Jewels of Bohemia Day 6

August 31, Sunday

After breakfast, we journeyed a short distance outside Cesky Krumlov to visit Zlata Koruna (Golden Crown) Monastery, a former abbey founded in 1263 by a King of Bohemia that is the Czech Republic’s best preserved Cistercian monastery. The current monastery complex—recognized by UNESCO as a national cultural treasure—consists of a variety of Gothic structures, a three-nave basilica, and a chapel dating from about 1370.

Tereza, our trip leader, in orange scarf, and the tour leader for the monastery

Then, we set out on brief hike to a nearby Celtic settlement, whose remains date from the second century B.C.  Dave and 4 others hiked on to the remains of the castle, but the rest of us didn’t want to make the arduous hike down and back up from the ruins.

After lunch we went horseback riding in the Czech countryside, which included a ride around the meadows surrounding Klet Mountain, a stable visit, and picnic dinner around a bonfire.

My horse Lisa with the peach ear covers

From left:  Arnet, Jayne, Me, Dave, Bob after horseback riding

After horseback riding we went to the home of a woman and her family.  The woman, her husband, two children, and her parents lived in this home built in 1614.  They grew much of their food themselves.  The husband was a teacher and the woman’s parents were artists.  She and her eight year old daughter played their violins for us and she sang.  She served us oregano tea and cookies that she had made.  She cooked on a wood fired stove and oven.

 

Odell and our hostess

Me, Nancy, Jayne, Alyce, Paulette, Bob, Roy, Arnet, Al, Tad and Charlotte

Our hostess showing us her wood fired oven