Hotel Ruze 

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History of building and Hotel Ruze

Renaissance building from the end of the 16th century used to be a Jesuit University Monastery.

Two storied Renaissance building with four wings surroundig rectangular courtyard was build on the place of old gothic structures (six buildings – tailor, butcher, metallurgist and blacksmith).
 
It was build by Baltassare Maggi di Arogno.
 
There used to be dormitories, classrooms prayer hall and an eating for the monks originaly.
Baroque pharmacy was operated on the ground floor from 17th century (later it moved to the Cesky Krumlov Castle). Museum of pharmacy is open across the street nowadays.
 
It also functioned as barracks from the year 1773 until 1889, when it became hotel Ruze.
 
Frontal facade is decorated by Renaissance sgrafitto and there are newly restored murals of Czech saints in the upper part.
Three attic gables are incorportaed into roof and a small tower is above the central one.
 
The entraceway to courtyard is decorated by relief of the Rosenberg five-petalled rose above granite arched portal.
 
Other emblems are in the central court. First one of the Wilhelm von Rosenberg (who founded the Jessuit college), his fourth wife and the Jesuit order „IHS“ symbol.
Beautifull sundial are on the black courtyard wall, which also displays a course of lunettes.
The Rosenberg rider, the Pernstein coat of arms, and date 1587 are displayed above the entrance portal.
There is a clock tower from 18th century (when older and bigger burned down) on the roof.
 
Back side of the Hotel Ruze is oriented to the Vltava River (rock above the river) and town park (behind the river). There is southern terrace on this side of the hotel.
 
Central hallway, vaulted staircase and extensive tracery vaulted rooms are in the back wing. It used to be linked with nearby St. Vitus Church and it is linked with the Prelature - newly reconstructed right wing, which spiral staircase leads to the hall of former theatre.
Monks performed an expensive plays here and on other places of the town (church, public places). Moving stages pulled by horses gave tradition of moving stages in Cesky Krumlov (world famous theatre in Castle gardens with rotating stage).
Cellar is mostly under this right part.
Back wing is also connected with the left wing.
 
Most of the interiors has cross vaulted or barrel groins.
 
Building has to be reconstructed in 1970 as it was abandoned in 1950.

According to the legend, beautifull young ghost girl (who jumped in love from the terrace in 17th century) visits the hotel to warn young virgins from the danger of forbidden love.
Hotel bats are usualy active in September and no relation to Count Dracula was reported. They are peaceful, but hotel Ruze installs special mash to keep them out – just to be sure…

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