České Budějovice, 2014 The old town preserves interesting architecture from Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and 19th century period. This includes buildings around the large Ottokar II Square (Náměstí Přemysla Otakara II), the old Town Hall with murals and bronze gargoyles, and the 16th century Black Tower (Černá věž). The most valuable historic building in České Budějovice is the Dominican convent with the Gothic Presentation of the Virgin Mary church from 13th century on Piaristic Square.
The Museum of South Bohemia holds large collection of historic books, coins, and weapons. It is closed for reconstruction in 2012-2015. In the new town, the Belle Époque Austro-Hungarian train station is notable. The horse-drawn railroad line connecting České Budějovice to Linz was the second oldest public line in continental Europe (after the St.Etienne-Andrézieux line in France), constructed from 1824 to 1832; mere traces of the line can be seen south of the city center.
The ruins of the home castle of the Czech national hero Jan Žižka, Trocnov (now part of Borovany), are located some ten kilometres (6 miles) southeast of the town. A bit further away (approximately 30 km), the town of Český Krumlov is another popular tourist destination in South Bohemia. In 1992, it was added to UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. source: