Church of Saint Catherine

The Church of Saint Catherine stands in Lázně svaté Kateřiny (Saint Catherine's Spa), a spa quarter of the small town of Počátky in the Vysočina region, Pelhřimov District, Czech Republic. This modest Baroque church is closely tied to the history of the local spa and the healing springs discovered here.

How did this church come to be built?

The exact date the church was founded is unknown, but it is first mentioned in written records in 1553. Its origin is linked to healing springs found in the area, around which the local spa gradually developed. According to entries in the Počátky town books, the building was likely funded by donations from pilgrims who came to visit the springs. After the Thirty Years' War, the church became a filial church subordinate to the parish Church of St. John the Baptist in Počátky, and by the early 18th century it had fallen into a considerable state of disrepair.

How has the building changed over time?

In 1730 the dilapidated church was rebuilt, giving it the Baroque appearance it retains today. The reconstruction is usually attributed to the renowned architect Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer, although some sources suggest the actual designer may have been Václav Špaček. Whoever was responsible for the design, it was this rebuilding that shaped the church as it can be seen now.

Further repairs followed in 1835–1837, 1863–1864, and 1874. During roof repairs in 1887, workers discovered a small tablet bearing the date 1587 — evidence that a sacred building already stood on this site long before the Baroque reconstruction. A structural and historical survey of the church was carried out in 1996, and its most recent major renovation took place in 2001.

Is it a protected monument, and what else stands nearby?

The Church of Saint Catherine has been listed as a Czech cultural monument since 1963, confirming its historical and architectural value. Right beside it stands a chapel dedicated to the same patron saint, Saint Catherine — together the two buildings form a small sacred complex inseparably linked to the site's spa tradition. Set among the buildings of the former spa in the Vysočina region, the church makes a natural stop when exploring the area around Počátky.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Church of Saint Catherine located? In Lázně svaté Kateřiny, the spa quarter of the town of Počátky, in the Pelhřimov District of the Vysočina region, Czech Republic.

When was the church built? The exact construction date is unknown — the first mention dates to 1553, and a tablet found during 1887 roof repairs bears the date 1587, pointing to an even earlier origin for the site of worship.

Who designed the 1730 Baroque reconstruction? It is usually credited to Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer, though some sources name Václav Špaček as the actual architect.

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, it has been listed as a Czech cultural monument since 1963.

Are there other religious buildings nearby? Yes, a chapel dedicated to Saint Catherine stands right next to the church.