Church of Saint Bartholomew

The Church of Saint Bartholomew stands in Košíkov, a small village that forms part of the town of Velká Bíteš on the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, in the Žďár nad Sázavou district. As a subsidiary church of the Roman Catholic parish of Velká Bíteš, it combines centuries of turbulent history with a compact, layered architecture that rewards a short detour off the main tourist routes.

Where exactly is the church located?

The building sits on a slight rise at the centre of the village of Košíkov, surrounded by the grounds of a former cemetery. A thick stone wall still encircles the site, a clear reminder that the church once served as a fortified refuge for local residents in times of danger. Today the setting is quiet and rural, making it a pleasant stop for anyone exploring the countryside around Velká Bíteš.

What is the history behind the church?

The first written record of the church dates back to the 13th century, making it one of the older sacred buildings in this part of the Highlands. Over the following centuries its parish affiliation shifted several times: in the 15th century it fell under the Zbraslavice parish, in the 16th century administration passed to the parish of Oslavany, and between 1739 and 1764 it belonged to the parish of Jinošov. The year 1688 brought severe damage that left the building in poor condition for decades. A comprehensive reconstruction finally took place in 1772, giving the church roughly the form it has today. In 1824 the interior gained an altar painting of Saint Bartholomew, created by František Fuňák, a local chaplain from Bíteš. The altar itself was restored in 1888, and the façade underwent further restoration work in 2011.

What architectural style does the church show?

The church is a single-nave building with a Romanesque core overlaid with Gothic elements, most visible in its three-sided presbytery. A square tower rises on the western side, added in stages and later reworked with Baroque detailing that now sits alongside the older, plainer stone construction. This layering of styles within a modest footprint gives visitors a compact record of several distinct building periods.

What is worth seeing inside and around the church?

Inside, the main point of interest is the 19th-century altar painting of Saint Bartholomew by František Fuňák, refreshed in a later 19th-century restoration. The tower holds three bells, the oldest of which was cast in 1510, making it one of the more valuable historic items in the building's inventory. It is also worth walking around the exterior to see the surviving wall that once enclosed the cemetery, a tangible trace of the church's earlier defensive role.

Is the church a protected monument?

Yes, the Church of Saint Bartholomew in Košíkov is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. This status protects both the structure itself and its immediate surroundings, including the historic cemetery wall, from uncontrolled alteration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the Church of Saint Bartholomew located? In Košíkov, a part of the town of Velká Bíteš, in the Vysočina Region, Žďár nad Sázavou district of the Czech Republic.

How old is the church? It was first mentioned in written sources in the 13th century, though its present appearance mostly dates from a major 1772 reconstruction.

What is the most valuable item inside the church? Three bells hung in the tower, the oldest cast in 1510, along with a 19th-century altar painting of Saint Bartholomew.

Can visitors go inside on their own? As an active subsidiary church of the Velká Bíteš parish, it is best visited during services or by prior arrangement with the parish; the surrounding grounds and cemetery wall can be viewed freely at any time.