Náměstí Svornosti Square: Where Český Krumlov’s History Unfolds

Plague column

As you step into the square, the first thing that catches your eye is the Baroque Plague Column, a major landmark of the square dedicated primarily to the Virgin Mary. She is depicted as the “Moon Crescent Madonna” (Mondsichelmadonna), holding the Christ Child and standing tall atop a Corinthian column, symbolizing compassion and protection. The pedestal is adorned with statues of important saints of the Kingdom of Bohemia, regarded as the town’s guardians and protectors against the plague. The upper level features statues of St. Wenceslas, St. Vitus, St. John the Evangelist, and St. Jude Thaddaeus, while the lower level showcases St. Francis Xavier, St. Sebastian, St. Gaetano, and St. Roch.

The Town Hall（Náměstí Svornosti No. 1）

The Town Hall, located on the northern side of Náměstí Svornosti Square, is a protected cultural monument at Náměstí Svornosti 3. This three-story building features a Renaissance design, with its facade distinguished by four gabled roofs arranged vertically. The ground floor, facing the main square, boasts an arcade with six pointed arches and a cross-vaulted ceiling, offering a unique charm. The upper floors are adorned with 12 rectangular windows, while three original square shutters are preserved. The façade is further embellished with ornate bands and seven Rococo-style vases on either side of the high attic. The facade also displays four heraldic shields with distinct meanings: the central shield shows the Kingdom of Bohemia, the lower shield features the Český Krumlov city emblem, the left shield belongs to the Eggenberg family, and the right shield shows the Schwarzenberg family.

The white building on the right is the Town Hall.

Visitor Center (Náměstí Svornosti No. 2) and the Old Town Hall (Náměstí Svornosti No. 3)

The building at Náměstí Svornosti No. 2, now serving as the Visitor Center, features a façade adorned with a triangular gable and a pointed-arch entrance below. The entrance hall is designed with groin vaults, and the interior retains Renaissance-era carved ceilings and painted decorative elements, showcasing unique artistic styles. This building is connected to the adjacent No. 3 building—the Old Town Hall (Náměstí Svornosti No. 3)—through arched buttresses.

The No. 3 building’s history dates back to the 14th century and has undergone several renovations, being completed in the 16th century. It largely maintains its appearance from the 1867 reconstruction after a fire. Before 1519, this building was the location of the Old Town Hall, making it a historical structure that has observed the city’s development.

The Visitor Center is on the left, while the Old Town Hall is on the right.

Náměstí Svornosti No. 4

This two-story corner building features a strikingly prominent oriel window at the center of its façade, projecting towards the square. The oriel window is supported by two Tuscan columns and features a wide arch, highlighting the building’s classical charm. The façade is divided by distinct cornice lines, with each window adorned with a cornice decoration. The surrounding details include intricate stonework, and the sides of the windows are embellished with classical-style terra-cotta woven decorations.

Náměstí Svornosti No. 6

House No. 6 on Svornosti Square is a three-story corner building dating back to the late 19th century. Its façade cleverly employs vertical pilasters and horizontal cornices to create a visually layered effect. On either side of the building’s front, there are two ornately decorated entrance porches, each featuring Corinthian columns that add an elegant, classical touch to the overall design.

Náměstí Svornosti No. 9

House No. 9 is a two-story building featuring a Classical-style façade with a gabled parapet. At its center, a barrel-vaulted oriel window in a Classical design stands out, while a horizontal string course divides the wall, adding depth and visual interest. The ground floor showcases three late Gothic-style arcades, reflecting a blend of historical architectural styles.

Náměstí Svornosti No. 14

House No. 14 is a two-story building with a saddle roof, dating back to the early 19th century. The central part of the façade features three oriel windows supported by stone brackets, adorned with murals depicting St. Jan of Nepomuk. The upper section of the façade includes a gable with a parapet, embellished with classical garlands and cornices, creating an elegant design. Below, the entrance area has three large round arches that add a sense of openness to the building.

Náměstí Svornosti No. 15

No. 15 is a building with a saddle roof, designed in a classical style. The main façade facing the square is topped with a triangular gable adorned with volute decorations. The façade retains three late Gothic stone window frames. Originally, a large pointed arch led to an arcade, but it has since been modified to feature two separate round arches.

Náměstí Svornosti No. 16

Located at the corner of Náměstí Svornosti and Panská Street, No. 16 is a two-story corner building, also featuring a saddle roof. Its classical-style façade is crowned with a gable adorned with volute decorations. The ground-floor entrance corner preserves a stone column marking the location of a former arcade. On the side facing Panská Street, the rear of the building retains a Gothic window on the first floor. The entrance features a stone archway, adding a distinctive touch of classical elegance.

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