Plastovy Most (Cloak Bridge), Cesky Krumlov

The Cloak Bridge is a historic bridge that serves as a vital link, connecting various parts of the castle, including the Upper Castle, the baroque castle theater, the V. courtyard, and the castle garden.

The bridge itself is a fascinating architectural gem characterized by its multi-story design. Cloak Bridge consists of three levels of arches supported by sturdy pillars. It features an open, covered floor adorned with intricate sculptural decorations, as well as three enclosed floors connected by two corridors. The lower corridor connects the Masquerade Hall with the castle theater, while the upper corridor links the castle picture gallery with the castle garden, continuing on to the Minorite monastery on the Lateran.

One of the distinctive features of the Cloak Bridge is its brick railing, which displays a copy of baroque statues representing significant saints, including St. Anthony of Padua, St. Felix Kantalíčský, St. Wenceslas, and St. John of Nepomuck. The original sculptures of these saints are now showcased in the castle lapidary.

Historically, the location of the bridge was once a moat spanned by a footbridge with a drawbridge during the Middle Ages. Over time, the Cloak Bridge underwent several phases of construction and renovation. It was successively built in 1686, 1707, 1748, and 1765. These transformations contributed to its current baroque appearance.