Český Krumlov is a small city in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, best known for the fine architecture and art of the historic old town and Český Krumlov Castle. Old Český Krumlov is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was given this status along with the historic Prague castle district. Český Krumlov is a small city in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, best known for the fine architecture and art of the historic old town and Český Krumlov Castle. Old Český Krumlov is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was given this status along with the historic Prague castle district.

The State Castle and Chateau of Český Krumlov ranks among the most important European sights.

The Český Krumlov State Castle is a complex of forty buildings situated around five courtyards and seven-hectare grounds of the castle park. The complex grew up by degrees within each building stage from the 14th to the 19th century. The foundations of today's castle disposition were laid as early as the 16th century during large-scale Renaissance remodellings. The Český Krumlov castle is considered to be the second largest castle complex in Central Europe (next to the Prague Castle).

The whole castle complex can be passed through and is open to the public. During the tourist season, especially during the early evening, a stroll through each courtyard offers an extraordinary experience. Within the tour of the castle exteriors you can walk through the Lower Castle which consists of the Ist Courtyard of the Český Krumlov Castle (Rejdiště - Romping Ground) and the IInd Courtyard of the Český Krumlov Castle known as the Guardhouses. The 1st Guided Tour and the 2nd Guided Tour of Český Krumlov Castle, represent historical apartements from the 16th, 18th and 19th centuries. The tour then passes through the IIIrd Courtyard of the Český Krumlov Castle and the IVth Courtyard of the Český Krumlov Castle which create the complex of the Upper Castle. By crossing the Cloak Bridge you get to the Vth Courtyard of the Český Krumlov Castle and then to the extensive Castle Gardens. The most important monument, the Baroque Theatre situated on the Vth Castle Courtyard, ranks among the most completely preserved Baroque theatres in Europe, with its original theatre fund of which contains preserved theatre building, auditorium, orchestra pit, stage, stage technology, machinery, coulisses, librettos, costumes etc. Various castle interiors are also used for exhibitions of contemporary Czech and foreign artists on the IInd, IIIrd and IVth Castle Courtyard.

The original grounds of the front part of the castle with ramparts and fortifications were converted into the built-up and busy farming estate during the building development towards the end of the 16th century. The main entrance into the Ist courtyard of the Český Krumlov castle from the town's side, Latrán street, is defined by a rusticated gate with a wooden door, called the Red Gate referring to the colour of its paint. The upper part of the gate with the Schwarzenberg coat-of-arms partly represents the original gate dated to 1861. The wings of the gate and other details were reconstructed in 1988.