European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 12, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Opened to researchers. Guests who stay in the ruse Rose hotel near the town Square might be surprised to learn that the luxurious accommodations Are in what was once a Jesuit monastery. That accounts Tor the cubicle like rooms which were built for monks and Are now used As single rooms for around $10. The hotel Cornerstone carries the Dale 1586, the Date that the jesuits arrived in Cesky Kruglov and began building their monastery. The building was later used As a military Barracks before becoming a hotel in 1889. A desk clerk confides that the remodeler hotel which reopened in june has been under reconstruction for the past 24 years. Prospective guests might discover the front door locked. Quot gypsies Quot the desk clerk says with an apology. With a Little searching Side entrances can be found. The hotel which will be raising its rates in the new year is already booked for most of the 1992 tourist season. A in the summer the City s popularity is enhanced by the fact the surrounding area is a big water recreation spot. From june to september crowds of czechs ride canoes and kayaks Down the Vltava. Other Points of interest Are the monastery at Zlata Koruna and the Tower on Kief Mountain which gives a Good View of the area. Both Are North of the City. Another frequently visited monastery is at Eyssi Brod South near the austrian Border. Despite its popularity Cesky Kruglov has not been tainted by Gimmicky shops or other tourist trappings. Nor is there a double Standard of higher prices for Western tourists As in other parts of the country. While in the area Don t pass up a Glass of Beer from Cesky Bude Ovice Home of the original Budweiser and just 12 Miles from Cesky Kruglov. The brewery is closed to the Public but that should t Stop visitors from partaking of a bit of what some czechs enjoy around breakfast time. Of Esky Kruglov builds for the future a children s Art exhibit greets visitors at the town Hall in Cesky Kruglov Czechoslovakia. To look at the Bright Watercolours drawings and paintings lining the gothic hallway is relaxing. To  s behind them is both shocking and amusing. The Youthful artwork is tacked to the backs of discarded Black and White photos of members of the former communist regime. That Odd juxtaposition of old and new is today what confronts this famous medieval town that is straddling the Crossroads of change. Quot some citizens Are a Little bit afraid Quot said mayor Jan wondrous who just returned from Toronto where he and other czech leaders got a lesson in How to run City Hall. Town leaders Are tapping the knowledge of Canada and other countries with the Hope of making this Southern Bohemian town a leading tourist attraction. Wondrous talks of raising capital through privatization and by luring foreign businessmen through an investment fund. In Many ways they Are starting from scratch. Through a culture and educational program the canadians Are teaching the czechs about City planning everything from building codes to setting up taxis. Quot we must be careful with development so the City is liable Quot cautioned the 38-year-old former Bank employee. He is attempting to get Cesky Kruglov added to the United nations educational scientific and cultural organization Enesco list of historic places. One of the big drawing cards of the town is the Charm of its 300 Renaissance houses. Wondrous said Only the ground floors of the structures will be used As businesses. The top sections will remain living quarters. Twenty of the buildings have been recognized for their unique architectural and historical features such As Renaissance ceilings and Interior Fresco he said. Some Are recent discoveries. Wondrous said Cesky Kruglov must grow but carefully. For a Long time the City has been cramped for hotel space. Counting three hotels and private rooms Only about 350 Beds exist to serve about 800,000 visitors yearly. Quot More than 1,000 Beds will be needed soon Quot he said. Town leaders Are trying to lure foreign investors. Presently companies in the United slates Canada Britain Germany Austria and Norway have expressed a series of Stone Arches carries part of the rambling Castle across a Small Ravine. Two residents of the Castle s former Moat keep in motion on a cold morning. Interest he said. The town would impose two conditions on Nev a businesses. Quot it must be ecologically Safe and oriented toward tourism Quot he said. Quot we want to establish industries that can t be seen from the  environmental measures Are already being taken to clean up a paper Mill the area s largest employer. Two investment funds have been established to attract 4 billion crowns about $1 30 million of tourism capital. Part of the Money would be raised through a privatization project. Banks from Czechoslovakia and London Are participating he said. Quot Banks would lend Money to the City and individuals but this is not the main reason they would be involved Quot he said. Quot they would guarantee the Success of this  on the outskirts Golf courses horse racing and More facilities for water sports Are planned. Quot in five years you won t recognize it Here Quot he said. He held up a night shot of the Toronto Skyline and grimaced. Quot it s something shocking Quot he said jokingly adding that such Progress is something to avoid. Quot we Don t think Well Ever be a leading Power Quot he said. Quot we just want to join the rest of Europe a Randy Pruitt a group of Well bundled children pause during an Outing in downtown Cesky Kruglov. I Prague amp amp $ Czechoslovakia i Quot up Prague a Quot is map Hluboky Castle 9cesky Kruglov j december 12, 1991 stripes Magazine 5