Church of Saint Clemens

St. Clement's Church in Levý Hradec is the oldest Christian church in the territory of today's Czech Republic, standing on a hill above the Vltava river near the town of Roztoky. For more than a thousand years the site has been linked to the origins of Christianity and early statehood in Bohemia, and today it draws visitors looking to connect with the country's earliest recorded history.

Who founded the church, and when?

The church was founded in 884 by Duke Bořivoj I, the first historically documented ruler of Bohemia. Its construction on Levý Hradec falls at the moment when princely power was still taking shape in Bohemia and the new religion was beginning to gain a foothold among the local elite. The original building took the form of a rotunda — a small, round-plan church typical of the earliest sacred architecture in this part of Europe.

What remains of the original rotunda?

Only the foundations of the ninth-century rotunda have survived, now hidden beneath the nave of the current church, which was rebuilt in Baroque style in the 17th century. This means the structure visitors see today is the result of a reconstruction carried out several centuries ago, yet its underground portion is physically continuous with the oldest masonry sacred building on Czech soil. It's a rare case where architectural layers from two very different eras — early medieval and Baroque — coexist on the same spot.

What else is there to see around the church?

Right next to the church lies a cemetery dating back to the 11th century. The presence of a burial ground so close to the place of worship confirms that Levý Hradec functioned as an important religious and social center long before medieval towns had fully taken shape in the region. The hill on which the church stands was also earlier the site of a stronghold, underlining its role as a center of both power and faith in the formative years of the Bohemian state.

Why is it worth visiting?

Levý Hradec appeals to anyone interested in the beginnings of Christianity in Central Europe, the history of the Přemyslid dynasty, and early sacred architecture. It's a quiet, low-key site compared to the crowded landmarks of central Prague, yet it holds foundational significance for the country's history — this is where, according to tradition tied to the site, the first church structures in Bohemia took shape. The view over the Vltava valley and the peaceful hilltop setting make it a good stop for a longer walk that combines history with nature.

Frequently asked questions

Is this really the oldest church in the Czech Republic?

Yes, sources identify St. Clement's Church in Levý Hradec as the oldest Christian church in the territory of today's Czech Republic, founded in 884 by Duke Bořivoj I.

Has the original 9th-century structure survived?

Not fully. Only the foundations of the original rotunda remain, now located beneath the nave of the church rebuilt in Baroque style in the 17th century.

Where exactly is the church located?

The church stands on Levý Hradec hill near the town of Roztoky, at the geographic coordinates 50.1694, 14.3742.

Is there anything else worth seeing near the church?

Yes, right next to the church is a cemetery dating from the 11th century, evidence of the site's long continuity as a place of religious use.