Statue of St John of Nepomuk at the Barber's Bridge in Český Krumlov

Crossing the Vltava River at the heart of Český Krumlov, the Barber's Bridge (Lazebnický most) carries two cast-iron figures on its centre span: a crucifix and a statue of St John of Nepomuk. The bridge links the Latrán district with the historic Old Town and has long been one of the town's quietly iconic spots, framed by views of the castle towering above the river.

Who was St John of Nepomuk?

John of Nepomuk (14th century) is among the most widely venerated saints in Bohemia and Central Europe. A canon of the Prague chapter, he was, according to tradition, drowned in the Vltava in Prague during the reign of King Wenceslaus IV, dying as a martyr. The Catholic Church honours him as the patron of the seal of confession, and over time he also became the patron of bridges, rafters, boatmen and protection against floods. That is precisely why his statues appear so often on bridges across Bohemia, Slovakia, Austria and Bavaria — the figure on the Barber's Bridge follows this well-established tradition rather than being a local curiosity.

The bridge and its statues

The bridge's current structure dates from the 1830s. It rests on two stone abutments and a single central pier, with steel trusses on sliding bearings clad in timber — giving it the picturesque look of a covered bridge rather than a plain steel crossing. At its midpoint stand the two cast-iron figures: the crucified Christ on one side and St John of Nepomuk, shown in clerical dress with the star-studded halo that is his standard iconographic attribute, on the other. The present castings are dated to 1832 and 1835, replacing earlier stone sculptures from the late 17th or early 18th century that had deteriorated over time.

History and heritage protection

The bridge, together with its statues, has been listed as a cultural monument since 1958, reflecting its importance within the historic urban ensemble of Český Krumlov, a town inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It underwent renovation in the 1980s and was severely damaged by the catastrophic floods of 2002 that struck much of southern Bohemia. A major reconstruction followed, restoring the bridge's historic appearance while keeping it in active use as a pedestrian route through the Old Town.

Why it's worth a stop

The Barber's Bridge is easy to walk across without a second glance, yet it offers one of the town's more rewarding views: the castle and its tower reflected in the Vltava below. The statue of St John of Nepomuk itself, modest in scale, is a textbook example of the Baroque-to-Classicist custom of placing the patron saint of bridges exactly where he was believed to offer protection.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly does the statue stand? On the Barber's Bridge (Lazebnický most) over the Vltava, connecting the Latrán district with the Old Town of Český Krumlov.

How old is the current statue? It dates from 1832–1835; earlier stone sculptures on the same bridge went back to the late 17th or early 18th century.

Why is St John of Nepomuk placed on bridges? He is the patron saint of bridges and of protection against floods, which is why his image traditionally marks river crossings across Bohemia and neighbouring countries.

Is the bridge a protected monument? Yes, it has been listed as a cultural monument since 1958.