Church of Saint Mary Magdalene

The Church of Saint Mary Magdalene stands in the upper part of the main square in Chvalšiny, a small town in the Český Krumlov district of the South Bohemian Region, Czech Republic. It ranks among the finest examples of late Gothic architecture in all of southern Bohemia and shapes the town's distinctive skyline, visible from the surrounding hills.

What does the church in Chvalšiny look like?

The building is a single-nave church with a Chapel of the Virgin Mary attached on the northern side and a massive, columnar tower on the southern side. Much of the structure was built by the renowned Rožmberk building workshop under master builder Hans Götzing — a workshop tied to the Rožmberk family, one of the most powerful noble houses of medieval Bohemia. The same circle of builders is also associated with work on Český Krumlov Castle, a few dozen kilometers away.

When was the church built?

The present late Gothic building dates from the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries, constructed between 1487 and 1507. It replaced an earlier church first documented in written sources in 1293, so the religious history of the site reaches back to the Middle Ages, even though the current structure is younger than that first mention.

Has the church kept its original appearance?

Despite the centuries, the building has preserved the stylistic purity of late Gothic architecture, though it did not escape later alterations. In the mid-17th century it underwent early Baroque modifications, and between 1886 and 1887 it was restored in neo-Gothic style. During that restoration a central Marian chapel was added and a gallery was built inside the nave. Despite these interventions, the church is still regarded as one of the most valuable examples of late Gothic architecture in the South Bohemian region.

Why is this church worth seeing?

The Church of Saint Mary Magdalene is more than a religious monument — it is a landmark of Chvalšiny. Its tower and overall silhouette dominate the town square and can be seen from a distance, from the hills surrounding the town. For visitors exploring the Český Krumlov area and the Šumava region, it offers a chance to see architecture connected to the same Rožmberk building workshop known for work on the famous castle in Český Krumlov. The church also remains an active parish site, not merely a museum piece.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the church located? In the upper part of the main square in Chvalšiny, in the Český Krumlov district, South Bohemian Region.

From which period does the current building date? The current late Gothic form of the church was built between 1487 and 1507, on the site of an older church first mentioned in 1293.

Who built the church? It was built largely by the Rožmberk building workshop under master builder Hans Götzing.

Has the church been rebuilt over the centuries? Yes — it underwent early Baroque modifications in the mid-17th century and a neo-Gothic restoration in 1886–1887, during which a central Marian chapel and a gallery were added.

What stands out architecturally about this church? Its single-nave layout, the Chapel of the Virgin Mary on the north side, a massive columnar tower on the south side, and the well-preserved purity of its late Gothic style despite later alterations.