St. Vitus Church (Kostel sv. Vita) Tours

In Cesky Krumlov, 105 miles (170 kilometers) away from Prague, the St. Vitus Church (Kostel sv. Vita) is not be confused with the cathedral of the same name located at Prague Castle. With its unusual steep-sided roof and single tower, the church is a popular stop for visitors coming to see Krumlov Castle—the church is inside the castle complex.
 
The Basics
The Roman Catholic church was built in the early 1400s on the east bank of the Vltava river that flows the length of the Czech Republic, on the site of a pre-existing church. Many people travel to Cesky Krumlov on a daylong guided tour from Prague, or pick up a guided walking tour while in the town.
 
The church has many decorative elements dating from different periods. The ceiling with its crisscross arched vaults is similar in style to the St. Vitus cathedral in Prague and dates back to the 1400s. Many additions were made over the years, including the baroque chapel of St. John of Nepomuk, built in 1726, and the Gothic-revival church tower, finished in 1894. There’s also an impressive organ also dating from the baroque period. For people interested in ecclesiastical architecture, the variety of styles on display is of great interest.
 
Things to Know Before You Go

• There is no admission charge for the church.
• Access to the interior is via a steep set of stairs, so may not be suitable for people with limited mobility.
• Look out for the coats of arms on the altar and on the vaulted ceiling—they represent the different aristocratic families that funded the building works.
• The church hosts regular classical music concerts.

 
How to Get There
The church of St. Vitus is located in Cesky Krumlov, approximately three hours south of Prague. It is in the center of town, within the castle complex. Visitors can travel to Cesky Krumlov by car, by train–trains depart from Prague several times daily–or as part of a guided day trip from Prague with return transport provided.
 
When to Get There
The church is open daily and also holds regular church services throughout the week. Cesky Krumlov is a popular day trip destination for visitors to Prague, especially in the summer months.
 
Explore Cesky Krumlov Castle
Dating back to 1240, Cesky Krumlov Castle is a relic of a long-ago era when aristocracy and royalty built fortresses to protect their wealth. It was greatly expanded in the baroque era (around 1650) when a theater was added to the grounds. Most visitors to the town stop at both the castle and the church while in the area.