Kostel svatého Jiljí (Dolní Dvořiště) Church

The Church of Saint Giles in Dolní Dvořiště in the Českokrumlovsko region belongs among the most significant late Gothic structures built by the Rožmberk family in southern Bohemia. Construction began around fourteen eighty and the church was consecrated in fifteen oh seven. Since then it has undergone only relatively minor modifications. Since nineteen sixty three it has been protected as a cultural monument.

The church stands at the highest point in the surrounding area. This location may have had defensive and symbolic significance. The elevated cemetery wall surrounding the church may have also served as fortification. Because the church is clearly visible from all approach roads, it could also have served as a destination for pilgrims.

The first mentions of the church date from twelve seventy nine. The church most likely originated together with the Rožmberk village. Around fourteen hundred, Petr Čtvrtý of Rožmberk began its reconstruction into an extensive cathedral. He wanted to turn the small town into a large and significant center. However his plans were thwarted by the Hussite wars, so the main part of the present structure was built only from fourteen eighty onwards.

For the construction the Rožmberks obtained an indulgence privilege which was meant to secure sufficient funds. First a sacristy with an ossuary in the basement was built as well as the perimeter walls of the choir. In fourteen eighty eight a stone tabernacle was added and the choir received star net vaulting. Four years later a wrought iron grille was placed at the tabernacle. Then work began on the three naved main body. Entry was provided by two portals with broken tympanums.

At the beginning of the sixteenth century shortly before the completion of the three naved section the project was substantially altered for unknown reasons. The perimeter walls of the three naved section were heightened. However the vault supports were already firmly installed and so the vault ribs had to be bent at many places. Some ribs even end blindly. Based on the shape of the windows and coats of arms work continued on the exterior of the church into the mid sixteenth century.

Major repairs came again in eighteen thirty eight and eighteen ninety one. During the latter Baroque furnishings were removed and plaster was taken off and replaced with neo Gothic decoration. After nineteen forty five the fate of the church was marked by the expulsion of German inhabitants and the creation of a border zone at the Iron Curtain. The church has been used only minimally since then and gradually deteriorated. Between nineteen ninety five and two thousand fourteen five million three hundred fifty thousand crowns were spent on its restoration.

The church has a slender distinctly vertical appearance which derives from the Czech pre Hussite tradition. It bears great similarity to the Church of Saint James in Prachatice. It adopts vault patterns from it and the shape of the support capitals. Both structures may therefore have been designed by the same architect.