Church of the Epiphany (Panské Dubenky)

The Church of the Epiphany stands at the southern edge of Panské Dubenky, a small village tucked into the rolling countryside of the Czech-Moravian Highlands (Vysočina). It's a modest, single-nave building with a tower on its front façade — the kind of quiet, off-the-beaten-path stop that rewards travelers exploring the Czech countryside rather than its headline cities.

How do you get there?

Panské Dubenky sits in the Vysočina region, an area of fields, forests, and small villages spread across gentle hills, within reach of towns such as Jindřichův Hradec and Telč. The church stands right on the edge of the village, so arriving by car is the most practical option, using local roads that connect the surrounding settlements. Its coordinates — roughly 49.2186°N, 15.2655°E — make it easy to locate with GPS navigation. This is not a site built for mass tourism, so it's worth checking Mass times or local opening hours in advance if you want to see the interior.

What will you see?

The church's exterior reflects the plain, functional style typical of the Josephine era of church-building in the late 18th century: a single nave, a polygonal chancel at the rear, and a tower rising from the front. The foundation stone was laid in 1787, and construction was finished the following year, in 1788. Inside, the walls are decorated with ornamental painting attributed to Jiří Trnka, which today forms the building's main visual highlight alongside its simple architectural form.

The church is dedicated to the Epiphany, the feast marking the visit of the Three Kings — hence its English name. In 1925, two bells were installed, dedicated to Saint Joseph and to Jesus Christ. Together with a wayside cross standing beside it, the church is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic, recognized as a single heritage ensemble rather than as an isolated building.

A distinctive detail tied to the local parish is that it hosts the very first pilgrimage of its kind in the entire country within the liturgical calendar — a local tradition that gives this small rural church an outsized significance for the surrounding faithful, despite the village itself being tiny.

When should you visit?

Given the rural setting and lack of dedicated tourist infrastructure, the best window for a visit runs from late spring through early autumn, when the surrounding roads and farmland look their best and access to the church interior is easier thanks to regular services. Pair the stop with a broader tour of the Vysočina region — its quiet small towns, castles, and the open, hilly landscape of the Czech-Moravian Highlands.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Church of the Epiphany in Panské Dubenky? It's a small, single-nave parish church built between 1787 and 1788 in the Josephine style, dedicated to the feast of the Epiphany (the Three Kings).

Is the church a protected monument? Yes — together with a wayside cross standing next to it, it is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic as a single ensemble.

What is worth seeing inside? The ornamental wall painting attributed to Jiří Trnka, along with two historic bells from 1925 dedicated to Saint Joseph and Jesus Christ.

Does Panské Dubenky hold any special religious events? Yes — the local parish is known for hosting the first pilgrimage of the annual cycle nationwide, which makes it a notable point on the map of local religious traditions.