České Budějovice was founded in 1265 on the confluence of the Vltava and Malše rivers by King Přemysl Otakar II. The city has a chessboard layout. The 13th-century Dominican monastery with the Cloister Church of the Sacrifice of the Virgin Mary features important Gothic frescoes, which were discovered only recently. Not far from here, the Renaissance-era Butchers‘ Shops (Masné krámy) provide a perfect opportunity for sampling the renowned local cuisine. Another highlight of the city’s skyline is the 72-meter Black Tower, which offers breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings. The square-shaped central plaza is home to one of the la ...