Church of the Transfiguration in Žihobce

The Church of the Transfiguration (Czech: kostel Proměnění Páně) is a 19th-century parish church in Žihobce, a village in the Šumava region, Klatovy District, Plzeň Region, Czech Republic. Built on the site of an older sacred structure, the church now dominates the surrounding countryside with its towering spire and Neo-Romanesque, historicizing design.

When was the church built, and who designed it?

The current building was constructed between 1872 and 1876 in the Neo-Romanesque style, replacing an earlier church that had stood on the same spot. The design came from engineer Jirges of Tábor, while construction was carried out under builder Matěj Turek of Volyně. The first mass was celebrated on the feast of St. Stephen in 1876, marking the completion of a project the local parish had pursued for years.

What makes the building's architecture stand out?

The church is defined above all by its tower: a rectangular, three-story structure rising 45 meters, visible from a considerable distance across the Šumava landscape. An imposing staircase leads up to the main entrance, reinforcing the building's representative character. The overall design reflects the historicizing taste typical of religious architecture in this part of Bohemia during the second half of the 19th century.

What can visitors find inside?

The interior received its first decorative painting in 1900, nearly a quarter century after construction finished. It still holds a rare bell cast in 1601 by master bell-founder Dionysius Schulthes, along with an original organ built by a 19th-century organ maker from nearby Sušice. Both pieces are older than the building itself or date from close to its completion, making the interior a notable record of local craftsmanship.

Is the church a protected monument?

Yes. The Czech Ministry of Culture declared the church a cultural monument (kulturní památka) on 26 March 2003, citing it as an exceptionally significant example of historicizing architecture from the second half of the 19th century.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the church located? In the village of Žihobce, Klatovy District, Plzeň Region, in the Šumava region of the Czech Republic.

When was the current church built? Between 1872 and 1876, on the site of an older church that had previously stood there.

How tall is the church tower? The tower is 45 meters high and has three stories.

What notable objects are kept inside? A bell cast in 1601 by Dionysius Schulthes and a 19th-century organ from Sušice.

Why does the database list this place under Rozsedly if the church stands in Žihobce? Rozsedly is one of six parts that make up the municipality of Žihobce, alongside Bešetín, Bílenice, Kadešice and Šimanov. It was an independent municipality until 1979 and has been administratively part of Žihobce since 1 January 1980 — the same municipality where the church itself is located.