kostel svatého Ondřeje na Sionu Church
St. Andrew's Church is located east of the village Chlístovice, where it stands alone in a high place above the small river Vrchlice. The cemetery wall area is protected as a cultural monument. The construction is one of the architectural attractions of Kutnohorska, where Gothic foundations are intertwined with younger Baroque adaptations.
The church was founded during the period of peak or late goth, probably on the site of an older building. In the 14th century Chlístovice belonged to the Prague chapter at St. Vitus Temple. Historically, the church is documented to 1352 under the name Hrádek. A significant turn in the fate of the construction brought an end to the Hussite wars, when the capitular property was acquired by Jan Roháč z Dubé. This warlord built his Zion chateau nearby, with which the church was connected forever. The tower was added to the church later - a dendrochronological survey indicates the end of the 15th century at first. The wooden bell floor was created during construction modifications in the 1980s. The Baroque reconstruction took place in the early 18th century.
The construction has a distinctive Gothic composition: a rectangular boat with polygonal presbyter covering flat ceilings. A tower with a wooden bell floor is attached to the boat. Wesele opens simple portals to the ship. Under the tower, there is an undertower with a valence vault. The Baroque character of the church highlights the shield in the western facade. A valuable bell from 1509 was preserved in the tower, which was taken out by the kutnohorsky bell man Ondřej Bird. The inscription says he was cast to honor the memory of John Roháč from Dubé.
There are several rumours and facts associated with the church. According to the local tradition, Ondřej of Dubé, the great-uncle of John Roháč and the supreme judge of the Earth, had the clay scattered from the Jerusalem Mount Zion just at the church. During the 20th century various surveys were carried out - for example, in the 1950s they discovered a short corridor towards the Faroese side. But more recent georadar research has not confirmed many of these findings. In 2025, there are two hanging bells in the tower: an older Saint Wenceslas and a newer Saint Joseph, who was dedicated to the family in 2023 at the request of the equestrian native Josef Strnad, the resistance of the fallen during World War II.
In 2017, Zion Church was founded, which took care of the reconstruction of the building. Thanks to the transparent account, the wider public was able to obtain support. In the autumn of 2021 he held a meeting in Zion, where the church was opened to the public. 45,000 crowns were collected from the voluntary admission fee. Today, the church remains a witness to centuries of Czech history, from the period of Gothic creation to the Hussite wars to today's times.
Then and now
Drag the slider to compare how the landmark may have looked when it was built with the view today.
The historical appearance on the left is an AI-generated visualisation and serves as inspiration only.
Historical milestones
- 1352
- The first written mention of the church under the name Hrádek.
- End of the 15th Century
- Adding a tower, confirmed by a dendrochronological survey.
- beginning of the 18th century
- Baroque church reconstruction.
- 2017
- Establishing a Zion church to support church renewal.
Architectural development
The church was built on the basis of the Gothic core, probably on older foundations. The tower was built at the latest at the end of the 15th century, while the wooden floor in the tower was created during modifications in the 1980s. The Baroque reconstruction took place in the early 18th century when the church was adapted to its present appearance with flat ceilings and a shield in the western facade. The materials include the stone construction of the ship and the presbytery with a valence vault in the undertower.
Historical events
- 1352
- The first written mention of the church under the name Hrádek, when the Chlístovice belonged to the Prague chapter.
- 15th Century
- Jan Roháč z Dubé acquired the church as part of the capitular goods and had built the chateau of Zion nearby.
- 1509
- The rain of the bell in the Kutnohorsky bell shop Ondřej Bird, which was dedicated to the memory of Jan Roháč from Dubé.
- 2021
- Opening the church to the public at the Sion meeting, organized by the association Zion Chur
Owners
14th century – Prague chapter at the temple of St. Vitus; beginning of the 15th century – Jan Roháč z Dubé; 18th century - until now – administration of the church (more precisely unknown, probably church institution).
Points of interest
- The church of St. Andrew stands in a high place above the river Vrchlice and is surrounded by a cemetery wall protected as a cultural monument.
- The construction combines Gothic foundations with Baroque adaptations from the early 18th century.
- The tower was built no later than the end of the 15th century, while the wooden bell floor was created during the 1980s.
- In the tower there is a bell from 1509 cast by the Kutnohorsky bell tower Ondrej Ptáček, dedicated to the memory of Jan Roháč from Dubé.
