Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Hemže

The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Hemže is a small pilgrimage sanctuary standing on the southern edge of the Orlická tabule plateau, within the municipality of Choceň in the Pardubice Region. It lies roughly 1.5 km from the center of Choceň and about 3 km from Brandýs nad Orlicí. Although Hemže itself is a modest hamlet today, its church has drawn worshippers from the surrounding countryside for centuries as a center of Marian devotion.

How old is this church?

The first written mentions of a church in Hemže go back to the early 14th century, when it served as the local parish church — a role it held until the Hussite Wars brought destruction to the region. The site slowly regained importance afterward, but its true heyday came in the second half of the 17th century. The present building was constructed between 1679 and 1683 and was solemnly consecrated on Sunday, September 12, 1683. This early Baroque structure is the one still standing on the hill today.

Why did Hemže become a pilgrimage site?

Marian veneration at this spot took hold from the mid-17th century onward, sparked by the donation of a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child in 1662. The statue was brought from Hungary by Count Kurc, though its exact origin before that remains unknown. Believers credited it with answered prayers and granted favors, and votive offerings left at the church over the years stand as testimony to gratitude for such graces. This tradition of pilgrimage is what shaped Hemže into a local devotional destination that endures to this day.

What does the church's architecture look like?

The building is a single-nave early Baroque church with a narrower, semicircularly closed presbytery. A distinctive feature is its shallow side chapels, formed by pulling the supporting pillars inward toward the interior — a solution typical of sacred architecture from this period, giving the interior a coherent, rhythmic quality despite the church's modest size. The building is now protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic, a status reflecting its historical and architectural value.

How do you get there?

The most convenient starting point is Choceň — from the town center it is only about 1.5 km to the church in Hemže, an easy walk or short bike ride of a few minutes. Alternatively, visitors can approach from Brandýs nad Orlicí, roughly 3 km away. The surrounding countryside belongs to the quiet, agricultural landscape of the Orlická tabule plateau, so the route itself makes for a pleasant walk through fields and gentle hills.

When is the best time to visit?

The church comes most alive during traditional pilgrimage feast days tied to its Marian cult, when worshippers arrive from nearby villages. Outside of these occasions, the site retains a quiet, intimate character — well suited to visitors looking for peace and a glimpse of local sacred history away from crowds.

Frequently asked questions

Is the church in Hemže open to visitors? It functions as an active place of worship, so it is best to check local service times, as access outside of Mass hours can be limited.

Where does the statue of the Virgin Mary in Hemže come from? Count Kurc brought it from Hungary in 1662, but its exact origin and history before that donation remain unknown.

What makes this church different from other Baroque churches in the region? Its shallow side chapels, created by pulling the pillars inward, are an unusual solution for such a small, single-nave village church.

What is the fastest way to reach Hemže from Choceň? A walking or cycling route of about 1.5 km through gentle rural terrain — one of the shortest pilgrimage routes in the region.