Church of Saint Bartholomew (Kočí)

The Church of Saint Bartholomew stands right in the middle of the village of Kočí, about 4 km east of Chrudim, in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. It's a Gothic church best known for its striking wooden tower and an unusual covered wooden bridge leading up to it — a combination that makes this small parish stand out even in a region already dense with historic churches.

When was the church founded?

The church was founded on 28 February 1397 by Sophia of Bavaria, the second wife of the Bohemian king and Holy Roman Emperor Wenceslaus IV. No written records identify the builders, though some secondary literature points to a team led by the Lútek brothers, stonemasons associated with Prague's New Town. This attribution, however, remains a hypothesis rather than a documented fact.

What makes the architecture unusual?

The main body of the church follows a Gothic layout, but the real landmark is its nearly 30-meter wooden tower. Rather than the usual square or round shape, the tower has an unusual pentagonal ground plan that transitions higher up into an octagonal pyramidal roof. This kind of geometry is rare among village churches in the region and is visible from a distance, well before you reach the village itself.

Inside, the walls preserve painted decoration from both the Renaissance and Baroque periods — layers added over different centuries, which suggest the church was continuously maintained and embellished by generations of parishioners rather than left untouched after construction.

What is the covered bridge next to the church?

Alongside the church itself, visitors are drawn to a Baroque covered wooden bridge with arcades, roughly 28 meters long. It crosses a stretch of boggy ground in front of the church — terrain that would otherwise be difficult to cross, especially in wet weather. The bridge is considered one of the oldest surviving roofed bridges in Europe, making it just as significant a part of the site as the church building. The whole complex — the church, the polygonal wooden bell tower, and the bridge — is protected as a cultural monument.

How do you get to the church in Kočí?

Kočí lies in the Chrudim district of the Pardubice Region, a short distance from Chrudim itself, making it an easy stop for anyone exploring eastern Bohemia alongside towns like Pardubice or Litomyšl. The most practical way to get there is by car or local public transport from Chrudim; the church sits centrally in the village, so it's hard to miss once you arrive.

What should you look out for on site?

Beyond the Renaissance and Baroque interior paintings, it's worth walking around the exterior to appreciate the tower's unusual pentagonal geometry, and crossing the covered wooden bridge itself — a rare chance to walk across a centuries-old timber bridge structure that still serves its original purpose today.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Church of Saint Bartholomew in Kočí founded? It was founded on 28 February 1397 by Sophia of Bavaria, wife of King Wenceslaus IV.

What is the most distinctive architectural feature of the church? Its nearly 30-meter wooden tower with an unusual pentagonal base transitioning into an octagonal pyramidal roof.

What is the covered bridge next to the church? A Baroque covered wooden bridge with arcades, about 28 meters long, crossing boggy ground in front of the church — considered one of the oldest roofed bridges in Europe.

How do you get to Kočí? The village lies about 4 km east of Chrudim, in the Pardubice Region — most easily reached by car or local transport from Chrudim.