Church of Saints Philip and James

The Church of Saints Philip and James is the most recognizable landmark of Katovice, a small town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, set on the Otava River about 6 km west of Strakonice. The church's yellow façade and tall tower are visible from a distance and have shaped the town's skyline for centuries.

What is the history behind the church?

The church's origins date back to the mid-13th century, when it was built in Gothic style as a simple structure with a small tower on the roof, replacing an earlier Romanesque church on the same site. Over the following centuries the building underwent several reconstructions. The largest and most significant one was completed in 1587, commissioned by Petr Boubínský, the owner of the nearby Střela estate, who in 1580 brought in the Italian builder and stonemason Tomassio Rossi of Mendrisio (also known locally as Tomáš Červený z Mendrisia). By that point, the master builder had already reconstructed churches in Dobrš (1561) and Volenice (1577), reflecting his established reputation among builders working in this part of Bohemia.

What makes the church's architecture distinctive?

The church is regarded as one of the more interesting examples of Renaissance architecture with Romanesque roots found in Bohemia. Its yellow-painted walls and slender tower give it a picturesque, somewhat distinctive look compared to the typical building stock of a small South Bohemian town. The tower reached its current height of 32 meters in 1847, showing that work on the building continued long after the late-16th-century Renaissance rebuild.

Why does the tower have only three clock faces?

One of the most frequently repeated local stories concerns the tower's clocks. Although the tower is four-sided, clock faces were only installed on three of its sides. According to local tradition, this is because the neighboring village of Mnichov did not contribute financially to the construction costs, so the residents of Katovice left the side facing Mnichov without a clock. This small but telling detail is often cited in local descriptions of the church as an example of the historical relationship between the two neighboring communities.

What should visitors know before stopping by?

The church continues to function as an active Roman Catholic parish church rather than a purely tourist attraction. Given its height and its position along the Otava River, it serves as a natural landmark for anyone exploring the area around Strakonice, visible well before reaching the town center.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the church located? In the town of Katovice in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, on the Otava River, a few kilometers west of Strakonice.

How old is the church? Its oldest elements date to the mid-13th century, though the church owes its present Renaissance appearance to the 1587 reconstruction.

Who rebuilt the church in the 16th century? The Italian builder Tomassio Rossi of Mendrisio, brought to Katovice in 1580 by Petr Boubínský, owner of the Střela estate.

Why does the tower have three clock faces instead of four? According to local tradition, the side facing the neighboring village of Mnichov was left without a clock because that village did not help fund the construction.

How tall is the church tower? The tower has stood at 32 meters since 1847.