Kostel svatého Vavřince (Kožlany) Church
The dominant parish church dominates the eastern part of Kožlan. The single-boat building was originally built in Gothic style, which was gradually covered by Baroque reconstruction from the 18th century.
It is believed that the church was built in 1240-50 during the reign of King Wenceslas I. It was first mentioned in written sources in 1283 when he became a parish church. The stormy history of the church began in 1430, when the Taborites destroyed it; The repairs took place later on under the care of the Těřovský masters. In 1571 the church underwent further extensive repairs, after which only the presbytery and the base wall were preserved. In 1769 it burned down - it was subsequently rebuilt in Baroque style. The dramatic moment came on July 1, 1897, when lightning struck the cross on the tower. Although the electrical discharge stopped on the rook, the heating of metal elements led to smoke after eight minutes and soon afterwards to flames. Fortunately, the church tower was quickly extinguished.
The construction is oriented towards the exit. The presbytery, which is probably from the second half of the 14th century, has a triangular finish and a cross vault with sharp windows and a winning arch. The most charming part is the original Gothic painting from the middle of the 14th century on the walls of the presbytery, depicting the prophets and the Earth's patrons. These valuable frescoes were discovered in 1949 and professionally restored in 1952 by the restorer František Fišek. The presbytery ends with a saddle roof with valmas and a protruding eight-sided sandbox with an onion roof. The rectangular ship hides in the foundations the remains of the Gothic masonry and has a flat ceiling; In the western part, it is supported by a circle with two wooden columns. The four-sided tower on the west side with onion fighting and eight-sided elements is ended with an onion roof, tip, poppy and cross.
The neo-gothic main altar is decorated with a Baroque painting of St. Lawrence by painter Peter Brandle. The lateral Baroque altars come from the abolished Dominican monastery in Pilsen. The church keeps the tombstones of the Lord Těřovský; In the hall there are tombstones of the Kožlan priests from 1801 and 1816. The building is surrounded by a abolished cemetery with a statue of St. John Nepomuk from 1737. The Statues of Madonna on the east side of the hall and Saint Joseph on the west side complement the rich decoration of this valuable parish church.
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
- 1283
- For the first time, the church is listed as a parish church.
- 1430
- The church was destroyed by Táborites during the Hussite Wars.
- 1769
- The church burned down and was subsequently rebuilt in the Baroque style.
- 1949
- They were discovered and later restored gothic frescos in the presbytery.
Architectural development
The original Gothic church from the 2nd half of the 14th century was rebuilt after a fire in 1769 in the Baroque style. The presbytery with the cross vault and frescoes was preserved while the ship was given a flat ceiling and was supplemented with a crust. The tower was equipped with onion shagging and lantern. The masonry ship contains the remains of the original gothic masonry.
Historical events
In 1430, the church was destroyed by Tábority, burned down in 1769 and was rebuilt baroque. In 1897, he was threatened by a lightning fire to the tower, but it was quickly extinguished.
Points of interest
- The church of St. Lawrence in Kožlany was originally built in Gothic style probably in 1240-1250 under the reign of King Wenceslas I.
The first written mention of the church dates back to 1283, when it became a parish church.
- In 1430 the church was destroyed by Táborites, the repairs later took place during the patronage of the Těřovský lords.
- In 1769 it burned down and was subsequently rebuilt in Baroque style.
- In presbytery are preserved gothic frescos from the middle of the 14th century with scenes of prophets and earth patrons, discovered in 1949 and restored in 1952.
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.
The Church of Saint Lawrence in Kožlany is a single-nave parish church, originally Gothic and later rebuilt in the Baroque style. It stands on an elevated spot in the eastern, oldest part of the town.
It was probably built between 1240 and 1250 during the reign of King Václav the First. It is first mentioned in 1283, when it became a parish church. In 1430 it was destroyed by the Taborites and was not repaired until the time of the lords of Týř. After another repair in 1571, only the presbytery and the walls in the foundations remained from the original structure. In 1769 the church caught fire and was subsequently rebuilt in the Baroque style.
Another fire threatened on July 1st, 1897, when lightning struck the cross on the tower. The discharge shattered against the largest of the onion domes, but the metal parts of the tower heated up so much that after about eight minutes, small clouds began to rise above the domes and soon after, flames appeared. The tower was quickly extinguished.
The church is oriented towards the east. A slightly narrower presbytery with a three-sided apse is attached to the rectangular nave, a four-sided tower adjoins the western wall of the nave. In front of the northern façade, facing the town, is a vestibule, and on the south side of the presbytery is the sacristy. The tower is crowned with an onion dome featuring an eight-sided lantern and another onion-shaped roof with a finial and cross. From the ridge of the roof above the presbytery rises an eight-sided sanctus bell turret.
The most valuable part is the Gothic presbytery with ribbed vaulting and pointed windows. Its walls, vault and triumphal arch are covered with original paintings from the middle of the 14th century, depicting prophets and earthly patrons. They were discovered in 1949 and three years later were restored by František Fišer. The nave has a flat ceiling and its walls conceal remains of Gothic masonry. In the western part stands a gallery supported by two wooden columns.
