Church of Saint Mary Magdalene

The Church of Saint Mary Magdalene in Černice is a Gothic parish church standing on a high slope above the Vltava River, roughly 5.5 km northeast of Český Krumlov. Together with its walled cemetery, the church is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic and serves as the parish church of the Roman Catholic parish of Černice.

Where is the church located?

Černice is a small village set on a high slope above the Vltava valley, in the Český Krumlov district, about 5.5 km from the center of Český Krumlov. Because of its elevated position above the river, the church is visible from a considerable distance and forms a clear landmark in the surrounding countryside.

What is the history of the church?

The church was founded in the second half of the 13th century in the early Gothic style. During the 15th century it underwent three separate rebuilding phases: between 1410 and 1420, again between 1483 and 1491, and once more at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. A further significant change came much later, in 1818, when the tower was raised, the gallery was enlarged, and the entrance was modified. This long sequence of alterations means the building today combines elements from several different periods, from its Gothic core to 19th-century additions.

What can visitors see inside and outside?

Among the most distinctive architectural features is the preserved choir tower, together with a strongly articulated ground plan that reflects the church's repeated rebuilding. The sides of the nave feature grouped windows topped with segmental arches, while the nave and sacristy are covered by net rib vaulting — a hallmark of late Gothic architecture in Bohemia, creating a distinctive pattern of ribs across the ceiling. Adjoining the church is a cemetery enclosed by a wall, which forms an integral part of the historic complex.

Why is the church protected as a monument?

Both the church itself and its adjoining walled cemetery are listed as cultural monuments of the Czech Republic. This status reflects the unique combination of early Gothic fabric dating to the 13th century with well-documented rebuilding phases from the 15th and 19th centuries, as well as surviving architectural elements such as the net rib vaulting and the choir tower.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene located? In the village of Černice, on a high slope above the Vltava River, about 5.5 km northeast of Český Krumlov.

How old is the church? It was founded in the second half of the 13th century in the early Gothic style, and was later rebuilt several times — three times during the 15th century and again in 1818.

What architectural style does the building represent? The church combines an early Gothic core with later rebuilding, including distinctive net rib vaulting in the nave and sacristy and grouped windows with segmental arches.

Is there a cemetery next to the church? Yes, the church is surrounded by a walled cemetery, which together with the church is protected as a cultural monument.

Which parish does the church belong to? It is the parish church of the Roman Catholic parish of Černice.