Church of Holy Trinity

The Church of the Holy Trinity in Rokytnice v Orlických horách is a small but historically layered building standing next to the former manor grounds of this Czech town at the foot of the Orlické hory (Eagle Mountains). Locals sometimes call it the "castle church," a nickname that reflects its origins as part of the local noble estate rather than the town's main parish.

How to get there?

Rokytnice v Orlických horách lies in the Hradec Králové region, close to the Polish border, in a stretch of the Orlické hory popular with hikers in summer and skiers in winter. The easiest way to reach the town is by car — the nearest larger town, Rychnov nad Kněžnou, is only a short drive away, and bus connections run from Vamberk and neighboring villages. The church stands in the town center next to the former manor complex, so it's an easy walk from the main square.

What will you see?

The church was built in 1603, founded by Kryštof Mauschowitz, who owned the Rokytnice estate at the time. It originally served as a Protestant chapel — a common fate for churches in this Czech borderland region before the Thirty Years' War, when Protestantism was widespread among the local nobility. That changed with the Counter-Reformation: once the Rokytnice estate passed into the hands of the Nostitz family, the building became a Catholic church, a status it still holds today as a filial church of the Roman Catholic parish in Rokytnice.

The interior holds several noteworthy features. There is a Renaissance tombstone of Jáchym Mauschowitz, commemorating a member of the founding family, along with a late Renaissance altar carved by sculptor Konrád Hübner — one of the more interesting examples of sacred sculpture from that period in the region. Beneath the presbytery lies the crypt of the Nostitz-Rieneck family, where eight members of this aristocratic lineage are buried, a family whose history was tied to Rokytnice and its surrounding land for generations.

Because of its historical and architectural value, the church is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. It combines Gothic elements with a later Renaissance reconstruction, making it an interesting example of sacred architecture reshaped over the centuries alongside the estate's changing owners.

What is it used for today?

The church is no longer used for regular parish services the way the town's main church is — instead, it serves as a venue for significant events: concerts, commemorative ceremonies, and gatherings tied to local history. This arrangement helps keep the building in good condition while still making it accessible to residents and visitors on special occasions.

When to visit?

The Orlické hory are scenic year-round, but the church and its surroundings are best visited in spring and summer, when open days or cultural events inside the building are more likely. Autumn is well suited to a quieter visit to the town itself and walks in the surrounding hills, while winter draws visitors mainly for the nearby ski resorts, though access to the church interior can be limited during that season.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Church of the Holy Trinity in Rokytnice built? It was founded in 1603 by Kryštof Mauschowitz, who owned the Rokytnice estate at the time.

Was the church always Catholic? No — it originally served as a Protestant chapel. It became Catholic only after the Counter-Reformation, once the estate passed to the Nostitz family.

What can you see inside? The Renaissance tombstone of Jáchym Mauschowitz, a late Renaissance altar by sculptor Konrád Hübner, and the Nostitz-Rieneck family crypt beneath the presbytery, where eight family members are buried.

Is the church open today? The building is a protected cultural monument and is mainly used for significant events and ceremonies rather than regular parish services.