Church of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist in Hořelice

The Church of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist in Hořelice, now part of the village of Rudná in the Praha-západ district of the Central Bohemian Region, is a Baroque church with an unusual floor plan, built between 1740 and 1747. The building is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic and remains a distinctive landmark in this part of the countryside just outside Prague.

How old is the parish of Hořelice?

The first written record of a parish church in Hořelice dates back to 1352, pointing to centuries of continuous religious life at this site. The building went through several transformations over the centuries. It was rebuilt in 1605, only to be badly damaged in 1631 during a raid by Saxon troops in the course of the Thirty Years' War. Repairs did not come until 1697, funded by Jan Josef Karvinský, the owner of the local estate at the time. Despite these repairs, the structure continued to deteriorate, and it was eventually decided to demolish it and erect an entirely new church in its place.

Who built the current church, and when?

The present-day church was constructed between 1740 and 1747 on the initiative of Anna Maria of Tuscany, owner of the Tachlovice estate that included Hořelice. Her family's coat of arms can still be seen on the church façade today. The design was the work of Václav Špaček, a Prague-based architect and builder. The finished church was consecrated on 3 September 1747, closing a long chapter of reconstruction for the parish.

What can visitors see inside?

Inside the single-nave building — notable for its unusual Baroque floor plan — stands a main altar with a painting depicting the beheading of Saint John the Baptist, the church's patron. Alongside the main altar, four side altars are dedicated to the Holy Family, Saint Barbara, Saint John of Nepomuk, and Saint Francis Xavier. This selection of dedications reflects the religious tastes typical of Central European nobility and clergy during the Baroque period.

Where exactly is the church located?

The church stands in Hořelice, today administratively part of Rudná, within the Praha-západ district of the Central Bohemian Region, close to Prague. Its geographic coordinates are 50.0258 N, 14.2131 E.

Frequently asked questions

Is the church in Hořelice a protected monument? Yes, the building is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

Who paid for the current church building? Construction was initiated by Anna Maria of Tuscany, owner of the Tachlovice estate, as shown by the Tuscan coat of arms on the façade.

How far back does the parish history go? The first mention of a parish church in Hořelice dates from 1352, so the site's religious history spans several centuries, even though the current building only dates from the 18th century.

Who is the church dedicated to? The main patron is Saint John the Baptist, specifically the event of his beheading, depicted in the main altar painting. The side altars are additionally dedicated to the Holy Family, Saint Barbara, Saint John of Nepomuk, and Saint Francis Xavier.