Church of the Death of the Virgin Mary in Kájov

The Church of the Death of the Virgin Mary in Kájov is the oldest surviving part of a larger church complex in the village of Kájov, in southern Bohemia's Český Krumlov district, right at the edge of the Šumava region.

Where exactly is this church located?

The building stands within the well-known pilgrimage complex at Kájov, a few kilometres west of Český Krumlov (coordinates: 48.8090808, 14.2589669). Some records list the location as "Kladné" — this is not a separate settlement far from the church, but the name of a former hamlet that historically belonged to the Kájov estate. Back in 1263, King Přemysl Otakar II granted this estate, together with the settlements of Křenov, Kladný and Zábor, to a Cistercian foundation tied to Kájov. The "Kladné" label in the database is therefore an echo of that medieval administrative link, not a pointer to another place — the church itself stands in Kájov proper.

Why is it called the "oldest part" of the complex?

The Kájov church complex is made up of several elements: the main pilgrimage church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Nanebevzetí Panny Marie), a rectory, and a hospice. The Church of the Death (Dormition) of the Virgin Mary is the original building of this foundation — an early Gothic structure raised as far back as the second half of the 13th century, well before the imposing pilgrimage church that later grew up beside it. It was this smaller, earlier building that gave rise to the entire sacred complex at Kájov.

How does it relate to Kájov's famous pilgrimage church?

The main pilgrimage church of the Assumption was founded in the 14th century and took on its current late Gothic appearance during a thorough rebuilding between 1471 and 1488. That rebuilding was driven by an educated and determined parish priest named Pils, whose efforts turned Kájov into one of the more important pilgrimage sites in the region. The Church of the Death of the Virgin Mary remained the older, smaller element of the ensemble throughout — a witness to the very first stage of religious settlement here, predating the great Gothic expansion.

What should visitors know before coming?

The Kájov complex is a popular destination for day trips from Český Krumlov, reachable via a marked pilgrimage and hiking route. It's best approached as part of a bigger story: visiting Kájov makes the most sense when you take in the whole site's history, from its early Gothic beginnings through the late Gothic rebuilding to its 20th-century additions (a nearby memorial commemorates those who fell in the First World War). Opening times for the interior can vary seasonally, so it's worth checking locally or with the parish before planning a visit.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Church of the Death of the Virgin Mary the same building as the Church of the Assumption in Kájov? No — they are two distinct buildings within one complex. The Church of the Death of the Virgin Mary is the older, smaller structure; the Church of the Assumption is the main, late Gothic pilgrimage church.

Why does the database list the location as "Kladné" rather than Kájov? Because "Kladné" (formerly Kladný) was a historical hamlet belonging to the Kájov estate granted in 1263, not a separate place away from the church — the building itself is located in Kájov.

How old is this church? Its origins go back to the second half of the 13th century, making it the oldest preserved part of the Kájov church complex.

Why is Kájov associated with pilgrimages? Largely thanks to the rebuilding of the main church between 1471 and 1488 under parish priest Pils, after which Kájov became one of the more significant pilgrimage sites in the Český Krumlov region.