If you are a South Czech from the vicinity of České Budějovice and you decide to make a last-minute trip because it just got nice, the destination is usually places like Hluboká, Klet' or Dívčí Kámen. They are just a stone's throw away and you will find something interesting everywhere. But whether you are a local or not, please accept our photographic invitation for a trip, maybe even as a tip where you can go to see when visiting South Bohemia.
You park your car in Holubov and then walk all the way to the castle. The journey is not long, I guess less than 4 km, families with very naughty children can manage it :-) The path goes along the yellow trail, through the forest and across two waters. We set off on the last day of November, when the weather was really very pleasant, although there were not many plants to photograph in the countryside. Still, it was possible to take pictures because the surrounding landscape is magical.
When you reach the place, you are greeted by several signs at once. In addition to the one that confirms you are in a nature reserve, there is another one called "News from the Castle". Here, in addition to the dates of the princes' and princesses' engagement balls and an announcement about tax increases for the subjects (like today!), it also says that entry is at your own risk. It's a ruin, so visitors must be prepared that if they twist an ankle, or perhaps worse, no White Lady will stamp their sick note. But it's not as bad as it may seem. There are beaten paths throughout the building and the stone staircases to the upper floors are quite good. Don't expect handrails, though, except for the tallest tower. We saved the last really funny sign for last, so enjoy :-).
Girl's Stone was founded in 1349 and abandoned after about 150 years. This original castle residence of the Rosenbergs was of a very good standard for its time, in terms of comfort and benefits, which included especially its security. It is the only domestic fortress that was NEVER conquered, not even by the Hussites, who sacked the nearby monastery in the Golden Crown. Mainly due to its strategic location - on a rock, above the confluence of the Křemežský Brook and the Vltava River.
A look at the courtyard gives an idea of what a massive building it was. The thick walls, whether fortified or as the castle walls themselves, were massive and it is no wonder that this building was able to resist raids even with only 24 defenders.
And I must know something about the massiveness of the wall. When we were in our early twenties, on one still somewhat adolescent outing, we walked from one end of that wall to the other. If you look at its height, you will surely hear several swear words at once ... well, we were just young and unreasonable, it's a good thing our mothers didn't know about it, and it's a good thing we didn't get hurt.
It is true that from the top of the wall there was a wonderful view of the countryside, but you don't have to deprive yourself of that either without risking your health - there is a paved floor with a bench at the top at the right end of the wall. So you can take a break or take a few pictures. If you're not dizzy and you like the view of the valley, you'll really enjoy yourself.
Where the nobility apparently once had a living room, there is now a small stage and an interesting auditorium built of stone in front of it. Of course, there are no heavy metal concerts or techno parties, but period events, sword fights, etc. And just outside the wall, if you go around this tract called the "upper palace", you are at the very edge of the castle, by the walls, where there is a cliff 60 metres deep below you. And below that, the Vltava River. A big compliment to those who made the labels for the castle signs. They are concise, easy to read and witty. Enlarge the attached image to read the text of this one, relating to the river below you, all the way to the end.
From the same spot you will see one of the most beautiful phenomena - Girl Rock. That our ancestors were Celts is a piece of information, though much debated, but I would say it is clear. What little is known about them is that they were not only a very skilled, hard-working people but above all a spiritual people. It is not surprising that they were the ones who marked the Girl Rock as a sacred place. I am probably not a Celt anymore and looking at this gem of nature I would do the same.
The trip was fine and what we didn't remember from the signs we found on the castle's website , which is nicely done and up to date. Well, I promised one last sign at the end, so here it is. First I was looking for the string before I understood it ...:-)
