Hluboka nad Vltavoy is one of the most beautiful castles not only in Czech Republic but in Europe. The white stone castle built in Gothic style was founded in the middle of the 13th century on an 83-meter cliff above the Vltava River. 
During the first 400 years of its existence the castle changed 26 owners unless in 1660 it became a property of the House of Schwarzenberg which owned half of South Bohemia by that time. In 1947 the castle was nationalized and since then has become a state museum.

The complex includes 140 rooms, 11 towers, 2 courtyards, an orangery and horse stables. The rooms of the castle astonish with their beauty: Venetian mirrors, precious Belgian tapestries, granite fireplace of 26 tons, gold painted ceilings with huge chandeliers. The walls of the castle are decorated with hunting trophies of its previous owners. Moreover, one can see armors of the Schwarzenberg family in the rooms, a collection of weapons, porcelain, glass, and antique tapestries. The library keeps 12000 volumes in different languages. The Hluboka Castle is situated in the middle of a huge English park of 190 hectares with rare bird species and a system of artificial ponds.

Total duration: ~ 8-10 hours
Distance: 146 km away from Prague, ~ 2.5 h. by car.