Excursion to the pearl of South Bohemia - the castle Hluboka nad Vltavou

• Tour of the pearl of South Bohemia - the castle Hluboka nad Vltavou

It is a place recommended to visit all. No one is indifferent.

Castle is good that it has been preserved, kept in excellent condition, little white, photogenic and a lot of greenery around ...

At the entrance to the castle we encounter here are intricate handles on gates. These pens have probably 90% tourists.

Such a strange story could not appear by accident.

Indeed. I drew attention to the "crow pecking dead head" back in Krumlov in a medallion on the wall. Then it seemed to me that this is a very strange choice of the plot.

And then in the Castle Hluboka I see the handles on the doors and later awesome beauty of the coat of arms above the entrance ...

Of course, I could not find out how such a beauty there.

So, page of history ... Someone, known since 1172 as a kind of Seinsheim Erkinger Seinsheim gets possession of the estate Black Mountain, which in German sounds like Schwarzenberg (Schwarzenberg). Naturally, Seinsheim began to call himself not only as Seinsheim of Schwarzenberg. Since the first part of the name was lost and we get one of the most influential Austrian birth - born Schwarzenberg.

In the beginning of their coat of arms looked rather modest.

Modest silver and blue stripes of the emblem Erkingera Seinsheim.

These bands are saved in all versions of the coat of arms of the Schwarzenberg.

In 1599, Adolf Shvartsenbegr adds to the family coat of arms the very strange story, crows peck out your eyes on the severed head.

It symbolizes the glorious victory over the Turks at the Battle of Rab followed by Adolf received the title of Imperial Count.

Jousting helmets with crest in the form of a human figure and bull horns bristling, such as the peacock feathers - a tribute to the time jousting tournaments.

Schwarzenberg quietly expanded their holdings. They belonged to the Palace in Prague, castles and cities - Castle Krumlov Castle Orlik, Trebon castle, Steinberg and Hluboka nad Vltavou. Three red at the top left of the tip of the emblem symbolize Dominion (patrimony) Schultz, obtained as a result of the marriage dowry Ferdinand, 2nd Prince Schwarzenberg, Anne Mary Schultz pattern. And finally, in the right lower part of the emblem is a burning branch, symbolizing dominion Brandys. Right Schwarzenberg Castle (white tower on Black Mountain), left the city of Cleggan (three gold sheaf): In the small picture of two Dominions are the center of the coat of arms. The prince's crown above the coat of arms symbolizes the title of prince Schwarzenberg.

I also did not give the rest appeared in the arms of a sheep hanging on a chain. It turned out that this image stolen Argonauts in Colchis the golden fleece. Symbol of the Knights established in Europe in 1430 is one of the one of the most ancient and honorable awards in Europe. "A sheep is the personification of innocence, and gold is treated as an image of higher spirituality, the Argonauts' quest for the Golden Fleece is understood as the acquisition of the greatness of the spirit through the purification of the soul." And finally, the motto NIL NISI RECTUM! - Nothing but the right! I think the "right" used in the context of the "Justice". These are, my friends, is the case.

Well, go back to our beautiful castle ... Near the castle is divided regular park. It is not big.

Then in the bushes goals girl hid ...

What to write about this park? Rather, it is not even the park, and a large bed.

Only one staircase, which should definitely take pictures of the bride, of which in such a fine day in the deep at least a dime a dozen ..

I wish I was not the bride, but it would be photographed ..

After-beds Park begins a true park-forest of 190 hectares. Leisurely stroll there, a real pleasure. Sometime in the park, of course, we followed, and now everything is given to the power of nature.

The leaves from the paths sweep and it is, perhaps, all the forest .. This ...

A small pond dried up. This is the second large, overgrown with duckweed ..

Oh well. Still good ..

Work up through the woods, back to the subject of our story - Castle Hluboka nad Vltavou.

Why deep? After all, the castle is on a cliff height of 83 m. This is the view from the castle on the south side. They say because right from the top of the hill was dug well, reaches the level of the Vltava River, which flows nearby. A well provided water to the medieval castle, which stood on the site before the construction of the castle. Therefore, the "Deep nad Vltavou".

140 rooms, 11 towers, 2 courtyards, glazed conservatory, stables. Mirrors from Venice, precious Belgian tapestries, granite fireplace in the 26 tons of gold painted ceiling with huge precious chandeliers. Hunting trophies on the walls, jousting armor Schwarzenberg family, a collection of weapons, porcelain, glass and antique tapestries. In the library of 12,000 volumes of books in different languages. There was nothing we did not see it. This is the cost of traveling with a small child.

And finally, the composition "The Lion in roses."

Summary: definitely worth a visit. Try to go on a tour of the offices. Without them, the impression will not be complete. They say that building Hluboka nad Vltavou inspired by Windsor Castle. In fact Hluboka poazhurnee will. Poprazdnichney that is.

Such is the merry gothic ...