- The church is associated with the tradition that Ondřej of Dubé, the great-uncle of John Roháč, scattered the clay from Jerusalem's Mount Zion.
Guide
This guide is narrated by a synthetic voice generated by artificial intelligence.
Show guide text
This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
On a hilltop above the Vrchlice stream, to the east of the village Chlístovice in the Kutná Hora region, stands the Church of Saint Andrew in solitude. People also call it the Sionský kostelík. It has a Gothic foundation and was renovated in the Baroque style in the eighteenth century. The entire complex, enclosed by a cemetery wall, is protected as a cultural monument.
The church was built during the High or Late Gothic period, possibly on the foundations of an older structure. Chlístovice belonged to the Prague Chapter of the Cathedral of Saint Vitus already in the fourteenth century. By the year 1352, the church is documented under the name Hrádek. During the Hussite Wars, Jan Roháč z Dubé acquired the Chapter's estates and built his castle Sion nearby.
The tower was probably added later. According to a wood-age survey, it was built no earlier than the end of the fifteenth century. Its wooden belfry level was added during renovations in the eighties of the sixteenth century. The Baroque reconstruction took place at the beginning of the eighteenth century.
The church has a rectangular nave and a multi-sided presbytery, both with flat ceilings. A tower with an extended wooden belfry level adjoins the nave. The porch is vaulted with a barrel vault and opens into the nave through a simple portal with a broken arch. The Baroque character of the building is evident in the gable on the western facade.
In the tower there is a bell from 1509 with a diameter of 106 centimeters. It was cast by the Kutná Hora bell-maker Ondřej Ptáček and the inscription on it says it was made to honor the memory of Jan z Dubé, that is Jan Roháč. In 2025, two bells were hanging in the bell tower, Saint Václav and the new Saint Joseph. The latter was donated in 2023 by a family at the wish of Joseph Strnad, a native of Chlístovice and a resistance fighter who was executed by the Nazis.
A legend is connected to this place. According to it, Roháč's great-uncle, the highest territorial judge Ondřej z Dubé, had soil from Mount Sion near Jerusalem scattered here.
In the nineteen fifties, a short passage leading from the church to the vicar's slope was discovered. A common grave sealed with lime was also found in front of the charnel house. However, later ground-penetrating radar surveys did not confirm the passage and showed that there is no crypt in the church. Nor was the buried bell of Saint Václav from 1489, which was sought in the area around the church, ever found.
The Sionský kostelík association, founded in 2017, is working to restore the church. In the autumn of 2021, they organized the Gathering on Sion, during which 45,000 crowns were collected from voluntary admission fees.
Tips for visitors
Best time to visit St. Andrew's church is in the morning or late afternoon, when there are fewer visitors. In summer it is ideal to avoid noon temperatures when the interior can be quite hot. The church stands on the hill above the river Vrchlicí, so it is advisable to visit it after the rain, when the surrounding nature gains beauty and light illuminates the Gothic elements of the building from a new angle.
The location is available by car on local roads that run from the village Chlístovice. The current connection of public transport must be verified in the traffic search engine as regular connections do not come here.
When visiting the church, wear comfortable clothes and shoes as the way to the top is partially uneven and the stones under your feet can be unpleasant. Next, I recommend you take a small umbrella with you, as it may be wet near the river Vrchlice. Prepare a lens with a larger focal length to capture detailed elements of Gothic architecture.
The best places for photography are the entrance portal of the church where its Gothic core is captured, and the surrounding church where the natural beauty of the river Vrchlice and surrounding forests is combined. It is recommended to photograph in the morning or afternoon light when the light is softer and creates fewer shadows. It is possible to photograph in the interior of the church, but it is necessary to respect other visitors and any restrictions.
In the vicinity of the church is worth visiting the ruins of Zion Chateau, located approximately 500 metres from the church. This chateau was built in the 15th century and offers an interesting view of the surrounding landscape. For families with children it is also advisable to visit the natural surroundings of the Vrchlice river where children can collect stones or observe nature. Near the church there is also the possibility of short walks along the edges of the premises, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.
For families with children it is advisable to visit the church at a time when the weather is pleasant outside, and children can see the surrounding nature. You can go with them for a short walk to the river Vrchlice, where children can play and observe the water flow. When visiting Zion Chateau, children can explore the ruins and imagine what life in the past looked like. It is also recommended to take some small toys or laptops with you so that the children have something to do when you look at the church.
Frequently asked questions
Can the monument be visited?
