Svornosti Square is the heart of the Inner Town, the place where lanes from every direction run together and where you will probably pass several times during a stay. Its layout is clearly linked to the medieval foundations of the town, and its edges are a patchwork of Gothic cores, Renaissance gables and Baroque facades in pastel colours. The most notable building is the town hall at house number 1, whose front was created in the early 17th century by merging two older Gothic houses. Its facade carries four coats of arms: the Eggenberg arms, the symbol of the Czech lands, the Schwarzenberg arms and the symbol of Český Krumlov itself, a neat summary of who has ruled the town over the centuries. In the middle of the square stands the plague column, the square's main landmark.
The plague column bears a statue of the Virgin Mary with eight saints, who were the town's patrons and protectors against the plague, and a six-sided stone fountain from the 19th century encircles it. Such columns were put up across Central Europe as thanks for surviving epidemics, and this one gives the square a focal point that photographs well in every season.
Inside the town hall, fragments of mural painting from the first half of the 15th century were uncovered in 2000; they probably show the Three Wise Men kneeling before the infant Jesus. The tourist information centre is also on the square, which makes it the practical starting point for maps, event notices and local advice.
What to do here is mostly to look, linger and use the square as a base. Cafes and restaurants put out tables in the warmer months, the town museum and several small galleries are within a minute or two, and the lanes that lead off in different directions take you to the church, the river, the castle and the viewpoint.
In winter the square is where the Advent atmosphere gathers, with lights and seasonal stalls in the weeks before Christmas, and the plague column looks striking against a dusk sky. Because it is the town's busiest crossroads, it can be crowded around midday and at weekends when coach groups arrive; early morning and late evening are the quiet, photogenic hours.
Practical notes
The square is in the car-free historic centre, so arrive on foot from a car park outside the old town. Cobbles are uneven and slippery when wet or frosty, so wear shoes with grip. Prices at cafes directly on the square are usually higher than on side streets, and a lane or two away you will find more local lunch menus.
Public toilets are limited, so use the facilities at cafes or the information centre. Use the plague column as your meeting point rather than a street number. Allow fifteen minutes just to look, or an hour with a coffee and a wander.
Local life shows up around the edges. Markets, small festivals and concerts use the square through the year, and in summer street musicians and performers add to the atmosphere. If you want a quiet moment, sit on the fountain edge on a weekday morning and watch the town wake up as delivery vans, shopkeepers and schoolchildren cross the cobbles. Wherever you are staying, you will pass through here several times, so treat it as your compass for the old town.
What to expect
The experience
A free, open-air main square with a plague column and fountain, ringed by historic houses, cafes, small museums and the information centre.
Best time
Early morning or late evening for empty cobbles; December for lights and seasonal stalls.
How long
A quarter of an hour to look, up to an hour with a coffee.
Tips
Use the plague column as a meeting point, wear grippy shoes and look at side-street menus for better value than the square itself.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Everyone: it is the natural start and end point of an Old Town walk.
- Families
- Open space and a fountain to look at, with cafes close by, though cobbles are rough for strollers.
- Couples
- A drink at a square-side table at dusk, with the plague column floodlit.
- Pair with
- The Church of St. Vitus, the Seminary Garden viewpoint and the castle.
- Time needed
- Fifteen minutes to an hour.
Good questions
Is there anything to pay at Svornosti Square?+
No. The square is open to the public at all times and costs nothing; only individual museums and attractions around it charge entry.
What is the column in the middle of the square?+
A Baroque plague column topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary and eight saints, the town's patrons and protectors against the plague, surrounded by a six-sided 19th-century fountain.
What is on the town hall facade?+
Four coats of arms: Eggenberg, the Czech lands, Schwarzenberg and Český Krumlov. The facade was formed in the early 17th century by joining two Gothic houses.
Is there a tourist information centre here?+
Yes, the town information centre is on the square and is a good place to ask about events, guided walks and seasonal opening times.
When is the square least crowded?+
Early in the morning and late in the evening. Midday and weekend afternoons are busiest, when coach groups arrive from Prague and Vienna.
