This is probably the most unusual tour of the castles of the Czech Republic.

We will see two castles of different eras, on three sides surrounded by mirror waters of the Vltava. Both tower on rocky capes, wedges crashing into the water surface.

Of course, long ago, when they built these castles, they thought only that defending here would be a nice thing, one pleasure and in general, spit once. But everything has changed since then, and today it is breathtaking with such beauty!

The union of nature and human hands. How beautiful are the views that open from the windows of the castles! The waters of the sky are clear on their surface. Clouds float in the sky, float in the water. The dreary forests are islands from the bowels of the river element.

It seemed that this is what the architect intended - to charm the visitor with the exuberant beauty of nature. He took the mountains, the river, the forest and the castle, molded together and divided it in half.

One half is Orlik, more ennobled, the second is Zvikov, he will be more strict. In Orlika - interiors, carpets, curtains, tapestries, tables, sofas and paintings. And it's all so expensive, so rich. But the most valuable - the views from the windows: a water width with a reflection of the sky and forest.

Zvikov is a medieval castle.There are stone walls (one even with Celtic runes!), high towers, from where archers pointed arrows at everyone who entered here. And no wonder, by the way, because there was a temporary safe of His Majesty! And the safekeeper took no one, but the Devil himself! Oh, how! They called him Zvikovo Raraška. So he was scaring everyone and everything. Somehow scared to death a builder-cladding, appearing to him right before noon for no reason whatsoever in the empty, not yet clad chambers of the castle. And only three-crat prayer, and a hard knocking of the forehead on the floor helped the unfortunate to cope with the situation. In this case, the lining painter squatted right on the wall of the castle, on the front facade, so that future generations are still introduced to the course of the devils that are happening. They say Rarašek is still frightening. If you are not lucky enough to see him, it is not a problem. The bitterness of failure will brighten up the magnificent local beer "Rarashek", which is brewed right in the castle brewery!

By the way, their raspberry beer wins "gold medals" from tourists!Who is who, and the Czechs themselves, being world experts in beer tasting, give the highest ratings of this drink, being in a mute delight with its taste and aftertaste.

In short, Zvikov Castle would be a mistake not to visit. I am personally impressed that it is ancient. It's not restored! So the heavy stones were laid here by the hands of our forefathers. These stones seem to breathe and radiate antiquity itself, the history of those who hauled and laid them while thinking their thoughts. . And complements the picture of the gloomy Middle Ages - a blue mirror of the river, which is broken with crystal on a rocky bank. Imagine that between these castles stretched a wide surface of the Vltava. And we'll take the boat on it. We will admire the beauty of the landscapes that float overboard.

In general, the plan of impressions we have is as follows: we visit the beautiful exposition of the Orlik Castle in Schwarzenberg, walk through the fragrant garden with views of the river, sail on a boat along the Vltava from Orlik to the Zvikov Castle, enjoy the views and wonders of nature, walk around the vicinity of Zvikov and certainly visit the castle brewery (where we dine).

So, go for the adventure!