Church of Saint John of Nepomuk

The Church of Saint John of Nepomuk is a Baroque pilgrimage church standing on a hill above Telč, along the old pilgrim path that once led from Telč to the village of Krahulčí, in the Jihlava District of the Vysočina Region in the Czech Republic.

How do you get there?

The church sits right beside the road connecting Telč and Krahulčí, on a modest rise that makes it visible from a distance thanks to the two towers of its façade. Telč, famous for its UNESCO-listed historic square, lies just a few kilometres away and serves as the natural base for exploring this corner of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. Krahulčí itself is a small village, and the church remains its most important landmark and the clearest reference point in the surrounding countryside.

What is the history behind it?

Construction was financed by František Antonín of Liechtenstein-Kastelkorn and his wife Marie Anna of Hallweil, and work ran from 1726 to 1729. The church was consecrated on 4 July 1729, only about four months after the canonization of John of Nepomuk, making it one of the earlier buildings in the region dedicated to the newly proclaimed saint. From the outset it served as a pilgrimage site, drawing the faithful who walked the route from Telč. In 1830 lightning struck the north tower and sparked a fire that destroyed the tiled roof and its timber structure and damaged the bells. Today the building is registered as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic, confirming its recognised historical and architectural value.

What should you look out for?

The church has a single nave with two towers built into the façade — despite its relatively small footprint, the building reads as strikingly vertical, almost spire-like, when seen from afar. The interior was designed as a tall, centralising hall, which gives the space an airy quality well suited to its pilgrimage function. The main draw inside are three Baroque altars dating back to the church's construction. The massive high altar, dominating the chancel, holds a later copy of a painting depicting the glorification of Saint John of Nepomuk. The two side altars are dedicated to Saint Francis and to the adoration of the saints of the Holy Trinity. Together they form a coherent, well-preserved set of Baroque furnishings rarely found in such a small rural church.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the church's pilgrimage character, the most evocative time to visit is around the feast days connected with the cult of Saint John of Nepomuk, when the site still reflects the tradition it was built to serve. Beyond that, the warmer months make the walk along the old path from Telč more comfortable and offer the best views over the surrounding Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. Pairing a visit here with a stop in Telč lets you combine a world-class historic town with a modest but historically significant village church in a single trip.

Frequently asked questions

Who financed the construction of the church? The church was built between 1726 and 1729, funded by František Antonín of Liechtenstein-Kastelkorn and his wife Marie Anna of Hallweil.

Why was the church consecrated so soon after John of Nepomuk's canonization? It was consecrated on 4 July 1729, roughly four months after the saint's canonization, suggesting the project was conceived as a swift response to the new cult.

What happened to the church in 1830? Lightning struck the north tower and started a fire that destroyed the tiled roof and its timber frame and damaged the bells.

Has the original interior survived? Yes — the church still holds three Baroque altars from its construction period: the main altar dedicated to Saint John of Nepomuk, and two side altars honouring Saint Francis and the adoration of the saints of the Holy Trinity.