Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is one of the most notable historic buildings in the small Czech town of Zdice, located in the Beroun District of the Central Bohemian Region. This Baroque church sits in the heart of the town's historic centre, right next to the town hall and rectory, and its tower has shaped the local skyline for centuries.

What is the history behind the church?

The current building was constructed between 1747 and 1749, designed by Jindřich Schödl, on the site of an earlier Gothic church dating back to the 14th century. The new church was consecrated in 1749. It served as the parish church until 30 June 2006, with the surrounding villages of Zdice, Bavoryně, Černín, Chodouň and Knížkovice all belonging to its parish. Today the building is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

The church also underwent a major renovation in the 1990s, during which four new bells were installed in the tower, replacing older ones that had been lost or damaged over the years.

What can you see inside?

The building follows a single-nave layout with a presbytery closed on three sides and a prismatic tower rising above the west façade — a typical arrangement for small-town and rural Baroque churches in this part of Bohemia. The most valuable object inside is a tin baptismal font from 1553, considerably older than the church building itself, having survived the 18th-century reconstruction from an earlier structure.

The church is also tied to an interesting literary footnote: in 1842, Karel Jaromír Erben — one of the most important Czech poets and collectors of folk tales and songs, best known for his collection "Kytice" — got married here. For visitors interested in Czech literature, this adds an extra reason to stop by.

How do you get there?

Zdice lies in the Beroun District, close to the route connecting Prague and Plzeň, which makes the town a convenient stop for anyone exploring Central Bohemia. The church stands right in the town centre next to the town hall, so it's easy to find on foot from the train station or the main square — you don't need a precise address, just head toward the tower visible from a distance.

When is the best time to visit?

Since the church is no longer an active parish in the everyday sense, it's worth checking for local events such as Noc kostelů (Night of Churches), a nationwide event during which churches across the Czech Republic open their doors to visitors, often with a short presentation of their history and interior. This is a good opportunity to see the inside without the restrictions of a typical day.

Outside of such events, the best time to visit is during daylight hours, when the light shows off the façade and tower to best effect — these, together with the surrounding historic centre of Zdice, are the church's main draw for anyone passing through on a trip between Prague and western Bohemia.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the church in Zdice built? The current Baroque building was constructed between 1747 and 1749 on the site of an earlier 14th-century Gothic church and was consecrated in 1749.

What is the most valuable item inside the church? A tin baptismal font from 1553 — older than the Baroque building itself, having survived the 18th-century reconstruction.

Is the church still an active parish church? No, it served as the parish church until 30 June 2006. It is now a filial church, protected as a cultural monument.

Which famous Czech got married here? In 1842, Karel Jaromír Erben, a well-known poet and author of the collection "Kytice," one of the pillars of Czech Romantic literature, was married in this church.