Church of Saint Giles in Uhlířské Janovice

The Church of Saint Giles in Uhlířské Janovice sits right in the center of this small town in the Central Bohemian Region, a short drive east of Prague. It is a Romanesque-Gothic building listed among the cultural monuments of the Czech Republic, and its oldest sections date back nearly eight centuries.

How old is the church?

The church was originally built in the 13th century as a modest Romanesque structure, raised from local red sandstone typical of the area. A century later, in the 14th century, a Gothic presbytery was added to the original nave, giving the building the layout that has largely survived to the present day. The combination of two architectural styles in a single structure makes it a notable example of how eras blended in the rural and small-town sacred architecture of Central Bohemia.

What survived the 1904 fire?

At the turn of the 20th century, the church suffered a serious setback when part of the building burned down in 1904. The fire spared the Gothic presbytery, along with the medieval frescoes hidden inside it, preserving the most valuable part of the interior decoration. The reconstruction of the damaged sections was carried out by architect Ludvík Lábler, a figure associated with the purist trend in historic architecture of that era. His work gave the church the form visitors see today.

What frescoes can be seen inside?

The most valuable feature of the interior is a set of medieval wall paintings, uncovered beneath layers of plaster in 1895 and restored in 1953. On the right side of the north wall, fragments of a Last Supper scene survive. The middle band shows a multi-figure composition depicting the Way of the Cross, while the lower band contains scenes of Christ's Ascension and the Descent of the Holy Spirit. Although only partially preserved, the frescoes offer a glimpse into the richness of medieval mural decoration in Czech village churches and trace the development of Passion iconography from several centuries ago.

Why is it worth visiting?

The Church of Saint Giles is more than a place of worship — it also serves as a landmark in the townscape of Uhlířské Janovice, standing in the central part of town and clearly visible from the main streets. For anyone interested in sacred architecture or medieval art history, it offers a chance to see firsthand how a plain Romanesque structure was joined to a Gothic presbytery, along with remnants of 14th-century wall painting rarely found in such condition in small towns of the region. The building regularly opens its interior for the nationwide Night of Churches event, giving visitors a straightforward way to see the inside without arranging a private visit.

Frequently asked questions

Which saint is the church dedicated to? The church is dedicated to Saint Giles (Czech: sv. Jiljí), an abbot and hermit whose cult was widespread across medieval Europe.

From what period does the church date? The oldest, Romanesque part of the nave dates from the 13th century, while the Gothic presbytery was added in the 14th century.

Have any original elements survived to this day? Yes — despite the fire of 1904, the Gothic presbytery and the medieval frescoes, uncovered in 1895 and restored in 1953, have been preserved.

Where exactly is the church located? The church stands in the center of Uhlířské Janovice, a town in the Central Bohemian Region, at approximately 49.8807 N, 15.0663 E.

Is the church a legally protected heritage site? Yes, the Church of Saint Giles is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.