Church of Saint Procopius (Běhařov)

The Church of Saint Procopius in Běhařov is a modest early Gothic church standing at the edge of the village of Běhařov in the Šumava region of the Czech Republic, right next to the site of the former local manor. It is the first building visitors see when entering the village and also the oldest surviving structure in the settlement.

How old is the church in Běhařov?

The village and its church are first mentioned in writing in 1352, but the walls of the presbytery and nave go back even further, with their oldest sections dated to the second half of the 13th century. The church took on its present early Gothic form around the middle of the 14th century, making it one of the older sacred buildings in this part of Šumava.

What has the church been through over the centuries?

The building's history has not been peaceful: it was damaged by fire three separate times, in 1616, 1777 and 1911. Following two of these events, major repairs were carried out, in 1789 and 1912, and these works largely shaped the church's present appearance. Despite the repeated destruction, the medieval Gothic core of the walls has survived, so the building's origins remain clearly legible today.

What does the architecture look like?

The church follows a rectangular floor plan, with a presbytery closed on three sides at its eastern end. A flat wooden ceiling covers the main nave, while the presbytery is topped with a Gothic cross-ribbed vault, one of the building's most valuable architectural features. Pointed arches and ribbed vaulting, typical of Gothic construction, are visible throughout the structure and give the interior its characteristic vertical rhythm.

What can be seen inside?

The interior holds three altars. The main altar is crowned by a Baroque statue of the church's patron, Saint Procopius, founder of the Sázava Monastery and one of the patron saints of the Czech lands. A Baroque figure of Saint Peter stands by the triumphal arch that separates the presbytery from the nave. These two sculptures are the most notable pieces of furnishing, their Baroque style forming a clear contrast with the Gothic architecture of the walls around them.

Where exactly is the church located?

The church stands in Běhařov, a village in the Šumava region of the Czech Republic, directly next to the site of the former manor house. Its geographic coordinates are 49.3448° N, 13.1602° E. Because of its position at the entrance to the village, the church serves as a natural landmark for anyone travelling through this part of Šumava.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the church in Běhařov dedicated to? The church is dedicated to Saint Procopius, a Czech saint and the founder of the Sázava Monastery; his Baroque statue stands on the main altar.

From which period does the building date? The oldest surviving walls of the presbytery and nave date to the second half of the 13th century, while the church's current early Gothic form took shape around the middle of the 14th century.

Was the church damaged in the past? Yes, the building was hit by fire three times, in 1616, 1777 and 1911, and underwent major repairs afterwards, notably in 1789 and 1912.

What is worth seeing inside? Highlights include the three altars, the Baroque statue of Saint Procopius on the main altar, the Baroque figure of Saint Peter by the triumphal arch, and the Gothic cross-ribbed vault above the presbytery.

Is the church easy for visitors to find? It stands right at the entrance to the village of Běhařov, next to the former manor site, which makes it clearly visible and easy to locate for anyone exploring the Šumava area.