Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Obděnice is a Romanesque gallery church standing on a small hill at the western edge of the village of Obděnice, in the Příbram district of the Czech Republic. Its elevated position makes the building visible from a considerable distance and turns it into a clear landmark for the surrounding countryside.

How old is the church in Obděnice?

The church's origins go back to the 12th century. The Romanesque nave with its gallery and the lower section of the tower date from this original period, making them the oldest surviving parts of the building and the source of its austere, characteristically Romanesque appearance.

How has the building changed over the centuries?

The church has not survived unchanged since the Middle Ages. In 1603, the chancel was vaulted in a late Renaissance style, giving that part of the interior a distinctly different character from the older Romanesque core. In a later period, the tower was raised by an additional storey built in a pseudo-Romanesque style that echoes the form of the oldest section. As a result, the building today combines elements from several distinct construction periods.

What is worth seeing inside?

The main draw inside the church is the tombstone of Jakub Krčín of Jelčany, who died sometime between 18 January and 10 February 1604 — the exact date of his death is unknown. Krčín was one of the best-known figures of the Czech Renaissance, associated with building and managing the extensive network of fishponds on the Rožmberk family estates in southern Bohemia. His tombstone is surrounded by a genuine mystery: during renovation work on the church, it was discovered that the grave beneath it is empty. The tombstone bears a Latin inscription which, according to local tradition, is supposed to hold the answer to this puzzle. No one has managed to decipher it so far, which keeps Krčín's tomb one of the more intriguing historical riddles in the region.

What does the setting around the church look like?

The church is surrounded by a cemetery, entered through a vaulted gate. This arrangement — a church on a rise, enclosed by a walled cemetery with a gateway — is typical of rural sacred sites in this part of the Czech Republic and reflects the semi-defensive role such enclosures sometimes played in the past.

Is it still an active parish church?

The church in Obděnice served as a parish church until 2009, when the local parish was closed. Today it holds the status of a filial (subsidiary) church, belonging to the Roman Catholic parish of Petrovice u Sedlčan. The building is listed as an immovable cultural monument and is protected accordingly.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the church located? At the western edge of the village of Obděnice, in the Příbram district, at coordinates 49.551325, 14.374297.

Is the church still an active parish? No — since 2009 it has operated as a filial church of the Petrovice u Sedlčan parish rather than as an independent parish.

Who was Jakub Krčín of Jelčany? A figure of the Czech Renaissance known for building and managing fishponds on the Rožmberk family estates; he died around the turn of January and February 1604.

Why is Krčín's grave considered a mystery? Renovation work revealed that the tomb beneath his tombstone is empty, and the Latin inscription on the stone, said to explain the situation, has never been deciphered.

Which parts of the building are the oldest? The nave with its gallery and the lower part of the tower are Romanesque, dating to the 12th century, while the chancel was not vaulted until 1603.