High above the old town of Český Krumlov is a small chapel on a hill. Following the tip of our host, we visited this fantastically beautiful viewpoint on the Kreuzberg one evening in time for sunset.
Pilgrimage grounds on the Kreuzberg
A small trail led us across a meadow on the hillside on the outskirts of Český Krumlov. As we turned around, we could already guess at the view of the town that would await us a little later.
At the end of the meadow, the path passes six small Stations of the Cross chapels dating from 1750-1755, with burnt candles and beautiful ecclesiastical pictures hanging inside. The path winds uphill and finally we reached the entrance of the historical and spiritual cultural site.
There is an eight-sided chapel on the Kreuzberg dating from 1710. Johann Christian I of Eggenberg and his wife ruled the region at that time and allowed the citizens of Krumau to build the place of pilgrimage. For the population, the Kreuzberg had a magical significance .
Over the years, the place served mainly for religious purposes. Unfortunately, there were also times when no one paid much attention to its preservation and the chapel gradually fell into disrepair. Particularly bad was the time around 1950, when the communist regime destroyed the grounds and the interior of the chapel and stole the works of art.
After 1991, the chapel was fortunately renovated, but left largely empty and closed to the public for a while.
Today, cultural and social events take place there, for example.
Viewpoint on the Kreuzberg
When we arrived at the chapel, it was already locked. We walked around the building and were now standing at one of the best vantage points in Český Krumlov. There were only 5 other people on the pilgrimage hill with us that evening, so we were able to experience one of the most romantic sunsets in a long time without being disturbed.
Directly on the wall of the chapel we sat down on a rickety wooden bench. The last rays of sun warmed the wall and we looked into the valley and over the Bohemian Forest.
As if on order, a hot air balloon flew over Český Krumlov and slowly disappeared on the horizon above the Šumava.
The sun sank lower and lower, the sky gradually turned a warm deep red, the likes of which I have only very rarely seen. The darkness slowly increased, the last warming rays of sun disappeared.
After the sun had finally disappeared behind a hilltop, it slowly got cooler at the viewpoint on the Kreuzberg. We left our romantic vantage point and walked around the chapel. In the meantime, the access path was illuminated with small lamps and bathed the chapel in a beautiful light.
But before it got completely dark, we had to tackle the steep and unlit path downhill. The viewpoint on the Kreuzberg is definitely a place in Český Krumlov that day tourists do not visit. For us, a real tip for a wonderful evening.
Opening hours:
Weekends and public holidays all year round:
Summer 12-17 h
Winter 12-16 h
In summer and in good weather, it is also open on weekdays.
Admission fee to the chapel:
Admission is a voluntary donation and is used to cover operating costs as well as for acquisitions, exhibitions and maintenance of the grounds and surroundings.
Entrance fee Viewpoint on the Kreuzberg:
free of charge
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