Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Dolany (Klatovy District)

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul stands in Dolany, a small village in the Klatovy District, in the Pilsen (Plzeň) Region of western Czechia. It's a Roman Catholic parish church listed among the country's protected cultural monuments — the kind of understated site that rarely makes it onto a mainstream itinerary, but rewards travelers exploring the smaller villages of the Šumava foothills.

How old is the church in Dolany?

The first written mention of a church on this site dates back to 1384, making it one of the older places of worship in this part of the Klatovy District. The building visitors see today, however, is not that medieval structure. Between 1794 and 1799, the church was completely rebuilt in the late Baroque style, and that reconstruction defined the appearance it still has now.

The story continues into the present day: between 2023 and 2024, the church underwent repair work covering the roof, ceiling, and facade, partly funded through the European Union. As a result, the building remains in good technical condition and continues to function as an active parish church.

What does the church look like architecturally?

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul is a single-nave building in the late Baroque style, with side galleries and two sacristies — a layout common among rural parish churches from this period in the region. Its footprint is modest rather than monumental: the church measures roughly 23 meters in length and 16 meters in width. Despite the small scale, the proportions and architectural details reflect the formal language typical of late Baroque village churches across the Šumava foothills.

What's worth seeing inside?

The most notable artistic feature inside is a set of altar paintings and Stations of the Cross created by the Pilsen-based painter Jan Herzog (1820–1886). His work gives the interior a coherent 19th-century pictorial character that contrasts with the church's Baroque architecture.

Another detail worth noting is the marble baptismal font, which was repurposed from a wash basin originally used in the refectory of the Jesuit college in Klatovy. This kind of reuse of church furnishings was common after the dissolution of the Jesuit order, when its property was redistributed to parishes in the surrounding area.

Who is this church for?

The church in Dolany suits travelers mapping out a route through the smaller monuments of the Klatovy District and the Šumava foothills, rather than visitors looking for a single headline attraction. Given its modest scale and local character, it works best as a stop along a cycling or driving route through the area rather than as a standalone destination.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the church located? In the village of Dolany, in the Klatovy District, Pilsen Region, in western Czechia.

When did the church get its current appearance? Its present late Baroque form dates from a complete reconstruction carried out between 1794 and 1799, although a church on this site is first documented as early as 1384.

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, it is listed among the cultural monuments of the Czech Republic.

What are the highlights inside? The altar paintings and Stations of the Cross by Jan Herzog, along with a marble baptismal font made from a piece originally used at the Jesuit college in Klatovy.

Has the church been renovated recently? Yes, repair work on the roof, ceiling, and facade was carried out in 2023–2024, partly supported by EU funding.