Church of Saint John of Nepomuk in Hřensko

Church of Saint John of Nepomuk stands right in the center of Hřensko, a small village tucked into a deep valley at the mouth of the Kamenice River, close to the German border, in the heart of the Bohemian Switzerland region (České Švýcarsko). It is the lowest-situated church in the entire Czech Republic — a fact that immediately explains its dramatic setting, wedged between the rocky walls of the gorge.

Why was the church built here?

Construction took place in 1786–1787. Local tradition holds that the impulse came from a visit by Emperor Joseph II, who stopped in Hřensko while traveling to Děčín and was struck by how hard the journey must be for local believers, who had to cross steep, rocky gorges to reach the nearest parish church. As a result, the village itself — at the time living mostly off timber floated down the river — got its own place of worship.

What does the building look like?

It is a late Baroque, single-nave structure with chamfered corners and a wooden bell tower set on the roof. The interior is modest in size but holds one element older than the building itself: the main altar dates back to 1710 and is decorated with a Baroque painting of St. John of Nepomuk, the church's patron saint, believed to have been brought here from an earlier place of worship.

Why has the church needed repeated repairs?

Sitting in a narrow valley right next to the Kamenice riverbed, close to where it joins the Elbe, comes at a cost: the building has been damaged by floods on several occasions. The worst was the 2002 flood, when water rose almost to the church windows. Listed as a protected cultural monument since 1966, the church has undergone repair work over the years — one of the larger renovations was completed in 2021, when the restored building was blessed by the diocese's vicar general.

What should visitors know before stopping by?

Hřensko is the gateway to Bohemian Switzerland, including the famous rock formation Pravčická brána, so most visitors pass the church on their way to the national park's trails. Despite its modest size, the building is a defining feature of the village landscape — standing right at its center, visible from almost every road running through the valley. It is worth a glance while walking through the village on the way to the trails, without needing a separate trip just to see it.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the church located? In the center of Hřensko, in a deep valley at the mouth of the Kamenice River, near the German border, in the Bohemian Switzerland region.

When was the church built? It was built between 1786 and 1787.

What is the most valuable feature inside? The Baroque main altar from 1710, featuring a painting of St. John of Nepomuk, older than the church building itself.

Has the church been damaged by floods? Yes, several times — most severely in 2002, when floodwater rose almost to the windows.

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, it has been listed as a cultural monument since 1966.

Why is it called the "lowest-situated church" in the Czech Republic? Because of its location in a deep valley at the confluence of the Kamenice and the Elbe — the lowest point in the country where a church stands.