In the mid-13th century the lords of Krumlov, who belonged to the important noble family of Vítkovce, founded the castle Krumlov on a steep rocky bulge above the stream of the river Vltava. In 1302 the Rosenberg family took over the castle and made it their main residential place. During the era of Vilem of Rosenberg the huge Gothic castle was rebuilt under the guidance of Italian masters into a monumental Renaissance residence and at the same period it became important cultural, social and economic centre of the large Rosenberg dominion. Petr Vok of Rosenberg sold the residence to Rudolph II because of financial reasons. Rudolph II did not e ...