Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Sedlčany)

The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Sedlčany, known locally as "Církvička," stands in a cemetery at the northern edge of town and ranks among the oldest religious landmarks in the area.

Why is it called "Církvička"?

Locals have long used the affectionate nickname "Církvička" (literally "little church") to distinguish this modest cemetery church from the larger parish church in the town center. The current Baroque building went up between 1732 and 1735 on the site of an earlier Gothic Franciscan chapel, a small structure that had grown too cramped for the expanding parish community. The new stone church was built specifically as a filial church, meaning it served as an auxiliary place of worship alongside the main Roman Catholic parish in Sedlčany.

What is worth seeing inside?

For such a small building, the interior holds several genuinely notable features. Three Baroque altars give the space a coherent eighteenth-century character. The standout piece is a Renaissance-Baroque wooden epitaph dating from 1607 — older than the current church building itself, which suggests that some furnishings were carried over from the earlier Gothic structure or from another place of worship in town.

Traces of a folk-style wall painting survive as well, done in a manner echoing the so-called Sedlčany kancionály, hand-copied hymnals from the region known for their rich painted decoration. The surviving scene depicts the Last Judgment, a popular subject in sacred art of the period meant to remind worshippers of the reckoning awaiting them after death.

A separate highlight is a painting of the Virgin Mary nursing the infant Jesus, attributed to the Italian school of painting from the 17th century. The presence of such a valuable work in a small filial church on the outskirts of Sedlčany hints that it once had a generous patron or donor connected to the town's wealthier circles.

What is the history of the adjoining cemetery?

The cemetery surrounding the church was established in 1821, nearly a century after the current building went up. Placing a cemetery beside a church on the edge of town, away from the bustle of the center, was a typical solution for 19th-century burial grounds set up for sanitary reasons — municipal and church authorities of the era increasingly moved cemeteries out of dense built-up areas. The cemetery at Církvička remains an active burial site and an integral part of the church grounds today.

Has the church been renovated?

The church underwent reconstruction at the end of the 20th century, which helped preserve its Baroque form and the most valuable furnishings in relatively good condition. As a result, visitors today can still admire both the exterior architecture and the interior's unique treasures — an epitaph nearly four hundred years old and a painting of Italian provenance.

The church sits at coordinates 49.66322, 14.42317, an easy walk from central Sedlčany toward the northern edge of town, where the quiet of the cemetery contrasts with the activity of the main square.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the church called "Církvička"? It is a local, affectionate nickname distinguishing this small cemetery church from the larger parish church in central Sedlčany.

When was the current building constructed? The present Baroque church was built between 1732 and 1735 on the site of an earlier Gothic Franciscan chapel.

What is the most valuable item inside? A Renaissance-Baroque wooden epitaph from 1607 and a painting of the Virgin Mary nursing the infant Jesus, attributed to the 17th-century Italian school.

Is there a cemetery next to the church? Yes, the cemetery was established in 1821 and continues to function as an active burial ground.