All Saints church

All Saints Church is a baroque parish church that dominates T.G. Masaryk Square in Rokytnice v Orlických horách, a small town in the Orlické hory mountains on the Czech-Polish border. The building is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic and remains the most recognizable landmark in the town centre.

How do you get there?

Rokytnice v Orlických horách lies in the Rychnov nad Kněžnou district, within the mountain range that runs along the Czech-Polish frontier. The church stands right on the town's main square, so the easiest way to reach it is on foot from anywhere in the centre — the tower is visible from most of the surrounding streets, and no special directions are needed. Visitors arriving by car can park near the square and continue on foot.

What is the story behind the church?

The current building is not the first place of worship on this spot. A wooden church from the 14th century once stood here, but it burned down in a fire in 1661. The new brick-and-stone parish church was built between 1679 and 1684, led by the builder Johann Kriestes from Kladská Bystřice. The structure did not stay in its original form for long — between 1735 and 1736 it was enlarged, giving it the larger shape visitors see today.

The building's history has not always been smooth. Its technical condition deteriorated over the decades, prompting a thorough reconstruction between 1993 and 1999. Notably, the restoration was funded with help from donors not only in the Czech Republic but also in Germany and Poland — a detail that reflects the cross-border character of the Orlické hory region.

What will you see on site?

The church has a single-nave, rectangular body closed by a polygonal presbytery — a layout typical of baroque parish churches in small Czech towns and villages of that era. The interior furnishings date from different periods, with the oldest pieces reaching back to the 18th century and further additions made during the 19th century, giving the interior a layered sense of local devotional history and craftsmanship.

From the outside, the church's silhouette is the most striking feature, visible from every corner of the square. It gives Rokytnice its recognizable skyline and functions as the natural point of reference in the town's layout.

When should you visit?

Rokytnice v Orlických horách is a mountain town, so spring, summer, and early autumn are the most comfortable seasons for exploring — good weather makes it easy to pair a visit to the church with hikes through the surrounding Orlické hory. The square and the church exterior can be visited at any time of year, since seeing them mainly involves a short walk through the town centre without any special preparation.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of the church? The building functions as an active parish church, so access to the interior depends on the mass schedule and opening times set by the local Roman Catholic parish.

How old is the current church building? The brick-and-stone church was built between 1679 and 1684, making it more than three and a half centuries old, though it was enlarged between 1735 and 1736 into the shape seen today.

Was there always a church on this spot? No — the site previously held a wooden church from the 14th century, which was destroyed by fire in 1661.

Is there an entrance fee to visit the square and the church exterior? The church stands on a public town square, so simply walking up to it and viewing the building from outside is free.