Cesky Krumlov-Pride of Bohemia
We left the ship and took a beautiful ride thru the Austrian countryside. We reached the Czech Republic border and continued about 15 miles further. (About 1 1/2 hr ride) Hidden in the wooded hills on a meandering section of the Vltava(Moldau) River, is the historic Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. This town has been almost untouched since the 14th century. The castle was built in 1250 but took almost six centuries to complete. The area was spared thru the wars. It was Bohemia, then Austria, then became part of Czechoslovakia in 1945.
The castle and old market square transcends you back in time. Tiny shops line the streets that circle the square. The castle is perched high on a rock and the cobble stone streets gently take you to the town where you cross a bridge to enter. Many of the building have detailed and ornate facades. The city in enclosed by the river and wherever you look up, you can see the castle tower with the elaborate design and painting. It makes you wonder what type of paint they used back then.
We had tour with a local guide that provided insight about the town. She grew up in the area and was 12 in 1989 when they were freed from the Communist Regime. She said she had no idea of what existed outside her world. She knew of the border and accepted that you never go beyond, but it was an entirely new world everyone once they were free.
It is easy to forget that Austria became an independent country in 1955 and Hungary in 1956.
History lesson- the Romans settled in the Danube region in about 400 AD. The Babenberg family family took over around 1156. Then the Habsburg family began their reign in 1278 until 1914. Much of the area was taken over by Hitler and then after the war it was a slow process for each country to establish governments.
We roamed around the town, did some shopping, sat by the river at a cafe' . Marty tried the local beer and we snacked on local pastries.
The Czech Republic makes jewelry from amber found in the Baltic Sea. I purchased a pendant. There are insect wings in the ambers d other " things from nature" that makes my piece unique.
The area is also known for their hand-painted leather purses and wallets. The detailed work is truest a work of art. Or course, I bought a wallet.
We had a scenic ride back, thru Czech and German countryside to reach Passau. We stopped at the upper wall of the town for a scenic view. Passau sits at the meeting of the Danube and Inn rivers. The ten s surrounded by water on a peninsula. The fortified wall above the town was built by Romans in 80 AD. It became part of Germany in 1803 when Napoleon reformed the map.
We now sail to Regensburg, Germany.
The castle and old market square transcends you back in time. Tiny shops line the streets that circle the square. The castle is perched high on a rock and the cobble stone streets gently take you to the town where you cross a bridge to enter. Many of the building have detailed and ornate facades. The city in enclosed by the river and wherever you look up, you can see the castle tower with the elaborate design and painting. It makes you wonder what type of paint they used back then.
We had tour with a local guide that provided insight about the town. She grew up in the area and was 12 in 1989 when they were freed from the Communist Regime. She said she had no idea of what existed outside her world. She knew of the border and accepted that you never go beyond, but it was an entirely new world everyone once they were free.
It is easy to forget that Austria became an independent country in 1955 and Hungary in 1956.
History lesson- the Romans settled in the Danube region in about 400 AD. The Babenberg family family took over around 1156. Then the Habsburg family began their reign in 1278 until 1914. Much of the area was taken over by Hitler and then after the war it was a slow process for each country to establish governments.
We roamed around the town, did some shopping, sat by the river at a cafe' . Marty tried the local beer and we snacked on local pastries.
The Czech Republic makes jewelry from amber found in the Baltic Sea. I purchased a pendant. There are insect wings in the ambers d other " things from nature" that makes my piece unique.
The area is also known for their hand-painted leather purses and wallets. The detailed work is truest a work of art. Or course, I bought a wallet.
We had a scenic ride back, thru Czech and German countryside to reach Passau. We stopped at the upper wall of the town for a scenic view. Passau sits at the meeting of the Danube and Inn rivers. The ten s surrounded by water on a peninsula. The fortified wall above the town was built by Romans in 80 AD. It became part of Germany in 1803 when Napoleon reformed the map.
We now sail to Regensburg, Germany.
What a dream come true
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