The Neo-Gothic high altar bears a Baroque painting of Saint Lawrence by Petr Brandl. Baroque side altars were brought here from the dissolved Dominican monastery in Plzen. In the church are tombstones of the lords of Týř, and in the vestibule are tombstones of Kožlany parish priests from 1801 and 1816.
The church is surrounded by a decommissioned cemetery with a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk from 1737. On either side of the vestibule stand statues of Madonna and Saint Joseph.
Tips for visitors
The best time to visit the church of St. Lawrence is during the morning hours of the week when there is peace and opportunity to see the memory without crowds. Baroque modifications and gothic presbytery work best in peace, especially with pleasant light falling through the thick windows. If you prefer sunny weather, it is recommended to visit the summer months when outdoor light is ideal for shooting details of the facade and interior. In winter, the church offers a unique atmosphere thanks to the lighting and shadows falling from the windows.
The site is also available by car on local roads that lead directly to the monument. For visitors by public transport we recommend to check the connection to Kožlan in the search engine as the current lines can change.
When visiting the church, take comfortable shoes, as the journey through stone corridors and stairs can be slippery, especially after the rain. It is also important to bring a small keychain knife or similar object to open doors if they are locked. Prepare a macro lens for photography to capture the details of Gothic architecture and Baroque decorations. Also remember the mobile charger, as there may be a limited signal in the interior.
The best places for photography are presbytery with its cross vault and sharp windows that create interesting light effects. Baroque altars and statues in the interior are also interesting, which work best in the natural light from the window openings. Outside is then worth capturing a general view of the church with the surrounding cemetery district and statues. It is recommended to photograph in the morning or afternoon light when the shadows are shorter and the colors are more vivid.
In the vicinity of the church of St. Lawrence there is the town of Plasy, which is about 30 minutes away by car. Here it is worth visiting the monastery and the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, an important Baroque monument with a rich history. For families with children it is also interesting to visit a museum or walk around the historical centre with its picturesque streets. The surrounding natural areas such as forests and meadows, which are ideal for short walks, can also be visited in Kožlany itself.
For families with children, a visit to the church of St. Lawrence is interesting thanks to the possibility of exploring historical monuments and hearing stories associated with the church. Children can be intrigued by statues in the cemetery and their decoration, which tells about the past of the village. In the interior they can be interested in Baroque paintings and frescoes. It is also interesting for children to explore the surrounding nature and look for nature in the cemetery roads.
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: Dr. E. Beneše, Kožlany, Plzeňský 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. 32546/4-1310).
For kids
Imagine going back to the past, until Kožlany was a small village region. The church of St. Lawrence stood in the middle of the village and was the only place where people gathered to pray and celebrate the holidays.
It was like a game where heroes met in a secret sanctuary. And this sanctuary was the church of St. Lawrence! There lived peasants, merchants and craftsmen who tried to cultivate soil and get rich.
Businesses nearby
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Nearby
The church is situated in the area of the abolished cemetery with monument protected statues. In the surrounding area there is an original wall, which is the rest of the former perimeter of the cemetery. In the vicinity (up to 5 km) is the town of Plasy with a monastery and the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is an important Baroque monument.
Accommodation nearby
Trips and activities nearby
Guided tours, tickets and activities nearby from GetYourGuide
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Search tours and activities →Themed route
1. Church of St. Lawrence (church) - The main destination of the trip. 2. The area of the abolished cemetery with statues and fenced walls (monument area) - Here you can admire the protected statues and remains of the original perimeter of the cemetery. 3. City of Plasy (city) - A nearby city offering further cultural knowledge. 4. The monastery in Plas (Baroque monument) - Significant Baroque building within the city. 5. Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Church) - A significant Baroque monument in the Plas.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring: In the spring period, the Church of St. Lawrence in Kožlany turns into a wonderful green colour, where surrounding trees and bushes bloom. The sunny days give the church a gentle shiny effect, which is the perfect time for photography. This season it is recommended to visit in the morning or evening to avoid the midday sun and potential crowds. Put on a suitable mix - a warm shirt under a light jacket - because temperatures can be medium.
Summer: In the summer, the Church of St. Lawrence in Kožlany is surrounded by living nature and full of flowering, creating a dazzling atmosphere. Summer is the best time for long walks around the sights when you can relax and appreciate its beauty. It is recommended to arrive in the early afternoon to avoid the largest crowds that come in the middle of the day. Remember the sun balls and short gloves for UV protection.
Autumn: In autumn, the Church of St. Lawrence in Kožlany will turn into a colourful palette, when leaves receive live windows and shadow formation adds atmosphere. This season is ideal for quiet tours without large crowds. It is recommended to visit at noon when the sun is still strong enough to illuminate leafy trees. Put on a layered suit and a short jacket for temperature changes.
Winter: In winter, the Church of St. Lawrence in Kožlany offers a quiet atmosphere where the surrounding area is covered with snow or pale leaves. The sunny days give the church a special shiny effect and can become an ideal place for photography. Visit him in the early afternoon when the sun is at its highest level and the days are shorter. Wear warm clothes - leather shoes, blankets and hats - to protect yourself from cold.
Visualizations and artistic views
The visualisations are generated by artificial intelligence and serve as inspiration.
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: Adam Hauner at Czech Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0, rozlišení zvýšeno umělou inteligencí — 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.
Location on the map
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