Church of Saint James the Greater (Červený Kostelec)

The Church of St. James the Greater is a Roman Catholic parish church standing on the main square of Červený Kostelec, a small town in the Hradec Králové region of eastern Czechia. Its brightly painted facade makes the building visible from almost anywhere on the square — together with the town hall, it defines the look of the whole center.

How do you get there?

Červený Kostelec lies roughly 15 km north of Náchod, on the road connecting Hradec Králové with the foothills of the Table Mountains (Broumovsko). The church sits directly on the town square (coordinates 50.4763, 16.0935), so its tower is a reliable landmark from any street nearby — just walk toward it. The town has bus connections to Náchod and Trutnov, while the nearest major railway hub is Hradec Králové.

What is the history behind it?

A parish is documented on this site as early as 1362, and the original church had Gothic origins. A major fire that swept through the town in 1591 destroyed the building completely, and it was not rebuilt until 1668. The church owes its current Baroque appearance to a reconstruction carried out between 1744 and 1754, financed by Octavio Piccolomini. The work was led by František Kermer, a royal builder from Hradec Králové, working closely with Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer — one of the leading architects of Czech Baroque, known among other things for his church buildings in Prague.

Dientzenhofer's original design called for two towers, but only one was ever built: a tall, freestanding bell tower that still dominates the surroundings today. Another fire, in 1831, seriously damaged the tower; it was lowered and given a provisional tent-shaped roof. Only in 1939–1940 was the tower rebuilt to its original height, with the temporary roof replaced by the onion-shaped pseudo-Baroque dome visible today. The church has been listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic since 1958.

What will you see inside?

The interior mixes styles from different periods, which is itself part of the appeal for visitors — each generation added furnishings reflecting the taste of its time. The main altar dates from 1906 and is executed in a pseudo-Renaissance style, while the side portal altars, dedicated to St. John of Nepomuk and the Virgin Mary, are Baroque. The pulpit, from around 1760, carries Rococo decoration, and the Stations of the Cross date from 1905. The pews and the cabinet in the sacristy are neo-Gothic. Look out for the small pewter baptismal font bearing a Czech inscription dated 1555 — one of the oldest surviving furnishings in the building, predating the current Baroque form of the church.

When should you visit?

The church is best seen during the day, when daylight highlights the contrast between its vivid facade and the surrounding square. Since it remains an active parish church, access to the interior depends on Mass times and opening hours — it is worth checking the current schedule locally or with the town's tourist information before planning a visit. The square in front of the church is a natural starting point for a walk through the center of Červený Kostelec.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the Baroque reconstruction of the church? The 1744–1754 rebuilding was led by František Kermer, a builder from Hradec Králové, working in close cooperation with Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer, one of the foremost architects of the Baroque era in Czechia.

Why does the church have only one tower if two were planned? Dientzenhofer's original design included two towers, but only one — a tall bell tower standing apart from the main body of the church — was ultimately built.

Since when has the church been a protected monument? It has been listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic since 1958.

What is the oldest item you can see inside? The oldest surviving furnishing is a small pewter baptismal font with a Czech inscription from 1555, which predates the church's present Baroque form.