Church of Saint Andrew

The Church of Saint Andrew in Kolovraty stands in a small cemetery on Mírová street, in the Prague district of Kolovraty. It is a Baroque Roman Catholic filial church and the oldest monument in the entire area — its roots reach back to the Middle Ages, even though its present appearance dates only from the 18th century.

How far back does the history of this site go?

The first written record of the church in Kolovraty comes from 1363, though a parish had already been established here earlier, in 1352. The original structure was Gothic, and it is possible that an even older, Romanesque building once stood on the same spot. For centuries the church served as the parish church for the surrounding community before undergoing a major rebuild.

What changed in the 18th century?

In 1717 the church was substantially enlarged toward the north. The work was carried out by Václav Budil, a builder from nearby Říčany. That reconstruction gave the church much of the form it still has today — the new chancel was set at a 90-degree angle to the building's original medieval orientation. This unusual layout is a direct trace of that 18th-century rebuild and lets visitors read the church's history almost like layers.

What is worth seeing inside?

The main altar holds a painting of Saint Andrew created in 1961 by the painter Jakub Husník. The church also retains a small organ dating from the mid-19th century. Above it all rises a low tower housing a large bell cast in 1546 by the bell founder Stanislav Klatovský of Prague's Old Town — one of the oldest surviving furnishings in the church, predating the Baroque rebuild by nearly two centuries.

What protected status does the church have?

Since December 31, 1964, the Church of Saint Andrew has been listed as a Czech cultural monument under number 41274/1-1999, confirming its historical and architectural value not just for Kolovraty but for the wider eastern edge of Prague.

Who should stop here?

The church rewards travelers looking for a quieter, less obvious stop on a Prague itinerary — the intimate cemetery grounds, the modest tower, and a bell older than most sacred monuments of its size in Prague create an atmosphere very different from the city center. It is a good point of interest for anyone curious about the history of settlement on Prague's eastern fringe or about the architecture of rural filial churches.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Church of Saint Andrew in Kolovraty built? The first written mention dates from 1363, and the parish was founded in 1352. The original building was Gothic, and an even older Romanesque church may have stood here before it.

What changed during the 1717 reconstruction? The church was extended northward under builder Václav Budil of Říčany, and the new chancel was set at a 90-degree angle relative to the building's original orientation.

How old is the bell in the church tower? The large bell dates from 1546 and was cast by bell founder Stanislav Klatovský of Prague's Old Town, making it the oldest surviving element of the church's furnishings.

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, it has been listed as a Czech cultural monument since December 31, 1964, under number 41274/1-1999.