Latrán Street, Český Krumlov: Where Schiele’s Story Begins

Lazebnický Bridge

Lazebnický Bridge (Lazebnický most) is a key landmark of Český Krumlov, linking the castle district on the north bank of the Vltava River with the Old Town to the south. It connects Latrán Street and Radniční Street and takes its name from a court barber who once lived nearby. Built around the 1830s, the bridge features a statue of St. John of Nepomuk and a crucifix. Beyond its role as a crossing, it offers clear views of Český Krumlov Castle and the painted Castle Tower, making it a favorite stop for visitors. Its character shifts with the light, revealing different moods by day and night.

From the bridge, you can see the Gothic spire of the Church of St. Jodocus, the castle rising in the distance, and the colorful tower beside it. Each step across Lazebnický Bridge feels like opening a new view onto the town’s layered history, faith, and architecture.

St. Jošt Church (Latrán No. 6)

St. Jošt Church, located at Latrán No. 6, was founded around 1330 by Peter I of Rosenberg, the ruler of Český Krumlov. Blending Baroque and Classical styles, the church was rebuilt between 1594 and 1599 by architect Dominic Cometta, who added a tower that defines its dignified presence.

Latrán No. 12 

At Latrán No. 12, a corner building rises with a distinctive two story form and twin gabled roof. Its west façade shows early Baroque character with decorative volutes, while deep gray window frames stand out against the light exterior. The ground floor preserves Gothic elements, and the upper level retains Renaissance ceiling beams and paintings, creating a seamless dialogue between architectural periods.

Latrán No. 14 

The Gothic building at Latrán No. 14 dates to the 1440s and was extensively renovated between 1513 and 1528. Its façade features refined sgraffito brick patterns, and a surviving fragment of a mural by P. Marie Pasovská adds historical and artistic depth.

Today, nearby Latrán No. 12 houses a shop selling one of the Czech Republic’s best known treats, Trdelník. The golden pastry, crisp and dusted with sugar and cinnamon, can be enjoyed plain or filled with chocolate or ice cream. As you walk the sunlit cobblestone street, it is easy to be absorbed by its sweetness. Still, remember to look up. The mural on Latrán No. 14 is a quiet treasure, often missed by distracted visitors. In Český Krumlov, every corner rewards those who pay attention.

Latrán No. 19

Latrán No. 19 is a two story Gothic building later reshaped during the Renaissance, with its present façade largely reflecting that era. Two semicircular arched entrances feature delicate plaster decoration, while hood molds above the second floor windows add refinement. The gabled roof, topped with an oval finial, is edged with sgraffito patterns that enrich the façade with visual depth. Above the entrance hangs The Madonna of Kájov with St. Šebestián and St. Vitus (1861), flanked by the coats of arms of the Eggenberg and Schwarzenberg families.

Latrán No. 37

Further along Latrán Street, Latrán No. 37 immediately draws attention. Positioned at the corner of Latrán and Pivovarská Streets, this green building preserves a clear medieval Gothic character, marked by a gabled wooden roof. Its façade features a volute gable and fine plaster moldings, while stone corbels carved with rose motifs anchor the corners. Together, these details create a quiet yet captivating expression of historical craftsmanship.

Latrán No. 53

Latrán No. 53 stands out as a key highlight on Latrán Street. This two story Gothic corner building features a façade decorated with sgraffito. Beneath the eaves, a Renaissance mural titled Lifecycle portrays ten stages of human life, from childhood to death. Along the side arcade, abstract murals suggest alchemical scales and Kabbalistic symbols, lending the building a sense of mystery. These elevated details are often missed amid the crowds, as are the notable murals on nearby buildings No. 68 and No. 72. For art lovers, slowing down and looking up is well worth the effort.

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