrigeration—a testament to the ingenuity of medieval brewers.

What fascinated me most was discovering the brewery's historical connection to local healing traditions. The brewmaster showed me ancient recipes that incorporated medicinal herbs like yarrow, juniper, and wild thyme—plants still used in Czech folk medicine today. One particular dark lager was historically prescribed by local healers for nursing mothers to increase milk production—a practice documented in the town archives.

The brewery tour concludes with a tasting session in their medieval tavern, where centuries of smoke have blackened the wooden ceiling beams. My girlfriend and I spent a memorable evening here sampling their unfiltered lagers while chatting with locals who shared family stories of brewing traditions passed down through generations.

For beer enthusiasts wanting to record tasting notes (like I obsessively do), I recommend bringing along a small pocket notebook that can easily fit in your pocket or bag. You'll want to remember the unique characteristics of each historic brew you sample.

While most tourists quickly pass through St. Vitus Church to check it off their sightseeing list, my anthropological research led me to spend hours studying this Gothic masterpiece for its less obvious connections to traditional medicine and brewing.

Built in the 14th century, this church isn't just an architectural gem—it's a repository of medieval medical knowledge. During my visit last summer, I was granted special permission to examine the church archives where I found fascinating documentation of the church's herb garden that once supplied both medicinal plants for the parish hospital and flavoring ingredients for the church-sponsored brewery.

The most intriguing discovery came when studying the church's stained glass windows. Several panels depict local saints surrounded by specific plants—hops, chamomile, and linden—all used in both traditional Czech brewing and folk healing practices. My research suggests these windows weren't merely decorative but served as visual references for medieval healers and brewers who may not have been literate.

The church's side chapel dedicated to St. Hildegard (a medieval abbess known for her work with medicinal herbs) contains rare frescoes showing the preparation of herbal remedies. What's particularly fascinating is how similar these depicted preparations are to traditional mashing techniques used in brewing.

For serious photography inside the church's dimly lit interior, I found my travel tripod absolutely essential. The church allows non-flash photography, but the low light conditions make handheld shots nearly impossible.

After exploring the church, my girlfriend and I found a quiet bench in the adjacent garden—replanted with medieval medicinal herbs based on the church records—where we sat in contemplative silence, imagining the centuries of healing knowledge that had been cultivated in this very spot.

Tucked away on a quiet side street near the main square sits one of Cesky Krumlov's hidden gems—the Apothecary Museum. This modest building houses what has become the centerpiece of my anthropology research: tangible evidence of how brewing and medicinal traditions were once inseparable practices.

The museum occupies a former 17th-century pharmacy where I spent an entire day photographing and documenting the collection of original glass vessels, ceramic jars, and wooden medicine chests. What makes this site extraordinary is its extensive collection of brewing-related medicinal recipes. The museum curator (who now recognizes me from my multiple visits) showed me handwritten formulas for beer-based tonics prescribed for everything from sleeplessness to fertility issues.

One display case contains brewing instruments alongside surgical tools—a jarring juxtaposition until you understand how intertwined these practices were. The museum's prized possession is a 1680 manuscript detailing how local brewers collaborated with apothecaries to create medicinal beers infused with specific herb combinations for different ailments.

During my last visit, my girlfriend and I participated in a workshop where we followed a 300-year-old recipe to create a small batch of herbal tincture similar to those once prescribed by the town's apothecaries. The instructor explained how many of these traditional remedies contained low levels of alcohol from the brewing process, which helped extract beneficial compounds from medicinal plants.

For anyone interested in herbalism or traditional medicine, I recommend bringing a good pocket magnifier to examine the incredible detail in the handwritten recipe books on display. The curator will often allow careful inspection of non-fragile items if you show genuine interest.

While the Baroque Theater inside Cesky Krumlov Castle is often celebrated for its architectural splendor, my research has uncovered a lesser-known aspect of this cultural treasure—its connection to historical brewing and medicinal traditions.

Built in 1766, this remarkably preserved theater is one of only a few surviving baroque theaters in the world with original stage machinery, costumes, and scenery intact. What fascinated me during my specialized tour was learning about the "performance tonics" once served to actors before they took the stage. According to the theater archives, these were specially brewed concoctions containing herbs like rosemary (for memory), honey (for voice clarity), and small amounts of alcohol to calm nerves.

The theater guide showed us original script notes that actually indicated when actors should consume specific tonics before difficult scenes. One particularly fascinating document detailed a brew containing valerian root prescribed to actors playing romantic roles to help them appear appropriately passionate yet relaxed.

The theater's costume storage contained dried herbs sewn into certain garments—lavender and thyme in particular—which served both as natural perfumes and as protection against illness during the theater season. This practice reflected the broader medieval European belief in herbal protection that influenced both brewing and medicine.

My girlfriend, initially skeptical about spending part of our romantic weekend on such a specialized tour, found herself completely captivated by the atmospheric candlelit demonstration of how performances would have appeared to 18th-century audiences. We watched in awe as the guide operated the original wooden wind and thunder machines, creating storm effects that were surprisingly convincing even to modern ears.

The theater only allows limited visitors each day to protect the delicate historical materials, so booking well in advance is essential. For the best experience, I'd recommend the extended tour that includes a demonstration of the stage machinery in action.

Just outside the bustling center of Cesky Krumlov lies one of my favorite research sites—the meticulously restored Monastery Gardens. While most visitors come for the picturesque views, I've spent countless hours here documenting the living connection between medieval brewing and medicinal traditions.

The gardens were originally established by Minorite monks in the 14th century as a source of ingredients for both their brewery and infirmary. Today, they've been carefully reconstructed based on medieval planting plans found in monastery archives. Walking through the geometric herb beds feels like stepping through a living pharmacy catalog from the Middle Ages.

During my research visits, I've identified over 30 plant species that were historically used in both brewing and healing traditions. The monastery gardener (who now greets me by name) showed me how hops weren't just cultivated for beer but were also prescribed as sleep aids in monastic medicine. Similarly, sweet gale—a bitter herb now rarely used in modern brewing—was once a common beer ingredient that doubled as a treatment for digestive ailments.

What makes these gardens particularly special is their organization. Plants are grouped according to their historical uses, with clear connections between brewing additives and their medicinal applications. The interpretation signs are excellent, explaining how monks were often both brewers and healers, using the same botanical knowledge for both practices.

My girlfriend and I spent a peaceful afternoon sketching some of the unusual herbs in the garden's quiet corners. We then enjoyed a picnic lunch featuring bread and cheeses from the local farmers' market, paired with a bottle of herbal beer from a microbrewery that recreates medieval recipes.

For plant enthusiasts wanting to identify and remember the various herbs, I highly recommend bringing a plant identification app on your smartphone. The gardens have free Wi-Fi, making it easy to research plants on the spot.