Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Horažďovice

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Horažďovice is a Gothic three-nave basilica standing at the corner of the town square, in the Klatovy District of the Plzeň Region. It is the oldest church in Horažďovice and, thanks to its massive tower, still one of the town's most recognizable landmarks.

When was the church built and who founded it?

Construction began around 1260, funded by Bavor II, lord of Strakonice and Bavorov. The main building work took place between 1260 and 1273, but the church was left unfinished at that stage. It was the Knights of St. John (Johannites) who took over and completed the building in the first quarter of the 14th century, meaning the whole construction process spanned roughly the second half of the 13th century into the early 14th century — making this one of the oldest surviving sacred buildings in the town.

What does the church's architecture look like?

The building is a three-nave basilica with a pentagon-shaped, closed presbytery and embedded galleries, a layout typical of Gothic town churches of that era. Its most striking exterior feature, the square tower, does not date from the original 13th-century construction phase at all — it was built later, in 1454, and further altered in 1741. This tower, visible from the town square, is what keeps the church a dominant point in the Horažďovice skyline today.

What can visitors see inside?

Inside, the church preserves a rare Gothic baptismal font shaped like a chalice, a feature that sets it apart from other churches in the region. Most of the rest of the interior furnishings, however, date from a much later period: the decoration is predominantly Baroque, from the first half of the 18th century, including an altar with a late Gothic Madonna figure. The combination of a medieval font with a largely Baroque interior reflects the building's long, layered history, from Gothic origins to Baroque redecoration.

Can the church be visited today?

In 2024, the building was declared to be in a state of structural emergency, and as a result it was closed to the public. Stabilization work on the vaults, roof restoration, and other rescue construction work are currently underway to preserve the monument and eventually allow it to reopen. Anyone planning a visit should check the current status of the building beforehand, since conservation work may limit or prevent access to the interior.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Horažďovice? Construction began around 1260 and was completed in the first quarter of the 14th century, making it one of the oldest buildings in the town.

Who founded the church? It was founded by Bavor II, lord of Strakonice and Bavorov, at the same time the town of Horažďovice itself was established.

Who finished the construction? The unfinished church was completed by the Knights of St. John (Johannites) in the first quarter of the 14th century.

What is the most valuable feature inside the church? A rare Gothic baptismal font shaped like a chalice, which stands out against the otherwise predominantly Baroque interior.

Where does the church tower come from? The square tower was built later than the rest of the church, in 1454, and was further modified in 1741.

Is the church currently open to visitors? No — since 2024, following the declaration of a structural emergency, the church has been closed to the public while stabilization and restoration work is carried out.