Church of Saint Margaret in Kašperské Hory

The Church of Saint Margaret in Kašperské Hory stands right on the town square and is the clearest landmark of this small Šumava town. Its tall tower can be spotted from most surrounding streets, and the building itself is protected as a cultural monument under Czech law.

When was the church built, and did it always carry this name?

The church was raised in the second half of the 14th century as a Gothic three-aisled basilica with a single tower set into the facade and an elongated presbytery closed in a pentagonal shape, reinforced with external buttresses. Interestingly, it was not originally dedicated to Saint Margaret at all — its first patron was Saint Linhard (Leonard). The dedication changed at some point afterward, while the medieval structure itself stayed largely intact. It's a detail easy to miss if you only glance at the building from the square.

How has the church changed over the centuries?

Two documented renovations took place in 1597 and 1698, and the tower itself was rebuilt during the later one. The tower's present shape, however — rising to about fifty meters — comes from an 1883 reconstruction carried out in a pseudo-Gothic style, a common approach at the time for restoring medieval churches across the region. That project turned the tower into the dominant feature of the town's skyline, one that travelers heading toward the wider Šumava area still use as an orientation point today.

What can visitors see inside?

Most of the interior furnishings date from the early 18th century. A side altar holds a statue of the Virgin Mary from the 16th century — noticeably older than the Baroque decoration around it, which hints at how many layers of history the interior actually holds. Other notable pieces include a painted board epitaph from 1627, a folk Way of the Cross painted on glass dating to the 19th century, and a Gothic stone baptismal font that likely dates back to the church's original construction, making it one of the oldest surviving fittings. Tombstones from the 16th and 18th centuries are also scattered through the interior, marking the burials of local burghers and clergy.

What role does the church play today?

The building serves as the archdeaconal parish church of the Roman Catholic parish of Kašperské Hory — a rank above an ordinary parish church. Services are still held regularly, and thanks to its central square location, it works as a natural starting point for exploring the town and the nearby Kašperk castle.

Frequently asked questions

Was the church always called the Church of Saint Margaret? No. When it was built in the 14th century, it was dedicated to Saint Linhard. The current dedication to Saint Margaret was adopted later.

How old is the tower? The core structure is medieval and was reworked during a 1698 renovation, but its current fifty-meter form dates from a pseudo-Gothic rebuild in 1883.

What is the oldest object inside the church? Likely the Gothic stone baptismal font, which dates close to the church's original construction, though the 16th-century Virgin Mary statue and the 1627 epitaph are also among the most valuable pieces.

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, it is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic, giving it formal legal protection.