Church of Saint Barbara (Pročevily)

The Church of Saint Barbara in Pročevily is an early Baroque church standing on a hill above the small settlement of Pročevily, part of the Volenice municipality in the Příbram district, Central Bohemian Region. Its octagonal, domed form rises above the surrounding countryside and has long served as a landmark visible from a considerable distance.

How did the church come to be built?

The site's history goes back to the 17th century, when a pilgrimage chapel was built here to a design by the architect Carlo Lurago. The chapel was commissioned by Jesuits from nearby Březnice, who continued to care for it in the following decades. What began as a modest structure gradually attracted growing numbers of pilgrims, which eventually required its expansion.

What changed in the 18th century?

Around 1730, ambulatories (an arcaded walkway) were added around the chapel, along with a bell tower housing two bells. This expansion gave the building its present Baroque form: an octagonal, domed core surrounded by an ambulatory, a shape that remains a distinctive piece of regional architecture.

Why did the pilgrimages stop?

The site drew pilgrims until 1773. That year, following Pope Clement XIV's decree suppressing the Jesuit order, the Jesuit estate passed under the administration of a different parish, and the pilgrimage tradition tied directly to the Jesuits of Březnice came to an end. The church, however, remained a functioning place of worship and a fixture of the local cultural landscape.

Where exactly is the church located?

The church stands on a rise above the settlement of Pročevily, between the villages of Bubovice and Vševily, within the Volenice municipality. Its coordinates are approximately 49.557°N, 13.888°E. Access is via local roads of the Příbramsko region, away from major tourist routes, which makes for an unhurried visit.

Is the church a protected monument?

Yes. The building is listed as a protected cultural monument of the Czech Republic. It has been restored and now functions as a landmark dominating the surrounding landscape, visible from a number of neighbouring villages.

What is worth seeing on site?

The main draw is the architecture itself: an octagonal domed structure, unusual for the region, wrapped in the ambulatory added in the 18th century, together with its bell tower. The hilltop setting also offers views over the surrounding Brdy and Podbrdsko hills.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the original chapel? The architect Carlo Lurago, commissioned by the Jesuits of Březnice.

When were the ambulatories and bell tower added? Around 1730, as part of the expansion of the original pilgrimage chapel.

Why did pilgrimages to the church end? After Pope Clement XIV suppressed the Jesuit order in 1773, the estate passed under the administration of a different parish.

Where is Pročevily located? It is a settlement within the Volenice municipality, Příbram district, Central Bohemian Region, between the villages of Bubovice and Vševily.

Can the church be visited? The building is listed as a Czech cultural monument and has been restored; it stands as a landmark visible from a distance across the surrounding countryside.