Church of the Holy Guardian Angels

The Church of the Holy Guardian Angels stands on the main square of Kostelec nad Černými lesy, a small town in Central Bohemia, and it is the building that immediately anchors the whole square visually. Despite its modest scale, the Baroque church has been the town's religious focal point for nearly three centuries.

How do you get there?

Kostelec nad Černými lesy sits in the Central Bohemian region, not far from Kolín, and the church occupies the heart of the town square itself, so it is impossible to miss once you arrive. The easiest way in is by car or local bus from Kolín or Prague; parking is available close to the square, leaving only a short walk to the church entrance. Seeing the square itself takes just a few minutes, but it is worth allowing extra time to wander the streets around it.

What will you see?

The current church was built between 1735 and 1737 as a Baroque parish church. Its design is attributed to the architect Tomáš Vojtěch Budil, who was responsible for numerous buildings commissioned by the House of Liechtenstein, the family that held patronage over Kostelec at the time. The building follows a single-nave layout, with a rectangular nave, presbytery and sacristy aligned on one axis, complemented by side chapels that widen the interior and provide space for additional altars and paintings.

The tower that now defines the church's silhouette from a distance was not part of the original design — it was added between 1889 and 1894 at the western entrance. This later addition is precisely what makes the church stand out so clearly above the low-rise buildings surrounding the square.

Inside, the main altar draws the most attention. It was funded in 1739 by Maria Theresa of Savoy and depicts the scene that gives the church its dedication: a Guardian Angel watching over a young pilgrim. The image is simple and legible, and it fits naturally into the Baroque character of the interior.

Outside, the façade rewards a closer look: pilasters carved from red sandstone frame niches holding statues of saints, lending a lighter visual rhythm to what is otherwise a solid, heavy Baroque structure. The church is listed in the Czech Republic's Central Register of Immovable Cultural Monuments under number 39512/2-800, confirming its status as a protected piece of the region's religious architecture.

In recent decades the building has undergone two significant restoration campaigns — conservation work in 2008–2009 and a full façade reconstruction in 2014–2015. Thanks to this work, the stonework and plaster details, which are otherwise vulnerable to the damp and frost typical of Central Bohemian winters, remain in good condition and are visible today close to their original appearance.

When should you visit?

The church is best seen on a clear day, when sunlight brings out the reddish tone of the sandstone façade and makes the statues in the niches easier to appreciate. The square in Kostelec nad Černými lesy stays quiet throughout the year, without the crowds typical of larger Czech towns, making it a pleasant stop on a route between Prague and the southeastern part of the country.

Frequently asked questions

Who built the church in Kostelec nad Černými lesy? The church was built between 1735 and 1737, with the design attributed to architect Tomáš Vojtěch Budil, known for his work on buildings commissioned by the House of Liechtenstein.

Is the tower part of the original church? No. The tower at the western entrance was added later, between 1889 and 1894, more than a century after the church itself was completed.

What does the main altar depict? The main altar, dating from 1739 and funded by Maria Theresa of Savoy, shows a Guardian Angel watching over a young pilgrim — a scene that reflects the church's dedication.

Is the church a protected monument? Yes. It is listed in the Central Register of Immovable Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic under number 39512/2-800, and it underwent major restoration work between 2008 and 2015.