Statue of Louis IX of France in Kutná Hora

The Statue of Louis IX of France stands in front of the former Jesuit College in Kutná Hora, in the district known as Vnitřní Město – the historic heart of this Czech town famous for its medieval silver mining. The sculpture is part of a larger group of Baroque figures lined up along the terrace in front of the college, a spot that also offers one of the best-known views over the town and St Barbara's Cathedral.

Who was Louis IX?

Louis IX, also known as Saint Louis, was a 13th-century King of France who took part in two crusades and was later canonized, becoming a model of the pious and just ruler in Catholic tradition. His cult made him a recurring subject in Baroque sacred art, including in regions far from France where the Jesuit order was active in education and pastoral work.

Why is he depicted here, in Kutná Hora?

The group of statues in front of the Jesuit College in Kutná Hora was created during a period when the Jesuit order played a central role in restoring and reinforcing the Catholic faith in the Czech lands after the Battle of White Mountain in 1620. Erecting statues of sainted rulers and protectors of the faith – such as Louis IX, associated with the crusades and the defense of Christianity – fit into a broader program of visual propaganda for the Catholic renewal, which the Jesuits also carried out through public art.

Most of the sculptures in this group are attributed to František Baugut, a sculptor who, according to written sources, arrived in Kutná Hora in 1709. The work of this artist and his workshop gave the terrace in front of the college its distinctive Baroque character – today one of the town's most popular viewpoints.

What else is there to see?

The statue of Louis IX does not stand alone: it is part of a series of Baroque figures of saints arranged along the terrace balustrade, forming a coherent monumental ensemble. The whole composition works together with the architecture of the former Jesuit College – which today houses, among other things, the Central Bohemian Gallery (GASK) – and with the panorama of the town stretching out below, including a view of St Barbara's Cathedral, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the historic center of Kutná Hora.

Visiting this spot therefore brings together three layers worth exploring: the statue itself and its iconography linked to the figure of a sainted king, the wider context of the Baroque rebuilding of the town after the Counter-Reformation, and the scenic value of the site – the terrace in front of the college is one of the most photographed spots in Kutná Hora.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the statue located? In front of the former Jesuit College building in the Vnitřní Město district, the historic center of Kutná Hora.

Who created the sculpture? The statues in this group are attributed to František Baugut, who arrived in Kutná Hora in 1709.

Why was Louis IX chosen as a subject? As a French crusader-king who was canonized, he symbolized the pious ruler – a theme the Jesuits favored as part of the Catholic renewal program after 1620.

Is it worth combining a visit with other nearby sights? Yes – the terrace with the statues sits next to St Barbara's Cathedral and the Central Bohemian Gallery, allowing visitors to cover several sights in one walk through the historic center.

Is the site freely accessible? Yes, the statue and the terrace in front of the college are in a public space, open to visitors without restrictions.