Church of Saints Peter and Paul

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul stands at the northwestern edge of the main square in Nový Hrádek, a small town in the Podkrkonoší region of the Czech Republic, in the Náchod district. It is a Roman Catholic parish church whose history stretches back to the Middle Ages, even though the Baroque building visitors see today only dates from the 18th century. For anyone exploring the town — including the nearby lookout tower on Šibeník hill — it's a natural stop on a walk through the centre.

How long has there been a parish in Nový Hrádek?

The earliest written record of a church in Nový Hrádek dates to 18 July 1362, when the patron of the church in Zákraví appointed a priest to serve the church in Hrádek. That means parish life at this site has continued, in one form or another, for well over six and a half centuries — though the building standing here today is not the one that existed in the 14th century.

Why does the church look Baroque today?

The original church was built of wood. In 1723 it was thoroughly rebuilt in the Baroque style, and that reconstruction gave the church the form it still has today. The design is attributed to Jan Blažej Santini, one of the most highly regarded architects of Czech Baroque, known for blending Baroque forms with Gothic elements.

What stands out inside?

The main altar, richly decorated with figural sculpture and ornamental plasterwork, dates from the first half of the 18th century. It is thought to be the work of a sculptor from the circle of Matyáš Bernard Braun, one of the most important figures in Czech Baroque sculpture. The pulpit came from the same workshop and carries relief carvings of the four evangelists — Matthew, Mark, Luke and John — on its sounding board. An inscription on the pulpit also records a renovation carried out in 1941, evidence that the interior was cared for well before modern restoration efforts.

What about the organ?

The church organ was built in 1744 by Kašpar Welzel, an organ builder from Králíky, a town with a long tradition of organ making. In 2012 the instrument underwent a general overhaul carried out by Ivan Červenka of Jakubovice u Lanškrouna, while the organ case was repaired by a craftsman named Mach from Červený Kostelec. The restoration returned the stop disposition to its state before the 19th-century Romantic-style alterations, giving the organ a sound closer to its original character.

Frequently asked questions

What denomination is the church in Nový Hrádek? It is a Roman Catholic parish church that still serves an active congregation.

When was the current church building constructed? The present Baroque building dates from 1723, when an earlier wooden church on the site was rebuilt.

Who designed the reconstruction? The rebuilding is attributed to Jan Blažej Santini, a leading architect of Czech Baroque architecture.

Where does the main altar come from? It dates from the first half of the 18th century and is attributed to a sculptor from the circle of Matyáš Bernard Braun.

How old is the church organ? It was built in 1744 by Kašpar Welzel of Králíky and underwent a general restoration in 2012.

Where exactly is the church located? It stands at the northwestern edge of the main square in Nový Hrádek, in an easily accessible spot in the town centre.