Church of Saint Bartholomew in Pelhřimov

The Church of Saint Bartholomew is a three-nave basilica standing in the center of Pelhřimov, a historic town in the Vysočina region of the Czech Republic. The building dates back to the early 14th century, when it was founded together with the new town, itself rebuilt after destruction caused by conflicts between the Vítkovci family and Bishop Tobiáš of Bechyně. The church was originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and the first written record of it dates from 1439.

How did the church change over the centuries?

The building's history is a sequence of enlargements and reconstructions following disasters. It was extended in 1553, only to be destroyed by fire in 1561. The rebuilding that followed added a new feature: a tower, completed in 1576, which later had to be lowered by one storey. Since 1596 the church has held the status of a deanery church, raising its standing among the region's places of worship. Further major reconstructions were forced by two great town fires, in 1646 and 1766, after which the interior took on the largely Baroque character it retains today.

What is worth seeing inside?

The interior holds several notable pieces of sacred craftsmanship and art. The oldest is a Renaissance pewter baptismal font from 1517, older than most of the church's present structure after its later rebuildings. The main altar is an early Baroque work from 1663, and the organ dates from 1767, built shortly after the last of the great fires. During one of the more recent renovations, preserved Renaissance wall paintings were uncovered in the chapels between the buttresses of the presbytery — a find that is a reminder of how much older history lies beneath the church's Baroque surface.

Is the tower worth climbing?

A viewing tower is attached to the church and open to visitors. From the observation gallery, at a height of around thirty metres, the view takes in the whole town of Pelhřimov — one of the few vantage points from which its historic urban layout can be seen in its entirety. Climbing the tower is a natural complement to visiting the church itself and a good way to get oriented before exploring the rest of Pelhřimov on foot.

When is the best time to visit?

The tower and the church interior are best visited during the tourist season, when opening access is at its widest and the view from the gallery is not limited by winter weather conditions. It is worth combining the visit with a walk through the nearby historic center of Pelhřimov, of which the church is one of the most recognizable landmarks.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Church of Saint Bartholomew in Pelhřimov? The building dates from the early 14th century, though the first written mention of it comes from 1439. It was originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Why does a medieval church have a Baroque interior? The church burned down and was rebuilt several times — the most significant reconstructions followed the great town fires of 1646 and 1766, which gave the interior its largely Baroque appearance today.

Since when has it been a deanery church? Since 1596, marking a rise in the church's standing within the region's ecclesiastical structure.

Can visitors climb the tower, and what can be seen from it? Yes, the tower is open to visitors. From the observation gallery, roughly thirty metres up, the whole town of Pelhřimov comes into view.