Through the winding, cobbled streets of Cesky Krumlov

After a break, in this new post, I am writing about my experience while visiting the pretty, but not quite popular township of Cesky Krumlov (Český Krumlov) in the Czech Republic. Situated in the South Bohemian region on the shores of the Vltava River, this place will definitely be one of your favorites in Europe upon visiting!

There are not many highlights in this town, unlike Prague for example, but it gives much more a wholesome experience of a Czech town than any other. All the important tourist spots can be seen in one day, but can you feel the essence of this elegant, little town already? 

The main highlights include the Cesky Krumlov Castle, the Cloak Bridge, the Monastery of the Minorites, and the St. Vitus Church. These spots will be described in detail in my next post, while this post will give you a feeling of this vintage townscape.

The best feeling that I got during my trip to this town was that of relaxation. There are a large number of old, cobbled streets spread around that I and my friends explored with ease. Strolling around early in the morning when not many tourists are around, having a nice coffee at one of these small cafes in a corner while not bothered about time- these constitute my idea of travel. Due to this reason, visiting Cesky Krumlov turned out to be more like a relaxing break for me.

View of the Castle Tower from one of the streets

The river Vltava meanders throughout beneath the town. Towards the north-western side of the town, we crossed the river and could see the Cloak Bridge a few meters away. I particularly liked this small bridge that took us to the larger Cloak Bridge because we could see the river slowly brushing aside the basement rocks of the town, on top of which all the roofed buildings are neatly stacked.  

View of the town from the bridge on the way to the Cloak Bridge

The Cesky Krumlov Castle constitutes a large area with multiple buildings and courtyards. Giving glimpses of Renaissance and Baroque architecture prevalent in the 17th century, the different tours across the various buildings of the castle are recommended to understand the historical background of this town. Apart from this, the castle gives stunning views of the town from a different perspective! 

View of the town from one of the viewing terraces of the castle

The most interesting historical site is the castle itself, from which you can see the St. Vitus Church and other important buildings already from far. The Castle Tower, situated on the other end of the castle offers a view from even higher up if you are ready to climb some stairs up the tower. 

View of the St. Vitus Church from the Cesky Krumlov Castle

There are a variety of things to do in the town, and I would suggest staying in this charming town for two days to experience the nightlife here as well, apart from the tourist spots. This small town is more vibrant during late evenings, and the cobbled streets are full of people talking and drinking. There are multiple choices for tasting traditional food, which is also cheaper when compared to Prague. I love different varieties of soups from the country, so this was my chance to try my favorite ones!

Traditional soup with bread served as a bowl

A traditional restaurant that I found as interesting in the old town is Krčma šatlava, which blends with the mood of the winding, cobbled streets, and the dim yellow lighted by numerous hanging lanterns outside. Apart from this restaurant where having a wholesome dinner lifts your mood completely, there are also cafes at different spots in this old town, where you can enjoy a nice coffee on a typical afternoon. 

The interiors of an old town restaurant Krčma šatlava

San Gimignano and its medieval cityscape

 San Gimignano, situated in the Tuscan region of Italy, is known for its medieval townscape that can attract any enthusiastic traveler. In my previous blog posts, I described in detail the beauty of the old town and its surroundings.  In this post, some of the important buildings inside the ancient town complex are described in detail for enthusiasts of history and even romance. Being a UNESCO heritage site due to the creative genius of mankind, the towering buildings in the town complex need a special mention.

The stone-made Torre Grossa, the highest tower in the city, is not an easy climb after a hearty lunch! The tower gives a nice view of the city and its surroundings hills and pastures, and is worth climbing up. However, this is not the best part of the city that I would recommend. Probably the Devil's Tower nearby would have piqued my interest, if I was aware of the building during my visit (also if I knew that the building is associated with the video game Assassin's Creed!). 

View of Torre Grossa from the surroundings of the Piazza del Duomo

The Piazza del Duomo is one of the important spots for understanding the religious and political life during medieval times. A major example of this that I felt during my visit was the interior of the Cathedral of San Gimignano. At first sight, the altar and the passage looked like any other cathedral built in Florentine style, however, the life-size frescoes on both sides of the walls made this place look unique to me. 

