World Heritage Identification Number: 617
World Heritage since: 1992
Category: Cultural Heritage
WHE Type: Historic Cities & Urban Areas
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇨🇿 Czechia
Continent: Europe
UNESCO World Region: Europe and North America
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The Enchanting Historic Centre of Český Krumlov: A Medieval Gem in the Heart of Bohemia
Nestled within the verdant valley of the Vltava River, the picturesque town of Český Krumlov stands as a captivating testament to the rich tapestry of Central European history. This enchanting medieval settlement, with approximately 13,000 inhabitants, has earned itself a place among the most frequented destinations within the Czech Republic. In 1992, the Historic Centre of Český Krumlov was inscribed onto the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List, recognizing its exceptional preservation of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural styles that have endured for over five centuries.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Situated on the banks of the Vltava river, the town was built around a 13th-century castle with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements. It is an outstanding example of a small central European medieval town whose architectural heritage has remained intact thanks to its peaceful evolution over more than five centuries.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (iv): Český Krumlov is an outstanding example of a Central European small town dating from the Middle Ages which owes the structure and buildings of its historic core to its economic importance and relatively undisturbed organic development over some five centuries. Český Krumlov grew up within a meander of the Vltava River, which provides a natural setting of great beauty. Its evolution over time is evident with startling clarity from its buildings and its urban infrastructure.
Encyclopedia Record: Český Krumlov
Český Krumlov is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 13,000 inhabitants. The town is located on the Vltava River in the Bohemian Forest Foothills.Additional Site Details
Area: 51.91 hectares
Number of Components: 1
Coordinates: 48.8106944444 , 14.3150277778
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© Xth-Floor, CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Historic Centre of Český Krumlov from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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Performing the Eighteenth Century: Theatrical Discourses, Practices, and Artefacts
Research on eighteenth-century theatre practices reveals that modern performances, especially those rooted in historic theatres, can significantly differ from historical norms, often overlooking the dynamic and utopian dimensions of Enlightenment-era theatrical reforms. The study challenges antiquarian approaches by integrating academic research with hands-on experimentation in authentic settings like the Drottningholm Theatre. This practice-based method, applied during a historically informed production of Rousseau's Pygmalion at Český Krumlov Castle Theatre in 2015, sheds new light on stage movement, vocal practices, and audience engagement, ultimately redefining understandings of premodern theatrical innovation.
Schneider, M. T., & Wagner, M. (Eds.). (2023). Performing the Eighteenth Century: Theatrical Discourses, Practices, and Artefacts. https://doi.org/10.16993/bce
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