Latrán 6

Latrán 6 stands on the main street of the Latrán quarter in Český Krumlov, on the site of the former Church of St. Jošta – a building whose lantern-topped dome crowns a tower visible from many corners of town.

Where does the building come from?

A chapel or small church first stood on this spot before 1334, founded by Petr I of Rožmberk as part of the Rožmberk noble hospital, an institution that cared for the sick and the poor of the town and its surroundings. From the mid-16th century the church came under the patronage of Anna Rožmberská of Rogendorf. Its most significant architectural change arrived in 1596, when Petr Vok of Rožmberk commissioned a Renaissance rebuilding carried out by architect Domenico Benedetto Cometta. Two years later the building was consecrated to the Holy Trinity and handed over to the Protestants; in 1602 the Jesuits took over its administration, using it for German-language sermons.

How did its purpose change over the centuries?

Following the Josephine church reforms, the institution was dissolved and closed in 1787. Three years later it was sold as a residential building with an attached distillery, and by 1802 it had been turned into a casino. Since the early 20th century the building has served purely residential and commercial purposes – today it houses the Bolero restaurant, several clothing shops, and a Puppet Museum devoted to the Czech tradition of marionette theatre.

What will you see standing in front of it?

The façade stacks several centuries on top of one another. Gothic portals and rib vaults sit next to Renaissance buttresses and later Baroque additions. The most recognizable feature remains the five-storey tower, capped by a dome and lantern – a landmark visible from numerous vantage points around town, including the castle terraces on the opposite bank of the Vltava.

How do you get there?

Latrán 6 sits on the street that gives the whole quarter its name, running from the wooden Lazebnický Bridge to the Budějovická Gate. This is the route most visitors walk between the main square (náměstí Svornosti) and the castle: cross the bridge, head toward the castle's Red Gate, and the former church building lies directly along the way.

When should you visit?

Like the rest of historic Český Krumlov, the Latrán quarter is easiest to enjoy outside the July–August peak season, when its narrow streets fill with crowds. Spring and early autumn allow an unhurried walk, while in winter the quiet street and the illuminated tower make for an atmospheric, uncrowded scene.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the building at Latrán 6 still a church? No. It lost its religious function in 1787 and has served residential and commercial purposes since the 19th century.

What can visitors see inside today? The building houses the Bolero restaurant, clothing shops, and a Puppet Museum – these are the only spaces open to the public.

Why does the tower look different from the rest of the building? Because it was built in stages: a Gothic core was reshaped during the 1596 Renaissance rebuilding, and Baroque elements were added later, which is why the mixed style is still visible today.

What was the Latrán quarter originally? It was a settlement dependent on the castle, separate from the town of Krumlov and inhabited mainly by castle servants; it was only administratively merged with the town in 1555 on the initiative of Vilém of Rožmberk.