Church of All Saints

Church of All Saints is a Gothic parish church standing in the center of Kamenice nad Lipou, a small town in the Vysočina Region, in the Pelhřimov district of the Czech Republic. Originally dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, the church was founded in the early 13th century and has remained the town's most recognizable landmark ever since, its tall tower rising above the main square.

How to get there?

Kamenice nad Lipou lies in the southern part of the Vysočina Region, roughly between Pelhřimov and Jindřichův Hradec, along the roads connecting the two towns. The church stands right in the town center, next to the main square (Náměstí Čsl. Armády), so it's easiest to reach on foot from the square itself, whether arriving by car or regional bus. The site sits at approximately 49.303°N, 15.075°E.

Where does the church come from?

The original building was constructed in the early decades of the 13th century in Gothic style and was dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. During the 15th and 16th centuries it was rebuilt in late Gothic style, and in the 17th century it gained its distinctive fifty-meter tower housing four bells, which still dominates the town's skyline today.

Traces of fires and rebuilding

The church's history is also a history of fires. The worst one broke out in 1819 and severely damaged the tower, which was repaired the following year. Further repairs were needed in 1863, when the tower structure was again threatened with collapse, and again in 1923-1925, when a thorough renovation took place. During those repairs, workers found two time capsules hidden in the tower's finial - containing documents and coins from 1863 and 1925, left behind by earlier craftsmen for future generations. The church also underwent a comprehensive renovation shortly before the turn of the millennium.

Tombstones on the walls and an 18th-century altar

The church's exterior walls preserve a rich gallery of stone tombstones belonging to local noble families, dating mainly from the 15th and 16th centuries. These slabs originally lay inside the church, set into its floor, before being moved outside at a later date - today they form one of the building's more striking architectural details. Inside, the single-nave church houses a main altar from 1758, its woodwork made by carpenter Ondřej Kaplunger of Deštná and its carved decoration by Vít of Pelhřimov. The altar painting was commissioned by a local noble family connected to the nearby chateau.

When to visit?

Kamenice nad Lipou and its church are best visited in spring and summer, when longer days and the region's tourist season make it easy to combine a stop here with other Vysočina landmarks, including the nearby chateau and the historic town center. It's worth pairing the visit with a walk around the square, from which the church is visible from almost every angle.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Church of All Saints in Kamenice nad Lipou? Its origins go back to the early 13th century, when it was built as a Gothic church dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul.

Why was the church tower repaired so many times? The tower was damaged by several fires - most severely in 1819, with further threats to its stability in 1863, and a major renovation in 1923-1925.

What was found during the tower's repairs? Two time capsules were discovered in the tower's finial, containing documents and coins from 1863 and 1925, left by earlier repair crews.

What should visitors look for on the church's outer walls? A gallery of stone tombstones belonging to local noble families from the 15th and 16th centuries, originally set into the church floor.