The altar of the Cathedral of San Gimignano with frescoes on both sides of the wall

The frescoes inside the cathedral require a special mention, as it is these nicely preserved and bright creations that I love the most and do not want anyone who visits this city to miss. Even if you do not know each and every event in the Bible, the frescoes can be easily recognized as different scenes from the Old and New Testaments. These are portrayed separately on two different sides of the walls. So far, I have not witnessed frescoes anywhere that show an eventful portrayal of the Bible so vividly and dramatically.

Frescoes inside the Cathedral of San Gimignano

There are a few interesting museums that are combined with the Municipal Palace (Palazzo Comunale). Dating back to the 13th century, this building hosts many frescoes and historical artefacts related to the visit of the poet Dante Alighieri, which interested me. This also includes a visit to the Picture Gallery (Pinacoteca) showing some examples of Florentine art. At the end of the gallery, there is also the entrance to the Torre Grossa tower. If one is not an admirer of too much information and just wants to feel the place, just sitting in a corner in the courtyard and looking around can give what you want.

Entrance of Palazzo Comunale to the courtyard

The courtyard of the Palazzo Comunale caught my attention. There are some slightly worn frescoes around and a cistern dating back to the 13th century. It interested me that there are different sights to see even before entering the museums that are situated on the upper floors of the building that you see when you go further into the courtyard.

A cistern and some frescoes in the courtyard of the Palazzo Comunale

Spending a few days exploring the cityscape and outskirts of San Gimignano has been one of the best getaway holidays I've had recently. The charming medieval architecture, picturesque landscapes, and the serene atmosphere made for an unforgettable experience.

A picturesque, antique townscape in Tuscany- San Gimignano

San Gimignano, situated in the  Tuscan region of Italy, is one of the most picturesque and preserved hilltowns I have visited so far. Popular for its skyline of medieval towers, this place is so rich in its culture that simply a casual stroll in the old town can fill your mind with awe!

The narrow streets in the Old Town of San Gimignano

 

I was accompanied by my mother on this trip, as she wanted to visit a place historical and unique, and at the same time less packed with tourists. I am not saying that San Gimignano is quiet, but compared to the most popular places such as Florence and Pisa also situated in the Tuscan part of Italy, this small town can make you experience all its features in peace. We visited this place in June, which is close to the peak time for tourist visits.

One of the streets in the old town that leads to its suburban area

The old town is not that big, and can therefore be explored by foot. It is also important to remember that the town, surrounded by medieval walls, cannot be accessed from the outside by cars.  So, taking lazy strolls through every narrow street in the town, frequent espresso in cozy cafés, and admiring the large medieval buildings make up the important events of the day.

Strolling through the main street vibrant with tourists and contrasting colors

There are some good spots in the old town for good gelato, and the most popular one is the Gelataria Dondoli, which was thronging with tourists. I tried one with pistachio, which already made my day! We hung out for some more time in the area afterward, which is a popular square (Piazza della Cisterna). This triangular square is surrounded by tall, old buildings and a medieval well in the center.

Admiring the surroundings while seated on a bench on a side street 

The local markets in and around the old town square are vibrant and pose as easy attractions for tourists. The weekly market is hosted every Thursday. I bought a flowery top for myself that goes well with the greenery outside the city. 

The stunning medieval towers and squares in the old town of San Gimignano require a comprehensive appraisal, which will be described in detail in my upcoming posts!

A street with local markets attracting tourists

An experience that one should not miss is the view of the old town during sunset. The warm rays of the sun find their way through the narrow streets of the town and leave their orangeish mark on the medieval towers. By this time, the local markets will be closed, and the square peaceful with only the sounds of birds chirping and nestling on top of the towers. One can stroll through the streets in peace also after a nice Tuscan dinner (don't forget to try the white wine of the region Vernaccia di San Gimignano!), experience the old town in a new light, and feel the romance!

View from the restaurant Sosta sulla Francigena San Gimignano situated in front of the entrance to the medieval town of San Gimignano