Church of Saint Procopius

The Church of St. Prokop in Bezděkov stands in the village of Bezděkov nad Metují, in the Náchod district of the Hradec Králové region, in the Central Sudetes of the Czech Republic. This Baroque church belongs to the so-called Broumov group of churches - a set of ecclesiastical buildings erected during the same period and under a shared architectural concept on land that once belonged to the Benedictine abbey in Broumov. Since 1 July 2022 the building has held the status of a national cultural monument, placing it among the most significant heritage sites in the region.

Who designed the church and when was it built?

Construction took place between 1724 and 1727, based on a design by Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer, one of the leading architects of Czech Baroque, known for numerous churches and palaces in Prague and across the provinces. The initiative behind the building came from Otmar Zinke, abbot of the Broumov monastery, who commissioned an entire series of churches in villages under his authority around the same time - hence the name "Broumov group of churches." The church in Bezděkov is one of them.

How is the building laid out?

The church stands out for the unusual octagonal ground plan of its main body, to which a presbytery spanning the full width of the building is attached on the eastern side. The front facade is flanked by two towers - unlike the nearby church in Šonov, also designed by Dientzenhofer, the towers in Bezděkov are not set diagonally but positioned straight on, symmetrically along the facade's axis. This difference in composition is one of the details that distinguish the individual churches of the Broumov group despite their shared authorship and similar construction period.

What can visitors see inside?

The main altar is decorated with a painting depicting the meeting of Duke Oldřich with Saint Prokop, painted in 1743 by the Prague painter Jan Karel Kovář. The composition refers to the legend of the Czech duke who, while hunting, encountered the hermit Prokop - the church's patron saint. The interior also preserves a pulpit from 1752, bearing the coat of arms of abbot Fridrich Grundtmann, who succeeded Otmar Zinke as head of the Broumov monastery.

What does the church mean to the people of Bezděkov?

The church is not only a place of worship for the village but also a symbol of local identity - in 1999 its image became the central element of the municipal coat of arms of Bezděkov nad Metují. The building remains in active use: regular services are held on Sundays and Thursdays, and the church also hosts classical music concerts, which draw visitors from beyond the immediate region.

How to get there and what else to see nearby?

Bezděkov nad Metují lies in the Central Sudetes, close to Broumov and other villages belonging to the same group of churches, making it possible to plan a route linking several of Dientzenhofer's Baroque churches in a single trip through the region. Given its status as a national cultural monument and its connection to one of the most important architects of Czech Baroque, the church in Bezděkov is a notable stop for anyone interested in the sacred architecture of the Broumov region.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the Church of St. Prokop in Bezděkov? Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer, one of the leading architects of Czech Baroque. The church was built between 1724 and 1727.

What is the Broumov group of churches? A set of Baroque churches commissioned by abbot Otmar Zinke in villages under the authority of the Benedictine monastery in Broumov, most of them designed by Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer.

Is the church a protected monument? Yes, since 1 July 2022 it has held the status of a national cultural monument.

What does the painting on the main altar show? The meeting of Duke Oldřich with Saint Prokop, painted by Jan Karel Kovář in 1743.

Can the church be visited? The church is in active use, with regular Sunday and Thursday services and occasional classical music concerts.