Church of the Assumption of Mary in Planá

The Church of the Assumption of Mary is an imposing three-aisled basilica standing south of the main square in the small town of Planá, in the Tachov District of the Plzeň Region, western Bohemia. Layers of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque work sit side by side in its structure, making it one of the most significant sacred buildings in this part of the country.

Where does the church stand and what does it look like?

The building rises on Kostelní Street, just south of Planá's main square. Its massive, three-aisled basilica form combines Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque elements, though it's the eighteenth-century Baroque work that gives the church its dominant present-day character, even as the older layers remain visible in the structure and interior.

How did the church's history begin?

The origins of the building reach back to the mid-13th century, around the same time the town of Planá itself was first recorded in writing, in 1251. During the following century the church was expanded in Gothic style with the addition of side aisles, giving it a more imposing, three-nave layout. In the early 16th century, late Gothic ribbed vaulting was added above the main nave, much of which survives to this day.

What changed during the Baroque rebuilding?

The church's present appearance owes most to two phases of Baroque reconstruction carried out in the 18th century. Between 1745 and 1747, builder Tomáš Pötzl led work that gave the church a more unified Baroque character. A second phase, between 1765 and 1768, focused mainly on the presbytery, which was renovated to match contemporary taste.

What happened to the church tower?

The tower has a turbulent, comparatively recent history of its own. The original northern tower was at risk of collapse and was demolished in 1902. Just two years later, in 1904, a replacement was built on the same spot in Neo-Baroque style. Today's tower stands 48 meters tall and is topped by an octagonal gallery structure and an onion-shaped dome. Following a 1995 renovation, the tower now houses the town's municipal gallery.

Who is buried in the church, and what is its heritage status?

The presbytery holds the tomb of the Šlik family, former lords of the Planá estate who for decades also held the nearby castle in the same town. The church itself, together with the adjoining rectory, has been protected as a cultural monument since 1964.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly does the Church of the Assumption of Mary stand in Planá? On Kostelní Street, south of the main square in the town of Planá, in the Tachov District.

How old is the church? Its origins go back to the mid-13th century, around the same time Planá itself was first documented, in 1251.

Where does the church's current Baroque look come from? From two phases of 18th-century rebuilding: 1745-1747 under builder Tomáš Pötzl, and 1765-1768, when the presbytery was renovated.

Is the tower original? No — the original tower was demolished in 1902 after it was found to be at risk of collapse, and the current Neo-Baroque tower was built two years later, in 1904. Since a 1995 renovation, it has housed the town's municipal gallery.

Who is buried inside the church? The presbytery contains the tomb of the Šlik family, former lords of the Planá estate, who were also connected to the town's castle.