City walls of České Budějovice, Medieval fortification system in České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
The city walls of České Budějovice form a defensive system surrounding the medieval core with stone and brick towers connected by continuous barriers. The structure includes several sections at varying heights and shows how builders adapted the design to protect different parts of the enclosed settlement.
The walls were founded in 1265 under King Ottokar II when the city needed protection during a period of regional conflict and territorial disputes. They survived significant sieges and disturbances over the following centuries as the region experienced major upheaval.
The fortifications shaped how the city was organized and divided, with walls that still frame the view of what was once inside and what lay beyond. Walking around them, visitors notice how they remain part of daily life and how locals move through and around these old barriers.
The walls can be explored on foot using designated walking paths that circle the entire structure and feature information signs along the route. Wear comfortable shoes as the ground surface is uneven in many places, and the walk is easier during dry weather.
One tower called the Iron Virgin has a surprising history connected to executions and punishment that many visitors miss while walking the perimeter. This dark aspect of the walls reveals a side of medieval life that goes beyond simple defense.
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