Cellars in the Vth Courtyard of Český Krumlov Castle

This is a deep Renaissance cellar situated under the Vth Courtyard of Český Krumlov Castle. The cellars are accessible through a long staircased corridor from Castle No. 177 - Renaissance House. The area itself is actually located outside the area of the building, in the direction towards the Castle Gardens. Originally the cellar was accessible from the other side, from the slope.

This corridor has been destroyed. These two entrances to the structure strongly suggest that the area was used as an ice cellar, enabling direct storage of broken ice without being difficultly transported across the building itself. Also suggestive of the ice-cellar function of the area is its great depth, as the floor lies 8 meters beneath the surrounding terrain.

The spaces of the cellar have a crossed layout, which is characteristic for cellars dug in tunnels. The structure was mentioned in 1597, where is is written that "a hole deep on the cloak (now Cloak Bridge) behind the bridge behind the Castle was done and done for several years. It should be enough that 3,000 kopa (old Czech measurement = 60) fit into it."

The difficulty of the work is shown by the fact that not only the floor created from the rock cliffs, but also part of the wall and even the ceiling. The area is unified and evidently was created in one phase. The only differentiating element is an extended corridor in the third right corner, which is a new addition.

It is on the site of an older passage in which the vault collapsed. It is likely that the reason for work on this corridor was to renew the original second entrance, but was never finished.

(ds)