Church of Saint Peter (Křivoklát)

The Church of Saint Peter in Křivoklát is a neo-Gothic building standing less than 600 meters from the famous Křivoklát Castle, perched on a hill above the former settlement of Amalín, roughly 500 meters above the castle courtyard. Although the current structure dates from the late 19th century, its history reaches back to the Middle Ages and is closely tied to the story of the castle itself.

How did the church come to be?

The original late Gothic church was founded by King Vladislav II Jagiellon and consecrated together with the castle chapel in 1522. In 1728 the building was extended in Baroque style to serve a growing parish. The transformation most visible today came later: in 1885 the old nave was demolished and replaced with a new pseudo-Gothic nave designed by Josef Mocker, an architect best known for his work on the reconstruction of St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague. The project was funded by the princely Fürstenberg family, whose coat of arms still adorns the wall above the main entrance. The rebuilt church was consecrated on October 11, 1885.

What will you see there?

The building is a single-nave structure fronted by a distinctive prism-shaped tower — a landmark visible from a distance, especially when looking up from the castle grounds. The chancel is offset from the nave's axis and has an irregular, polygonal shape, with a sacristy and a small chapel attached on the north side. Above the entrance, look for the carved Fürstenberg coat of arms, a clear trace of who financed the 19th-century rebuild. The overall style is neo-Gothic, echoing medieval forms even though the structure itself is fully a 19th-century build.

How do you get there?

The church sits on a hill above the castle, within the village of Křivoklát, so the most practical way to reach it is on foot — a walk from the castle or the main square up a steep street leading to the former Amalín district. The route is short but involves a noticeable climb, so comfortable shoes are worth packing. Křivoklát itself lies in Central Bohemia and is easy to reach by car or train from Prague, via Beroun or Rakovník.

When should you visit?

The church works best as part of a longer walk around Křivoklát combined with a castle visit — a natural addition to the sightseeing route, particularly in spring and summer when days are longer and the views from the upper part of the village are at their best. It's worth checking the local events calendar, since the church takes part in the nationwide Night of Churches event, when it is sometimes open to visitors outside its usual hours.

Frequently asked questions

Is the church part of Křivoklát Castle? No, it is a separate building, but it stands close to the castle and has historically been closely linked to it — the original church was consecrated together with the castle chapel.

Who designed the current building? The neo-Gothic nave built in 1885 was designed by Josef Mocker, an architect also involved in the reconstruction of St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague.

Why does the Fürstenberg coat of arms appear on the facade? The Fürstenberg family funded the 19th-century rebuilding of the church, and their coat of arms was placed above the main entrance in recognition of that patronage.

Can you drive up to the church, or do you have to walk? Given its hilltop location, the easiest way to reach it is a short but steep walk from the center of Křivoklát or from the castle.