Religious buildings are usually open mainly during services; at other times a visit is normally arranged with the parish or the operator. We have not verified specific times.
Where is the monument?
Location: Chlístovice, Středočeský kraj. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
Why is the monument protected?
It is listed in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic as a cultural monument (register no. 37065/2-1006).
For kids
Imagine going back 676 years to when kostel svatého Ondřeje na Sionu was still young and it was a place where people lived, worked and prayed. This was in 1350 when the Gothic church was built as a place for prayer and respect.
How did it look here? Who lived here? What happened here? It was like a game where heroes lived, worked and loved. People lived in small houses around the church, were farmers, craftsmen, merchants and people who cared for animals. The church was the center of the village where weddings, funerals and other important events took place.
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1.Chlístovice - Type: Historical village - Why is it worth a visit: The village with the historical core forms the starting point for exploring the surroundings and is located only about one kilometre from the main destination.
2. Church of St. Andrew on Sionu - Type: Sacral monument - Why is it worth a visit: This main destination is situated on the top of the river Vrchlice and offers a unique atmosphere associated with the history of the place.
3. Top above the river Top - Type: Natural element - Why is it worth a visit: The elevated place surrounding the church provides a picturesque view of the surrounding landscape, which flows through the nearby river Vrchlice.
4. Castle Zion - Type: The ruin of the chateau - Why is it worth a visit: The ruins of the chateau, which Jan Roháč z Dubé had built in the 15th century, lie approximately 500 metres from the church and commemorate significant historical events.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring at the Zion near Chlistovice offers a unique atmosphere of awakening nature, when the surrounding walls and meadows bloom with wild herbs and the trees fall into a light green veil. Due to the lengthening days, the sun's light is very fine and mild and beautifully depicts the details of the ancient stone wall of St. Andrew's Church. Due to the satisfactory technical condition of the monument, it is ideal to start in the morning when the morning herpes gives the place a mysterious character. From a practical point of view, you will appreciate fixed and waterproof shoes, because the field paths leading to the surfaces can be drenched after spring rains. You will not meet crowds of tourists here at this time, so you will enjoy the tour in complete peace, but count on a colder wind blowing from an open landscape that requires a wind-proof jacket.
Summer in this Central Bohemia region brings lush vegetation, which partly surrounds the memory, and deep shadows cast by crowns of grown trees. The bright noon sun alternates more dramatic afternoon lighting conditions that are ideal for photographing the exterior of the church with contrasting rich green leaves and a sky full of summer clouds. The best time to visit is either early morning hours or late afternoon, when the heat falls. Although the main summer season attracts hikers to the countryside, the monument still retains a chamber character without a mass rush of people. Do not forget to bring with you sufficient supply of drinking water, sun cover and an effective insect repellent, which occurs in the surrounding high grass to a greater extent.
Autumn turns the surroundings of Klistovice into a colorful palette of shades of yellow, orange and red, giving the Church of St. Andrew an extremely photogenic and nostalgic character. The low sun creates long shadows during the day and a warm, golden light that radiates the surrounding landscape beautifully in the morning. The weather is variable in this period, so it is necessary to choose layered clothes to protect you from colder rips of wind and unexpected helplessness. The roads can be covered with fallen and wet leaves, which places higher demands on careful walking, so we recommend fixed hiking shoes. On weekends, lovers of autumn tourism sometimes stop here, but overall there is a calm and thoughtful atmosphere around the building.
Winter covers Zion into silence and often also into a snow blanket that underlines the lonely and chateau atmosphere of this place. The lighting is very specific due to the low sun, which quickly disappears behind the horizon, and the early shadow coming already in the late afternoon gives the construction a darker but very impressive background. The tour must be scheduled for morning or early afternoon hours to take advantage of daylight, and must be provided for limited availability due to the state of communication. Quality winter clothes, warm gloves, hats and shoes with non-slip soles are essential, as the access path to the wooded top is icy and slippery. During this period you will find visitors quite rarely, which guarantees undisturbed winter atmosphere near the historical monument.
Visualizations and artistic views
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Photos from the area
Real photos taken near the monument
Zdroj a licence jsou uvedeny u každého snímku.
Atmosphere of the place
This atmospheric visualisation of the place and period was generated by artificial intelligence. It is not real footage of the location.
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Sources and literature
Photos: ŠJů (cs:ŠJů) / CC BY-SA 3.0 — Wikimedia Commons. The author and licence also appear when you hover over the image.
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
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