Zlatá Koruna

Zlatá Koruna (Goldenkron) is a municipality and village in Český Krumlov District in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 800 inhabitants.

Administrative parts
The villages of Plešovice and Rájov are administrative parts of Zlatá Koruna.

Etymology
The initial name of the local monastery was Svatá Koruna ('holy crown'). Allegedly, it was named in honour of the thorn from the crown of French King Louis IX (Saint Louis), with which he dedicated the foundation of the monastery to the Bohemian King Ottokar II. From 1315, the name Zlatá Koruna ('golden crown') appeared.

Geography
Zlatá Koruna is located about 6 km northeast of Český Krumlov and 15 km southwest of České Budějovice. Most of the municipal territory lies in the Gratzen Foothills, only the western part lies in the Bohemian Forest Foothills. The highest point is at 718 m above sea level. The Vltava River flows through the municipality; the village of Zlatá Koruna is situated in its meander. Large part of the municipality lies in the Blanský les Protected Landscape Area.

History
The Cistercian Zlatá Koruna Monastery was founded in 1263 by King Ottokar II. Until the 18th century, the houses of the inhabitants, who ensured the economic operation of the monastery, were located only inside the monastery complex and were property of the monastery. In 1785, Emperor Joseph II abolished the monastery. In 1787, the Schwarzenberg family bought Zlatá Koruna and the village expanded beyond the borders of the monastery. The Schwarzenbergs rented the former monastery buildings to various manufacturers, and the village began to fill up with workers' houses.

Transport
The I/39 road, which connects Český Krumlov with České Budějovice, passes through the municipality.

Zlatá Koruna is located on the railway line České Budějovice–Volary.

Sights
Zlatá Koruna is known for the Zlatá Koruna Monastery, one of the best preserved medieval monasteries in Bohemia. It was built in the early Gothic and high Gothic styles. The monastery complex includes the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is the largest church in the South Bohemian Region. Today the monastery is owned by the state. It is open to the public and offers guided tours. For its value, it is protected as a national cultural monument.