Schönthal (Krásné Údolí) brings together a precisely dated town foundation and several layers of church and local history. Those interested in historic architectural styles will find the Late Gothic parish church of St. Lawrence (St. Vavřinec), its later Baroque transformation, crosses from different periods and a statue of St. John of Nepomuk. The protected landscape offers another way to explore the area.
Town History and Building Phases
On 22 April 1488, Jindřich III z Plavna founded Krásné Údolí as a town. It was founded on the site of the former village of Schickenplos, which had been dissolved. The town’s history therefore begins with a precisely dated act of foundation and a named predecessor village. This early historical layer differs from the later changes to the church and monuments: it tells of the settlement’s origins as a town, while the buildings reflect different phases of design.
The Late Gothic parish church of St. Lawrence (St. Vavřinec) was built in 1464 on the southwestern edge of town by remodelling and enlarging an older chapel. Around 1774, the church was remodelled in the Baroque style under Margravine Elisabetha Báden-Bádenská, to a design by an unknown architect. Two distinct phases can therefore be identified in this building: the creation of the Late Gothic church from a chapel and its later Baroque transformation. Since 2004, the dilapidated church has been undergoing extensive reconstruction in stages. If you are planning a visit, check its current condition beforehand.
Crosses and Monuments in Town
An elaborately decorated, pseudo-Gothic cast-iron cross dating from 1861 stands on the slope in front of the church’s northern entrance, above the square at Schönthal’s southern edge. The cast-iron cross at the church is freely accessible. It should be distinguished from the stone reconciliation cross dating from the 14th to 16th centuries: this stands west of Schönthal, on the left side of a field track on a gentle rise. During restoration, the broken-off section was returned to its original place. The material and location make the difference clear: the cast-iron cross stands by the church, while the stone one stands beside the field track west of town.
A Late Baroque sandstone statue of St. John of Nepomuk, dating from 1780, stands in the central square. A park shapes the square; the statue itself stands in the square. With its distinct location and different form, it adds another monument to the history of the church and crosses.
Landscape and Getting Around
Schönthal and the settlement of Odolenovice lie within the Slavkov Forest (Slavkovský les), a state-protected area. The Natura 2000 site EVL 5448 Mezi rybníky is also within Schönthal’s administrative area. The cadastral areas of Schönthal and Odolenovice are characterised by woodland along their natural boundaries; at lower elevations, there is land used for agriculture. Thus, both protected areas and woodland and agricultural land form part of the regional setting of the two places.
There are also specific points of reference for getting around: State Road I/20 connects Plzeň and Karlovy Vary and passes through Schönthal. In 2016, the Skokovská stezka pilgrimage route passed through the town on its stage from Nežichov to Toužim; a visit to St. Lawrence Church (St. Vavřinec) was planned there, where possible. The road and the route stage represent different aspects of travel planning: one connects two cities and passes through Schönthal, while the other describes a pilgrimage stage from 2016 with the possibility of visiting the church.
Discover more travel destinations: Großfürwitz, Gießhübl-Sauerbrunn, Hochofen, Schneidmühl, Sodau, Warta, Bergstadt Platten, Theusing.
See the regional travel overview: Karlovy Vary District.
