Church of Saints Peter and Paul

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul is the deanery church of Semily, a town on the Jizera River in the Liberec Region, on the edge of the Bohemian Paradise. Its tall Neo-Romanesque tower dominates the town skyline, making it one of the most recognizable landmarks in the area.

How old is the church?

The first written record of a church on this site dates back to 1352, when a wooden building with a bell tower stood here. That timber structure served the local parish for centuries until, between 1691 and 1702, it was replaced with a stone Baroque church. From that rebuilding, two larger-than-life statues of Saints Peter and Paul, dated 1702, survive at the entrance to this day — the oldest visible element of the whole complex.

The church seen today is a later, much larger building. Construction took place between 1908 and 1911, completed according to plans by architect B. Štěrba of Prague's Karlín district. The result was a Neo-Romanesque building topped by a tower rising to roughly 40 metres, visible from many parts of town.

What can visitors see inside?

The interior decoration is the work of several craft workshops and artists active around the turn of the 20th century. The main altars and the Stations of the Cross were carved by the Bušek family workshop from nearby Sychrov, a name well known in the region for high-quality woodcarving. The figural stained-glass windows came from B. Škarda's workshop in Brno, while the tympanums above the entrances were carved by sculptor J. Čapek, and additional reliefs are the work of J. Kobrle. The decoration was extended in modern times too: in 2013 a painting of the Divine Mercy by J. Lenert of Svatý Kopeček was installed inside. Outside, alongside the statues of Peter and Paul, stands a statue of Saint Anne.

Can you climb the tower?

Yes — the church tower is open to visitors free of charge and is one of Semily's popular attractions, offering a panoramic view over the town and the surrounding hills of the Bohemian Paradise. The church also regularly opens its doors to the public during the nationwide Night of Churches event, when visitors can look around the interior outside normal service hours.

Is the church a protected monument?

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul has been listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic since 1994, under registration number 12947/6-5746. The designation reflects the building's layered history, from the medieval and Baroque traces still visible at the entrance to the monumental Neo-Romanesque architecture completed in the early 20th century.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Semily church? A wooden church on this site was first recorded in 1352, but the current stone building in the Neo-Romanesque style was constructed between 1908 and 1911.

What survives from the earlier church? Two larger-than-life statues of Saints Peter and Paul from 1702 still stand at the entrance, dating from the Baroque church that preceded the present building.

Can visitors go up the tower? Yes, entry to the tower is free, and it offers a panoramic view of Semily and the surrounding countryside.

Who designed the current church? Construction was completed according to plans by architect B. Štěrba of Karlín, while the interior — altars, stained glass, and carvings — was created by workshops from Sychrov and Brno.