Church of Saints Simon and Jude

The Church of Saints Simon and Jude stands in the village of Skalice, in the Tábor District of the South Bohemian Region, whose municipality also includes the nearby settlement of Rybova Lhota, roughly 2.5 km to the south. For centuries this Gothic church has been the most recognizable landmark of the area, and its tower still defines the skyline of the surrounding countryside.

How old is the church?

The building's roots go back to the second half of the 14th century, when the original Gothic structure was raised — a core that still forms the heart of the church today. Over the following centuries it went through changes typical of rural Bohemian churches: in 1850 it was rebuilt in Baroque style, and two decades later, in 1870, a tower was added. This layering — Gothic foundations, Baroque-era finishing, and a 19th-century tower — makes the building an easy-to-read record of the region's sacred architecture over time.

What is worth seeing inside?

Inside, the church holds a medieval baptismal font, one of the few furnishings to have survived from the Gothic period. Art historians most often point to this font as the clearest surviving trace of the church's original 14th-century character, despite the later remodeling of the façade and the addition of the tower.

What can be found around the church?

Southwest of the church lie the remains of a hillfort — the former Skalice castle, built in the 13th century. Fragments of its ramparts and the outline of its moats are still visible today, tracing the shape of the fortified residence that once stood there. Together, the church and the castle remains form a compact but meaningful historical ensemble, tying together the sacred and defensive history of this part of South Bohemia.

Why is it worth visiting Skalice when coming from Rybova Lhota?

The route from Rybova Lhota to Skalice covers a few quiet kilometers through the rural South Bohemian landscape typical of the Tábor area — open fields, small groves, and scattered farmsteads. Thanks to its 1870 tower, the church is visible from a considerable distance and naturally guides visitors toward the village center, where the remains of the old fortifications sit alongside it.

Frequently Asked Questions

From which period does the church in Skalice date? The original Gothic core was built in the second half of the 14th century. The building was remodeled in Baroque style in 1850, and a tower was added in 1870.

Are Rybova Lhota and Skalice the same place? No — Rybova Lhota is a separate village that belongs to the same municipality as Skalice and lies about 2.5 km away. The church itself stands in Skalice, the municipality's main village.

What remains of the old castle next to the church? Southwest of the church, the remnants of ramparts and moats from a 13th-century hillfort are still visible, although no above-ground castle structure has survived.

Which part of the interior is the oldest? The oldest surviving furnishing is the medieval baptismal font, dating from the church's original Gothic building phase.